23 Professional Pixie Cuts for Women In The Workplace

Tuesday was one of the happiest days of my life because of my client’s transformation. No one will forget how this particular pixie cut caught my eye. Sarah had a should length bob for the last seven years and she would always say that people would take her less seriously if she cut her hair shorter. I was not at all surprised when I got the text from Sarah the next day because I had seen her boss compliment her about the new hairstyle as she confidently walked away from the salon. Some people may look at the cut and say that it doesn’t look serious and is unprofessional, but the truth is they take a lot of confidence and show that the person is in control of their goals and ambitions.

There is also a stereotype that to look professionally trimmed and polished in the workplace you have to have long hair. I think this is a total myth. I’ve actually worked with a lot of highly styled, professional and polished women who have very short hair, and it looks like the maintenance is very low because it stays in great condition with very little effort. To look really polished and put together, the secret is finding the right pixie cut that will best suit your hair’s texture and growth pattern, face shape, and lifestyle.

I have a wide selection of professional pixies to choose from. I have selected my top 23 and I am sure there are some I would recommend to my clients too. I love them and have lots of ideas about what sets each of them apart.

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#1: Textured Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs That Actually Behave

I recommend this style for clients who say, “I want a pixie cut but I’m scared.” The side-swept bangs provide something for clients to hide behind, and the length is above the jaw fso you still definitely have HAIR in the back. The goal is to achieve an effortless look and the texturizing does all the heavy lifting. Not having to style your hair is a dream and this cut is all about it. If your hair has any natural texture or body, it will look really good. This cut makes it look like you put in more effort than you actually did.

#2 Soft Highlighted Pixie That Looks Like You Vacation Often

I love how the subtle highlights give this style extra magic! With short styles every little detail kind of makes the whole look feel so much more expensive. The layered texture looks great, and helps avoid that flat look that clients with finer hair always complain about. Can we take a moment to appreciate how much of a running late to work hair this is (with a little texturizing paste of course)? I feel like it’s perfect for a woman who wants to look effortless and on trend at 8am on a Monday.

#3 Sleek Layered Pixie in the Most Perfect Brown

I have to say, that rich brown is SO underrated. It makes the whole cut feel warmer and more approachable, which is a big plus when you’re in meetings all day. The front is cut slightly longer which gives you some versatility with whether you want to tuck it behind your ear or let it fall forward depending on your mood, and I love a cut that gives you OPTIONS. The layers are also textured, which really helps with the helmet look. That’s my biggest pet peeve with sleek pixies, but this one is done right.

#4 Copper Pixie That Will Get You Compliments From Strangers

Let’s commit to the bold copper color for this shorter style. I love it! I had a client do something similar last fall and she said people were stopping her in the grocery store. With a color this good, that actually happens! To be honest though, copper is one of those colors that will fade faster than you’d like. Make sure to budget for a color depositing shampoo to use in between salon visits. The light will catch it differently on every piece! All that layered texture on the cut will help the color look even more multidimensional!

#5 Side-Swept Pixie with Just the Right Amount of Attitude

I appreciate how the bangs in this style are doing their job perfectly; they frame the face without being too much, plus I love the natural wind-blown look they fall into. I often tell clients that side-swept bangs on a pixie cut are the ultimate refined secret since they draw the attention to the whole face, if that makes sense? The top layers offer that relaxed, lived-in vibe that stops it from looking overdone. Yes, it will require some more maintenance than a longer haircut, but to be honest, every appointment being quick kind of balances it out.

#6 Golden Highlighted Bob That’s Giving Main Character Energy

I LOVE that this look is more on the bob side than the pixie. It has that perfect in-between feel where you have the convenience of short hair, but the flexibility that comes with having a little more length to move around. The golden highlights look very nice. They better light all around the face, which is just where you want them! If you have finer hair, this is one of those cuts where the layers work in your favor because they create the illusion of a fuller hairstyle without weighing anything down. Those highlights are going to need some love every few weeks to stay looking THIS fresh.

#7 Soft Volume Pixie for the “I Woke Up Like This” Crowd

People won’t believe you if you tell them this cut took 2 minutes. It looks like it took way longer, but it REALLY took just 2 minutes. The layers will give you volume at the crown and top of your head, and it will work with your natural wave if you have one. On flat days, just keep a lightweight mousse handy because a little bit of scrunch at the roots will revive it. Honestly, a subtle balayage would take this to a whole new level. Just saying.

#8 Defined Edge Pixie for When You Mean Business

The edges on this cut show clean detailing, and the level of craftsmanship is clearly above average. It is giving, “I have my life together and also great taste,” which is a true compliment to the cut and the vibe we want to achieve in a professional pixie. The short sides and back keep everything sleek and smart, while longer layers on top give you something to actually style and play with, as you won’t be stuck with one look every single day. What I appreciate about this cut is that is retains good and volume on top even with finer hair, and that is because it isn’t random layering, which is often the case when people go for that look. If you wanted to enhance that texture with a subtle color variation such as a few baby highlights, I would be 100% in favor of that choice.

#9 Soft Undercut Pixie That’s Professional with an Edge

The undercut trend has been going on for a while, but THIS version is the first I recommend to my clients with more conservative office jobs. It is edgy but not too extreme. The shorter sides are visible, but the volume on top keeps everything neat and polished, like a secret you are only kind of keeping. This look is especially great for fine to medium hair because it really lightens the hair on the sides, allowing the hair on top to really shine. This cut is so versatile – you can style it slick at the beginning of the week, then tousled at the end of the week and it will end up looking like you have two totally different hair styles.

#10 Tousled Pixie with Layers That Move

Pixie cuts do have a look that’s tousled finish, and this cut has that feeling down. The layered movement may be subtle, but the effort put into the cut imment. The way the length frames the face, then leaves room around the cheekbones, is lovely. A touch of dry texture spray emulsified with your fingers is all you need for the soft, piece-y texture. That’s literally all you need.

#11 Lively Layered Pixie That Refuses to Be Boring

The layers in this cut come alive with personality. They aren’t just sitting there as layers. They’re doing something corroboratively whole tussled, playful, yet somehow still reads completely appropriate for an office. The great thing about this is the texture is just enough to keep your eye moving, and make the hair look alive. If you’ve been doing the same boring and basic haircut for years and you’re ready for something that will make you excited to look in the mirror, then this is the cut for you. I won’t lie, it does need some attention in the morning, and by that I mean like five minutes with your fingers, and maybe a touch of product, that’s not a whole production.

#12 Soft Layered Pixie with a Hint of Highlight

What makes this haircut stand out are the highlights. They’re subtle and look natural, yet add dimension to the hair. The undone, tousled texture of the hair allows for a more approachable look. I know that sounds kind of weird, but I promise you, it has happened so many times with my clients. The length finishing just above the jaw is flattering, and the soft layers around the face offer a light and fresh feeling to the cut and help to frame the face nicely. This is the kind of haircut that draws compliments, but it leaves people wishing they could more precisely explain what it is that makes you look so great.

#13 Cropped Pixie with Volume at the Crown

If you are looking for a more voluminous look, this is the haircut for you! With the contrast from the shorter sides, the top hair will appear more dramatic. The layers will create lift at the crown and are defined at the most important spots. I have created this haircut for many clients who claimed they could “never go this short”, and every single one has come back for the same style. It definitely shows they liked it! With the polished yet playful look, this haircut is suitable for almost all office environments from creative studios to corporate boards!

#14 Wavy Pixie That Looks Like It Styles Itself

Those soft waves are so gorgeous! The glory of those waves doesn’t take away from the hair’s finesse. It creates fullness! The waves give the illusion of thickness — a lot more hair than is actually there. This cut gives you that functionality. The waves also help to frame the face beautifully and give a classically elegant look that is not overdone and is more natural. The professional world will love that back to nature vibe. For the best result, take some lightweight wave cream, and scrunch it in your damp hair. After that, just leave it and let it do its thing. I really like how this cut is so low maintenance.

#15 Silver Pixie with Crisp Edges That Mean Business

Can we please take a moment to appreciate how NICE silver hair looks with a pixie cut? I wish I could persuade more of my clients to do this! With this hair cut, the silver hair has purpose and isn’t just some “I’m growing my hair out” situation. It makes the cut look so much more modern and stylish. The texture on top is super important because without it the cut could look really bland. Silver and gray tones can really fall flat but this won’t have that problem. I will say that the edges need to be cleaned up every 3 or 4 weeks. But trust me, the payoff is worth it! This cut is amazing.

#16 Curly Pixie with Layers That Let Your Curls Do Their Thing

A hairstyle that I love for clients with curly hair is a pixie cut! The outcome is almost always amazing! This picture shows the results that a curly hair pixie cut can give. Look at how lively and bouncy the curls are! The curls are working with the layers and are defintely not being weighed down. Closed ringlets can cause a lot of frustration when styled the wrong way. A good curl cream can be the difference between frustration and beautiful, soft, and touchable broken texture. If you have thicker and curlier hair and have wanted to make the chop, this cut is your sign!

#17 Ear-Length Pixie with the Sweetest Face-Framing Layers

I love your ear length layers! They look great, and I can see the inspiration in modernized Audrey Hepburn styles. The soft texture is feminine and the layers around the face are such a good addition for people that don’t want to spend time styling, which is great. Out of everything I love the ear length layers the most. They’re playful, and not every pixie has that, which is awesome. Even though it’s a small detail, it really sets the style apart. If you have finer hair, root volumizing powder will keep it looking full all day.

#18 Airy Layered Pixie That Feels Lighter Than It Looks

This cut is nice and light and each individual layer feels purposeful and nothing heavy or overdone. The movement looks really natural like her hair just fell perfectly by itself which is a sign of a really good cut. For someone looking for a pixie cut that isn’t too drastic or too edgy this is a great option, it’s fun enough without being too scary. It’s the perfect cut for going from a work meeting to drinks after work, exactly what you want from a professional hairstyle.

#19 Face-Framing Pixie with Bangs That Know Their Assignment

These bangs soften the forehead and create a warm and feminine look. They also help draw attention to the eyes. Plus, the layering evens out the face, especially heart-shaped faces, as the layers are designed to accentuate that shape. The length of the hair is neat and professional. The fine hair also works with the cut since it stays light and wispy rather than weighing it all down. This look will also need a lightweight texturizing spray since a flat look will happen. A quick spray around lunchtime can help a lot.

#20 Vibrant Short Pixie That’s Basically a Mood Boost

A new hair color is less expensive than therapy, and this cheerful pixie is evidence. With this hairstyle, it is impossible to be having a bad day. The soft, layered, and textured cut is also great for the office, and the warm hue offers a splash of personality to make it feel like it is your own. This is one of those haircuts where the color and the cut complement each other. The color brings out the texture, and the texture is more pronounced with color. Between color-safe shampoo and your appointments, you will want to keep that bright color for a long time!

#21 Delicate Layered Pixie That Whispers Instead of Shouts

I love the energy of a person who is quietly confident. It’s a shame that all pixies have to be loud. This is a perfect example of someone quietly confident. The soft, elegant layers create the amount of movement to keep the cut interesting, but not distracting. The slight volume at the crown helps lift the overall shape of the cut in a flattering way. I find this style ideal for women in conservative workplaces, as it gives a polished modern look and keeps the emphasis on the haircut subtle. I also think this style is great for people who want to spend less time on styling. That is such a time saver when you need to get out the door quickly.

#22 Playful Curly Pixie That Celebrates Your Natural Texture

As I see it, there have been workplaces where curls have been straightened for some time. So, I wanted to show you a particular type of cut. When a cut is of a shorter length and shows a lot of texture that cut feels very personal, because it is true to the to the wearer. It is a cut that emphasises all of the curls unlike longer cuts which may hide some of that texture. Because of the short length all of the curls are visible to be appreciated. It is ideal for this cut to be dried with a microfiber towel, especially if the towel is soft in order to reduce frizz. It is really effortless for this cut to look incredibly good. It will look awesome with curl cream because of how excellent the frizz will be.

#23 Soft Wave Pixie That Works as Hard as You Do

Regarding the hairdo options, this one works for me, so I will go with it. As I said, this option is very simple and easily manageable. The smooth flow adds some dimension to the look. The light brown hue with highlights gives great depth to the hair. Really, it is great to shape the cheekbones and ease the jawline. Of course, this is one of those styles where someone can, quite literally, wake up, give their head a good shake, put in some product then walk out the door. It will look like they spent hours styling their hair. Absolute game changer.