You may be wondering why furgar is reiterating his explanation of pixies. Fairy pixie cuts are exceptionally intricate, so instead of asking for a pixie with a lot of volume, ask for a separation pixie cut wherein “air” is carved out of the cut instead of just leaving a solid mass of hair.
Just the other day, I had a woman who had been to 3 salons before me for this cut, and she always ended up looking like a 2007 conservative mom. I knew what was on her Pinterest board, and I knew what the other stylists had done wrong. Most stylists overlayer for volume when they should be creating spaces. This is the first time I’ve tried to describe a whimsy pixie cut, and I hope it makes sense. It takes a skilled stylist to do this cut, and unlike other styles, it is much harder to disguise the cut with a blowout or a few curls.
We strive for a signature effortless look, and true magic happens with solid over comb and perimeter cutting, as well as some controlled internal point cutting. I’ll also go against the grain from the other stylists… going shorter doesn’t make this cut better, it actually makes it worse. Crown weight is key, and so is a fringe that is a tad longer to allow for sweeping it to the sides. This is what keeps the cut looking good for 6-8 weeks and prevents it from falling apart in two. I see this cut a lot on clients and one thing I almost never see is the right prep, which bothers me as it is a fairly simple thing to do. About a nickel’s worth of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray on damp hair before diffusing or air drying makes a huge difference between a magical pixie and just a short haircut. Now to the fun stuff.
#1: Letting the Curls Do What They Want
The layers created in the direction of the curls add volume and movement to the hair. The look is also much better than the “mushroom puff” that so many clients with curly pixie haircuts hate and cry at in the mirror. The haircut accentuates the curl pattern unlike so many other unfortunate curl cuts. I would finish this with just a bit of DevaCurl SuperCream at the roots and then diffuse. After that, the most crucial step is to leave it alone. You should finger comb it instead, and definitely do not brush it once it dries, and that will help maintain the shape for days.
#2: Graphic on the Outside, Easy on the Inside
My clients might ask for a pixie cut but they might be hesitant about it being too editorial. I guide them to this cut. The perimeter sits at a nice length to provide a graphic look but the inside is soft enough so you don’t have to worry about scaring yourself. It also has great contrast for photos. Top layering is done with scissor over comb to keep weight exactly where it’s needed so even fine hair looks really good without product. If you come in for a trim every five weeks, you’ll be in that sweet spot where it feels effortless.
#3 That Perfect Wavy In-Between Length
I love this hair length for wavy hair, and I wish more stylists saw it. The way waves naturally fall and hit the jawline is way better compared to straight hair, and then people have to fake it with a curler. The sweet spot is right above the jawline. Any shorter, and you lose the entire wave pattern. Any longer and it becomes a bob, but that’s a whole other discussion. For this texture, heavy creams are a no go. All you need is a light scrunch and R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray and you’re set. Also, with bright colors, plan for new glosses every 6-8 weeks because you’ll be dealing with brassiness way sooner than you think.
#4: Proof That Thinner Hair Can Absolutely Do This
It frustrates me to hear clients with less dense hair say they can’t get a pixie cut. Cuts like this one with stunning results. The layers are expertly crafted to create fullness without adding so much volume that the hair collapses by noon. The mid-length layers around the back nape area will help with lift so the hair won’t lay flat. For the roots, I would suggest the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray. As for trims, I won’t lie, every 4-5 weeks. Once this cut loses its shape, it can’t be faked, unfortunately.
#5: Curls That Actually Spring
I want to highlight how deliberate the layering is. I like how some of the curls are released rather than kept; it may seem like a small difference, but it really transforms how the cut moves and sits overall. For finer hair that has a natural wave/curl, this technique continues to produce noticeable springs and separation even on day 3 with zero effort. The length is short enough where gravity is not pulling everything down, that is always the enduring struggle with longer curly hair. On days 2 and 4, I recommend you use the Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Refresher Spray. Also, rather than drying with a towel, switch to a microfiber cloth, or even an old t-shirt.
#6: The Blunt Fringe That Takes Nerve
I appreciate all of my clients who take the plunge. This style is not for the faint of heart, as you have to embrace the full coverage, no moving the bangs to the side type of fringe. It is one of the most difficult styles to execute, as just a quarter inch can completely alter the entire proportion of the face. I always say, you need to trust your stylist with this one. For those with high cheekbones and a sculpted jaw, the blunt fringe is so beautiful as it really draws the eye up to those features in a way that is so flattering. The most important thing I tell every customer with a fringe is do not come back in six weeks for a trim, come back in three!! By week five, all the hair is in your eyes and the entire look just goes to pieces!
#7: The One You Can Actually Grow Out Gracefully
The longer strands in front help change the part and style the hair more polished. They will also help ease the pain of growing out this cut when that time comes. The sides are razor tapered which keeps the perimeter feeling light even if the top has a lot of length. For this proportion, oval and heart-shaped faces, this is really flattering and I would recommend this more than almost any other variation. Finish with a small amount of Kevin Murphy Easy Rider pressed through the top layers with fingers and honestly don’t overthink it.
#8: When the Color Is Doing Just as Much as the Cut
Apart from breaking up the hair, these highlights have a functional purpose. For a short cut like this, the placement of the highlights is crucial. These highlights have been placed around the top and crown sections to help enhance the natural lift in curls. This is a color placement technique that looks expensive and requires zero styling effort from you, and that’s every person’s dream. The sides being shorter and more length on the top is going to suit you because it will create that vertical emphasis and elongate everything, but to be honest, if you like polished and refined looks, this is going to fight you. This haircut is going to be a real struggle because it has been designed to be worn straight and not this.
#9: A Back That’s Actually Worth Looking At
I find it a little annoying when pixie cuts just taper at the nape and leave it at that. I mean, you’re walking away from people all day, and that’s the view they get. This one having the back a little longer adds so much more interest to the overall silhouette, especially from the side. Plus, medium density hair is great for this because it has just the right amount of structure to support that back length without all going floppy. On top, the ends are point cut to add texture without over thinning the mid shafts, where most stylists tend to overdo it. I’d recommend Kenra Platinum Silkening Mist before blow drying for a polished, but not overly shiny finish.
#10: Built for Clips and Headbands
Getting a super cute haircut is a great time! You can style your hair in so many different ways and use fun accessories. I did this cut with that in mind! The crown area has a good amount of volume, so when you place an accessory in it, it will stay in place and not slide down like flat hair. The hair on top of the head was slide cut to remove some of the interior bulk, and keep the length, so it looks nice and airy instead of heavy. This will work best for those with medium to fine hair. If you’re waiting for a proper appointment, this may even be the best option because those longer top hairs will help you hold on to the look longer before it starts to look like a really urgent situation.
#11 Razor Edges That Change Everything
**Instagram: vainbeautyworld**
The borders on the wispy edges each have razor work done, which is what takes this short cut to an entire new level. Since the razor thins each individual strand when it is cut, the ends tend to flair more and sit in a natural position instead of a blunt, stiff manner. In addition, this works especially well on lower density hair because of the common occurrence of ‘helmet hair’. This looks especially good on heart and oval face shapes because the softness along the face allows the contours to really shine and honestly, a few face framing highlights at the front would elevate this to a whole new level without changing the cut.
#12 The Pixie That Works Everywhere
Instagram: gloriabila
This versatile pixie cut is one of my favorites to recommend for clients that want something that can be styled for many different occasions. It has potential for looking great in the office, as well as the Saturday morning coffee run. The soft edges on this cut will never give it a look that is too sharp, and with a good amount of interior layering it will also never look flat or overly polished. I will say, and I’ve told a few of my regular clients this, one of the hardest things to achieve with this cut is balance. I know a lot of my clients have busy jobs, but I see it too often when clients delay getting cuts. After a good six weeks, the ends become shapeless and the structure will gone, no product will help the shredded ends from the long wait.
#13: That Undone Look That’s Actually Done Very Carefully
The messy style here is meant to be like this and is actually harder to achieve than you would think. Ironically, the secret is a texture spray, like Sachajuan Ocean Mist, before the hair is fully dry. Trust me, walk away from the mirror! Touching your hair while it dries is LITERALLY the one thing that breaks up the texture and ruins everything. And the cut alone doesn’t create that kind of dimension, especially when the hair is fine and one flat color makes it look like paper. And not enough pixie cuts can say that, it rewards you for being lazy with it.
#14: Burgundy That Earns Its Keep
I love short hair and vivid colors even more! It’s super fun and playful to see how each layer reflects the light and how different lengths capture different vibes. The burgundy color in this specific hairstyle shows some thought; she goes for dark placements closer to the roots and lighter ones at the ends to give that sunkissed look even in the dark lighting of the restaurant. Let’s be real about this color because there is a trade off; It’s somewhat of a commitment. I do recommend a color refresh every six to eight weeks, and a sulfate free shampoo is a must. Pureology Hydrate line is a great option, and if you don’t use it I will promise you that the richness of the color you have will wash down the drain between visits. About maintenance; you will like that the cut is low maintenance so that’s a plus. Just understand that most of your time and budget will be spent on the color, not the cut, because it is a stunning service.
#15: Straight Hair That Doesn’t Just Sit There
With good layering, a straight pixie cut won’t look flat or lifeless. Because of the layering techniques used in this cut, there is plenty of movement along the nape and throughout the crown. Of all the hair textures, the medium density straight hair makes this the most enjoyable to work with and to cut. The shape will start to show itself as we work. To achieve that polished finish, all it takes is a quick pass with a flat iron on the front pieces and a slight curl inwards. This will define your face and make the haircut look clean and freshly done in under 3 minutes.
#16: The Nape That Surprises People
In my opinion, the most notable aspect of this look is the soft nape that is a pleasant surprise. Most pixies come with a very short back, but this one is unique in that it has enough length to create a purposeful undone look, which is great for fine to medium hair. The softness of the hair is more of a choice rather than the person missing a few more than necessary appointments. The nape is great for hair that is slightly longer so that it can pull off the “growing out” look without it looking unkempt, which is offset by the side lengths and balances out the top layers which would need to be trimmed every few weeks.
#17: When Less Hair Is Actually More Interesting
Fine hair can give stylists some anxiety. I can definitely understand the anxiety that comes from doing low-density hair. I can understand the feeling when it comes to low-density hair. There’s less to work with, and mistakes will be a lot more evident. I love this haircut because it showcases what is possible when fine hair is viewed as an opportunity rather than a limitation. This haircut is unique because the stylist decided to cut the layers dry. This should be a rule of thumb for fine hair cuts. When hair is wet, it stretches, and you will always cut more than you mean to. The crown section has a great touseled look. The best part is that it takes no product to style it. It will literally just fall into place like that. I love that, with just a simple part change, people can get two or three completely different looks from one haircut. It adds a lot of versatility to it.
#18: The Undercut You Can Feel But Can’t Quite See
Although most individuals are unlikely to know how to name the undercut here, many will still see that this cut sits surprisingly differently than your average short pixie cut, and most likely, they will not know why. Leaving the length on top, and removing weight from the sides and back, creates dramatic contrast and makes what can be a lot of hair at the crown appear even more sculpturally voluminous. Once the weight is removed, the hair at the crown will be able to fully show its true self, and that’s where we get those stunning soft waves that light up the clients face after the big reveal. If you style your hair a lot over the cut, this is absolutely for you, as it gives you so much structure to work with that you could easily skip the products and let the hair do the talking.
#19: Bangs That Move With You
With a pixie cut, some clients misunderstand the difference between a classic blunt cut straight across the bangs, and a textured bang cut. Textured bangs have ends that are point cut and feathered to create more dimension. This technique causes the bangs to shift with your natural hair texture, which is especially nice if you have fine hair or hair that is a little wavy. It gives the bangs a nice flowing wave that reflects the body of the cut. Then the bangs and haircut will blend completely instead of looking like a bunch of separate choices made throughout the cut. Always allow your bangs to air dry after having them cut. If you don’t, you will lose the texture that the cut created.
#20: Asymmetry That Knows What It’s Doing
Asymmetrical cuts are designed to be imbalanced but most people have to feel comfortable with this idea in order to pull it off. There is an incredibly narrow gap in between a design being editorial and a design being unfinished. Having one side graze the neck adds a touch of softness that helps to balance the look out and stop the cut from looking excessively severe. This soft grazing effect works best with fine to medium density hair. If the hair is heavier, the long side will also lay flat and will prevent it from skimming as you want. On the consultation form, be sure to tell your stylist that you want a razor cut on the perimeter of that side, as this will help create a nice tapered effect and make the length look more deliberate.
#21: The Soft Bang That Lets You Relax
Soft bangs rest above the eyebrow and have a slight curve. One of the best things about this style is that it requires less maintenance than a blunt or micro fringe. That means you can actually live your life in between appointments instead of having to stress about your bangs. I think this length resonates especially well with those having fine to medium hair with a pixie cut in mind. This is complete speculation of course. It’s just that the layered structure in the back and sides is meant to allow your natural texture, whichever it is, straight or wavy, to just be. I would recommend finger styling over brush styling to preserve the airy quality that this style needs.
#22: A Side Sweep That Flatters Without Trying Hard
I like to do side swept bangs on pixie cuts because they soften more angular features and you don’t have to come in for precision cutting every 3 weeks. That’s a real consideration for people with real lives, jobs, and kids. I do a technique called channeling on the interior layers, which keeps the visible length the same and removes some of the bulk around the mid shaft, which creates a movement that feels effortless, instead of looking like it was all styled. If you have fine, medium density hair, this cut will look stunning on you. In terms of product, I’d recommend a little American Crew Forming Cream at the tips, and that’s it.
#23: Thick Wavy Hair That Finally Has the Right Fringe
If you have thick, wavy hair, things could get tricky when cutting it to a pixie length. If the inner weight is not dealt with appropriately, it could spiral out of control. Good thing this stylist was prepared, as the bangs were cut with the right amount of texture to allow them to float instead of sit across her forehead. The mid-lengths, or as I call it, the body of the cut, use thinning shears to control the weight without sacrificing the density that keeps this look alive, and let me tell you, this is very hard to achieve. The maintenance ask is honest here, and come in every four weeks specifically for this fringe, because the moment it loses its proportion the whole cut feels different and not in a good way.
#24: A Wave That Shows Up on Its Own
The waves throughout the crown that are not styled in, are also butter along with the rest of the cut. This is a result of proper layering that allows hair of medium density to fall into its natural, unforced, pattern. This is what happens when a stylist cuts hair with the `with the grain` direction rather than against it. Morning hair, even on a day you snoozed on and forgot to grab a coffee, is a vibe. The soft bangs aren’t blunt, meaning they suit a variety of partings, and give you styling options depending on your vibe. So avoid anything thicker than a light pomade. It will weigh it down and remove the texture that makes the wave pop.
#25: A Wispy Nape That Ties the Whole Thing Together
The wispy nape detail may be the best thing to add to a pixie cut. I really enjoy how the front and sides are more structured while the nape is more soft and nearly grown out. I think it balances the whole style preventing the cut from being overly sharp. I accomplish this with a razor, and for this technique, fine hair is best, because the more thin ends reflect light more creating a softness while thicker hair ends can look more blunt. In this case fine hair is definitely a plus. That said, this one does need to be refreshed every five weeks. That nape detail will be the first to catch up with length.
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