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Rocking a pixie cut takes confidence and a little spunk. If you’re thinking about getting your hair cut into this variation of a crop, check out the examples in our guide below.
What Is a Pixie Cut?
At some point, every woman has considered chopping her hair off. I mean, really off, not just to the shoulders or into a chin-length bob.
We’re talking the ultra-short, 2 minutes to blow dry it, no-ponytail-in-sight pixie cut.
Many women find themselves too afraid to actually go through with The Big Chop. But others are out here absolutely slaying with super short hair and pixie cuts.
So, what draws some women to say goodbye to long locks and opt for a pixie while others just can’t seem to do it? Maybe it’s about confidence.
You might have always wondered what you’d look like with short hair. It could be about the undeniable lure of this edgy-sexy-expressive cut. Perhaps it’s got something to do with the ease of washing and styling this cut.
In any case, if you’re ready to go pixie-short, you have more options than you realize. There are hundreds of variations on this cut. We found 30 of the best pixie haircuts to create a lookbook of ways to wear this style.
You’ll see examples ranging from super short and sleek to those that incorporate choppy, shaggy layers on top with interesting fades and bang lengths. You might even find some hair color inspiration in the examples below. In the words of Peter Pan, “Here we go!”
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30 Ways to Wear a Pixie Cut
When it comes to pixies, the options are endless. Below are the top 30 ways to rock this style and what to ask for at the salon.
1. Ultra Short Crop
This cut is appealing because it takes the pixie crop to the limits – the hair is almost shaved on the sides and ultra-short on top. The bangs are also short, giving the cut a mod vibe.
2. Short Top Crop
Just because the sides are kept short in a pixie doesn’t mean you can’t keep some length on top. We like the longer bangs in this example, giving you more to style and play around with.
3. Fringe Binge
Get your fringe fix with this pretty and voluminous cut. Side-parted bangs frame the face while medium-length sides taper down to shorter lengths.
4. Short All Over
Pixies don’t have to be tapered and faded. You can always opt for a short-all-over cut like this, where the top and sides are about the same length. Keep the bangs choppy and short for this edgy look.
5. Inspired by Tinkerbell
If you walk into a salon and say you want Tink’s signature crop minus the bun, it’s going to come out something like this. We love the long top and bangs that can be styled to either side and worn straight or curly.
6. Greaser Crop
To get this pixie cut, keep the top and sides long enough to slick back with some gel or pomade. Don’t you know a rumble ain’t a rumble without me?
7. Sleek Molded Pixie
If you’d prefer professional and polished over edgy, this sleek molded look is for you. Use medium to firm-hold styling products to keep your hair lying flat in the direction you part it.
8. 60’s Inspired
Channel your inner Ms. Helen Crump with this 60’s inspired crop. Heavy side-swept bangs up front give way to a gently tapered top into medium-length sides on this timeless pixie
9. Staggered Fade, Long Top
Have your stylist cut staggered layers like stairsteps into the shorter sides of this cut. The top and bangs are kept much longer so they can be worn over to the side.
Read Next: Women’s Shaved Hairstyles
10. Clean Cut Crop
Short side bangs and a longer top give a clean-cut vibe to this pretty cut. The sides are kept short, but we’ve seen variations with longer sides that look great, too.
11. Side Swept Short Cut
Have your hair cut short on the sides and back but leave the top long enough to style forward with bangs. Switch it up by parting it over to the side or slicking the top back.
12. Longer Crop
Here, the hair is cut to a longer length than many similar styles. But it’s still comparatively short on the top and sides, keeping it in the pixie zone. Bonus: Your hair will be long enough to style with clips and barrettes when needed.
13. Posh Pixie
Raise your hand if you and your friends always called out which Spice Girl you were. Yep, us too. Victoria brings a little twist to the pixie cut with a longer back and face-framing pieces.
14. Barely There Pixie
This version of the pixie keeps the top and sides similar in length, and they’re so short, it’s almost shaved. Gradual fading on the back and sides keeps this style looking neat and sleek.
15. Undercut Crop
With or without the bold streak of color, this undercut style is pretty hardcore. The sides are shaved up to about the temples, and the top is left long enough to be worn to the side or slicked back.
16. Stacked Pixie
Long top, long side-swept bangs, and a stacked back with gradual layers make this style unique. The added volume at the back adds a little spunk to the classic pixie cut.
17. Fresh and Polished
We’re getting serious Audrey Hepburn vibes from this soft, polished cut. The extra length on top gives you a little more hair to style and play around with for different looks.
18. The Hard Part
The hard side part sets this one apart. The style goes from a medium-length top to shorter sides for a clear contrast.
19. Cropped Quiff
Keeping the bang section of the top much longer allows you to pull off a quiff, where the hair up front is voluminous and styled back for height.
20. Colorful Crop
If you’ve got a bold streak in you, pair a long-top pixie with bright peekaboo colors and an icy blue on top.
21. Miss Mischievous
There are definitely some mischievous fairy vibes with this variation of the cut. Longer bangs and face-framing pieces can be styled to the side or forward to change up the look.
22. Pixie Pompadour
Tons of height up front give this a totally different look while keeping the trademark short sides and back. Style the top backward and set with a firm-hold styling product to keep it in place.
23. Playfully Short
Longer face-framing pieces give you a little more hair to work with as you style this cut. The top and sides are kept short, with the hair being styled to one side on top.
24. Messy Chopped Pixie
The ideal style for any woman that’s on the go, a messy version of this short cut gives you freedom to wash and go without much styling. This pixie cut works especially well with wavy or curly hair.
25. Kick Butt Crop Cut
You know this is a kick butt ‘do. The extra length on top can be slicked over to the side to keep it out of your face when you’re busy taking care of business.
26. Feathered Crop
Women of all ages can sport the pixie style cut. This version features some light feathering on top to soften the edges of the style.
Read Next: Feathered Haircuts
27. Perfect Pixie
Carey Mulligan pulls off a pixie like nobody’s business. We love the soft-yet-structured style here, where the hair is styled forward to frame her face.
28. Mama Crop
Easy to care for? Check. Short enough to avoid your baby pulling your hair out? Check. Stylish and flattering? Oh yes. This is a beautiful style for any face shape, hair texture, or hair color.
Things to Consider
Before you get a super-short snip, there are a few things you need to think about. Going short is a big decision. Make sure you’ll love the results by considering these things first.
You might be losing a security blanket. Thousands of women admit to using their long hair as a security blanket. It’s easy to hide so-called imperfections, flabby arms, big ears, or sloping shoulders with long hair. But once you strip away the length in favor of a pixie-style cut, there’s no hiding anymore.
For some, that can be unsettling at first. But many women consider it empowering and love the feeling of shedding their keratin security blankets.
Short hair means fewer style options. While there are a multitude of ways you can style super-short hair, some of the old-style options you’ve leaned on for years will suddenly be impossible.
Ponytails, braids, buns, and the like aren’t possible for most pixies. Keep your hair long on top if you’d like to reserve the right to bun it up every now and then.
It takes a long time to grow back. On average, hair grows about half an inch each month, or 6 inches per year. Growing hair out from pixie-lengths is going to take a while, no matter what hair, skin, and nail vitamins you take or how cleanly you eat. Be prepared for the grow-out if you don’t dig the crop.
Pixies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. This is a standout cut, one that many people have never had the nerve to try. While supportive friends and family (and anyone who appreciates bold style) are sure to like it, prepare to hear some comments like, “Why did you cut your beautiful hair?!” Just smile and move on.
It takes some getting used to. After a major cut, it takes a little time to get used to the changes. You’ll find yourself brushing your hair and getting surprised when the brush prematurely “falls out.”
You might find yourself pumping a huge amount of shampoo into your hand when all a pixie length ‘d0 needs is about a nickel-sized amount. You’ll use less styling product, too.
Regular trims are required. If you like the cut and want to keep it looking tidy, you’ll need to get it trimmed every few weeks. At very short lengths, even a small amount of growth in the hair will look more obvious. Hit the salon every four weeks or so to avoid a grown-out look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Face Shape Can Pull Off a Pixie Cut?
A pixie haircut can look good on any face shape, but it will look best on someone with a round or oval face. If you have a square or angular face, ask your stylist to soften your features with some layers.
What Is a Classic Pixie Haircut?
A classic pixie haircut is a short, edgy cut tapered at the neck and has tight cropped layers. Audrey Hepburn popularized the style in the 1950s, and it has been a popular choice for women ever since. It's the perfect haircut for women who want a stylish, low-maintenance look.
What Types of Pixie Cuts Are There?
The pixie cut comes in many variations, but they're all variations of the traditional cut. Some hairstyles like the bob pixie cut and the lob (long bob) pixie cut involve cutting hair short around the face with an added layer of hair on top that is longer than the rest. Others like the cropped pixie cut or edgy undercut involve cutting hair shorter all around.
What Are the Hair Trends for 2021?
The hair trends for 2021 are all about keeping things simple, so you'll see many going for pixie cuts, as well as other short haircuts. There will also be a lot of emphasis on natural textures, so you'll see a lot of curls and waves. Finally, braids and other creative styles will still be popular, so don't be afraid to experiment.
Is a Pixie Cut High Maintenance?
No, a pixie cut is not high maintenance. If you're the type who doesn't enjoy fussing with your hair and prefers to wash it and go, this could be the style for you. Of course, it will always need some styling product to keep the flyaways under control, but other than that, a pixie cut is low-maintenance.
Should You Get a Pixie Cut?
Deciding on a pixie-length cut is pretty exciting. You might feel a little nervous about making the change, especially if your hair is currently long. It’s totally normal to have second thoughts, even once you’re sitting in the stylist’s chair.
But how can you tell the difference between normal uncertainty and signs that you’re just not ready for such a major change? The best thing you can do before getting a bold cut like this is taking some time to think it over.
Give yourself a time period – say, two weeks – to mull it over and look at different photos of the cut you want. There are tons of apps and websites that allow you to “try on” different hairstyles. This gives you a sense of how you might look with the cut.
If you still want to get the haircut after your waiting period, the next step is consulting a good stylist. Show them your inspiration photos and talk about how that cut would work for your specific hair texture, type, and face shape.
Your stylist may have recommendations to make the cut better suit you. So, should you get a pixie haircut? If you’ve thought it over and want to take a walk on the short side, we say heck yes.
Your new cut will speak volumes about you before you say a word. Pixies convey confidence, boldness, and unconventional beauty. Sounds like you, right? This just might be your new signature haircut.