Do Guys Like Short Hair?
Photos: © Getty Images
With sexy celebs like Hayden Panettiere and Renée Zellweger chopping off their long locks in favor of shorter styles, we had to wonder--what do guys think about the short hair trend? To find out, we polled 50 men in New York City's Central Park to ask: Do you think short hair is sexy? We found that the majority of the men (62%!) preferred long hair over short. Check out their reasons why!
The guys who hated it said:
"To me, the women in these photos have hair that's a little too short. Shoulder length or longer looks better on all women in general. I can't pick out a single [celebrity] whose after shot I like more."--Victor, 26
"I won't say it doesn't look good sometimes, but for the most part long hair looks good on all women. Personally, I've never met a woman who doesn't look good with long hair. I can't say the same for short hair."--Kasey, 31
The guys who loved it said:
"Twenty years ago I would've said that I like long hair more. But now that I'm married I've learned that my wife is much happier dealing with short hair. Now I like short hair too."--Walter, 42
"I read [a study] once that women are most likely to cut off their hair after a break-up out of fear of what their men will think. I'm not sure what that means but I for one like short hair more."--Adam, 37
Were you surprised by the comments? What do you think of short hair?
Hi Sharmeen,
For the most part, we found in our (completely unscientific) research that men who were older or in a relationship/married liked the short hair or were at least more open to it. Younger, single men tended to choose the long hair photos.
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I'm not surprised, but if those were the photos shown to the men, I think all of them are unflattering and do not do those actresses justice. I've seen all of those women in other, more flattering pictures with their short cuts. I think men (and most women) are attached to long hair as a sign of femininity, but that notion needs to be thrown out of the window.
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So if they are single and thinking about women sexually they want longer hair but if they are settled and thinking about women as partners then short hair is ok. So maybe they all feel the same way but settled men prefer the women in thier lives to not be sexually appealing to other men.
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In my opinion, short hair looks best on women who are thin and have delicate features. Also, her hair must be in very good condition, and not dry or frizzy. I would love to try a bold, short cut but I can't carry it off.
I see alot of older women who chop their hair off into some shapeless cut just for the sake of convenience. It's such a shame -- they look like men. Why not at least try to look pretty?
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My wife has long hair, is 64 and looks absolutely beautiful. I've never found women attractive with short hair like you've shown here. We're all different so everyone's entitled to their likes and dislikes. I'd hate to think that men and women all had to dress alike and wear their hair in one certain style from birth to death. That would be the scariest of the scary movies. Be creative and enjoy your creativity. Whatever works for you is the answer.
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Luckily I make the choices about my hair. I do not rely on men to tell me what looks good. There is much about many of them that I may not like but I don't see them asking our opinions in polls online very often. Do you see men asking here, do women like my scrubby facial hair or not, do women like my receding hairline or not, do women like my potbelly or not? Most of the men seem to be secure in their choices, wrong or right.Perhaps one day- women will claim that title.
Some people look better with short hair, some with longer.. Rarely does any woman over 50 look good with hair hanging down to her shoulders or below, but if one is lucky enough to have a lovely face, any hair will work.
Then again it all boils down to personal preference.
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99.9 % {out of 100 %) Women With Short Hair Look Terrible !!! Short Hair on a Woman is very Manly & Masculine, As Halle Berry Looks VERY MASCULINE Now, with that ugly chop job !!! Renee & Hayden Look Terrible too !!! Look at Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, can one even tell if "it" is a man or a woman" !!!!.........Short hair on a woman is very UN-SEXY !!!! .....Now Chin-Length---Shoulder Length & Waist Length ROCK !!!!!!
My Wife Carly Has A Long Straight Sexy BOB----If she ever got a Crew Cut Like Halle, Id leave her---No wonder halle's boy toy left her !!!!
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I beleive that some men might find women who have short hair cuts intimidating. A short cut exudes confidence and strength in a woman - you are not hiding behind a sexy cascade of curls - you are secure in yourself and want to show that to the world - maybe some guys can't (or don't want to) handle that in a woman.
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I myself..being a wife and a mother to two children...have short hair now...I have found that I like it more on me than longer hair...now there are days that I wish I had long hair still ..so I could just put in a ponytail and go....but my type of haircut style is good and my husband likes it and so does alot of other people..I do get complaiments all the time on my haircut...and some are from men too...bottem line...I like my hair now and there are going to be some men who like it and some who don't.
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ok, i totally agree w/ Auriel. i think y'all could've chosen more flattering pics of some of those girls w/ the same hair cuts. i also think that age has a ton to do w/ it.... i think older men tend to like short hair more than younger men. it also depends a great deal on the size and facial features of a girl.... and it's not so much the length a lot of the time, as much as the Style of the short 'do (whether it's longer in the front or short all over, what the angles are and how they complement THAT girl's features).
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married men like long hair just as much, but because they are already married they then take into consideration what their wives like. I have yet to meet a man who actually likes or finds attractive, short hair on a woman. I've had men tell me that they are afraid that people will think they are dating a man (from the back a woman with short hair looks very much like a guy--I personally thought this was stupid), that long hair is sexier, that they love running their hands through your hair and can't when it's all hard or goopy with gel, and that women with short hair are man haters or gay or have relationship issues (ie, they don't feel comfortable being sexy or are insecure and whack off their hair from anger or depression).
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My husband loves my short hair. I actually grew it out a little recently but went back to short because I missed it. I told my husband that I didn't do it for him. He reminded me that I told him long before I married him that I would never let a man influence my choices of hair cut (or most anything else physical). I laughed as I'd forgotten that!
i've had very short hair since the 80's when my mother used to be uncomfortable with it thinking that men might be confused. I thought, if a man doesn't know I'm a woman, he's not really very smart anyway is he! She laughed nervously and agreed!
Like someone above said, men rarely ask our opinion about their choices. And if they did, we women would say, wear some nice looking clothes, take care of your self and have some pride, will ya? After all, who want's to be seen with a pot-bellied, baggy-pant-ed slob on OUR arm?!
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You should wear the hair that makes you happy, the hair that makes you feel like yourself -- not like some glossy regurgitation of what "beautiful" and "sexy" should look like. Confidence makes a woman, not the length of her hair.
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Long hair rules! I like it better on most people (even lots of men) and especially myself. I tried short hair and for me (fine, straight hair) short was soo much more high maintenance. It would stick up, look to flat, always need to be retrimmed and needed more products then the longer styles I love. The nice thing too about long hair is that you can always put it up in clips or bands if you want it off your face, but once it's short you can't stretch it lol
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My fiance actually likes short hair on women better. He likes me with short hair but I am starting to grow mine out because I like me with long hair slightly better. I'll probably end up chopping it off again out of boredom. haha
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I'm a mum and married and I've had both short and long hair. My husband likes my hair long better, but I tend to just do what I feel like, he doesn't mind, not that it matters though. I don't think woman should let men dictate the way they look. I personally prefer short hair cuts on females. I think it gives a woman an edge and personality rather than boring long hair. However it definitely depends on face shape, personal style and age. Short hair isn't masculine at all, it depends on how you wear it and what you wear with it. I think men prefer long hair because it gives them an image of being more feminine and sexually appealing, which is just rubbish!
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Really all these girls look terrible. The cuts look akward and almost like the hairstylist got scissor happy. I bet each and everyone one of them cried a little when they got home. There are much more flattering shorter styles out there but I personally think that woman like these and men really do love longer hair because it just looks so beautiful.
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Men who don't like women with short hair, and think it's "unsexy" , just hasn't saw the right woman with short hair. I have short hair, and have had long as well. My face personally looks better with short hair. I think long hair is pretty, but for the most part, covers beautiful faces up too much, and weighs it down. Not to mention BORING. Granted, short hair must be STYLED, and you have to dress accordingly to look feminine. It IS easy to look masculine if you don't wear the right things. However,my husband (27) has always preferred long hair, but made the exception when he met me. It changed his perspective on short hair..and now he hates it if I ever grow it out!!
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My husband personally likes my hair short. I told him I wanted to grow my hair out to be longer and he told me he would rather have me keep my hair short. Apparently, I look more beautiful with short hair. :)
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I for one have short hair, and it is A LOT easier to take care of. Besides, not all women look good with long hair, especially when they don't know what to do with it, or how to wear it for their facial structure. Just my personal opinion. And I've found through all my guy friends that about 50 percent of guys like long hair and the other 50 like short hair. I also don't think it should matter, if a woman wants short hair then cut it short, and ladies, it does grow back! Go for the gusto, girls!!!
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i agree with most of the comments above, actually. my boyfriend thinks long hair is sexy, especially if its either tousled or straight! He also says its more fun because he has something to 'grab on to' LOL =D
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I am a hair designer and have noticed that women with short hair are always concidered "Cute" You never use that referance to a women with long hair. They are more likely to be called "Beautifull" Picture someone saying to a woman with long hair " Your hair is very cute"
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i loved reading this article! i always wonder what guys like more on women- short or long hair? i just wish it was a little longer and there was more research done :/
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I've always had hair shoulder length or shorter and it's suited me well. Now my hair is just as short as Halle's and everyday I get complements on it. More men respond (positively) to my short hair than women in fact. My boyfriend (and even my dad) prefers my hair short, he says he can focus on my face more than my hair. And when it's styled differently from everyone elses longer hair, I stand out.
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From what I've heard the majority of guys love longer hair on girls. As I understand it, they think it totally brings out their beauty, charm and allure yet embodies their power and strength at the same time.
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Halle is the only woman in this group who looks very good with short hair, and even she looked much sexier with it long. The only subset of men who prefer short hair on women are gay ones. Sometimes I think that gay hairstylists relish chopping off women's hair in order to stick it to straight guys. lol
And Tracy, if anything, it's LONG hair that intimidates men to some extent. Chop it off, and much of a woman's mystique vanishes.
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Wow, so guys really are that insecure! Must be seen with a "hawt" chick, or else they lose points! And of course, only women with long hair are "hawt." Just like the culture tells them... I agree with the poster above who wonders where are the polls asking women what they like/dislike about men. Too bad most men don't give a damn about their personal appearance. ; )
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When judging beauty, men couldn't care less about what women 'exude' with their short hair (although personally I find women with short hair look weaker and timid, not confident). It's a female concept to judge a person's attractiveness physically by their personality (in the style of women who suddenly found Matt Damon sexy after the Bourne films but couldn't even remember him from Ocean's 11).
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Yes, its true the majority of men do not like short hair. However you must keep in mind that most men are also complete idiots. I'm a young (23) unmarried guy who knows the truth: short haired ladies = sex incarnate!
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I've had my head buzzed very short, had it medium though most my life. Had it shaved in back with bangs in front & got A LOT of compliments!!! I've got more compliments with my hair short though.
I'm 28 female. Short & I'd say I'm average build, people say I'm skinny or slim.... Sometimes....
Anyways, I think haircuts (ANY) Usually depend on your face & then how it will look, BUT..... THAT doesn't matter, wear it how u like it!!!!! Live YOUR life & be happy with it! :) & hey if u cut it too short u can either wait or get extensions!! :)
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okay...all of them pics up there?um,most unflattering pics you could choose.if i was a guy and had to look at those and say if they where pretty or ugly id say ugly.im a girl with short hair (long bangs,short sides that come up near the ear,and really short back),andlove it.easy to fix,low maintanance.ive had long hair, and it just didnt suit me.made my cheeks look more poofy.guys who dont like it can go shove it.ive gotten several complaments on it but WHERE all from girls.i think girls with short hair look more confident and like they can take care of themselves if anything happened.i think thats why guys like girls with long hair.they want someone who they feel they can take care of.but from now on,im keeping my short.Oh, and have i forgotton to metion im unmarried and rather young?old people and married people arent the only people who cut there hair short.
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The thing is finding the "right" short haircut. The pictures they provided are very biased and do not flatter these women at all except for Halle, Hayden and the lady in red(Sorry don't know her name.). I personally look best with a tapered bob(not too short or long).
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No that notion should no be thrown out of the window. Long hair hey I'm a woman and I'm proud of it. Short hair just said that I'm coforming to society because I can't be an independent woman unless my hair is short
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Amy you sound rediculous! If anything having long hair is conforming to what society tells you a woman is suppose to look like, based on traditional cultural views. Cuting your hair short is a rebellion against the medias pressure on women to fufill male fantasy. So by keeping your hair long because you think it identifies you as a woman is you saying all of your attractiveness and personality is sitting on top of your head. If you fear that cutting off your hair is cutting off your x-chomosome, u really need a confidence booster.
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I've had long hair and I've had very short hair. I dont think, for the most part, most men are concerned about your "inner beauty". So I get why many will be opposed to short hair. But just because a woman has short hair doesnt mean she's "given up" or she's trying to "out man" you. Its all in how you dress, act, etc. I've seen plenty of sloppy women with greasy thin LONG hair and I dont think thats attractive. If you are super concerned with being hit on then dont cut your hair, and while you are at it, get some plastic boobs and offer up some casual sex because... guys like that too. If we are so worried about appealing to the masses or the next person that speaks up, then sign your life over.
Long or short hair, doesnt mean you are guaranteed happiness with the opposite sex or same sex. There are plenty of long haired women who are unhappy in their relationships or marriages. At the end of the day, if you are not happy, then whats it matter if men pay attention to you?
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For most of my life, I had hair past my shoulders, and put it up in a bun on the back of my head for work each day. I worked for 10 hours, 4 days a week, in a job that required it to be pinned up. After retiring, I cut it, and wish I'd done it sooner. I have a pixie style and have gotten an incredible amount of compliments, from women and men, and my husband likes it either way. He just wants me to be happy and feel good about myself. I have a young face, even though I'm 53, and I love it short.
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All I can say is "Marilyn Monroe" still considered the sexiest women in the world - and she had short hair. It's a matter of the women's features and personal taste. Being sexy is about "attitude" and "confidence" it's not about hair length.
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Okay I am 18 years old and chopped my hair back in August of 2011. I went from shoulder to pixie cut. I went and told my stylus to "wack it off!" And I couldnt agree more with people who love their hair cut short! I love mine short because it is so easy! It literally changed my look! I loved it from day one! I personally do not care about what men or teenaged boys think of my hair because it is the inner beauty that counts. I have found some guys like my hair shorter than longer so it isnt ALL guys who like LONG hair. I got a bunch of comments on how people like my hair shorter. I think it is best for someone wanting to get a pixie cut is to determine your face shape. A pixie cut looks best on oval/oblong shape for obvious reasons being that you can have any style with that face shape. I have an oblong face shape and it works good! If your considering getting it done, go ahead and do it! It doesnt matter what guys think! It only matters of your opinion. :D
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Is there any correlation between the guys asked being single or dating/married?
Posted 3:30 PM on 05/18/2010