30 Chic Undercut Hairstyle Ideas For Women

Women with Chic Undercut Hairstyles — Byrdie

If you're looking for a hairstyle that makes a statement (like a fully shaved-off look) and is less maintenance than a bob, long layers, or a pixie, look no further than an undercut. Traditionally known as a haircut in which the back or sides of your hair are shaved underneath, with longer hair on top, undercuts may seem intimidating and a little risky on the surface. But the styling options this style provides truly run the gamut.

For a classic look, go with a pompadour undercut or an edged-up mohawk. Or, if you're looking to spice up your braids or natural curls, try a show-stopping shaved design that's only revealed when your hair is in an updo. Convinced?

Ahead, find 30 bold, cool, undercut hairstyles for women below.

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Pattern and Pigtails

Undercuts for Women Patterned with Pigtails — @qais_hmmad / Instagram

A graphic undercut pairs perfectly with hair swept up in pigtail buns. (Because we'll never say no to pigtail buns.)

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Peek-a-Boo Back

Undercuts for Women Peek-a-Boo — @slhill021 / Instagram

With long hair, you can do an undercut at the nape of your neck that you can hide when you so choose. And when you want to show off your cute peek-a-boo pattern? Just throw up those locks to get all the looks.

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Long and Short

Back view of woman with long hair and side undercut — @aristocrat_barbershop / Instagram

Can't quite quit your long hair? Keep one side parted and lengthy and the other buzzed for a cool asymmetrical cut that does it all.

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Nature Inspired

Back view of a woman with a buzzed flower hair design. — @dreamcutsbarberlounge / Instagram

You get more space to play with the pattern when you buzz off a larger part of your hair for an undercut. We can't stop staring at this gorgeous flower design.

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Lightened Up

Undercuts for Women Bleached Ends — @gregorythebarber_ / Instagram

Play with color and cut. With a line detail separating the undercut from the top of the hair, we love the addition of bleach-blonde tips on top.

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Curly Mohawk

Back view of a woman with a natural curl mohawk and a zig-zag undercut. — @dreamcutsbarberlounge / Instagram

A buzzed side undercut perfectly complements a voluminous natural curl mohawk. Those clean lines that run into a zig-zag don't hurt, either.

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Heart It

Back view of woman's undercut with heart design — @amarillo_stylist_barber / Instagram

There are so many options for undercut designs, but we really "heart" this adorable one in particular.

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Sleek Undershave

Back view of woman with short white blonde hair and undershave — @undercut_challenge / Instagram

An undershave is where the hair on the sides of your head and nape of your neck is shaved to the scalp, while the hair on the crown is styled normally at a longer length. This white-blonde version is everything.

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Undercut French Bob

Undercuts for Women Blunt Bob — @hankas_hair / Instagram

Take inspiration from this bold, blunt bob. The subtle undercut adds a major fashion-forward edge—and we can't get enough of those cool, flipped-in ends, either.

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Zig-Zags

This zig-zag undercut proves that classics are classics for a reason.

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Volume on Top

Side view of woman with short pixie cut with undercut — @undercut_challenge / Instagram

A stylized pixie cut is the perfect complement to an undercut. If you keep your length long on top, you'll have plenty of hair to work with daily—and this coiffed, voluminous 'do gives us major hair envy.

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Edgy Lines

If you're getting an undercut, why not have a little fun with it? These edgy, playful lines are straight-up amazing.

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Shapes and Waves

Side view of woman's undercut with wave design — @undercut_challenge / Instagram

Play around with graphic lines, shapes, and waves on your undercut. This especially goes for if you have long, thick hair, as you can hide it under in case you don't love how it turns out. But if you go to the right hairstylist, you definitely will.

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Subtle Design

If you're used to wearing your hair up high, an undercut with a subtle design is the perfect way to spice things up.

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Bleach Blonde

Could this style get any cooler? We think not. A flipped, platinum pixie pairs perfectly with a contrasting undercut.

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Subtle Sides

Go extra subtle with some simple shaved sides that are barely noticeable until you get close. (And get your hair this voluminous with our fave heavy-duty mousses here.)

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Side-Swept Pixie

Colored hair? Make a side-swept, layered long pixie cut even more dramatic with a side cut in your natural hair color for a bold contrast.

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Star Power

Undercuts for Women Stars — @arisa_hair / Instagram

Pick a shape you'll love showing off—like this star design that we're totally obsessed with now.

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Ponytail Undercut

Side view of woman with ponytail hairstyle and undercut — @buzzcutfade / Instagram

If a ponytail is your go-to style and you're feeling bold, take things up a notch with a cool undercut style that'll complement your pony perfectly.

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Cheeky Pattern

Undercuts for Women Patterned — @tazcutzdfw / Instagram

Accentuate a cheeky patterned sidecut with extra, dramatic volume on top and chic highlights.

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Braided Style

Back view of woman with braided bun hairstyle and patterned undercut — @getdownwithannabrown / Instagram

Show off your undercut with a cool braided style you'll want to wear again and again.

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Winged Lines

Women with a wing shaped undercut and short curls at the crown. — @dreamcutsbarberlounge / Instagram

A fluid, curved wingback design with a close crop of curls up top? Say no more.

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Allover Buzz

Undercuts for Women Buzz — @hairby_marilyn / Instagram

Keep things short with a buzzcut all over, accentuated by a clean linear design.

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Hollywood Undercut

Zoe Kravitz with blonde medium length waves and a side undercut. — Getty

Zoe Kravitz is quite the hair chameleon, but this look happens to be one of our all-time favorites. The buttery platinum and waves give Hollywood glam, while the sculptural braids and side undercut read modern.

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Symmetrical Lines

Clean, symmetrical lines are the perfect pattern to complement an undercut section on the nape of your neck.

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Shaved Nape

A buzzed-nape undercut is subtle enough to be able to hide if you want to—but we think you'll want to show it off instead.

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Mullet Undercut

Side view of a model with an undercut messy mullet. — @hayleyswanbeauty / Instagram

There are buzzcuts—and then there are down-to-the-scalp cuts. We love the look of clean-cut sides with an on-trend, messy mullet.

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Sideburn Spotlight

Undercuts for Women Sideburn — @arlynazodnem / Instagram

Put the spotlight on your sideburns (and make your ponytails even cooler) with a subtle linear undercut design above your ears.

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Splash of Color

Back view of woman with two braided space buns and a patterned red undercut — @groomthesalonsd / Instagram

Make your undercut even more of a statement by dying it a splashy hue, like this punchy red. The red highlights throughout and the braided hairstyle take it to the next level.

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