Tips and Inspiration
From Unilever Beauty Experts
Short and medium hairstyles help petite women look taller by balancing proportions and drawing attention to their best features. If you’re aiming to add height and confidence through your look, here are six flattering hairstyles for petite women to try.
By hitting just above the shoulders, an angled lob (long bob) lengthens the neck and slims the face for a flattering effect on petite frames. The asymmetrical cut also frames the face beautifully, softening features while adding structure.
The style looks great on Selena Gomez when worn sleek and shiny – a polished look you can flaunt from day to night. Ask your hairstylist to leave your layers longer in the front and shorter at the back, with a gradual length change all around.
Style it with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum, which fights frizz, detangles knots, boosts shine, adds softness, and tames flyaways – in one supremely smoothing system, making your hair look as glossy and silky yet naturally bouncy as possible.
Think of the bixie cut as the sweet spot between a bob’s sophistication and a pixie’s edge. Its layered length adds movement that makes petites look taller and more balanced.
On Florence Pugh, the longer bixie softens the cut’s edge while keeping it effortlessly stylish. For petites, the added length around the ears and nape can be tucked back or worn loose, creating lightness that keeps the style from overwhelming a smaller frame.
You can style this haircut in several ways. For more relaxed occasions, go au naturel and treat your tresses to some pampering with Cream Silk Triple Keratin Rescue Ultimate Repair & Shine Ultra Conditioner for a soft, effortless look.
Prefer to keep it sweet and feminine? A lob or a shoulder-length cut with soft layers and curtain bangs will do the trick. The layers will subtly frame your face while keeping the look dainty and classic, while curtain bangs add an air of innocence.
Let Coleen Garcia be your hair peg for this, as her fringe gently parts in the middle. Her shoulder-length layers also add bounce and lightness, so the look never feels heavy on a petite frame.
For a modern-meets-effortless look, go for a blunt bob with soft waves. This hairstyle’s even base builds shape, while the texture keeps things dimensional.
Channel Alliah Racelis’ tousled finish. It skims the face and stays breezy rather than heavy. For short-hair styling, curl only the mid-lengths and ends, then brush out gently to keep the shape loose and refined.
This short, one-length hairstyle is one of the most classic hairstyles for petite women. It brings instant sophistication while keeping proportions in check. Its sharp edges define the jawline and create a clean, structured silhouette that makes you look taller and more polished.
Lily Collins proves how versatile this hairstyle can be. Her sleek bob draws attention to her features, making it a chic cut that balances elegance with simplicity.
A cropped pixie cut is a power move. It draws attention to your eyes and smile while creating the illusion of height through its short, clean lines. This style works especially well for petites who want something bold and fuss-free.
Sarah Geronimo shows how a close-cropped pixie can look both playful and elegant. The hairstyle highlights her features beautifully and brings out a confident yet youthful vibe.
Although the word “petite” can conjure images of a tiny, dainty woman, it has nothing to do with weight. “Petite” refers to height (typically 5’4” and under). The right hairstyles add lift at the crown, use face-framing layers, and favor clean lines to elongate the frame and balance features.
Short to medium hairstyles are generally the most flattering for petite women. Bobs, lobs, bixies, and shoulder-skimming cuts keep silhouettes light and visually taller. However, your choices do not have to feel restricted – many styles suit all kinds of moods and occasions.
Choose from these hairstyles for petite women, so you can stand out with a cut that suits you best. Snip away and make an unforgettable impression!