When a client is being serious about going short, I can usually tell before they even sit in the chair. I notice the movement of their hands and people who are serious about the cut often start to pull at hair on the back of their necks. I think this is because they’re already anticipating that hair and want to remove it. To me, it’s a clue before they say anything.
Getting to do really short pixie cuts is something that I can do over and over without getting bored. Even if a client has the same reference photo as another client, no two cuts turn out the same. This is due to different hair growth patterns at the nape, having a cowlick in the temple area, or the general shape of the skull. There is a lot of honesty involved with a really short pixie cut. I like the straightforwardness of the technique and appreciate that there is no gimmicky shape to hide a bad cut. These styles are shaped based on the clients anatomy and some of the over really short pixie cuts in my collection are sculpted and precise while others are a lot softer, looser, and come with some fun color combinations. If you’ve been thinking about a really short pixie cut, my pixie haircut collection will hopefully inspire you to take the leap.
#1: Sharply-Angled Silver Pixie with Precision Cut
It is worth noting how the precision of the cut speaks for itself. Every angle of the cut is done to perfection and it is almost artistic. The angles sit perfectly for an oval face shape. The slight variation in lengths of the hair is just enough to give it some texture and avoid a flat look and that was a smart choice for finer hair. The silver tone with the natural gray is well done and looks intentional instead of someone trying to battle their natural color. This is one of those haircuts where the precision is the focal point and for that I’d suggest you keep up with trims every few weeks to stay on top of those clean lines.
#2: Blonde Highlighted Tousled Pixie with Undercut
This style shows some great thinking. The undercut will keep the sides light and cool and the longer top gives you something to work with in the mornings. If your hair is thinner, the tousled layering will be your best friend because it gives the illusion of actually having more hair. The darker roots growing into light blonde highlights creates a natural depth that keeps it from looking one-note. It looks like the type of style that you didn’t put much work into, which of course means a lot of work went into it.
#3: Effortless Deep Brunette Pixie with Natural Shine
I like this cut to show clients reassuring them about short hair not being feminine enough. The tapering around the ears and nape is what makes the style gentle and not harsh. I really like the colour; super shiny and healthy. I think the added textures really helps. It looks designed and a bit messy so this should be a super easy wash and go style. Most cuts require more styling, but this one shouldn’t take long at all. To maintain the shape from getting shaggy, you’ll have to come in regularly. The daily effort will be almost nothing, so it will be low maintenance for the effort.
#4 Chic Sculpted Waves on Petite Pixie
What’s happening with the sculpted waves here is kind of unique. They take what could be a very simple cut and give it this vintage femininity that I don’t see often on such short pixies. If your hair is naturally straight or wavy, then this cut is going to work with you (and for fine to medium density hair, those waves create the impression of more fullness). I will note that it’s true you won’t spend much time styling it, but you will have to actually style those waves and won’t be able to just let it air dry and hope for the best.
#5: Rich Chestnut Textured Pixie with Angled Layers
The chestnut color captures and reflects light beautifully, creating a sense of motion. The angle of the cut highlights a strong jaw, while the texture of the hair avoids a look that is overly polished. The layering gives fine hair more body without having to use a volumizing product. While it is definitely a style that requires little effort in the morning, you will need to visit your stylist more frequently than you might expect, as short, textured cuts lose their shape quickly.
#6: Sleek Espresso Toned Pixie with Clean Side Part
Wow! What a nice cut! The wearer definitely knows what they want with the defined sections and lines. The deep espresso color adds richness and looks expensive without having to dimension or highlight tricks. This works perfectly with the fine, dense, and naturally flat hair. If you have curly or particularly wavy hair, this style probably won’t cooperate with you as much.
#7: Light-Blonde Feathery Pixie with Texturized Top
The layers at the crown of the head are what makes this cut special. These layers add a light and airy feel that keeps it from being just another short blonde haircut. I’d recommend this cut to anyone with fine to medium hair who wants to add more volume without the hassle of styling. The light blonde color will also help disguise any greys that are coming in, as they will blend in with the color. The silhouette will need to be shaped every 4 to 6 weeks to keep it looking fresh, but the good news is that there is next to no styling required for it to look good. The layers are also a great combination of playful and professional, which is a combination I love.
#8: Streamlined Chestnut Pixie with Soft Texture
This one fits the shape of the head so well it feels like a second skin (in a good way). The chestnut shade warms everything up nicely, and there’s just enough texture through the top to keep it from looking too bland. My favorite part though, is how the bangs sit just above the forehead. It’s a small detail, but it softens the overall look quite a bit, and it won’t clash with any of the other elements of the cut. For a fine to medium hair type, this is a great option if you’re looking for a style that appears more polished with minimal effort. Just remember, this length won’t excuse any missed trims.
#9: Charcoal-Blue Tapered Pixie with Soft Texture
My favorite part about this look is the color. Charcoal-blue is probably not the first option one would consider, but it really pulls off the modern and moody aesthetic look nicely on the right person. The tapering of the shape really highlights the cheekbones and softens the jawline. The texture is soft enough to not be out of place on fine hair, coarse hair, or anything in between. To be frank, this color does require some maintenance, so if you’re someone who wants to be able to forget about their hair for the next six months, this probably isn’t the color for you. However, those who enjoy maintenance and prefer a more adventurous look, this one rewards you.
#10: Effortlessly Chic Espresso Pixie with Subtle Texture
I like how this style has a sense of calm about it. It has a clean aesthetic and doesn’t feel showy or dramatic. The soft espresso color works well with so many skin tones! The cut is a lovely texture and just enough to keep it from being boring. It creates volume easily for fine hair which is great! For this length, it’s worth mentioning your natural growth pattern. It will influence how the texture lays. Every head of hair falls in its own unique way and this length cut is purposeful in that.
#11: Sharp Angular Bangs with Tousled Layering
You’ve certainly created a look here with your angled bangs! They add definition to the face, which is great. The more tousled layers they have, the more relaxed everything seems. This works great with straight or slightly wavy hair, plus it requires very little styling time. I will note that bangs do need regular trims to look sharp. Even the slightest hint of grow-out can throw off the whole geometry of the cut, so it can be a lot of upkeep. But if you are up for it, it is a great balance of bold and wearable!
#12: Sleek Contoured Pixie with Sculpted Sides
Getting a haircut is a complex art that requires a ton of skill. For example, this haircut goes right down to the scalp while having certain styles that outline and contour the head. This haircut gives the appearance of a laid back effortless style, while in actuality, a clipper technique of high precision is required to achieve this. If you have straight hair of medium thickness, your morning routine with this style will be a breeze. Although the downside is that you will have little flexibility to change your hairstyle. If you dislike having new styles often, this haircut will do a great job of achieving a polished look. Considering all of this, it’s very hard to beat this haircut.
#13: Crisp Platinum Crop with Gentle Taper
I can tell how much work and effort goes into achieving platinum, so big respect to those who do it. The gentle taper eases things around the face so it doesn¿t look too stark and it is a nice shape overall. This tapers really well with fine hair because without any weight to pull things down it works perfectly. It will even take some real commitment with maintenance, as you will need regular toning treatments to keep that platinum from looking brassy, and root touch-ups will become a regular part of your life. But when it has just been done, the effect is very obvious.
#14: Soft Sandy-Blonde Pixie with Textured Layers
The best part about this style for fine hair is the layered graduation. It gives that ‘just left the salon’ type of volume without having to use a ton of products, and the sandy blonde gives that sun-kissed effect. The way the layers contour to her head is nice, it rounds everything off and gives a softer, more youthful appearance. Sure you’re giving up some styling options with the length, but what you get in return is a cut that pretty much styles itself, which is a fair trade for most people.
#15: Classic Finger-Wave Pixie for Fine Hair
I just love finger waves! I love how historically significant they are, and I love how they create an entirely new vibe with modern styles! This modern look with a pixie cut is edgy and fresh instead of costumy. The finger waves create the look of way more texture and volume with finer hair. It is going to take some daily styling, but with the short length, it should be easy! You will need to get waves reshaped to keep them defined as your hair grows. It’s a cut that asks for attention, and it earns it!
#16: Bronzed Blonde Textured Pixie with Volume
I think the color is great. It’s not a single-dimension color like the other blondes; each tonal blend is warm and bronzed with real dimension! It catches the light in a way that single-process blonde color just can’t. The short textured layers do a nice job of adding body for fine hair, and she is able to keep shape well between the cuts. Color maintenance is a must because those warm tones shift if you go too long, but the cut is also low-fuss and frames the face well. Overall a great hairstyle for the daily routine.
#17: Silver-Blonde Cropped Pixie with Textured Waves
The textured waves provide a feature to this style that a plain cropped pixie doesn’t have. With fine hair, they are achieving what you would want them to most, which is to make the hair look fuller and thicker. Regarding the silver-blonde color, it is an especially beautiful color on heart and oval face shapes because it highlights the eyes and cheekbones. When you have cuts this short one thing to remember is that your ends are more prone to damage, so a good moisturizing conditioner becomes much more essential than you might think.
#18: Subtle Graduated Textured Pixie
When it comes to these styles, the simplest cuts are often the hardest to pull off, and this is no exception. The graduation from the close crop at the sides to the subtle length on top is so small it may go unnoticed, but that is why it avoids looking flat or boxy. The texture is just clipped to be current and not so much to give a statement. It creates a nice elongating effect and is particularly good for rounder face shapes. It’s clean, easy and the kind of style that just makes you look like you have your life together.
#19: Fiery Copper Tousled Pixie with Asymmetrical Appeal
This color is amazing! Copper is warm, energizing, and it flatters your skin tone. I love that it looks styled and intentional. I see her earrings are the same color, and even though it seems accidental, it is a nice detail. About colors, copper will need maintenance, so make sure to ask your colorist about color depositing products to extend the time between touch-ups.
#20: Curly Top Volume Pixie with Sides Fade
Check this out if you have natural curls and want to go short. The top has volume and the sides have a tight fade which contrasts the hair and draws everything up and elongates the face in a flattering way. Styling this look doesn’t take much, just keep the curls hydrated. They will get dry at the length because curly texture needs moisture to keep the bounce and avoid looking frizzy. It definitely requires some daily maintenance, but when it comes to styling time, this look takes as little effort as possible.
#21: Chic Textured Pixie with Tapered Sides
An excellent haircut that you can wear everyday. You can wake up, run your fingers through your hair, put in some texturizing paste, and walk out the door looking intentional. The hair cut has tapered sides to show off the cheekbones and then some natural texture is left on top just enough to give it a personality boost. The cut will also be great for those who have fine to medium hair with a little bit of wave because it works with your natural texture, not against it. Because of this, you will not have to style your hair every morning. The lines around the ears and nape will need some maintaining because when they grow out, the shape will look messy.
#22: Softly Tapered Brunette Pixie
Pixie cuts are often talking down to despite the fact how gentle this style can be. It is close cropped, but the tapering is soft enough that it never reads as harsh. And that little bit of volume at the crown is just enough to keep it from looking too flat. This is also super ideal for finer hair as it creates a great illusion of fullness without any trickery. The natural brunette color also just gets better as it grows, and there will be no awkward root lines because there is no color drama with it, it just does its thing. If you want something that feels effortless (and actually is), this is worth considering.
#23: Sleek Ash Blonde Pixie with Subtle Taper
Ash blonde is an emerging hair color trend that works beautifully with fine hair, because it holds nothing back. The subtle tapering at the ears and neck provides just a touch of edginess and is done to not overdo it. This style needs a little less time in the morning and is one of the top reasons I get asked for more short hair. While this style does need more frequent trims to maintain that clean outline, you’ll save a lot of time with styling!
#24: Modern Textured Pixie with Defined Waves
I don’t say this often but this cut looks better with thicker hair. Most styles favour finer hair but this cut is the exception. The waves give dimension without the bulk and the crown layers are light and airy so it doesn’t feel heavy. It looks playful and modern, but doesn’t require a lot of styling. Just regular trims will keep the shape and defined waves. This is a great option for an active lifestyle where you want your hair to look intentional.
#25: Edgy Brunette Pixie with Textured Top
The top and shorter sides create a unique contrast and the plain solid brunette color lets the texture speak for itself. This haircut is ideal for people with thicker hair. Dense hair naturally has that added volume to hold the shape all day. If you want it to really look defined, then a styling paste is good to have, but most days it’ll look good with just a quick tousle. This cut is practical and ticks all the boxes.
#26: Golden-Blonde Tapered Pixie with Natural Texture
I appreciate the way the very short clipping on the sides and the longer, more textured top gives the style some height while still keeping it casual. For those with natural curls and waves, this cut will really show them off. The golden blonde color looks warm and cheerful and provides a fun change. Unfortunately, it is a bright color so color touch-ups will need to be done more frequently. This is the kind of promise I like to keep, low maintenance in the mornings because of the cut. This cut is great for oval and heart-shaped faces. The height and softness around the temples is very flattering. It really gives the face shape some extra height which is awesome.
#27: Dynamic Tawny Textured Pixie with Natural Highlights
This style is more effortless than the depth that would usually take more effort. The base color is also woven with natural highlights. Fine hair will also have more volume and movement with this cut. The top has enough length to be styled, and the sides are left clean and short. The cut isn’t wash-and-go. Shape-defining products will be needed to keep the layered look around the edges. This is really flattering for oval and angular face shapes. The color selection is close to natural, which means less time for touch-ups in the salon.
#28 Deep Chestnut Textured Pixie with Detailed Fringe
This looks good! The good thing about the fringe is that it’s fun, adds character, and is super easy to style. Plus, with the warm deep chestnut color and short layered texture, it will go great with your skin tone and feel light. This cut will look great on the right bone structure, but depending on your face shape, it may not be the best cut overall. You will need to do color maintenance to keep it chestnut and avoid fading.
#29: Natural Tightly Coiled Crop
When this length is achieved, it creates a frame around the face. This is nice when the design of the cut is decent. The tight coils left to grow give an authenticity that styled cuts sometimes lack. If you lead an active lifestyle, the upkeep is about as easy as it gets. Maintenance only consists of moisture. Tightly coiled textures tend to lose moisture fast and that will alter the whole look and feel of your hair. What I especially like about going this short with natural curls is that it offers your hair a fresh start. With less tool damage, your curls will stay in better condition.
#30: Textured Ash-Brown Pixie with Natural Highlights
The highlights will offer a lot of dimension and will make it seem like you spent a lot of time on your hair when you really didn’t. This haircut, especially for fine, flat hair, will give structure and volume due to the added layers. The best thing is no product is required to achieve this look. The haircut will also balance well on oval and heart faces and will highlight the cheekbones. The shape will need regular maintenance trims, but the good thing is the haircut has low styling time.
#31: Polished Tapered Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs
What makes this hair length less masculine are the side-swept bangs, which I often think about when people get pixies. The almost shaved sides do give you nice structure, and the length on top gives you just enough to play around with. On fine hair, some texture adds volume really naturally, which is also flattering as it draws emphasis to the eyes and cheekbones. You’ll have to come in regularly to keep the edges and bangs sharp, but it’s a look that really pays off if you do.
#32: Elegant Sable Contoured Pixie
There is something about the simplicity that is appealing. The warm deep brown tone is rich and the close contour means the style will always look tidy. Those with finer hair textures will notice that the slight volume at the crown will give enough lift to prevent anything from feeling flat against the head. Someone starting to go grey may find this to be a lovely option to embrace. The deep sable color will offer a better gradient for the transition than an obvious line of demarcation. While the contours will need some upkeep to remain defined, the daily styling required is minimal.
#33: Platinum Blonde Spiked Pixie with Dark Roots
Here, the dark roots are beneficial as they provide a seamless blend with the hair and allow for more time before touch-up appointments. The dark roots will prevent the hair from being a stark contrast against the platinum. The spikes on top give a nice modern and rebellious vibe that is suited to the length. The length is perfect for finer and softer hair, as nothing is going to weigh the hair down. Just remember to stay on top of your toning so the platinum stays fresh, but the dark roots will help to hide the fact that you are overdue for a touch-up.
#34: Dove-Grey Undercut with Soft Tapered Top
This dove grey is beautiful, not to mention the softness that many fashion greys don’t have. The undercut looks nice and is more manageable. The tapered top is perfect, it adds just enough length to the style to give it shape and definition. I really appreciate cuts like this one because when there is fine to medium texture, little to no product and work is needed to style it. For this shade of grey, it’s going to require ongoing maintenance to avoid it looking warm and brassy so definitely talk to your colorist about that. The cut is low maintenance and looks great on its own.
#35: Softly Contoured Chestnut Pixie with Natural Movement
I like how this cut works with your hair’s natural waves. The close crop works with the waves in an effortless look that doesn’t require a curling iron or anything else. It’s great for ovals and hearts, as the shape of the cut works well with the jaw and cheekbone shape. If your hair is straight or super thick, here’s your warning that getting this look will be more work than the cut suggests. The chestnut tone will need to be refreshed every four to six weeks because the warmth fades.
#36: Brunette Layered Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs
This haircut is really good because of how well the layers and bangs go together. It almost looks like they are talking to each other. The movement this cut creates is excellent. The side bangs are done with light caramel highlights that look like they catch the light without being too much. The shorter layers create natural volume for fine to medium hair. The unevenness of the bangs adds a rounder look to the face while also providing a nice elongating look. All you need to do to define the layers is apply a light styling cream or mousse each morning. You’ll also have to get a lot of trims because of how quickly the hair grows, but it really doesn’t take a lot of time. The routine is nice and simple.
#37 Textured Tousled Pixie Cut
This hairstyle is best suited for thick hair as it eliminates unwanted bulk and puts shape and movement where it is needed. The end result texturising spray gives bed hair like you just ruffled your hair, which is what we are going for. If your hair is thin, you’d have to put in a bit more effort to get to this result, however, with thick hair that is naturally wavy or curly hair, it’s as simple as being a hair and go.
#38 Chic Sleek Dark Tapered Pixie
I love the way the dark color accents the taper and how it forms to the head without any distracting details. The style is simple with fine to medium dense hair because the cut does all the shaping for you. The hair will frame the face nicely and highlight the eyes and bone structure without distractive details. To keep this sleek look, you might have to use some product and flat iron it on days when your hair is being difficult, but that’s nothing to complain about.
#39 Dynamic Wavy Tapered Pixie
The waves on top give this cut its personality and look great in contrast to the shorter back and sides. This style is great for fine to medium hair as it creates an airy volume that doesn’t feel heavy or over styled. If you have some natural waves to work with, you’re already halfway there. Mousse and gel scrunched in when damp can make a huge difference. The shape does need regular maintenance and the shorter sides do limit your options, especially if like to change your look on the daily. But as a signature style, this cut is great.
#40 Striking Brunette Spiked Pixie with Sun-Kissed Highlights
I admire how daring this style is. The spiked layers really help to draw attention to the cheekbones and jawline. The sun-kissed highlights are just what the brunette needs to keep it from looking flat. With fine hair, layering is the key to achieving that missing fullness. It’s not overly complicated, and will just require a decent amount of product to keep those ends looking peaky. To keep the look from getting too grown-out, regular trims will help maintain the sharpness of the layers.
#41 Charming Chestnut Textured Pixie with Defined Waves
This style has great movement from the shorter layers in the back and longer textured pieces on top, which I think works particularly well with finer hair. The chestnut colour is warm and light giving a nice contrast to the overall simplicity of the cut. It’s soft style, but still manages to stand out. There will be a little upkeep required to avoid a shaggy look, but on a day to day basis it should be pretty easy to maintain.
#42 Expressive Textured Spiky Pixie with Graduated Tones
This color graduation caught my eye. I like how the ends are darker and the roots are natural grey; this makes for a striking contrast and also means you won’t have to dash to the salon every time your roots start coming in. The spiky finish adds fun volume to fine and medium hair, and all you need to make it defunct is a pomade. The texture does need a bit of work to get to this point, so it is not completely wash-and-go, but pretty close. The upward spikes are particularly nice for oval and heart-shaped faces.
#43 Modern Feathered Pixie with Subtle Highlights
I find the gentleness of feathered layers to be very comfortable to wear. The way the back is cut into a clean short length and the top is longer and more textured adds some nice movement that keeps it interesting. The highlights are very purposeful and not overly chunky, but they still lift and brighten the eyes. The layers give the fine hair we have more volume, which is what we want. I totally get it. If this is your first time having short hair, that’s a real thing. You will definitely have to adjust to a totally different way of styling your hair. The great thing is, once you get the hang of it, a hairstyle like this will be a piece of cake.
#44 Playful Whimsical Short Pixie with Natural Waves
To be honest, this looks really good because of the natural waves! If you have fine to medium hair, this will let you get volume and shape without any added weight. The waves also give a flattering soft frame around the face. Hair like this looks best with no maintenance, just some product and finger styling and you’re done. You’ll have to keep up the shape because once it starts growing out, the waves could go in some unwanted directions.
#45 Vibrant Auburn Textured Pixie with Volume
This reddish-brown color makes me want more people to rock red hair. On light and medium skin tones, this color practically glows. It looks amazing against short, layered cuts because fine hair gets all the volume and structure it needs. Just a bit of volumizing mousse or some texture spray and you’re good to go. The layers also draw the eye to the cheekbones, which is ideal. The color is high-maintenance, but the cut is low-maintenance.
#46 Silver Frost Textured Pixie with Tapered Sides
The distressed texture on top sets it apart from a typical silver pixie. The weathered look seems purposeful and lends a nice cool look to it. The silver frost color is very contemporary and the hair looks super effortless on fine to medium density hair. The tapered sides keep the look clean and neat while the top can get a bit wild. Of course the color and shape require maintenance but it’s ideal if you’re attracted to silver tones and want a cut that has a lot of personality.
#47 Charming Caramel-Toned Textured Pixie
Caramel tones in this style look beautiful and warm, like someone who has gorgeous hair without trying. Different colors in the hair gives a multi-dimensional look and adds visual volume which is beneficial for finer hair. While the cut does not require a lot of maintenance, it will involve regular visits to the salon to keep the color and style looking fresh. Warm shorter haircuts can be especially complementary to smaller and more delicate features.
#48 Bold Black Piece-y Pixie with Natural Texture
I like the way the choppy layers create a nice balance between order and chaos. I also love the artistic take on the bangs with asymmetrical dips. It elevates the look beyond just another basic short haircut. Out of all the face shapes, I find that these proportions suit an oval face with medium density hair best as the layers will construct movement where necessary. This haircut is as low maintenance as they come, but a lot of effort is needed to keep the shape. Just be diligent about your trims so the layers don’t grow out and blend together.
#49 Effortlessly Chic Blonde Pixie with Textured Layers
The design features thin cuts and uneven layering, which contributes to the movement and sit of the hair and enhances the character and softness of the blonde pixie cut. The layering, coupled with the shorter sides and top, contributes to an overall clean silhouette and a lived-in feel. This style works well for both freshly styled hair and hair that has been through a long day. The top works well with finer hair as it adds volume, and combined with the blonde color, it creates a relaxed, effortless look.
#50 Elegant Salt-and-Pepper Textured Pixie with Soft Edges
A few months ago, I created a version of this for a client who had been dyeing her hair for 20 years to cover the gray. Watching her see the results for the first time was magical. When cut in a certain way, salt and pepper hair can look beautiful. The fine layers give just the right amount of volume to keep hair from lying flat. The soft edges stop it from looking too sharp, which I think is even more important when you let your natural color do the talking. Your hair is likely to fall flat after a few days, so if it does, a little pomade or mousse will quickly revive it.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.