5 Flattering Haircuts For Women In Their 20s

Many people consider their 20s to be a time of self-exploration and experimentation. This transitional period in one's life often features important milestones and experiences, such as college, careers, new interests, and relationships (not necessarily in that order). Secondary to these life-changing experiences is developing your own personal style, which includes finding your signature haircut.

As trends shift and transform, so do your hairstyles. While not all trends will work for your features and style preferences, your 20s are the perfect years to play around with various lengths, bang options, and colors. For instance, you might feel drawn to androgynous shag cuts and bottleneck bangs, or you may prefer feminine Texas hair and feathery layers. Perhaps, you'll find a middle ground between the two and end up with a style that highlights your unique personality. Regardless, it takes a bit of trial and error to land on a style that speaks to you. To that end, the following haircuts will help you look and feel like the best version of yourself as you embark on your journey as a fully-fledged adult.

Layered Texas hair is a cut inspired by days gone by. This style takes the bounce of '80s-era hair trends and combines it with glamorous barrel curls for a modern, less-hairspray-damaged look. The volume potential and versatility makes this a flattering cut for various face shapes, as you can adjust the length, bangs, and the amount of layers to complement your features as long as the hair falls past your shoulders. For this cut, make sure to apply generous amounts of hair oil or leave-in conditioner to achieve a healthy, high-shine finish.

The revival of the '70s-inspired shag haircut in 2023 created a momentous shift in hair trends. Not only did it encourage wavy- and curly-haired girls to embrace their natural hair texture but it also led to the popularization of wispy bottleneck bangs. "Bottleneck bangs are the ultimate '70s inspired, super flattering, face-framing, cutting technique that can be adjusted to suit almost any face shape," hairstylist Tom Smith tells InStyle. "This hairstyle takes inspiration from the neck of a bottle, starting slim and short in the middle, curving longer around the eyes, and then longest following the line of the cheekbone."

There's something so effortless about French style — especially that of French icon Jane Birkin who left an indelible mark in style history thanks to her chic fashion sense and iconic "Birkin bangs" haircut. This tousled hairstyle is universally flattering when paired with wispy eyelash-length bangs. "They exude a sort of French timelessness that always looks chic and effortless," Tresemmé stylist Justine Marjan tells Byrdie. "They also feel non-intimidating as you can start with a wispier version before committing to full bangs."

A textured bob is one of the most flattering hairstyles for young women — if it's done correctly. While most stylists know how to tailor a bob to suit almost any face shape, it still requires a degree of finesse to avoid a limp, single-length cut. For instance, a rounded and wavy blunt bob should fall a little just below your chin and will look the most flattering with heaps of volume in the style of a bouffant bob. To achieve a bouncy blowout, reach for volumizing mousses and texturizing sprays to lift the roots and enhance.

A pixie cut can be tricky to pull off, as they can either dramatically enhance or soften your features depending on the length and texture. For instance, a grown-out, textured soft crop is a low-maintenance pixie cut that softens your features, while a traditional pixie helps accentuate the jawline and cheekbones. To strike the right look, "someone with mostly straight hair would benefit from a pixie that is designed to fall flat and collapse, while anyone with super curly hair should choose a pixie that has a more three-dimensional voluminous shape and texture," hairstylist Devin Toth tells Allure.