While attending one of the bigger hair shows in Atlanta last year, I happened to listen to two younger stylists who were stationed next to my booth. One of them commented that mixie cuts are cute, but they’re just haircuts for women who can’t commit to a pixie. I couldn’t disagree more. Mixie cuts create a look that many clients are searching for, but have trouble finding. Many people don’t want the upkeep that comes with a pixie cut, while also not wanting to hold on to the length, or they simply want to soften up the look around their face. This is not about indecision, it’s about precision.
What I love about working with women in their 50s with these cuts is that they tend to know what they want and do not want. They are often so done with the long, layered hair, or the bob style. They want and need something that feels like them. A mixie haircut means that we can go to town with lots of layers, and I have seen the impact. People come in feeling low, and they leave with so much positive energy. We can create a variety of styles from edgy to soft to somewhere in between through the right cut, styling, and color. The options are endless.
I’ll share my thoughts on a few of my favorites.


#1: Tousled Brunette Mixie with Subtle Plum Tones
Here’s another haircut that showcases that stunning hair texture, making layered looks effortless. The top layers are great, and the sides have a soft feathered look that moves with you, which is the whole point of a mixie haircut done well. I think I’m seeing some subtle plum undertones in the brunette color, especially at the crown where it’s lightest, and that touch of color really stands out in person compared to a flat photo. The fringe is also quite long and piece-y, and it breaks up in a really natural way across the forehead. It’s going to have this gorgeous and really flattering tapered line from the crown all the way down to the nape.


#2 Chocolate Brown Choppy Shag Mixie
This edgy mixie cut has so much personality. There are multiple layers cut extremely unevenly which makes the cut look very textured and messy. The bangs are also uneven and have a messy, textured look. The whole mixie cut has a very high-energy “I’m having so much fun!” vibe. The soft chocolate brown hue makes the texture stand out without being distracting. This cut stands out from other shaggy cuts because of the amount of movement in the back and the sides. Those pieces are flippy and are cut at different angles which adds to the dynamic look. If you’ve been told you have “too much hair” to go short (we think you shouldn’t listen to those stylists), then this is the cut you need. The thickness is the best part of the hair!


#3 Sun-Streaked Brunette Layered Mixie
My clients often hear me say that the best highlights are those that look as though their color was never added in the first place! This example is a good representation of that concept. The lighter strands interlaced with the brown hair are more vibrant where sunlight would naturally hit the hair, around the top and framing the face. Gradually, they blend into the darker layers underneath. Overall, she has a nice balance of short layers pushed up around the crown, and long softer wispy pieces to round the ears, and nape of the neck (called the nape). There is just the right amount of layering throughout which adds a more current touch. The bangs have a relaxed feel as they are casually side parted and swept over. My favourite thing about this haircut is how it will look even better when the weather is humid. The natural wave and frizz that will occur will enhance the texture even more!


#4 Golden Strawberry Wavy Mixie
I love this color so much! I might even go so far as to book an appointment. Golden strawberry blonde is one of the best colors possible, and I will fight anyone who tries to argue otherwise. It’s warm, and not too red. It’s blonde without being too cool, and looks stunning on fair to medium skin tones. The waves in this style look soft, and are bendy more than they are curly. This tells me this is either a natural texture, or someone used a one inch curling iron very lightly and then shook it all out. The bangs are positioned right at the eyes in that casual slighlty grown out way that I appreciate. It contrasts with a fresh bang trim. The overall length is around the jaw with shorter layers on top. It gives a gorgeous shape with volume and movement without looking overdone.


#5 Subtle Brunette Textured Crop with Micro Fringe
This hairstyle reminds me of some of the amazing cuts I saw while traveling in Seoul a couple of years back. The city is famous for the high-quality haircuts they give to women. These cuts look like a lot of time and effort were spent on them. The bangs are short, textured, and sit just above the eyes while the longer hair on top is a bit textured adding to the edgy look that cleanly and architecturally accentuates her features. In the light, the brown hue of her hair looks warm and polished. This style is not one that every “mixie” goes for, but it is perfect for those who enjoy wearing clean, minimalist outfits as it will serve as the hair equivalent. This style will not clash with your clothes or jewelry, but rather complete the entire look.


#6 Warm Caramel Tousled Mixie
The lighting in the image showcases an interesting element of the cut, specifically the way the lighter caramel pieces in the uppermost layer reflect light to create a halo effect. It’s one of those happy accidents with really good highlight placement that adds to the illusion of the whole cut being more expensive than it probably is. The tousled texture is all very easy and nothing is contrived, and the upper length is just enough to have some movement without being face-flopping. The sides are kept a little tighter, but it’s not a buzz or anything too extreme — just enough taper to keep it looking clean. I think this is a great example of a ‘first mixie’ for someone who wants to try one out. It’s soft and approachable enough, while still clearly being a modern, fashion-forward cut.


#7 Jet Black Rounded Mixie with Textured Crown
This specific haircut has a shape I find SUPER satisfying; Can you see how it creates a rounded shape that ‘hugs’ the head? That is what we refer to as precision cutting, and that is a stylist who has truly mastered the craft. The jet black color is bold and striking, and it makes the texture throughout the crown even more pronounced. The crown is of varying lengths, so each piece reflects the light differently, making it very pronounced. The bangs are cut to the brow line and are fuller and choppier than the rest, and this modern yet polished touch really adds to the overall effect. Thick, straight hair makes maintenance a breeze, which is why this cut is so ideal for straight, thick hair. The hair’s natural density does most of the work so, while it is going to look awesome right from the start, all you will really need to do is keep the shape tidy with regular trims.


#8 Tousled Sandy Blonde Chin-Length Mixie
This look is nearing the longer end of mixed layers, almost crossing into short bob territory, which is such a smart choice if you want the textured, undone feel of a mixed style without going above the ears. The sandy blonde color is natural and beachy with some slightly darker, rooty pieces that keep it from looking too uniform, and the tousled texture throughout the mid-lengths adds to that coastal vibe. The bangs are soft, lightly parted, and frame the face without covering it, and from the side the overall shape is really lovely with those layers creating a graduated movement from the crown all the way down to the chin. I would just add a dab of lightweight hair oil to the ends and be done.


#9 Fiery Copper Textured Mixie with Full Fringe
COPPER!! I’ve rambled about a good copper and this one is a true, saturated, almost-Irish copper which looks stunning on fair and medium skin tones. The full fringe across the forehead is textured enough so that it’s not just a big wall of bangs. There are gaps and pieces that let some light through, and the rest of the cut has this lovely shattered texture that can only be done with a razor. One thing I always warn my copper clients about is that this colour fades faster than almost any other red family colour due to the size of the pigment molecules (crazy right?). Expect to touch up every three to four weeks or get comfy with a colour depositing conditioner in copper for the in between weeks. But, when it looks this good? It is definitely worth the maintenance!


#10 Dark Plum Textured Pixie Mixie
I sense a deep plum for the base of this color, which may appear black in some low light situations. However, in sunlight, the beautiful burgundy-violet hues really shine, and that’s a color shift I live for! The cut is a bit on the short side, with the sides and back taken really close, and the top left with enough length for good texture and movement, and the fringe softly sweeps to one side in a very pretty, non-fussy way. This is the type of mixie I would recommend someone with a petite body type or smaller features, as the proportions are really well balanced here, and nothing about the hair is overshadowing the face. The upkeep on a dark fashion color such as this one completely depends on how particular you get about the shade because it will look really nice in some soft, pretty warmer tones as it fades. So, you could maintain it religiously or just enjoy the journey!


#11 Shaggy Blonde Mixie with Wispy Layers
One of my regular clients has a style similar to the one in the picture, and she has told me that she receives more compliments in her mid/late fifties than she ever did with her long hair, and so do I believe it, as I think this length and style does work for her more. The dirty blonde color is really nice, and to me, it looks like she has face framing highlights (sun-kissed) as well as lighter pieces in the front that kind of look like highlights. The bangs are nice shaggy bangs and, fall into place in all the right places. The front bangs are nice and soft and sit right above the eyes, and the face framing layers are softly and gently feathered which is really flattering and not too harsh. The naturalness of the color and style is also super beautiful. The goal of so many hair stylists is to have that effortless look and I think it is so amazing that my work has achieved that.


#12 Honey-Highlighted Shaggy Mixie
I love how these honey highlights with the brunette base create a sun-kissed look that I love for spring and summer! The layering goes past the ears and is longer in the back than most we’ve seen, which means this is great for those who are bobbed and don’t want to go for a super short haircut just yet. The top layers that are cut shorter and flipped a little, while the bottom layers hang a little straighter, give that chill difference in direction that really brings this cut to life and prevents it from being too blunt and one-length all over. This is a perfect ‘wash and go’ cut because it does a lot of the work for you! Once it’s dry you’ll only need to use your fingers to guide your hair!


#13 Choppy Platinum Mixie with Curtain Fringe
Mixies and platinum color go hand in hand! It brings out all the visual intricacy of every level and detail of the haircut. With platinum, you can see how the choppy layers are sculpted, how curtain bangs softly split in the middle and fall to the sides, and how everything is framed around the face. That detail is even more pronounced because platinum reflects the light. The darker roots give an edgy and modern feel to the mixie. I recommend it because of the low maintenance compared to how light the color is. Platinum hair is high maintenance because it takes a lot of commitment to keep it healthy. You will need to invest in some purple shampoo to keep it from turning brassy. You don’t want dry platinum hair because it will get dry, and trust me, you will need to do a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.


#14 Golden Blonde Feathered Mixie with Soft Bangs
We all seem to agree that this hair cut looks like a happy dog! Although I can’t describe hair cuts as happy, I would agree that this one has an uplifting energy. The stunning golden blonde exudes warmth and confidence. Standing out even more because of the darker balancing shades towards the roots, front face, and ends, most likely the result of hand painting/balayage, instead of traditional foils. This cut, with feathered layers that move beautifully, and bangs at the perfect “just long enough to sweep to the side” length, easy to sweep to the side, works on everyone. The golden tone really adds depth. Because of this tonal depth it is thick hair rather than too warm and looking washed out. This is literally a five minute morning kind of cut and that’s no exaggeration. It requires minimal styling, just smoothing cream and a quick blow dry. Easy! END CUT.


#15 Warm Auburn Feathered Mixie
An interesting aspect of auburn shades is that depending on what angle the hair is viewed from and what the lighting is like, it can look like it is different colors. Plus, the added layers give even more depth and dimension. I remember doing one particular client who was very adamant about keeping everything “just brown, nothing crazy.” After some convincing, I was able to talk her into putting an auburn touch to her hair. For a whole week, that client flooded my phone with pictures of herself, all looking completely different. In one picture she looked like she had some horrible lighting in her bathroom, and in another, she was outside in much better lighting and a different angle gave her an entirely different look. This specific client gave me the most different looks from that base brown, nothing crazy look, and that just goes to show that the more colors you add in a style, the more different looks you will get from it. The top and sides of this cut have long, flowing layers that add a lovely swooping movement to the style so that it will not require you to tuck hair behind your ears. Also, the fringe has this lovely soft piece-y look that is stunning, and unlike the rest of the cut, doesn’t give that “too finished” vibe. If you have a rounder face and you’ve been looking for a shorter style, then this is definitely the one I would suggest. The side layers are angled, giving the illusion of length without the actual length.


#16 Rich Espresso Layered Mixie with Micro Bangs
Now this is something that is eye catching. There is so much to appreciate about it. The bangs are cut much shorter than most mixes to the point where they almost look like micro bangs. The look is incredible. It creates such a nice contrast between the ‘neat’ bangs and the ‘wild’ fuller layers on the sides and back. The espresso brown color has some warmth to it which is nice because we don’t want it to look ashy or too goth. It’s so rich and I appreciate all of those color conversations. The longer sections of hair look gorgeous and they may be natural waves or they could have been scrunched and sprayed with sea salt spray. Regardless, it looks stunning. I have seen similar types of hairstyles and they almost look like they want to be the center of attention. With this style, you will get asked about it!


#17 Soft Brunette Pixie-Length Mixie with Wispy Bangs
I appreciate the way this style looks with the bangs being soft along with the whole shape looking relaxed. I think it’s great to be on the shorter side of the mixie range, almost a pixie and there’s still a bit more added on top and fringe to really make a difference. I really like the ear layers because they are close to being tapered and really well showcase the earrings while also opening up the whole face and neck. For people thinking about going this short and feeling wary about being too exposed, a style like this with a wispy fringe helps a lot. Psychologically, that little bit of fringe adds a ton for many people. The dark brown color has a few subtle highlights woven through that aren’t too crazy and keeps it from looking flat in the pictures.


#18 Dark Brunette Shaggy Mixie with Eye-Skimming Bangs
Bangs resting on the eyebrows soften this look more than a shorter fringe would. I believe bangs with a mixie cut really alter the vibe and in this case it’s 100% true. Without bangs this would just be a textured short cut, but with bangs it has an overall purposefully edgy look. The shaggy layers on the sides give an effortless and lived-in look that really communicates, “I’ve got better things to do than style my hair,” which let’s be honest, that’s true for most of my clients in their 50s. The dark brunette color balances it all and with a simple color choice like this, it feels fitting because the cut really does all the talking.


#19 Dark Plum Razored Shaggy Mixie
There are notes of plum in the dark base and when you see it in the sun, the color will shine and it will look rich, like a wine color. Way better than just a plain dark brown. The haircut is very shaggy and well textured, and the bangs are super short. The hair will look amazing on days 2 and 3. The texture will build up and create an interesting look. If you have thick hair and have been told you can’t go short because it will puff out, this haircut will fix that. There will be no bulk, just great movement.


#20 Highlighted Brunette Feathered Mixie
These caramel highlights with a brunette base really stand out! The way the highlights are placed is perfect, as they draw the eye to the top as well as the frame-y layers at her face. The dark under layers also give a stunning contrast. The feathered layers are longer than a lot of the other cuts we’ve seen, settling just below the chin at the longest point making it one of the more conservative mixies if you’re easing into it, and that’s totally okay! This is a great cut to receive those compliments from coworkers who can’t find the right words to say about it, and it gives them that subtle look I hear so many women want. The roots look like she added a bit of volume at the crown and it looks like she let the ends do their thing. I really like this style because it looks effortless, like she didn’t spend an hour on it.


#21 Feathery Brunette Mixie with Soft Volume
So many women want this specific volume at the crown, and with haircuts like this, it really is about 50% the cut and 50% the way you style it. The top layers are cut short enough to be able to stand up, and the longer layers on the sides and back provide a bit of a mixie shape with some coverage around the ears and neck. I’d wager this was blow dried with a small round brush so that the roots are lifted and the ends are tucked under, which only takes about 5 minutes with hair this length. The warm, natural brunette color has a subtle undertone and is very undetectable with a process on it. The simplicity in the color really allows the texture of the cut to shine.


#22 Warm Brown Choppy Mixie with Flipped Ends
This is sooooo fun! It looks like someone walked into a salon and said, “Let’s have fun with my hair!” And the stylist delivered! The upside down/ flipped ends are super playful and really retro. And it’s perfect for a denim jacket! (And look, she’s wearing one, so clearly she gets it). The layers are heavily textured so they were probably point-cut or razor-cut to get that shattered, piece-y effect, and that’s why the ends are flipped instead of just sitting flat. The warm brown with some light pieces is nice because it catches the light, so the hair doesn’t look heavy and one-dimensional. If you like to actually PLAY with your hair in the morning (not just trying to make it behave), this cut gives you a lot to work with, and it looks good however you style in, whether it’s flipped, messy, or smoothed down.


#23 Dark Chestnut Tousled Mixie with Long Fringe
Experience a whole new level of this hairstyle with the addition of side-swept bangs. This dramatic touch is effortless. The crown area has great tousled volume, as though it has been fluffed. When this look is meant to be messy and rustic, but looks like it was put together on purpose, it can seem contradictory. However, it’s not as easy as it looks. It’s a mark of a great skilled hair cut. The dark chestnut color has a warm sparkle in the light. It is a nice balance with the dark color against the skin. That’s why toning down the color is so nice. It really gives off a lot of vibe. I had a client come in with the same colored hair and similar bone structure as Audrey Hepburn and when I saw this picture we ended up really close to that.


#24 Jet Black Sleek Cropped Mixie
Being simple is definitely the best approach for this. One-process dark color in a really clean, really tight crop, with just enough length through the top and fringe to avoid it being a full pixie. No highlights, no balayage, no “lived in” looks, just beautifully dark hair, cut beautifully. The shine is the statement on hair this dark and this short, so if it’s not healthy, keep the styling to a minimum. I see the fringe doing that confident separated wispy thing where it falls onto the forehead, and that’s the tiny detail that elevates this from severe to soft. It’s giving understated confidence and I wish more people would go for this kind of dark and short hair. It’s great in photos and it really draws focus to your features.


#25 Piecey Blonde Shag with Rooty Dimension
This image makes me gasp. It captures the effortlessly chic vintage European style. The coastal grandma vibe is enchanting. Magic grandma coastal vibes! The spotted rooty blonde ombre is definitely a major element. Magic, non-solid vibes. Moving and dimensioning, solid colors excluded. Those choppy standing layers? Vern or shoops. Magic spry. Also me and probably both. This vibe is money color appointments? waist length. The grow out is the look. Or, in better words, the magic spotty roots is the part of the design.


#26 Wispy Chocolate Layered Mixie with Neck-Length Pieces
I recommend this cut the most because of the reasoning above. If it’s your first time going shorter, those back pieces that taper down to the nape give you something to hold on to psychologically. The shape is also more interesting than an ordinary pixie. The crown layers are beautifully and the fringe is the right amount of soft to split it up without being stripping. The rich chocolate color is so multidimensional and does a lot for fine hair. Due to the lack of transparency, it creates a lot more thickness. If your hair has been thinning a little at the temples then the longer fringe and side pieces are a clever way to disguise that.


#27 Sun-Kissed Brunette Textured Pixie Crop
This look is definitely on the pixie side of the mixie scale and I am HERE for it!! Look at the golden pieces sprinkled throughout the brunette base. That’s not a full highlight; that’s a strategic placement of what looks like five or six foils, and it makes a huge difference on a cut this short. Without them, it could look a little flat. The shorter pieces on top add a lot of interest, and the choppy ones that go in different directions really make the look. It’s fresh! The length around the ears and nape is so clean. That cut is going to need a trim every 4-5 weeks to keep it looking this good, but the daily styling is basically nothing. A little bit of texturizing paste in your hands and then worked through when it’s barely damp is going to make styling so easy, and then you’ll be out the door!


#28 Bold Burgundy Textured Crop
This one is especially exciting for me because I adore that red. When people sit in my chair and say they want to do something bold with their color, *this* is what I envision. I want to do a deep, rich, and buttery burgundy on a short textured cut that will give you a ton of movement around the face without feeling like too much hair. The texture is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Those chunky pieces create the illusion of more density than what is actually there, and I do that trick A LOT on finer hair. Now, I’m not going to sugar coat it: this color is going to take some maintenance. I truly hate to break it to you, but burgundy hair color fades… A LOT. Especially with frequent washing. You will want to get a really good color-depositing shampoo to stretch the time between salon visits. But I will say, when it’s fresh? It literally makes your whole face glow!


#29 Soft Curly Textured Mixie
If you have curly hair and have been struggling with it for a long time, then I say you should stop fighting it! This is a good cut for your natural pattern. The curls will have space to do their thing, rather than be weighed down in a triangular shape. One very important thing to know about this cut is that when the hair dries, it will not be as long as it was when wet. I really think you should consider leaving this cut a lot longer than you think you should. You will be surprised at how long it really is. On days when you don’t want to do anything to your hair, you can put some scrunch and curl cream in and it will look intentional.


#30 Wispy Layered Blonde Pixie
Hair this light really does look like it’s floating. The lighter wispy layers create softness to the cut, and instead of hiding behind the bangs, pop! Blonde is tough to achieve but this is bright enough. Achieving this white blonde with fine hair is tricky – don’t want it to be see through. This haircut will look effortless, but trust me you’re gonna be in my chair every 5 weeks to keep it this clean. The length grows out fast with this short precise cut, and it’s definitely worth it.


#31 Shaggy Edged-Up Mixie
I can see the shaggy look you’re going for and I love the laid back vibe it has. I can tell though that a lot of intention went into the rest of the cut as well. It’s easy to see that the layers go to the cheekbones and along the jaw, which is super flattering, and makes the cut looks less serious. The bangs give the look a softer, more approachable touch, which is nice. Just make sure to keep up with your trims, because if you don’t it will start to look bad. The nice definition of the cut is super important, and once it starts to lose that, the whole look will fall apart.


#32 Cropped Fringe with Cheekbone Detail
I love the soft texture in the bangs. They aren’t harsh bangs, but they still highlight the cheekbones. The haircut is nice and short above the ears which leaves everything feeling clear and opened up. There is also very subtle layering on top, which gives the hair a nice little lift. Most people won’t notice the difference, but it affects the cut’s placement a lot. It doesn’t come across as too masculine for people with short hair. Overall, a good cut.


#33 Soft-Banged Textured Crop
This haircut is perfect for everyday use. It’s a haircut you can wash and wear, and with a little product, you’re set. The bangs are modern and timeless because they are soft and piece-y rather than blocky and blunt. The top layered cut provides the necessary volume so that the hair doesn’t lie flat against your head. Many people underestimate cuts like this because they think they are too basic, but the simple and well-executed styles are the most liked by my clients. It just works.


#34 Silver Pixie with Wave and Graduation
A woman uses her silver hair to show confidence, and it pays off. The waves give the hair cut so much more life. Otherwise it would be a pretty standard bob. The graduation at the nape is fantastic detail. It makes you look good from every angle, not just the front. If your hair is a little wavy, this style is going to be easy to achieve. Some sea salt spray and a bit of scrunching and you’re good to go! If your hair is straight, it will be even more work. You would need to use a small-barrel curling iron for the same look. Be honest with yourself about how much time you really want to spend on your hair in the morning.


#35 Silvery Blonde Textured Crop with Fringe
The silver-blonde hue is remarkably stunning and provides a wonderful brightness to the face. The soft bangs that sit just above the eyebrows and break up the frrhead, look great. The jaw-length is nice because it still allows for a little softness that is often missing when people go really short. To be honest, that shade of blonde is going to require a lot of upkeep. Expect to have a toning appointment very often, purple shampoo, and be careful about heat damage. The color will require a lot of maintenance, but the cut is on the bright side, easily manageable.


#36 Voluminous Crown Layers with Natural Warmth
I love the volume created by all the hair at the crown, and layering (rather than teasing or product overload) is the reason for that. Soft layers create a natural stack and give incredible bounce, helping achieve that “woke up with great hair” look, as many of my clients request. The extra warmth in the color also adds depth and dimension without being overly highlighted, almost how your hair used to look when it had more dimension. In terms of growing out, this is a really forgiving cut. It won’t look awkward in three weeks.


#37 Light Tousled Pixie with Movement
This type of haircut also looks great in photos and I can’t say that for all pixie cuts. The messy finish makes it feel more loose and natural rather than overly polished. The layers add movement and keep it from looking too stiff. Once you run your fingers through it, it falls right back into position. This cut is perfect for those days when you dont want to spend ten minutes on your hair in the morning. If your hair is a little on the thinner side, I think this would be fantastic for you.


#38 Silver-Highlighted Short Cut with Gentle Movement
The way the silver highlights are placed is wonderful. They are catching the light in an unobtrusive way which adds dimension to this cut. Keeping the nape short and the top a bit longer creates an attractive shape from the side and from the back. With hair, most people forget about these angles, but others see you from those angles all the time. Just a little texturizing paste will do wonders to separate and define those layers. It’s as simple as warming a tiny amount between your palms and then working it through with your fingers.


#39 Tousled Dimensional Layers
The casual elegance that you get from the messy style is done effortlessly, and the result never disappoints. The subtlety of the layers is a contributing factor to creating the kind of movement and dimension that would be absent otherwise. The excellent part about this is that it may give the impression that little time was spent on styling, but the reality is the cut is remarkably clean. When you can’t see the effort that’s a good stylist. The outfit would without a doubt carry sophistication from daytime to nightime.


#40 Textured Crop with Versatile Top Length
Seeing the longer pieces on top, I can give you options with this cut. You can sweep them to one side, push them forward, mess them up, or even slick them back if you’re feeling bold. It is a cut that changes with your mood and styling that day, and I consider that a bonus. Nobody wants to feel like they have the same hair everyday. The highlights add some warmth and dimension through the top sections so it doesn’t look flat, and the shape is really nice and clean.


#41 Lively Layered Nape-Length Cut
It is cute and easy. Not every cut has to have drama, and sometimes you just want something that isn’t going to give you a million problems. This is that cut. The layers create movement, but not in an overly complicated way, and if your hair waves naturally, it is going to be fantastic with this shape. The nape length keeps it feeling like a real short cut without being fully committed to a pixie. So if you want to dip your toes into going shorter, this would be a great first step.


#42 Textured Mohawk-Inspired Cut
I understand that interpreting this might be difficult for some, and that’s perfectly fine. It can come off sounding more like a costume than a haircut if you have a more reserved personality type. With that said, if you have the confidence to carry this cut, it can be a game changer. The lift at the crown adds height and excess drama. With clean short sides and top texture, it will lighten up and avoid a harsh look. For daily maintenance, this will require styling to maintain volume and shape, so root volumizing powder will be essential. You will love it once you see the final result, and I mean really love it.


#43 Curly Bob with Face-Framing Fringe
Calling all curly girls! If your hair has more of a wavy texture, this will sit super well with the curl pattern. The soft layers give each curl space to be free and have fun rather than all blending together into one big clump. The slight fringe is the detail that really finishes this look off, giving it relaxed vibes without being too fussy. If your hair is really humid, you’ll gonna want to put some curl cream or mousse to keep everything looking fresh and defined. Also, it’s really rare to say this, but I just know this cut will look even nicer on day 2.


#44 Warm-Toned Layered Shag
Given the length of this style and the fact that it isn’t super extreme, I can assume you want some layering and mixie texture without going too short. This is a good “middle ground” and it’s really flattering how the layers frame the face. The lighter pieces on the ends are nice and just enough to keep some dimension. It’s nice that it’s not trying too hard and it’s just good hair. It’s the kind of style that people compliment you on but can’t really put their finger on the reason, which is the best secondhand compliment to get from clients.


#45 Piece-y Tousled Short Cut
It has a distinctive piece-y texture on top, which is great for people with fine, straighter hair because it gives the impression of having more hair. I work hard to create this illusion with my clients because many women in their 50s have hair that has thinned out quite a bit. They may not want to talk about it, but they really want me to help solve the issue. This type of haircut addresses the issue, or at least makes it a non-issue. The elongation through the neck is really stunning as it provides a nice longer and leaner look. Just a little dry texture spray and you’re good to go!


#46 Playful Silver Pixie with Volume
The silver color looks great and the cut is just enhancing what is already beautiful. Why fight it? The layers are creating all kinds of fun volume! The little undercut in the back gives it a modern look, so it doesn’t look too “grandma hairstyle-ish” — and I know that’s a concern for a lot of my clients who stop coloring. This is the kind of evidence I like to show clients that going fully silver can style you and look modern. You’ll need regular trims for this one, though — probably every four to five weeks.


#47 Soft Volume Above-Shoulder Cut
This is longer than most mixies, but I’m getting more of a layered bob look. The texture and movement do suggest mixie, so tagging it! I really love these gentle waves and how they liven up such a dull cut. If you have naturally wavey hair, the styling will be a breeze as waves like this are really just an enhancement of what is already there. For straight hair, it’s also pretty easy to do these waves, just grab a 1 inch curling wand and spend about 10 minutes on it. All in all, this is a great cut! It’s super wearable and will suit a lot of people.


#48 Gray-Toned Textured Short Cut
The purposeful and intentional-looking gray tones cut and embrace that modern feeling with all the lively layers throughout the top and sides. Enough texture to be intriguing, but not enough to be messy, and this cut is firmly on the right side of that line. If you are someone whose hair is going gray and you have thought about just letting it happen but are unsure, a cut like this might be the thing that changes your mind because the cut helps the color be part of the narrative.


#49 Highlighted Textured Pixie
These highlights are gorgeous. They add dimension to the face while not looking like average foils. The longer textured layers give more tops. The longer layers on top and shorter ones in the back create a high-low contrast that makes the pixie cut interesting. The bed head style adds a carefree touch. Get ready to spend some time in the morning if you want a look like this. Your hair won’t just fall that way. It’ll probably take a baby straightening iron for some bends and some finger blowing to get it the right way. Once you get it down, it’ll be easy.


#50 Feathered Nape Modern Crop
I love nape feathering! It really helps finish off the back of the cut. It provides purpose so it doesn’t just look like it stops. You have all that fantastic texture and movement on the front and the sides, all the layers create volume without extra weight. That’s what keeps it feeling modern. I always recommend this type of cut to people who want to look polished without making it seem like they’ve put a lot of effort in. It looks good in that way, but it means you’ll need to come back to the salon a lot. That neat look won’t last long, it will grow out quickly. Overall, the hair cut will look good and the nape will not.


#51 Elegant Waves with Crown Lift
The waves in this style are soft and polished. This style does not have the texture and edginess found in some of the other cuts we have been looking at, and sometimes that is exactly what someone needs. The layers at the top add volume, but not in a messy way, which is nice. Everything is kept refined with the length around the ears. If you like a simple and classic style, but want something more modern, I would suggest this one. It is nice and modern without being boring at all, which is a harder balance to achieve than most people think.


#52 Feathered Chin-Length Layers
What’s great about this style is how adaptable it is to all different types and textures of hair, and it the type of cut that sort of shapes itself to each individual. The bangs fall around the eyebrows which provides the best framing effect, and the chin length cut provides softness and movement that is not present in shorter pixie cuts. The lived in layered look is in my opinion much better than most blow drys that look too polished. The styling options are incredibly versatile. It can airdry nicely with a firm product, be blow dried smooth, or can even be curled to change things up. I think this cut is awesome and I would recommend it to any potential alters. It’s ideal for those wanting to go shorter without the drastic feeling of having jumped off a cliff.
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