THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PIXIE CUTS

What’s a pixie cut?

Beloved by iconic stars such as Mia Farrow, Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry, the pixie cut is a short hairstyle characterised by shorter hair on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top, often accompanied by a short fringe.

The pixie cut’s been a stylist's staple since Audrey Hepburn showcased this cutting-edge chop at the release of ‘Roman Holiday’ in 1953, and shows no sign of abating in the mid 2020s.

How is a pixie cut different from a traditional men’s back and sides?

In a traditional gentleman’s cut (think short back and sides), the sides are shorter - and the side cuts are trimmed with clippers, rather than scissors, for a uniform look. Mens’ sideburns are squared, rather than pointed, and a masculine short back and sides neckline would generally be squared rather than rounded.

Both cuts share a blended sides and top, but the overall shape of a traditional gentlemen’s haircut is still much less rounded and more ‘square’ than a woman's cut.

Will I suit a pixie cut?

So, you’re ready for the chop - but will a pixie cut suit your features?

Whether a pixie cut suits you largely depends on your face shape and personal style preferences. Here's a guide to help you work out if you should go for a pixie cut - but remember, always take your stylist’s advice on board.

• Oval faces: Versatile and evenly-balanced, oval faces can typically pull off shorter styles, from classic short cuts to longer, textured variations of the pixie cut.
• Round faces: To add definition, opt for pixie cuts with volume at the crown and a side-swept fringe, which creates the illusion of length and angles.
• Square faces: Soft, wispy layers and textured fringes can soften a strong jawline, making the pixie cut a flattering choice.
• Heart-shaped faces: A pixie with additional volume around the jawline balances a wider forehead and narrow chin.

Hair types that suit pixie cuts

As a rule, the pixie cut tends to suit finer hair that will benefit from a shorter cut, as this hair type needs volume and texture without additional length ‘weighing down’ your hair. Layered pixie cuts can add volume and movement, giving the appearance of thicker hair.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t rock a pixie cut if you have thick hair - but you’ve got a few additional considerations to think about. Thinning out your hair and incorporating textured layers can prevent a pixie cut from appearing too bulky, but you’ll need to be on top of regular trims and be clear with your stylist to avoid your pixie cut growing into an unmanageable bowl cut.

Pixie cut styles and types

Pixie cuts come in various shapes and styles. Here are three of our most popular variations:

Classic pixie cut

A timeless style featuring short hair on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top. This cut emphasises your facial features and offers a chic, low-maintenance look.

Textured pixie cut

With incorporated layers and texture to add volume and movement, this style is ideal for anyone after a modern, edgy cut that’s low maintenance. It tends to work well with various hair types if you add volumising products to your styling regime.

Pixie cut with a fringe:

A pixie cut with a fringe can be styled in multiple ways - side-swept, blunt, or wispy, depending on your personal preference. Adding a fringe to a pixie cut adds an extra layer of versatility and can soften the overall look of the cut.

How to style a pixie cut

Before you leave the salon with your brand new ‘do, speak to your stylist about how to keep your cut looking fresh. Styling a pixie cut is easy with the right products - so here’s how to keep your new pixie looking perfect.

• Add volume and texture: Apply a volumising mousse to damp hair to enhance body and fullness - use a blow dryer with a round brush to lift your roots, creating added volume.
• Style it sleek and straight: For a sophisticated finish, apply a lightweight smoothing serum to damp hair to combat frizz and add shine. Blow-dry your hair using a flat brush for a straight, polished look.
• Embrace your hair’s natural texture: Work a small amount of root booster into your roots to give your pixie a much-needed lift. Use your fingers to lightly tousle and define your layers for a messy, edgy style.

How to grow out a pixie cut

Whether you’ve had a pixie cut for weeks, months or years, the trick to growing out a pixie cut is patience. Growing out a pixie cut can be a challenging process, but with the right approach, you can transition smoothly to longer lengths.

• Maintain regular trims: It sounds counterintuitive, but schedule trims every 6-8 weeks to shape your hair and remove split ends, promoting healthy growth. Let your stylist know what you’re trying to do and they’ll remove any damaged hair while helping you maintain your lengths.
• Focus on scalp health: Regular scalp massages and gentle scalp exfoliation can stimulate blood flow, encouraging hair growth. If you’re trying to regrow fine, thin hair, we’d recommend you try our PROfiller+ Hair Growth Scalp Serum - it’s a triple action scalp serum which addresses signs of visible hair loss, improves visible hair growth, and increases hair density.
• Accessorise well: There may be an ‘awkward’ in-between stage while you’re growing out a shorter haircut - and during this time, accessories are your new best friend. Use headbands, clips, or scarves to manage any bad hair days.
• Embrace volume: As your hair grows out, you’ll get some extra volume from your longer lengths. Try volumising products such as texturising sprays or root boosters to give your hair a volume boost during the grow-out phase.
• Finally - be patient. Hair typically grows about half an inch per month, so transitioning from a pixie cut to a bob (and beyond) may take several months.