I’m thinking about taking the plunge and getting an easy hairstyle that doesn’t require as much maintenance as my long locks, but here’s the thing: I don’t want a mom cut. You know, a boring style that looks like I’ve totally given up. The more I look around, though, even chic, young, kid-free women are showing off easy hairstyles that would totally work better than my long locks.
As I approached my ninth month of pregnancy with Baby #2, I thought really long and hard about the classic mommy move of chopping all your hair off. Self-conscious about my shoulders and ears, I held off and have been wearing it long in a tangled mess, or half-back in a partial mom-bun, for months. But half the time my tresses end up with coffee, spit-up, stray mascara, or juice in them. And the other half of the time it takes a lot of work to make my long hair look cute.
It turns out, there are a lot of easy hairstyles that actually look cool. See my favorites and decide which one is best for you.
Easy Hairstyles
Face-Framing In Front With A Short Back
Short hair feels a lot more substantial when it's a bit longer in front. This style lends well to girls like me with medium hair that's on the straighter side. While it's gorgeous styled, you could easily roll out of bed and go with whatever shape it naturally falls into.
Photo: Instagram
Mom-Cut With Crazy Color
Ordinarily, I would call this shape "boring mom hair," but the cut gets an awesome boost with these shocking blue tones. If you work in a creative field or you're a stay-at-home mom, why not try this fun trend?
Photo: Instagram
Tousled Pixie
Oh, how I wish I had the confidence to chop it all off like this. A tousled pixie with just enough volume up top screams fun, but it's easy to style, too.
Photo: Instagram
Sexy Pixie
And while we're on the topic of pixies, this longer-in-front, straighter style is just gorgeous.
Photo: Instagram
Super Short Bob
There is something so effortlessly chic about a sleek, extra-short bob. And while this blunt, stick-straight style would look great on any hair color, in platinum blond it's smoldering.
Photo: Instagram
Classic Lob
A "lob," or long bob, is a great compromise for the mom who wants shorter, more manageable hair but isn't willing to do away with all her length. When I take the plunge, this is probably the route I'll take -- at least, to start.
Photo: The Beauty Department
Bouncy Bob With Bangs
This looks so luxe and youthful, yet it also makes a great low-effort hairstyle. Big, bouncy curls and long bangs are key to reinventing a classic bob here.
Photo: Instagram
Shaggy Bob
The best thing about this short style is that it makes standard SAHM bedhead look intentional. Seriously chic and easy to pull off on straight, wavy, or curly hair, the shaggy bob is a must-try.
Photo: The Beauty Department
Shoulder Length Waves
I've always suffered from a serious case of Emily Schuman Hair Envy, and ever since the Cupcakes and Cashmere blogger has become a mom herself, she makes shoulder-length tresses look so easy. This style is long enough for a ponytail and short enough to be out of reach of a nursing babe. It lends well to undone waves, and you can always throw in a fun headband to keep it off your face as shown.
Photo: Cupcakes & Cashmere
Asymmetrical, Wavy Bob
Yet another fun take on the general concept of the bob. I absolutely adore this layered, wavy asymmetrical cut for moms.
Photo: Jose Eber New Jersey
Long and Braided
Okay, forgive me, but I had to throw in just one long look for the gun-shy ladies like myself. Beauty blogger Amber Fillerup Clark makes her impossibly long tresses work as a mom by braiding them in endlessly unique and cool ways. I apologize in advance for all the time you're about to spend losing yourself in her gorgeous DIY's.
Photo: The Barefoot Blond
Super Short
This short hair style just wows. If you can pull it off, go for it!
Photo: Sally Hershberger LA
Side Swept Bangs
Classic French with a modern feel, this shoulder length style with side-swept bangs is stunning.
Photo: Instagram
Shaved Back Bob
Similar in feel to some of the other bobs highlighted but even more fresh and fun, an undercut lightens the load and maintains your ability to wear hair in a ponytail, even with this short style.
Photo: Instagram
Layers & Bangs
This flattering look consists of stylish layers that fall to the shoulders and a heavy bang that keeps hair out of the eyes. Her color is smart, too; leaving it natural closer to the roots allows more time between salon visits, which is vital for busy moms.
Photo: Instagram