Cameron Diaz just snipped off her longer hair in favour of a shorter look. And in the past year, so did Katy Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Keira Knightley, Ginnifer Goodwin and Emma Watson (who was voted as having the most influential hair cut of 2011 thanks to her girly pixie). With so many
celebrities making the swap for short hair, and the trend steadily gaining momentum on the runways – keeping close-cropped cuts healthy is now even more important. Whether you have a choppy bob, an ultra-fem pixie or something in between, taking care of your new short look need not be tricky.

To learn more we turned to Patrick Melville, Aveeno celebrity hair consultant, for his take on keeping shorter strands looking great. He is currently a fan of both the pixie and the graduated bob, two short hair looks to consider if you’re still on the fence about losing length this season.

“The pixie is one of my favorite styles since this is a classic look from the ’60s which is still in fashion today,” he says. This sleek style can be worn very smooth or with texture for versatility. “The classic short graduated bob is also one of my favorites, as this is one of those haircuts that never goes out of style and is a very versatile look that can be swept back or brought forward,” the stylist explains. “This haircut is timeless.”

He shares his
short and healthy hair strategies with ELLE Canada.

Healthy hair tip #1: Get regular trims

The most important thing to remember when it comes to keeping short hair looking great is to maintain the shape. This means regular tips to see your stylist, even more so than if you had longer locks. “One of the biggest challenges is that shorter hair needs more maintenance,” Melville explains. “Hair needs to be cut every four to five weeks to keep it looking its best.”

Healthy hair tip #2: Develop a healthy hair routine

While you might think hair is hair no matter the length, shorter strands need their own set of products. “Use a custom blend of products like texturizers and waxes that work specifically for short hair to maintain the style,” says Melville. He also advises maintaining a good shampoo and conditioner routine because even though the hair is short, it still needs to be kept healthy. “Shampoo and condition hair as usual and use an argon oil-based styling product to keep hair looking shiny. Also be sure to condition hair on a daily basis to keep hair from looking dry.” This is a particularly important step in the colder months, the stylist explains.

Nix product overload, keep your look soft and protect your scalp for healthy hair on the next page …

Healthy hair tip #3: Don’t forget about your scalp

You might not realize it but your scalp should get the same attention you give the rest of your skin. Just like dead skin and pore-clogging debris can build up on your face, so too can your scalp get weighed down. Build up on your scalp can mean flakes, dryness and irritation. Melville recommends adding an exfoliating scalp treatment to your short hair care routine. “These treatments are great, as they serve as a ‘facial’ for the hair, and stimulate the scalp,” he says. Or try Aveda’s new Invati Scalp Revitalizer – a wonderful treatment to keep the hair you have healthier, for longer.

Healthy hair tip #4: Keep the look soft and manageable

The way your hair is cut by your stylist can also make a big difference in overall look and manageability. “Keep outer edges really soft and wispy so you can have versatility and style in various ways,” Melville says.
Short hair can be dried naturally or blown dry with the fingers, cutting down on style time – if the cut you started with was a good one that suited your face shape. “Make sure that your hairstylist does not cut sharp edges around your face, as this can make it look very masculine.”

Healthy hair tip #5: Avoid product overload

If you’ve been relying on a plethora of styling products to keep your strands in shape it might be time to take a break or at least be choosier with what you use. Certain products can do more harm than good in the long run. “Don’t overuse products like gels and pomades that make hair look dull and greasy,” Melville says. It is also important to keep in mind that using too much of these popular short hair products can clog the hair cuticle, making hair lacklustre and causing your strands to look oily and lifeless, the stylist explains.

Read more:

Our 7 favourite short hair styles

5 short hair cuts to try now

5 healthy hair secrets

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