The 'Shift Cut' Is The Most Adaptable Way To Indulge In The Short Hair Trend

If you're itching to chop off your locks but don't want to compromise your edgy look, the shift haircut is for you. This style is longer than a pixie but shorter than a bixie and has long choppy layers on the top. "I call this haircut 'the shift' for its versatility, styled from something edgy and undone to polished and sophisticated. The idea is to suit the individual's personality and meet them for who they are within this moment," Adam Frederico of R+Co shared with Refinery 29.

The shift cut is ideal for those who want short hair but like to keep their styling options open. While you can't do much with a pixie or super cropped hair, the shift cut allows you to play around with your bangs and alternate your side part. Your hairstylist may not know what a shift haircut is, so explain that you want your hair short in the back but want your sides and top longer. Think eyebrow-grazing bangs and locks that fall right above your ears. This style is not meant to be completely even all over — the varying lengths are what makes this cut oh-so-cool.

The best part about the shift cut is that you can experiment with different styles. If you're feeling like waves, the front and sides will be long enough for you to curl with a small curling iron or rollers. For a cool take, try pulling one side back while letting the curls cascade over your forehead on the other side, creating a waterfall effect.

What's cooler than a shift haircut? One with an undercut, of course! If you're wondering what an undercut is, it's different from a fade in that there is a clear demarcation from the shaved part to the longer hair. An undercut can be rocked in the back, on both sides, or on one side as a highlight. This style has been worn by many women for years and it continues to be trendy amongst those wanting a daring 'do.

Now that side parts are back in, go all out with a deep part when styling your shift haircut. The long bangs make it simple to manipulate them any which way you want. While the shift cut is meant to be layered and uneven, a deep part looks best when there's a neat line. You can achieve this by using a fine-tooth comb and then using hairspray for any flyaways.

For even more versatility, ask your stylist to keep your shift cut long on the sides. This is great for if you want to grow out your hair and transition into the trendy bixie cut or a shag. Since you don't want your hair to fall too flat with this style, use texturizing or volumizing spray before blowing out your hair. Pull your bangs away from your face and use a rolling motion to create some waves, letting the hair fall to one side.

While the shift haircut is characterized by long, shaggy bangs, you can also opt for a blunt fringe. The super straight style is on trend and this applies to bangs as well. As long as the front of your hair falls just above your eyes, this still counts as a shift haircut. Just be sure to create some sort of part so that it doesn't end up looking like a bowl cut, which is completely different than the shift cut.