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21 Styling Products People With Short Hair Really Love

Texturizing sprays and styling waxes, finishing creams and flake-free gels — we've got every short crop covered, no matter your hair type.
Woman with short curly hair and sunglasses
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For women especially, cutting as much hair off as possible can be the most liberating feeling in the world. Though there's nothing wrong with loving longer, traditionally "feminine" styles, letting go of gender norms and allowing yourself experimentation can open you up to a whole new side of yourself. A shaggy pixie cut, a close-cropped afro, or even a high-and-tight undercut fade will change a person's whole look — and their routine, too.

Longer-haired folk might assume that short haircuts require far less styling and upkeep, but ask anyone with short hair to show you their bathroom cabinet and you'll be confronted with an array of gels, creams, pomades, and sprays they rely on for keeping curls coiled, side-parts sleek, and volume intact. Sometimes, shorter strands just need an extra push from products in order to cooperate. 

That's why we've asked short-haired Allure editors and professional stylists to give us their best short-hair styling picks. Here are 12 of their favorites, spanning all hair types and textures.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Paul Mitchell Flexible Style Sculpting Foam on white background
    1/21

    Paul Mitchell Flexible Style Sculpting Foam

    This coconut-scented mousse from Paul Mitchell helps control frizzy hair and flyaways without sacrificing moisture. Hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew is a fan of the Paul Mitchell Flexible Style Sculpting Foam because it gives a hold that lasts all day long. "I love lightweight products that allow you to still comb through the hair while leaving a long-lasting shine," she says. "This is one of them for sure!"

    $12 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    2/21

    Mielle Organics Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Styling Gel

    The Mielle Organics Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Gel uses a combination of avocado and ginger root oils to hydrate curls. Editorial assistant Gabi Thorne loves using this gel to keep her 3C hair defined and frizz-free. "My teeny-weeny-afro (TWA) typically starts frizzing up on day two, and by day three, it looks like it's been fully brushed out," she says. "But going on day three and even four, my curls were still defined with this gel."

    $7 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    3/21

    Vernon François Styling Cream

    Vernon François' Styling Cream works wonders to keep waves, curls, and kinks defined. With a blend of moisturizing ingredients — shea butter, witch hazel, argan, and olive oil — the creamy conditioner doesn't sacrifice hydration to smooth hair.

    $15 (Shop Now)

  • 4/21

    Verb Sculpting Clay 

    Verb's Sculpting Clay can slick down or add volume to hair while leaving a gorgeous sheen (thanks to argan oil). Because of the pomade's flexible hold, you can restyle your hair throughout the day, if needed. 

    $18 (Shop Now) 

  • Courtesy of brand
    7/21

    Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream

    The baobab and cactus oils in the Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream are what make it feel like heaven on your hair. The thick honey-based cream softens and moisturizes dry curls while also leaving a nice hold. After applying, Thorne likes to add a little bit of oil to break up any potential crunchiness.

    $32 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    8/21

    Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Frizz Control Sculpting Gel

    Staff writer Nicola Dall'sen loves using Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Frizz Control Sculpting Gel to help restore the bounciness in her 2B/3A curls. The lightweight gel can sometimes leave waves and loose curls crunchy, and Dall'sen has a simple fix. "My hair dries a little bit crunchy because I like to put lots of gel in it for extra definition," she explains. "But all I need to do to soften it up is to press sections of curls between my hands while pulling slightly downward, kind of like a modified version of the praying-hands method."

    $8 (Shop Now)

  • 9/21

    Living Proof Amp2 Instant Texture Volumizer

    Sturdivant-Drew recommends using Living Proof's Amp2 Instant Texture Volumizer when you want to create texture or volume in the hair. Rub the white cream in your hands and it transforms into a clear matte formula that will add a lasting hold to any style.  

    $27 (Shop Now) 

  • 10/21

    Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker

    Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker is jam-packed with hydrating ingredients — aloe, castor seed, and vitamin E oil — to soften curls and provide a flexible hold. It virtually doesn't matter how much of this lightweight jelly you slather on because it will leave a gorgeous sheen, without the crunchy feel typical to most gels. 

    $22 (Shop Now) 

  • 11/21

    Carol's Daughter Monoi Repair & Moisture Star Strength Leave-In Cream

    Sturdivant-Drew loves how the lightweight Carol's Daughter Monoi Repair & Moisture Star Strength Leave-In Cream hydrates and restores damaged hair. Though it doesn't feel heavy, this cream is rich enough to work as an everyday styler or moisturizer, thanks to the Tahitian monoi oil in the formula. 

    $22 (Shop Now) 

  • Courtesy of brand
    12/21

    R+Co Dart Pomade Stick

    It's one thing to work your hair into place when styling it at home, but getting it stay there throughout a long day is another story altogether. Luckily, R+Co has developed the Dart Pomade Stick (a Best of Beauty winner), which you can rub into your hands for quick-and-easy style maintenance at a moment's notice.

    $19 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    15/21

    Kenra Professional Platinum Texturizing Taffy 13

    Hair that needs separation and hold without the crunch will find bliss with Kenra Platinum's Texturizing Taffy. The brand recommends it for anyone with a wavy hair type. Fun fact: You can also use it to polish parts for braids.

    $22 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    16/21

    SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

    Another Best of Beauty winner for curls, SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie penetrates damp hair for wash-and-go styling without that tell-tale gel crunch.

    $10 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    17/21

    Harry's Sculpting Gel

    Though, yes, this is marketed as a men's product, hair products know no gender — don't knock this 'till you try it. For just eight bucks, Harry’s alcohol-free Sculpting Gel offers an extra-strong hold with high shine, perfect for a greaser-style slick.

    $8 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    18/21

    Rene Furterer Style Vegetal Styling Wax

    If maintaining shine and moisture is your biggest concern, turn to Rene Furterer's Vegetal Styling Wax. Its vitamin B5 complex provides your ends with relief after heat-styling or color treatment.

    $26 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    19/21

    Miss Jessie's Coily Custard

    If shrinkage is a big concern, Miss Jessie can provide the solution with Coily Custard, another wash-and-go favorite for frizz-free kinky curls. Its main ingredient is glycerin, meaning it's a sure thing for maintaining moisture in between wash days.

    $14 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    20/21

    Oribe Fiber Groom Elastic Texture Paste

    You can't see them at first glance, but the tiny polymers that give Oribe's Fiber Groom Elastic Texture Paste its name separate your strands and build height with a flexible hold that still allows your hair to bounce.

    $39 (Shop Now)

Nicola Dall'Asen is the news editor at Allure, where she oversees beauty news coverage and writes Learning Curve, a monthly column that unpacks the complicated experience of accepting your body in a world that doesn't want you to. She previously served as senior editor at Revelist and held... Read more
News Editor, Allure.com
Gabi Thorne is the associate news editor at Allure. Since graduating from Harvard University, where she received a student writing fellowship from The Nation to research political news and social media as they pertain to students and communities of color, Gabi has covered beauty, pop culture, news, and more... Read more
Associate News Editor
KeywordsHairhairstylesshort hairshort hairstyleshair productshair styling productshairstylistsr + coOribeHarry'shair pomadehair spraytexturizing hair sprayRenee Furterer
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