If you’re over 60 and looking for a pixie shag, you’re probably looking for a style that adds movement, softens thinning spots, and is simple to style on a daily basis.
Pixie shags can be risky if layering is not done correctly. A woman came in last spring describing her last hairstyle as a “choppy thing” that didn’t take into consideration her thinning hair because the entire shape collapsed after only 3 days. Over the years, I have found that a structured pixie shag looks really good on more mature clients because of what I like to call the “building architecture” concept. This concept consists of leaving shorter layers on top and longer layers at the back and around the ears to avoid that “done” look and achieve both volume and lift. In a good cut, the textured layers add shape and movement to the design but also help to reduce the length and weight of the hair to give that lovely, light feel. A good cut is going to require product (which is very much underestimated before the cut) to hold the style in place because it will be a complete mess by noon without it. People tend to think that the springiness, lost density, and lost texture work against you when you cut and style your hair. Don’t underestimate the importance of good product.
I keep a lightweight volumizing mousse and a dry texture spray at my station for a reason. Any products that are heavy, like creams or thick serums, are going to flatten your shape before you even make it to the car.
Let’s look at some pixie shags that work with your hair rather than against it the entire time.
#1: Silver Pixie with Those Little Bangs That Just Work
I really like this hairstyle, especially the fringe. It falls across the forehead in a laidback, softer way, which makes the overall shape of the face look softer around the eyes and temples. The silver color looks great, and gives the impression of having just been allowed to grow out without being overtoned or anything. I like this a lot because so many women seem to try to cover their natural silver hair. The top has just enough texture for the piecy separation that creates a look of fullness without it looking like someone tried too much, and that is the ultimate goal with hair this fine and this length.
#2: Layered Pixie That Moves When You Move
I enjoy the appearance of the back of your head, especially how neat and clean the taper looks. It’s nice and consistent, and the top looks really textured and free. It looks like the type of hairstyle that you just ran your fingers through and walked out the door. The thinned out top makes it less noticeable where your hairline is, and I like to use this trick as well. I think you’ll want to come back in about five weeks for a trim because once the taper starts to grow out, the boxy look will be very pronounced.
#3: Silver Pixie with Just Enough Dimension to Keep It Interesting
The shadowing at the roots is awesome. It gives the cut dimension that an all over silver wouldn’t. The soft framing layers are perfect. I can see the restraint the stylist had. This cut is super easy to maintain and looks great. The best part is this cut will continue to look good even after a week of living with it.
#4: A Little Edge Never Hurt Anybody
This style is definitely an attention grabber. The tousled layers give an easy, slightly undone, and not messy appearance. The gray mixed with darker natural shades creates a modern salt and pepper look which more women should adopt rather than cover up. If your hair is on the finer side, I suggest using a texturizing product and working it through with your fingers to hold the volume up, otherwise it may fall pretty flat by the afternoon. This style is very much a wash and go type of haircut which is precisely what a lot of my clients over 60 ask for.
#5: Clean Lines with a Soft Touch on Top
This cut may seem straight forward, but there is so much going on under the surface. So much precision is required to get the right layering to achieve that light and breezy movement at the top while keeping the sides and back nice and clean. The tightness all around the perimeter combined with the looseness throughout the crown is what makes this cut stand out. It is what I would call a “Tuesday morning” cut, meaning it looks good enough to go run errands, grab lunch, or whatever else is on your agenda for the day, and you don’t have to spend a ton of time styling it with a round brush.
#6: Warm Chocolate Pixie with Some Bounce to It
You have a lovely warm brunette pixie; a rich chocolaty tone in a shorter cut pops everything, your skin, and eyes. The styling/volume through the crown is lovely and it looks like the layers were cut to stack on each other and create the lift naturally without a bunch of product or backcombing. If you were thinking of going darker and then just letting the gray come in, this is a beautiful way to do it that looks intentional and modern instead of just holding onto that.
#7: Elegant and Airy with Just the Right Amount of Layer
This look is all about balance. Each layer adds to the outfit in a way that maintains harmony rather than distract, and the outfit has a soft quality that flows with the head rather than sitting stiffly in place. I would suggest putting a small amount of mousse at the roots when the hair is still damp and letting it air dry, as attempting to blow dry the hair would remove some of the effortless look. One thing I will say is that fine straight hair can look quite flat, and this is especially true at about day two. So, a light washing schedule and some dry shampoo will do the trick.
#8: Gray Pixie That Knows Exactly What It’s Doing
What an incredibly confident look! This is the type of look that people will turn and take notice. I can see why some might guess what the next look might be. The stylist’s height is certainly an advantage and the back angled taper adds a clean finish to the look rather than it looking shaggy- actually a very tough balance to achieve. I believe the best part is the purely natural gray – no highlights, no toner- just pure essence. Stunning.
#9: That Burgundy Though
Now let’s talk about the most stellar color option here for me: burgundy. It’s warm and rich, and does not go overly red, which can wash people out. It’s nice with the soft waves and choppy layers. But I’ll be honest, a color like this means you’ll be in the salon a lot because with bright colors like this, especially with a pixie cut, there is nowhere to hide the regrowth and fading because the cut is short. But if you like to go to the salon a lot and don’t mind the upkeep, this is a brilliant choice. It gives the illusion of finer hair and actually makes it look a lot thicker than it really is.
#10: Soft Volume That Doesn’t Quit by Lunch
The cut has a very natural appearance. The volume looks real rather than teased or sprayed. The highlights are soft and perfectly blended with no striped effect. The shape is nice and offers a positive upward energy that draws attention to the cheekbones and eyes. The lift is great and only a bit of styling is required. Just scrunch some product in while damp and diffuse for a minute or two. Once set it will keep its shape well.
#11: Warm Chestnut Pixie with Bangs That Frame Everything
The bangs do what bangs should do on a pixie, they soften the forehead and draw attention to the eyes while curtains look heavy. The warm chestnut shade is very flattering, and has a natural quality to it, like it could really be your natural color even if that isn’t the case. What I notice the most on this particular cut is the layered sides that blend so well into the bang area. There are no harsh lines, just this continuous flow around the face that is polished without being fussy.
#12: Softly Layered with a Little Light Catching Moment
For clients trying to achieve an effortless hairstyle look while investing a lot of time in their appearance, this is the hairstyle I would give them. It is one of the most challenging looks to accomplish. The hair is highlighted and layered in such a way that it moves and looks light and soft, and then the subtle highlights are done in such a way that they give a glow to the hair. The length of the hair at the nape of the neck is soft and provides a delicate look at the back of the neck. Most women will find this look less harsh than a close-cropped look. This style will also give the hair an elegant appearance as it grows out, meaning you will have the option to stretch your appointments out a little more.
#13: Peach Pixie That’s More Wearable Than You Think
Sure peach may seem like a lot but look at how beautifully this sits with the hair. It’s not a neon, or costumey color, it’s soft warm peach that reads almost like a rose gold in some lights and is drop dead gorgeous on the right skin tones. The layers give it movement and the whole cut has this playful quality without being juvenile, which is the line you want to walk with a fashion color after 60. I won’t sugar coat the maintenance this kind of color is a commitment, it fades fast, so you either need to be okay with the fade-out or be ready with color depositing conditioner to touch it up in between appointments.
#14: Curly Pixie That Lets Your Texture Shine
Everyone has naturally curly hair, but if you have beautiful curly hair and have struggled with your hair your whole life, consider this your sign to stop. The short length allows the curls to spring up without weighing them down. Plus, the soft layers keep the appearance nice and more bouncy. This type avoids puffing out into a mushroom shape like other curly pixies. Layers help the hair achieve maximum dimensional bounciness. All that needs to be done is to apply a curl defining cream while the hair is still soaking wet, scrunch, and let it dry without touching it. That’s it, hands off.
#15: Curly and Cropped with Gorgeous Volume
The way this curly pixie cut has been styled offers the most volume at the crown, showing how to achieve a fuller and lusher appearance even with the hair on the sides cut close. It’s a great example of how to remain true to an organic, natural look and I love how there is little to no styling manipulation. The natural curls just sit how they please and the shorter sides contrast nicely to provide a clean modern frame. If this is your style, be warned: the length will make it an either very easy to style, or very annoying long cut. This is of course, assuming the right products are used. If you are going this route, prepare yourself for the classic journey of finding your ideal anti-frizz product.
#16: Auburn Pixie with That Built-In Lift
I like the warm auburn shade here. It looks nice with the skin and feels expensive. Lots of colored pixie hairstyles have good color choices, but warm auburn here is the best. It also looks very real. The top layers move around the top where we want to see more lift to help lift finer strands. That volume is really the key to this look. Overall, I think you’ll only want to spend about 2 minutes in the morning putting some of your own product through the top to really create that volume. It could get a bit flat if you don’t do it. But two minutes is all you need to make a really good difference.
#17: Short Layers That Frame the Jaw Just Right
I adore how this specific style sits on the jaw and enhances the bone structure as if the style was tailored for it. The soft waves at the top have a nice soft day hair look and the shorter sides keep it feeling fresh and intentional. If you have straight hair and think this wouldn’t work for you, you’d actually be surprised! A mini flat iron on the ends and you would be good to go! Flicks are the way to go!
#18: Soft Gray Layers with a Whole Lot of Texture
Hair that has grown out grey can be striking, especially when paired with an interesting haircut. The simplicity of the style allows the wearer to really show off their confidence. The layered cut gives the illusion of thick hair, and that is exactly what is needed for lower density hair. Plus, the light grey highlights really add a beautiful luminosity to the hair that flat tones just don’t provide. To maintain the look, you can expect to keep up with trims, especially since the shape of the haircut does a lot and when it grows out, it can fall apart quite easily.
#19: Silver Pixie That Sits Light as Air
I always tell my clients this type of cut feels like there is no hair because it’s so lightweight and effortless. This is also what gives the cut that floaty quality. The layers are so well blended that it’s difficult to identify where one layer ends and another begins. Once you have the opportunity to wash it a few times, you will notice it looks even better. Achieving this look after a wash is only going to take some styling cream and warm hands. And one of the best things about this style is that it is going to look better a day or two after you wash it.
#20: A Little Bit of Highlight Goes a Long Way
I love how the highlights with this haircut add depth and interest to the cut without being too distracting. If you’re going short for the first time, the subtle layers, and round and soft style are universally flattering and a great option. It’s the type of haircut that gets effortless and natural compliments, as if the person who got the haircut just has great hair, and that really is the best compliment.
#21: Textured and Highlighted with Clean Structure
I appreciate the construction; I can see how the layers were intended to create some height at the top while keeping the sides close and neat. The lighter pieces give just the right amount of dimension to keep the eye moving and to avoid the look reading flat and one-note, which is always a concern on shorter styles with fine hair. I especially think this will suit someone who prefers to wash and go with their hair because the shape tends to hold itself when it’s dry, you can literally just push things around a bit with your fingers and you’re good to go.
#22: Silver Pixie That Frames the Face Beautifully
This haircut draws attention to the face, which is the goal. The cut wraps around the ears and opens in a way at the neck that is elongating to the torso. The fine hair texture works here because it keeps the hair over a bulky shape. The silver is bright and consistent, and if it is well maintained, then it shows how much the cut needs regular trims every four to five weeks to avoid looking shaggy. But in between appointments, the cut pretty much styles itself.
#23: Copper Pixie with Lift Where You Actually Need It
A vibrant warm copper tone gives life to the entire cut which is perfect for finer hair as it requires a visual pick-me-up. The crown has concentrated layering for height at the usual spots where the volume tends to drop and the way it’s cut gives the hair this self-sweeping, natural back and upward direction. For someone not wanting to spend a lot of time styling, this is an ideal length. It’s short enough to dry quickly and keep the style in place but still long enough at the top to have a good amount of hair to play around with.
#24: Blonde Pixie with the Kind of Volume You Can Actually Maintain
The short haircut customers commonly ask about is the one with volume on top. The answer is yes, but remember that volume requires product. Without product, that hair will collapse by noon. The entire styling routine is so simple, just some mousse or root lifting spray on damp hair and blow-dry it quickly while finger styling. The blonde color is warm with multiple tones that don’t let it look flat. A tapered back and sides focuses all the volume to where you want the attention, the top.
#25: Curly Textured Pixie with Those Side-Swept Bangs
With this style, the side swept bangs soften the cut from what can be a sharp look for a curly pixie, and help the look appear more stylish overall. The tousled layers create a laid back feeling, and even dip into a more casual, shapeless look—a common characteristic of short curly hair. With the right products, a lot of control can be had in finding the desired style, and I believe the more youthful and playful look really comes from the more free and less controlled use of the curls.
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