The Best Short Haircuts for Brunettes

The sleek, the bold, and everything in between

@dualipa 

01
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Pixies Look Great With Short Brown Hair

 Getty Images

Brown and black hair look fantastic with a short haircut. The contrast between lighter skin and darker hair makes a shorter cut stand out more than it does on light hair and skin.

This gallery highlights fabulous short, dark hairstyles. Many of the styles are pixies, but a few bobs and many edgy cuts are included as well. They're the perfect inspiration for your next cut. Be sure to show your stylist any that you love and she'll have a great idea of the look you're going for.

Remember that styling short hair can be somewhat high maintenance. You need the right tools and products to get that perfect tousled look. Stock up and you'll get the most out of your new look.

02
of 19

A Great Edgy Cut

Ginnifer Goodwin
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin often has fabulous short cuts. She looks lovely with this pixie that features long, side-swept bangs. The rich chocolate color also makes the short, edgy haircut pop and it frames her face perfectly.

03
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Sleek and Sophisticated

Ginnifer Goodwin
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Here, actress Ginnifer Goodwin sports a slicked to the side look that makes her cut look more sophisticated and perfect for evening wear. Her sparkly earrings and minimal makeup put the focus on her beautiful face as well. 

04
of 19

Going Long

Ginnifer Goodwin
Michael Buckner/Getty Images

If you thought pixies were Ginnifer Goodwin's go-to cut, think again. This adorable bob also shows off her face shape and the highlighted curls give it a sexy-sleek look.

05
of 19

A Cool Shag Haircut

Renee Felice Smith
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

This choppy shag haircut is a bit of a daring hairstyle, but actress Renee Smith wears it with confidence. It's a little longer than most and is absolutely fabulous for her heart-shaped face.

06
of 19

Short Curls Are Great

Carmen Consoli
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Some people may say that you can't go short with curls, but it can be done. Short curly haircuts can be high maintenance, though Italian singer Carmen Consoli's thick and tousled bob looks hot and a little wild. That's exactly why we love it.

07
of 19

The Classic, Cute Pixie

Valorie Curry
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

This short pixie is a classic look and one that's easy to maintain and grow out. It really makes actress Valorie Curry look even more youthful than she does naturally. It's a cute, sexy look that is timeless.

08
of 19

Highlights for the Eye Pop

Cindy Leive
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

The highlights in this short haircut bring out Glamour magazine editor Cindi Leive's eyes. It's a simple addition to a new cut that can really stand out, especially when it's layered in such amazing shades of brown.

09
of 19

The Brown Bob

Jessica Stroup
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

This brown bob typically works best for women with naturally straight hair. Though we often see her with shoulder-length hair, actress Jessica Stroup sure can rock the look.

If your hair is curly, you can get this look with a flat-iron and a little time. It's a fantastic option for a night out.

10
of 19

Short, Brown, and Dramatic

Dramatic bob
Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images

Spanish pop singer Luz Casal is another woman to watch for dramatic, short styles. They're filled with classic yet vogue style and range from long layers to short and sleek. This particular cut is one that will grow out great, so it's perfect for a woman who loves to change things up like she does.

11
of 19

The Short, Brown Bob

Chelsea Hobbs
Valerie Macon/Getty Images

Canadian actress Chelsea Hobbs is another woman who wears her hair long more than she does short. Yet, this longer bob with bangs can give many women confidence that trimming a little more off can result in a great look.

12
of 19

Funky and Fresh Hairstyle

Juncal Rivero
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

The bangs on Spanish model Juncal Rivero's hairstyle tone down her wider forehead without covering it completely. The curls are soft and stunning and the entire look is retro glam.

13
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Short, Spiky, and Stunning

Morena Baccarin
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Notice how short the bangs on this haircut are. While it will take a lot of upkeep, it will grow out nicely if you tire of it. If you've got a lovely face like actress Morena Baccarin does, this style will only bring more attention to your best features.

14
of 19

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Fashion designer, model, and singer Victoria Beckham made the asymmetrical bob iconic in many ways. Growing out an unevenly cut style like this can take patience, though. Just be prepared to cut it all one length when you're ready to change things up.

15
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Growing It Out in Style

Hillary Swank
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Known for her long, wavy locks, actress Hilary Swank did cut it relatively short at one time. Here she shows that you can retain a ton of style while growing it out. Those side-swept bangs and the golden highlights add fun and funk to the look.

16
of 19

Sweet, Black, and Bold

Diablo Cody
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

This super short cut is super sweet and it's made even better by the deep black color. It really brings out filmmaker Diablo Cody's stunning sea blue eyes.

17
of 19

Cute Yet Cool

Alexa Chung
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

British "it" girl, Alexa Chung is known for her cool haircuts. They're usually pretty mussy and have that unkempt look, but they work really well for her personality. In this photo, she took it shorter than normal with a wavy bob that is super cute.

18
of 19

Curls for a Sultry Look

Chandra Wilson
Frazer Harrison./etty Images

A curling iron adds a sultry dimension to "Grey's Anatomy" star Chandra Wilson's long bob. The curls are classy yet modern and it's a fabulous look for the red carpet or any special occasion.

19
of 19

Halle Berry

Halle Berry
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Actress Halle Berry is another icon for trend-setting short hairstyles. She's known for going from pixies to shags and this is a mix of both. It's definitely one of our favorite looks from her over the years.