It’s fun to have long hair, especially since there are so many ways to style it. If you are hesitant to chop your hair because you fear being limited by the styles available, then we can assure you that this is not true. If you opt for a super-short, pixie cut, which is low-maintenance and much easier to style than longer hair, there are a lot of options.
Think of all the iconic pixies you’ve seen over the years: Twiggy, with her side-swept pixie, which made her an icon in the 1960s; Rihanna, with her shaggy Oscars pixie, which stole the show; and Emma Watson, who had a piecey pixie, that defined her post Harry Potter style. As you can see, even super short hair offers a lot of variety.
There are many different pixie styles that you can choose from before cutting your hair. Michelle Sultan, the celebrity hairstylist, says that a good stylist will adapt the pixie style to your face shape. There are many ways you can customize your pixie cut.
If you’re thinking about getting a pixie cut or just want to update your current one, we have your back. Find 32 celebrity-approved cuts for pixies and tutorials from experts on how to get their look.
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Slicked Down Pixie
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Sultan says that pixie cuts can be styled in many ways. They are versatile and you can achieve a vintage, edgy, or classic look. The slicked-down ‘do of Eva Marcille is the epitome of elegance.
Start with freshly washed hair for a pixie that looks slick and almost wet. Part the hair in the desired direction.
Add shine-inducing oils to your hair, such as Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Oil ($57).
Next, apply a light gel to the entire head (we like Kenra Styling Gel 17 for $17). Move the hair with the grain to keep it flat. Avoid a helmet-like look by using a light touch.
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Braided pixie
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Braid your short hair to create a style that is both romantic and modern.
Amika’s Perk Up Dry shampoo ($28) will add texture to your hair and help your braids stay in place all day.
To achieve a disheveled appearance, braid diagonally across your crown.
To secure the braid, pin the ends in place.
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Polished pixie
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Kerry Washington’s side swept pixie is a perfect example of mod style from the 1960s.
Ryan Richman, celebrity hairstylist, says that short hair can be feminine by adding texture to the hairline, such as sideburns and bangs.
When styling your hair, use a comb like Mason Pearson’s Fine Tooth Comb (34 dollars) to sweep the hair to one side.
Hairspray will help keep your bangs in position.
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Accessorized Black Pixie
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Lupita Nyong’o’s textured hairstyle looks even better when paired with a headband.
Pull your hair away from your face. If your pixie is longer, you can secure it in a small ponytail or high bun.
To secure the bobby pins, use them as necessary.
Use a headband or loose hair to keep your hair out of your face.
For Nyong’o’s style, wear your natural hair texture and add a delicate accessory such as this Tasha Crystal headband ($24).
Tip
Sultan says that foam wrap lotions work well for setting and wrapping short hair, whether it’s naturally curly, relaxed, or naturally wavy. Try Nairobi’s Wrapp It Shine Foaming lotion ($10).
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Voluminous Pixie
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Lily Collins high-volume pixie hairstyle is perfect for an evening out.
Richman suggests using a blow-dryer with a concentrator and a flat brush. Blow dry your hair in different directions for volume and texture.
Add some Thickening Full-Form Mousse by Bumble and Bumble ($35) to the roots of your hair.
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Pinned Back Pixie
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Jada pinkett Smith’s chic and simple style is easy to replicate.
Start by adding volumizing mousse to your crown.
Blower-dry your hair using a flat brush and nozzle. It is important to dry it in different directions and textures.
Pin back hair with bobby pins. Keep some volume at the top.
You could dress up your look with a decorative clip, such as these Kitsch Classic Rhinestone Bobby Pins (12 dollars).
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Curly Pixie
@barbaraacruz
Sultan: “Curly pixie haircuts are super chic and look effortless.” Style her hair according to her tips:
“I recommend a good shampoo and conditioner such as Imbue Curl Liberating Sulphate-Free Shampoo ($10) and the Curl Respecting Conditioning ($10) to keep your curls in place.
The Imbue Curl Empowering Creme gel ($13) will set the curls lightly without drying them or creating a cast.
Diffuse to dry faster and add volume.
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Spiky Pixie
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Halle Berry’s signature pixie is one of the most sought-after short hairstyles today. Follow these tips to achieve spiky heights similar to Berry’s:
Richman advises that you should start by choosing the right style: “An oval-shaped face is perfect for any pixie cut style,” he says. Any face shape is a good candidate for a short cut. Other face shapes may need a different style of short pixie to create balance.
Use a root lifting product, such as Kenra Professional’s Root Lifting spray ($20), on air-dried, tangle-free hair.
Add a touchable gel to the tips of your hair extensions for hours-long height and lift.
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Asymmetrical Pink Pixie
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Tichina Arnold has choppy strands similar to Berry, but with a fringe that sweeps across the face.
Use the same technique as #8 to lift the back of your hair and create spikes on the crown.
Use Ouai Wave Spray ($28), and use it to comb your bangs one way.
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Pixie With A Deep Side Part
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Michelle Williams’ iconic pixie cut is polished to perfection. To copy:
If you want to keep your natural waves, use a paddle brush.
Start the part at one end and comb over.
Style Lab Flex Hairspray by Living Proof ($32) can be sprayed onto a toothbrush and used to smooth out unwanted flyaways.
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Pixie With Shaved Sides
@rafafranco2
This edgy, pixie-style haircut is perfect for tight curls.
Ask your stylist to shave the sides and add a bit of length at the top.
Use a styling serum to enhance your curls, shine and keep frizz at bay.
This can be styled into a faux-hawk for a more edgy look.
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Pixie With A Micro-Fringe
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Sultan says, “My favourite pixie is when it has no hard edges around the edge of the hairstyle but that the layers and taper are well suited to the shape of the head.” Zoe Kravitz’s baby bangs, super short sides and layered hairstyle are perfect.
Brush your bangs with your fingers.
Twist some small pieces to create a more distinct look.
Give your short bangs a major shine with Bumble and bumble’s Hairdresser Invisible Dry Oil Finalizing Spray ($36).
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Retro Pixie
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Want to spice up your short hair? Try retro finger waves like Zendaya.
Use a generous amount of mousse, and set pins such as Conair’s Essential Wave Clips.
Sultan says that foam mousse can be used to create finger waves or mold hair for a straight look.
After applying the mousse, comb your hair in a finger-wave shape.
Clip the clip into place, and then wait for it to be dry.
Tip
If you want to speed up the process, use a blow-dryer or allow it to air dry.
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Piecey Pixie
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Emma Watson’s pixie cut is simple but her wispy, perfectly placed bangs are what give her style points.
To achieve a sleek, smooth hairstyle like Watson’s try Living Proof’s No Frizz Styling Creme ($42), it controls moisture and smooths out frizz. It also keeps baby bangs in position.
Blowing dry the hair and using a flat bristle brush to smooth out strands as necessary.
Create a side part by brushing bangs to the side.
To create wispy bangs, use a little styling serum to separate the hair into small pieces.
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Bobby Pinned Pixie
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Hikari’s softer pixie is a softened version with a bit more length. It also features artfully placed bobbypins. To style:
To fix the ends that are not perfectly flipped out, blow dry your freshly washed hair.
Add a shine product, such as the Kristin ESS Weightless Shine Serum ($15).
Use bobby pins to keep hair away from the face. This asymmetrical look is our favorite.
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Pompadour Pixie
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Scarlett Johansson’s pompadour is just as effective at work as it is at concerts.
When hair is still wet, use a volumizing moussy.
Dry your top hair in the pompadour-style using a small round brush.
Use Oribe Fiber Groom ($39) to first style your hair flat or slicked-back.
You can also add pomade on top to heighten your pompadour. You can also tease your roots before brushing them back as necessary.
Finish by spraying hairspray on the style to keep it in place.
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Coiffed Pixie
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Anne Hathaway’s 90s-inspired hairstyle is a classic.
Add a bit of root spray to the roots to achieve the desired look.
You can create a piece-y and imperfect look by using your fingertips.
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Long, Wispy Pixie
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Want to have bold, gorgeous bangs like Jennifer Hudson? Volume is key.
Add a small amount of volumizing mousse.
Dry your hair using a blow dryer like Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer (100 dollars). This will not only add volume to your locks, but will also make styling your bangs easier.
You can use a flat brush in different directions and to add texture to your hair.
Create a side part, and brush bangs out to the side.
To keep your bangs in position, spray hairspray on your style.
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Colorful Pix
@salonchristol
This short crop is characterized by ringlets in pastel colors. Richman’s advice on how to style a curly short crop is:
“Diffuse hair with a blow-dryer that has a diffuser and Monat Studio One Curl Defining Creme ($46).
After your hair has dried, use a small curling tool to give it a more precise curled look.
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Faux-Hawk Pixie
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Miley Cyrus’ bleached faux hawk is the epitome of rock ‘n roll chic. The spiked pixie is similar to Berry’s, but the sides are shaved down.
To achieve the desired height, use a root-boosting hair product when the hair is still wet.
Use your fingers or brush upwards to dry hair completely.
Moroccanoil Molding Cream (30 dollars) will give you defined spikes with a flexible hold.
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Pixie Purposely Disheveled
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What a way to take a chance. Rowan Blanchard cut her chestnut brown hair into an edgy, pixie-cut a few years ago, and we were 100 percent behind it.
Richman advises that, “apart from a good haircut, you’ll need a great texture spray for fine or medium-textured hair in order to complete your style.”
The spray will add volume and wispy movement to your hair. Monat Studio One Dry Texturizing Spray (41 dollars) is his favorite.
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Sculptural Pixy
@jodiesmith
Try a sculptural short hairstyle for those who are more adventurous. This is great for curly hair that holds a shape even without much product.
Richman recommends using a little sculpting taffy on your fingertips and palms to complete your look. He recommends Monat Restyle Instant Sculpting Taffy (39 dollars).
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Side Swept Pixie
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Evan Rachel Wood, the Pixie Queen, shows a longer version of this style. Her flapper-style ’20s cut is short at the back and longer in front. Side-swept bangs end just above her jawline.
To create straight, sleek hair, start by applying a styling product that adds shine. L’Ange’s Glass Hair Thermal Blowout Primer is a great option.
To blow-dry straight hair, use a flat brush. You may need a flat iron if your hair is more textured.
Once your hair is dry, brush the bangs out to one side.
Finish off your hairstyle with a hairspray and a little shine serum.
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Shaggy Pink
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The swag is timeless. It’s about finding the right style for you. This style is perfect if you want to have a super-short haircut like Rihanna circa 2012.
Brush your bangs with your fingers.
Use a medium hold pomade to sweep your bangs sideways and seal the shape.
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Grown Out Pixie
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Cara Delevingne shows how to handle that awkward growing-out phase in style. Sultan has some great advice on how to transition from super-short hair to slightly longer.
Sultan advises that you should make a plan for your stylist to help you grow out a pixie.
It’s also helpful to change or adjust your hair color as you grow out your hair. Colorists can use techniques to make your short hair appear fuller or, dare I suggest it, longer.
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Vintage Pixie
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Twiggy is the face of pixie cut.
After showering, let your hair air dry.
Apply a hair-mousse with your hands to the sides and top of your hair to control hairs.
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Slightly Wet Pixie
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Halsey’s wet-look pixie cut is both sexy and edgy. It’s perfect for a night on the town.
Part your hair on one side starting with wet hair.
Apply a light gel to your hair and style it sideways.
It may be necessary to use the hair dryer a few times to achieve the desired height.
A few longer strands should be brushed across the forehead.
Tip
Mix hair cream and gel together to get the perfect moist look.
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Butterfly Clipped pixie
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Cute butterfly clip adds a flirty, ’90s feel to any pixie style, but they look especially great on Janelle’s super short, choppy version.
To create volume and texture, use a hairdryer equipped with a nozzle. Brush your hair in different directions.
Use a pomade on the roots to add volume.
Butterfly clips are a great way to add some style and movement to your hair. Try Eoane’s Metallic Mini Butterfly Hairclips ($10).
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Side Braided Pixie
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Ruby Rose shows you how to braid a pixie in a super-simple way.
Part your hair in the middle.
Use a clear hair tie to secure the braid.
Repeat the process on the opposite side.
Clip each braid with a bobbypin and pull it to the side.
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Betty Boop – Wet Look
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Taylor Hill, a model, looks chic in her Betty Boop costume.
Saturate hair with a gel that provides a strong grip.
Create the desired swoops with your fingers. Then, pin them for 5 minutes to secure the shape.
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Choppy Fringe
@ofelipequecortou / Instagram
A choppy fringe with sides shaved creates a stylish contrast. Richman has some advice for those with super short bangs:
When styling a pixie or any other haircut with bangs you should always start by styling the bangs while they are still wet.
Use a brush that has mixed bristles to create tension, and bangs in a back-and-forth motion will break up any cowlicks.
Once most of the moisture has been removed from your bangs you can begin styling them in the desired direction.
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Front
@ralizabeth / Instagram
The bangs are the main attraction of this pixie.
Sultan says that the great thing about a pixie with bangs is you can completely change it up.
You could move the part for a flattering look, or add a side-swooping edge to the fringe over the eye. Bangs are a great way to frame your face. They can make the eyes look sexy. Sultan.
Use a paddle brush when blow-drying your bangs to ensure that the placement is perfect every time.
