23 Best Short Spiky Hairstyles For Women To Try

Spikes have been around since the Ancient Britons and Celts

. Although subjugated at times, they found revival during the punk movement and ever since have been an integral part of the punk subculture. With time, spikes have evolved and made their way into mainstream fashion.

So, if you’re looking for a hairstyle reinvention, look no more. Funky, bold, and sassy, there’s definitely one spiky hairdo that will suit all of you out there, irrespective of your face type. From Kelly Osbourne’s side-swept spiky hair to Portia De Rossi’s pixie short hair – we have compiled a list of ten head turning, short, spiky hairdos that will look amazing on everyone.

Before You Get Started

• While short spiky haircuts are sure to grab attention, it’s equally important to choose an effortless and practical hairstyle. Ask yourself whether you will be able to style it every day and how much maintenance it requires.
• If you have curly tresses, then opt for a leave-in conditioner or curling cream to get a soft hold instead of hairspray to finish off the look.
• Blow dry your hair using a bristle brush. The idea is to straighten the hair without making it look pin-straight. This will help enhance the hair’s natural texture and make it more manageable. But this won’t work on naturally textured curly hair.

Why Choose Short, Spiky Hairstyles?

Short, spiky hairstyles are trending as they are easygoing, manageable, and low-maintenance, perfect for busy bees. They add a youthful allure and flatter various face shapes. These hairdos are practical, functional, and chic and are versatile enough to go from casual to formal events.

Spiky hairstyles offer a relaxed vibe and are easy to achieve. Below, we have compiled a list of some stunning short, spiky hairstyles that will bring a sense of confidence and boldness to your style.

23 Best Short Spiky Hairstyles

Before you try any spiky hair looks, ensure you know how to straighten your hair with a flat iron. if you do not have naturally straight hair, your curls or waves may ruin the spiky look you so desire to flaunt. Now, without further ado, dive right into this cool and edgy catalog of spiky hairstyles for women.

1. Spiky Punk

Ever the rebel, Pink sported this wild tomboyish mohawk hairstyle at the 2012 MTV Music Video Awards. Without a doubt, it is one of the coolest short punk hairstyles for women to try. To achieve this stunning spiky hairstyle, shave your sides. This hairstyle will undoubtedly give off a rogue and bold vibe.

How To Style

1. Apply a smoothening serum to prep your clean and dry hair.
2. Apply a setting pomade to the hair and brush it upward, like a mohawk.
3. Spritz a strong-hold hair spray to set the hair for the day.
4. Wear spiky accessories or dangling earrings to pack a punch.

2. Medium Piecey Spikes

Kristen Stewart showed off her piece-layers at the premiere of her movie “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”. The combed back front layers add height to her crown, while the rest of the hair falls over her shoulders. They are thinned out at the bottom, adding an edgy vibe to her look.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with a serum.
2. Pick 1-inch sections from the front layers, tease them and set them with hairspray.

Rake the rest of the hair with your fingers. Gently twist a few sections for a piecey effect and set with hairspray.

3. Side-Swept Spikes

When it comes to rocking lilac side-swept spikes, there’s only one celebrity that comes to mind—Kelly Osbourne. At the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Caps off, the former Fashion Police presenter wore her signature edgy and undone spikes, and we absolutely loved it! Perfect for a woman with a lot of attitude and confidence, the soft spikes with side-shaved hair adds a bit of boyish charm to any look.

If you want to pull off the bold punk-inspired side swept spikes, we’ve got it sorted for you!

How To Style

1. Apply a mousse to prep your clean and dry hair for the hairdo.
2. Take the middle section of your hair and brush it upwards.
3. Blow dry your hair while brushing it sideways for the side swept look.
4. Finish it off with a light hold texturizing spray.

4. Topsy-Turvy

Halle Berry stepped out in California showing off her glossy, extremely short and shaggy spiky hair. Fun and flirty, no wonder this is one of the best hairstyles for oval faces.

How To Style

1. Apply a dollop of texturizing hairspray to add volume to your hair.
2. Finger comb your hair to create spikes.
3. Secure it with a light-hold texturing spray.

5. Edgy Long Spikes

Miley Cyrus scores major hair points for the edgy, blond, rock and roll spiky hair she sported at the Costume Institute Gala. The Wrecking Ball singer paired her punk-inspired hairstyle with a Marc Jacobs sequined fishnet dress, Eddie Borgo jewelry, and a red pout.

How To Style

1. Apply some pomade to make your hair manageable.
2. Spike your hair up using a fine-tooth comb.
3. Apply a light hold texturizer spray to hold the spikes in place.

6. Punk-Inspired Spikes

This edgy, funk-inspired hairstyle looks incredible on this model at the Chanel show. We love how she’s got her brown hair randomly sweeping on top of her head. A versatile hairstyle that can be adjusted for any occasion, this hairstyle can be paired with dramatic cat eyes for that extra amount of drama.

How To Style

1. Apply mousse to your hair.
2. Part your hair and separate the front section.
3. Randomly spike your hair to one side.
4. Apply a light-hold hairspray to secure the hairdo.

7. Sky High Spikes

At the Vivienne Westwood Red Label Show, we spotted a model sporting longish, sky high brown spikes. The unstructured hairstyle is definitely having the spotlight moment all to itself in Although bold, the hairstyle, matched with simple makeup, will perfectly complement a chic dress.

How To Style

1. Apply mousse on your hair.
2. Back comb your hair upwards for the high spikes.
3. Make the hairdo stay put with the help of a strong-hold hairspray.

8. Pink, Sky High Spikes

At the Costume Institute Gala for the ‘PUNK: Chaos to Couture’ exhibition, socialite Julie Macklowe rocked a pink, sky high, soft spiky hairstyle. This hairdo is quirky and flirty, with layers and loads of colors. So, if you’re looking for cool new funky hairstyles for short hair, this soft billowy hairstyle may be a good choice to opt for.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with a mousse.
2. Make two partitions.
3. Take the middle section and back comb it for soft spikes.
4. Complete the look with a light-hold spray.

9. Short Soft Spikes

Actress Portia de Rossi chopped off her medium-length hair for this modern, soft, undone pixie hairstyle. This daring hairdo gives the actress a youthful appearance and draws attention to her gorgeous face. For a bolder funky fresh look, you can make the length of the spikes uneven and make them rougher in texture.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with a mousse.
2. Brush the middle section of your hair into soft spikes and comb it to one side.
3. Secure the spikes in place with a light hold hairspray.

10. Cool, Messy Spikes

Singer Tobi Lee of Mustang Sally looks fierce and energetic with her cool, messy spikes that she flaunted at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. This short blond hairstyle is very versatile, so experiment with different lengths and textures on the top – for instance, you can opt for a more polished look or use pomade for a punk-inspired look.

How To Style

1. Apply pomade to prep your hair.
2. Make a partition on one side.
3. Leaving the front bangs, spike your hair randomly so as to get messy spikes.
4. Blow dry your spiked hair.
5. Finish the look with a set spray.

11. Fauxhawk

Singer Willow Smith’s spiky fauxhawk is perfect for those stylish girls who dare to take a risk when it comes to their hairstyle. Perfect for square faces, this hairstyle flatters your cheekbones and chin.

How To Style

1. Apply a good amount of pomade to your hair.
2. Pull up your hair and straighten it with the help of a flat iron.
3. Once done, mist your hair with a texturizing spray.

12. Chic Spiky Hairstyle

Effortlessly chic, flattering to the face and uber-cool – the model at the Ebony White presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has everything right going on with this hairstyle. Pair the look with minimal makeup and glossy lips to draw attention to your quirky hairdo.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with pomade.
2. Brush your hair outwards for spikes.
3. Blow dry your hair and finish with a light-hold spray.

13. Cobalt Blue Liberty Spikes

A part of the Punk subculture, liberty spikes’ origin can be traced back to the Ancient Britons. The style faced subjugation during British colonization but revived as the punk subculture evolved. The cobalt blue-black dye takes this liberty style up a notch.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with mousse.
2. Comb your hair into straight, pointy spikes outwards.
3. Using a flat iron, straighten the spikes.
4. Finish off the look with a strong-hold hairspray that will hold the spikes in place.

14. Shaved Mohawk

Another Avant-Garde hairstyle, the shaved Mohawk has blended into modern fashion from the indigenous Mohawk people of North America. Nowadays, the mohawk is a trendy and bold form of expression for people irrespective of their gender.

How To Style

1. Shave the hair on the sides of your head, leaving a strip of considerably longer hair in the middle.
2. Apply pomade to prep your hair for the Mohawk hairdo.
3. Brush your hair vertically so as to get the Mohawk spikes.
4. Secure the hairdo in place with a light hold hair spray.

15. Emo Spikes

When talking about spiky hair, you simply cannot miss the vibe of striking emo hairstyles for girls. The statement hairstyles are definitely unconventional and add oomph to your persona.

How To Style

1. Use a mousse to prepare your hair.
2. Brush down the hair at the front and sides.
3. Take the hair from the crown and spike it up.
4. Spray a light hold hairspray for the emo spikes to hold up.

16. Rainbow Mohawk

How To Style

1. With the help of mousse, prep your hair.
2. Make two partitions in your hair.
3. Comb both the side sections of your hair close to the scalp.
4. Now, take the middle section of the hair and brush it into vertical spikes.
5. Dye your hair in rainbow-colored strips.
6. Finish the look with a medium-hold hairspray.

17. Soft Mohawk Spikes

Another variation of the timeless Mohawk hairdo is the soft Mohawk spiked look. This is a more feminine and subtle version of the Mohawk spikes. Soft brushed spikes can make for an unconventional and flirty style statement.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair up using a mousse.
2. Spray a texturizing spray prior to styling.
3. Back comb your hair vertically into soft spikes.
4. Make the hairdo stay put with a light hold spray.

18. Emo Punk Spikes

Another bold and beautiful hairstyle from the Punk subculture. Defying stereotypes, this hairstyle sure makes a bold style statement. The purple only adds to the funk of the hairdo.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with mousse.
2. Brush your hair outwards in long spikes.
3. With a flat iron, straighten the hair.
4. Blow dry and finish with a strong hold spray.

Quick Tip

You can experiment with shades of purple like violet, grape, lilac, mermaid, or lavender to make a fashion statement with your spikes.

19. Side Mohawk Spikes

Are you in search of the best short spiky haircuts? Regular spikes too mainstream for you? You’ve come to the right place! Edgy and sassy, the side Mohawk spikes bring together the boldness of spikes and the sophistication of a short haircut.

How To Style

1. Apply pomade to your hair to prep it.
2. Take the middle section of your hair and brush it to one side.
3. Brush it upwards to create the sideway spikes.
4. Blow dry and spritz a light-hold hairspray to keep it in place.

20. Powder Blue Soft Spikes

Spikes can be subtle and soft, as can be seen in this powder blue soft spiky hairdo. This spiky hairstyle doesn’t scream punk rebellion but oozes sophistication and style.

How To Style

1. Apply a light mousse to your hair.
2. Back comb the hair into spikes.
3. Blow dry and make it stay put with a setting spray.

21. Liberty Spikes

Going back to the Ancient Briton hairstyle, liberty spikes have come a long way from being the symbol of honor, to being a form of bold and non-conforming self-expression. Today, liberty spikes have become an avant-garde fashion statement.

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with pomade.
2. Slightly comb your front bangs to give a casual look.
3. Spike your hair, and with a flat iron, straighten your spiked hair.
4. Set the hairstyle with a hold spray.

Quick Tip

You can also pull off the liberty spikes in short hair. You may bleach your hair to enhance the style, leaving the roots darker for a peekaboo effect.

22. Alligator Spikes

How To Style

1. Prep your hair with pomade.
2. Divide your hair into sections and comb them upwards to get the spikes.
3. Straighten the sections for strong upright spikes.
4. Spray with a strong hold hairspray to make the hairstyle stay put.

“Having styled pixie and spiky hairstyles in my studio, my biggest tip is to use pomades and creams first to create the foundation of the style. Warm the product in your hands first to emulsify. Then, distribute through the hair and use hairspray last as a finishing step.” says Meredith Boyd, Licensed Cosmetologist.

23. Messy Layers With Spikes

This messy, funk-inspired hairstyle looks incredible on this model and exudes an aura of boldness and self-expression. The fiery hints of red interwoven throughout her raven-black hair add a touch of edginess to the entire look. Pair it with smokey eyes, red lips, and faux lip jewelry to make a statement that sets you apart from the crowd.

How To Style

1. Wash your hair and let it air dry.
2. Take a dollop of mousse and work it through your clean and dry hair.
3. Take small sections of your hair and blow dry them while brushing them upwards.
4. Style the front red strands downwards to frame your face.
5. Finish it off with a texturizing spray.

There you have it – 20 short spiky hairstyles for women who want to stand out from the crowd and make a statement. Short spiky and pixie hairstyles are suitable for any face type.

April, a YouTuber, demonstrates a spiky, mohawk-inspired hairstyle on day two of her hair styling series. The result is a voluminous, playful, and textured short hair look. In the video, she says, “It’s a really fun and crazy short hairstyle. When it comes to a point there, that’s fun, so okay (i).”

Infographic: Most Popular Short Spiky Hairstyles

Spiky hairstyles are the best way to make a fashion statement, especially if you have short hair. These hairstyles can easily grab attention and make you the cynosure of all eyes. Check out some of the most popular short spiky hairstyles in the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spikes still in style?

Yes, spikes are still in style. They are excellent add-ons to flaunt the style and give one a unique look.

How do you do a 90s spiky updo?

Create a middle part and straighten the hair. Any flyaways should be smoothed down. Take sections of hair and twist them upward to form small portions. Secure each portion with U pins. Finish the look with a hair spray.

When was spiked hair popular?

Spiked hair was popular in the 1980s and originated in various styles with progressing times.

Illustration: Best Short Spiky Hairstyles For Women To Try

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Find out about the latest short spiky hairstyles from this video! Get inspired and learn how to style your hair for a modern, edgy look.

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Meredith BoydLicensed Cosmetologist

   

Meredith Boyd is a licensed cosmetologist and an award-winning celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist with an experience of 23 years. Her clientele includes top brands like ABC, AMC, AT&T, CBS, Coca-Cola, Delta, ESPN, Golf Channel, HBO, Netflix, and Nickelodeon.

Read full bio of Meredith Boyd

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Asmita DeAssociate Editor

Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.

Read full bio of Asmita De

Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

Read full bio of Pahul Nanra