As a hairstylist, one of the first side-parted pixie cuts that changed my perspective on the style was the one I did on a woman who for 12 years had long layers. One of the most memorable moments of doing this haircut was when the woman walked up to me and showed me a picture and said, “I just want to feel different.” I opted for a deep side part with some top length and very short sides. While there was an unsettling silence coming from the mirror, I considered the haircut a success. This is how a side-parted pixie cut should be done. It clears the face — while longer hair overlooks your eyes, neck, and bone structure.
I like this style of haircut because the potential is endless. You can do something simple and elegant or something more edgy and relaxed. The side part allows you to keep things professional enough for a court room while also allowing it to be playful if you add some texture to it. I love the bias that the side part creates because its asymmetrical which is a lot more visually interesting than symmetrical. I have a number of favorite cuts from these twenty-five and you will probably be able to tell.
#1: Modern Side-Parted Pixie with Quiet Texture
This cut obviously took a lot of effort. You can see all of the striking details. The layers are soft enough to promote movement without being too obvious, and the side part is positioned to go with the direction of the growth. The highlights are so subtle that they won’t draw attention to them. If your hair is fine, you’ll probably be wondering why you waited so long.
#2 Layered Pixie with Just Enough Highlight
This is an image of a client who wants to appear put together but does not want to spend much time on her hair in the morning. The layers are blended and the highlights warm everything up without being too stripy. This is a good haircut for someone who has been playing it safe and wants to move forward, not leap.
#3 Curly Pixie with Face-Framing Softness
This is your sign to cut your hair short! The layers around the face really help break up the shape so it doesn’t look too boxy or blunt, especially with the back being all one length. The maintenance is super simple too! Aside from using a curl defining cream so that it doesn’t get crunchy, this a style you could totally just wash and go!
#4 Side-Parted Pixie with Soft Waves and Asymmetry
I like that the wave did the talking on this cut and it’s the right choice because it’s saying something good. It’s asymmetrical and a bit costume-y, but the lighter shade gives everything a bit more space. I will say though, this blonde is going to require some commitment to a root touch-up schedule. The cut is fairly easy to style, just grab a texturizing spray and it should only take you about 4 minutes!
#5 Short Pixie with Bold Highlights
This type of haircut can have some really amazing results if you are willing to fully commit to the change. Since these highlights are focused more on the face rather than the hair, it may sound minor, but it is the differentiating factor between a good and a bad highlight job. The good thing about this length is that you won’t have to deal with it for too long, but to be honest, that is the whole point of a pixie cut for most of the women I see in my chair.
#6 Side-Parted Pixie with Airy Layers
You’d expect this color to be more pricey. These layers are so finely done. The cut is on trend as well, with a kind of purposely messy quality to it. The side part is deep enough to achieve a proper sweep through the top. The waves are all full and flowing instead of flat and lifeless. Fine hair actually benefits from this type of layering. The finish here is as if someone just lightweight volumizing mousse and diffused it, which is exactly the right amount of effort.
#7 Asymmetrical Pixie with Textured Waves
Asymmetrical pixie cuts can seem harsh but as long as the ear on the shorter side shows through, I think they actually offer a great amount of versatility! The texture and waves at the surface are seemingly inactive but in reality provide just the surf-ace pass of fullness to soften the look so just that is working against the common concerns. It’s great to see a style that looks great while running errands, and the photographic qualities are a quality that I appreciate!
#8 Wispy Layered Pixie with a Gentle Side Part
These wisp layers are crucial in regards to preventing the “helmet head” look which is one of the biggest complaints I hear regarding terrible pixie cuts. This is a corrective cut for that issue. It gives a lot of nice movement, and the side part makes this cut look more unconventional and less symmetrical. If you’ve had a bad experience before, this is what you should show to your stylist.
#9 Side-Parted Pixie with Clean, Subtle Layers
Every now and then, a haircut doesn’t need to be eye catching, and instead allows the clients face to be the first thing to catch the eye and that is what this haircut does best. Though there may not be a lot of obvious layering, there is plenty of subtle work around the edges with the thinning shears that allows for a softer, more relaxed drape. This haircut is for those who want to appear professionally polished without looking like they put in much work.
#10 Auburn Pixie with Warm Dimension
That auburn shade is to die for and the maintenance is surely worth it. Not every color is worth the maintenance in my opinion. The top layers give you so many styling options, you can wear it all forward, or swept to one side, or somewhere in between. With the length of the chop and the level of the color, I think the color will do the talking. If you have been thinking about red, a pixie is the best opportunity to do it. With so little hair, the color change will be quick and it’ll be easy to grow out.
#11 Silver Textured Pixie with a Natural Side Part
Having silver hair, paired with a good haircut, is one of the most satisfying things for me. With this texture, the risk of having graying hair that has lost some density- a flat look- is avoided and instead elevates the style. The side part is set at the natural fall line of the hair, meaning when you get out of the shower, it’s going to look something like this. That’s the goal.
#12 Rich Auburn Pixie with Layered Texture
The color plays a big role here; that coppery auburn catches the light and makes the texture of the cut more visible, which makes it look more intentional overall. The slight side part adds a bit of formality to what is otherwise a fairly casual shape. This is a cut that transitions well from day to night without needing to change a thing.
#13 Soft Pixie with Gentle Face-Framing Layers
I would consider this a pixie for someone who isn’t fully committed to getting one, and I mean that as a compliment. The length is short enough to be an appropriate length while still being on the conservative side. The face framing layers soften everything and are not dated. The highlights appear to be warm and well placed. This will feel like a good next step if you’re transitioning from a bob.
#14 Layered Side-Parted Pixie with Polished Texture
This haircut gives off the impression of professionalism and maturity, which is great to have. The layers are done nicely and give off a sense of flow rather than looking stagnant. The side part is also nice and does not look overly drastic. This look is not difficult to keep throughout the day, just a little styling paste on the ends of your hair and you’re good. This is a haircut that will continue to look great even once it’s time to go back to the salon.
#15 Feathered Side-Parted Pixie with Warm Highlights
The feathering on this is done really well, it is light enough that the layers do not separate and create that gap, which is what goes wrong with feathering finer hairs. The warm brown highlights add a sun-touched quality to it that keeps it from being too serious. This is a cut that would look just as good air-dried as it does blown out, which is the mark of a well executed shape.
#16 Effortless Textured Pixie with Warm Dimension
Here, I see a lot of thought was put into the proportions on the sides and the top length. This avoids the common mushroom look that is seen with pixie cuts when the ratio is unbalanced. Also, the warm highlights are a beautiful choice. They enhance the volume, which is an illusion. The end product looks like a girl who just got out of bed, ran her fingers through her hair, and walked out. Which, most likely, is super close to the truth.
#17 Textured Pixie with Movement and Soft Highlights
The editorial style is more present in this one than in the others, perhaps because of the way the layers reflect light and create a visible separation at the top. The highlighting looks more dimensional, and fine hair always looks better with more going on. It’s a nice cut and will suit most people, which is not always true with pixies.
#18 Warm Copper Pixie with Textured Layers
It’s no secret I love this copper color! It’s cut really well too, going in close around the ears and on top leaving enough to style, which is always a plus, but the color really takes it from nice to great. It’s definitely going to stand out. Just a heads up, copper fades super fast especially compared to other colors so if you go for it invest in some color depositing shampoo to use every other wash and it will look a million times better and not like you forgot about your hair.
#19 Soft Layered Pixie with a Clean Neckline
This haircut’s neckline is done to such a high standard that it shows off the neck beautifully, and it’s those little things that take a pixie cut from good to great. The top layers are kept light and the highlights are just enough to keep it interesting. This is the kind of haircut that makes you stand a little taller. Not just because it reminds you that people can see your neck and your posture, but it gives you that a little sharper edge.
#20 Side-Parted Pixie with Caramel Warmth
The deep base color with caramel highlights contrasts beautifully, giving the short haircut more dimension. I believe color placement around the face and through the top layers is a significantly better option for a pixie cut than an all over color. The cut speaks for itself and the soft texture means it will look good on the days you don’t do anything to it.
#21 Textured Pixie with a Playful Side Part
This is a great low-commitment pixie style. The modern cropped sides feel open instead of locked in. There’s sufficient length on top to switch up the part or brush the hair forward. The subtle highlights allow for an elongated grow-out period which is very dramatic. I would absolutely suggest this to anyone seeking pixie options.
#22 Silver Pixie with Soft Layered Movement
Good examples of silver hair with nice layering are rare, so I appreciate this one. It shows how volume is added with rounded layers, and helps to combat the flat look often seen with silver and grey hair due to lack of body. The level of the side part is perfect to offer a sweeping motion, and the shape is great everywhere without becoming extreme. If you do not want your hair to become brassy or yellow, use a light purple shampoo weekly.
#23 Textured Pixie with Soft Rose Undertones
The gentle rose undertone is perfect for people who want to try colors other than beige. It’s neutral enough to warm your complexion without looking like you’re trying too hard. The best part about it is that it is cool without the bold upkeep of a statement piece. The cut is easy and designed. The side part keeps it down to earth and if you’re looking for something to color without a full commitment this is definitely the way to go.
#24 Dynamic Layered Pixie with Dimensional Highlights
It’s clear that the layers in this cut were intentional rather than “texturized” as a way to say they were lazy or lost vision. There’s shape and intentional graduation from the crown through the sides and the highlights reflect that as well. It feels like a cut that was thought out and again, that’s the kind of cut that looks like you didn’t think it through at all. A bit of dry texture spray on second day hair would keep this looking fresh like a wash.
#25 Textured Side-Parted Pixie with Rich Chocolate Tones
This cut is a nice note to end on. The chocolate tones run rich but not too heavy, and the waves add just enough personality to keep it from feeling too safe. The hair looks naturally fine, so it’s impressive to see this much volume which tells me the cut is doing its job. There’s nothing about this that is trying too hard, but it is a good haircut and good color and honestly that’s all it ever needs to be.
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