The pixie haircut has always been popular as we continue to see more women get their hair cut into this boyish-yet-still-feminine style. In fact, the pixie is so popular it not only made No. 1 on my list of the Hottest Short Hairstyle Trends, it also made my list of The Year’s Hottest Hairstyles.
It’s no wonder the pixie is so popular. It’s edgy yet feminine. It can be cute, sexy, sophisticated, or funky.
In this gallery, I share my favorite pixies of the moment.
You’ll find out the secrets to each cut and how to style them, plus learn what face shapes and hair textures can get away with a pixie.
While many pixies are traditionally short all over, the more modern pixie tends to be more of an adaptation to what suits the individual to give you more diversity and styling options.
Will the Pixie Suit You?
There are two things to keep in mind regarding any new haircut, especially one so short: face shape and hair texture. Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to the pixie, although keep in mind I firmly believe beauty rules are meant to be broken:
- Oval face shapes pair the best with pixie haircuts.
- A square face shape requires softness, so longer edges, and a rounder internal shape.
- If you have a rounder face, keep the edges a little longer and the bangs longer and side-swept to help balance out the face.
- A heart-shaped face may also need some softer longer edges to the nape area and a slimmer shape at the sides.
How to Style the Pixie
Depending on your hair texture, a pixie could be super low-maintenance or require a bit of effort in the morning. Some women have the perfect hair texture that just seems to fall into place without much product or even the need to shampoo it often. These are the women who admit readily their pixies take seconds to style. Yet for every one of these women is another pixie wearer who insists her pixie is high maintenance requiring lots of products and daily shampoos.
For women with finer hair trying to create volume, you’ll need to create texture with the product. Women with coarser or frizzy hair may need to potentially use more moisturizing products.
I give you the full scoop on the products and tools you’ll need for your pixie in my list of The Best Hair Products for Pixie Hairstyles.
Popular Pixie Hair
“All those little pieces help emphasize the cheekbones and eyes; it’s almost as if you build in cheekbones with this cut,” says stylist Jimmy Paul in Allure Magazine of a pixie haircut similar to Nora Zehetner, pictured here.
Not everyone can get away with a straight-up pixie, so it’s important to talk to your stylist and discuss options and adaptations to a pixie haircut if you’re tempted to go for a shorter haircut.
Pixie Hairstyles: 20 Perfect Pixies
The pixie haircut is in no danger of going out of style. In this gallery, I share another 20 of my favorite pixie styles, and you’ll notice there’s quite a variety of styles you can choose from. The pixie also works with a variety of hair textures, too. So just because you have thick, wavy hair or really fine hair, this does not mean you can’t wear a pixie.
Michelle Williams’s Sexy Pixie
Here, actress Michelle Williams shows off a version of the pixie she’s worn for years. But when she first cut off her hair, she wasn’t so sure she liked it.
Williams said in Elle UK that she’s “grown into it,” saying, “I feel like myself with short hair. And it’s been a really long time since I had long hair, five years. Of course, the only people who like it are gay men and my girlfriends. Straight men across the board are not into this hair! I cut it for the one straight man who has ever liked short hair, and I wear it in memorial of somebody who really loved it.”
As of late 2015, Williams has grown her pixie out.
Kate Mara’s Perfect Piecey Pixie
When actress Kate Mara cut off her hair into this adorable piece-y pixie in the summer of 2015, people loved it. Well, except for her Dad.
Mara told Kelly Ripa on Live With Kelly and Michael, “I got one sort of negative thing said to me. I messaged my dad the other day saying I miss you, and his response was, I miss your hair. So, thanks, Dad!”
Her hairstylist, Mara Roszak, told People that Mara “immediately owned” her new hairstyle.
“A pixie is something that is a major decision to do; the person has to be prepared…she has such beautiful bone structure and features, so I knew going pixie would be perfect on her. It’s something she’s always wanted to do, and the response has been amazing.”
Find out if a pixie would suit you in Short Hairstyles for Women: Which Cuts Would Suit You Best?
Charlize Theron’s Platinum Pixie
When Charlize Theron showed up at the 2013 Oscars with this pixie haircut, the Twittersphere went crazy. Theron’s new haircut was immediately named one of the “best” looks of the Oscars. The question is, can you get away with a pixie haircut if you aren’t as gorgeous as Charlize? Absolutely! This cut can look great on most face shapes.
Although the pixie haircut is generally low-maintenance and easy to style, it does require regular trims to maintain its shape. Without regular trims, the pixie haircut can start to look unruly and lose its structure. So, even though the pixie may seem like a wash-and-go style, it’s important to schedule regular haircuts to keep it looking its best.
Anne Hathaway’s Amazing Pixie
Anne Hathaway wore a pixie haircut for several years, but in the summer of 2014, she began the process of growing out her hair. Prior to that, she had kept it short in the pixie style.
Before deciding to get a pixie haircut, it’s a good idea to keep these tips in mind:
- Do you mind salon visits? If you are very busy and can’t get to the salon, a pixie might not be for you. It’s one of the most high-maintenance cuts. You’ll need a trim every 4-6 weeks to keep your hair looking fresh.
- Are you a risk-taker? Chopping off long hair into a pixie can be a blast if you are up for anything, but if you are, by nature, risk-averse (hey, I am, so I get it), then consider getting a shag or a bob first before going all the way with this short-short cut.
- Before getting a pixie haircut, it’s important to consider whether your personality is well-suited to this style. Pixie cuts tend to draw attention and may not be the best choice for someone who is uncomfortable being in the spotlight or who prefers to keep a low profile. If you are someone who is not comfortable with attention or who tends to hide behind your hair, you may want to think twice before getting a pixie cut.
- Consider your hair texture. Pixies can work on all hair textures — even curly! But super curly hair may grow out crazy cut super short. Before getting a pixie haircut, it’s important to consult with your stylist to ensure that your hair is suitable for this style and will not require excessive styling products to maintain it. This will help ensure that you are happy with the final result and that your hair is healthy and manageable.
Don’t miss Short Hairstyles for Women: Which Cuts Would Suit You Best?
Rihanna’s Pixie Hairstyle
Rihanna is known for changing her hairstyle every few months. She’s back to having long hair, but she has had a pixie cut at least twice over the years.
Ursula Stephen, Rihanna’s stylist, tells Elle UK magazine why she and Rihanna decided to lop off the singer’s long hair into this pixie cut for the MTV VMA Awards in September 2012, “We were craving what we have done before. But wanted it to be a bit different.”
The last time Rihanna’s hair was short was in 2008, but it was longer on top. To get this look on black, afro-textured hair, Stephen tells Elle she should “relax, wrap and flat iron your hair to create this look. If your hair is naturally straight or just has a slight wave, you will be able to go straight for the cut.”
You need the right products for this pixie. Don’t miss The Best Hair Products for Pixie Hairstyles.
Denise Welch: Two Versions of a Pixie Hairstyle
While some people may look great with super-short haircuts like the pixie, others may not feel as confident in this style. For example, a tall woman may feel like she would look disproportionate with a pixie cut, while a petite woman may feel that it complements her features. Similarly, larger women may want to avoid this style, as they may feel that they need more hair to balance out their bodies.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that individual preferences and body types can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, Jamie Lee Curtis, who is tall, has worn a pixie cut and looked great in it. Ultimately, it’s important to choose a haircut that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Older women look great in pixie hairstyles. I have an entire gallery devoted to pixies on women over 45. Don’t miss it: The Best Pixie Hairstyles on Older Women.
Mia Wasikowska Pixie Hair
You’ll find you may need to change your makeup when you get a pixie haircut. Your face is on display, and you’re attracting attention with your edgy haircut, so I recommend either going with a bold lip (think bright pink or red) or a bold eye (long lashes and an amazing eyeshadow color).
More:
Faith Hill Pixie Hair
When Faith Hill debuted this pixie hairstyle at the CMA Awards on Nov. 5, 2014, the reactions were mixed. Some people loved it; some people preferred Hill with her signature long hair.
Emma Willis
Glamour magazine recommends long, side-swept bangs with the pixie and suggests you ask your stylist to “slice-cut” them in to create separation.
Carey Mulligan
This pixie on Carey Mulligan is super chic.
Kandi Burruss
“Real Housewives” star Burruss shows that with bold color and spikiness, a pixie can be punk rock.
This wavy pixie really flatters Jasmin Gerat.
Dame Judy Dench
If your hair is thinning and graying, a pixie may be the answer. But there’s no reason to cut your off simply because you’ve reached a certain age. If you still have thick, luscious hair at your age, it’s totally fine to keep it longer. Gone are the days mature women chopped off their hair because social norms dictated that they do.
Natalie Portman
If you have a beautiful face like Natalie Portman, a pixie will only highlight your lovely features. The actress cut off her hair for a film role and grew it back out immediately afterward, but the shortcut shows how pretty her eyes and other traits are.
Jenna Elfman
With long hair in the front, a pixie can look very modern. It can also prevent you from feeling as exposed as you might with a shorter pixie.
Eva Pigford
This is a super short pixie on model and actress Eva Pigford. You may want your pixie to be a little bit longer than this.
Robin Wright
Actress Robin Wright looks super together with her smooth pixie. The blonde color really suits her complexion as well.
Halle Berry Pixie Hair
Here’s what Halle Berry had to say to the blog Stylelist about her pixie haircut:
“I am my best self when I have super short hair. That’s when I feel most like me and most confident. I had long hair until I was about 18 or 19 when I first started acting. I would go to auditions and see every other girl in the room with long, curly hair – whether it be natural or weaved in. I remember thinking this isn’t working for me.”
“I have to somehow be different from these girls, so I cut all my hair off. I went to my manager’s office, and he almost had a heart attack. He said, ‘You’re never going to work. You are no longer commercial.’ And I said, ‘That’s exactly it. I look like every other girl, and they’re never going to notice me.’ Two weeks after I did that, I got my first acting job. It was ‘Living Dolls’ on ABC. They even said I was different. And it felt like me,” Berry reportedly said.
“Growing up as a black woman, I felt that if I didn’t have long hair, I wasn’t going to be beautiful. I always thought that. Cutting my hair was freeing. Someone saying you’re beautiful and the fact that you have no hair makes you even more beautiful said to me it’s not about my hair. It’s about something else we emanate. I’ve lived with that my whole life,” she added.
Audrey Tautou Pixie Hair
Audrey Tautou is one of the most famous modern celebrities with a pixie (except maybe Halle, more on her in this photo gallery).
Ginnifer Goodwin’s Pixie Haircut
When Ginnifer Goodwin cut off her shoulder-length hair into a pixie, it was big news on beauty blogs. Other celebs followed suit, and now there are enough gorgeous pixie cuts for a few photo galleries.
Since she debuted her hair in its pixie form, Goodwin has since grown out the top of her hair, keeping the rest short. This popular pixie style is super versatile, according to stylist Anh Co Tran in Allure Magazine.
“Keeping it longer on top gives you that versatility to sweep it to the side, part it in the middle, pull it back, or create waves,” says Co Tran. “It’s also flattering for almost everyone. You can play down a square jaw or round face.”
Kris Jenner’s Pixie Hairstyle
She’s the matriarch of the controversial Kardashian family (love ’em or hate ’em, they aren’t going away), and she has worn her hair in a pixie for years.
Don’t miss pictures of her as a younger woman in my gallery detailing Bruce Jenner’s Transformation: Photos of Him Over the Years.