Complete pixie cut guide: Styling tips, face shapes, and best variations

Fresh, trendy and surprisingly versatile: the pixie cut is a real statement. The short hairstyle for women never goes out of fashion and has been inspiring us for years. The haircut suits almost every woman. The classic pixie cut is a short hairstyle and is characterized by this: The hair is cut short at the back and sides of the head but is left slightly longer on top.

If you want, you can also emphasize the sideburns in addition to the main hair. The most famous example of this trendy hairstyle is still the British model Twiggy. We have summarized everything you need to know about the pixie haircut for you!

1. What is the pixie cut?

The pixie cut is a haircut in which different hair lengths are combined. While the hair on the sides and back of the head is short, the top hair is worn long. The name of the haircut comes from "Pixie" means "fairy". The boyish cut not only gives the wearer an aura of strength but also something elfish and delicate at the same time.

If you would like to try the pixie cut but are not sure whether it suits you, you also have the option of trying a pixie cut wig first.

2. Feminine pixie cut: history

The pixie cut first appeared in the 1950s. Audrey Hepburn's new short hairstyle received a lot of attention from the media and quickly became a trend.

In the decades that followed, a number of stars wore the pixie cut, including Shirley MacLaine, Madonna, Sharon Stone, Emma Watson, Halle Berry and Michelle Williams. So the trend has never disappeared from the scene since the 50s.

3. How to select your pixie cut?

Thinking about your hair texture and natural volume:

• Soft waves: Try a layered pixie that gives movement and lightness.

• Fine hair: A close-cut version can bring out your bone structure beautifully.

• Curls: a shaped pixie with defined edges adds a playful twist.

Just as important as texture is your lifestyle. A pixie cut can be practical and polished or wild and expressive.

• If you like to style and experiment, go for a longer top section that can be slicked back or tousled.

• If low-maintenance is your mantra, a neater, shorter cut might be the one. You can even add tiny but stylish details: an undercut, a shaved line, or textured bangs.

4. Short VS Long pixie cut: Which looks better?

5. Is a pixie cut suitable for people with curly or wavy hair?

Definitely, and not just suitable, but stunning. Curly and wavy hair adds a soft, lived-in feel to the pixie cut that straight hair can’t always achieve. The natural movement gives the style a playful shape that looks full without feeling heavy. With the right cut, your curls will spring into shape and do most of the styling for you with no flat iron required.

6. Pixie cut hairstyles: different looks and variations

Getting a pixie cut requires a great deal of courage - especially if you previously wore your hair long. However, the short hairstyle is extremely versatile in many ways (cut, hair texture, hair color). Here are our favorite variations of the trendy pixie cuts for women:

Short pixie cut

If you finally want to express your cheeky and wild side, wear the pixie cut short. The hair on the sides is only a few millimetres long. If you want an extremely short pixie cut, get a pixie cut with an undercut or edgy short pixie cuts.

Long pixie cut

If you want to slowly approach a short hairstyle, wear the pixie cut long. Although the top hair remains longer than on the sides, the difference between the two sections is less extreme.

Pixie cut with bangs

With the pixie cut, the top hair can be worn as bangs. This can be cut in a variety of ways - both straight and fringed bangs are possible. If you prefer a more voluminous look, you can opt for longer bangs that are laid to one side. Know about the best curtain bangs.

Curly pixie cut

The so-called "curly pixie" is all the rage. The curls bounce beautifully thanks to the different layers in the top hair. Caution: If you have strong natural curls, they should not be cut too short, otherwise they will bounce upwards.

Best pixie cut for black women

The shaggy pixie is similar to the pixie cut but has even more layers and is worn longer at the nape of the neck (like the mixie cut). The great thing is that this version of the pixie cut is very versatile. With curls and texturizing spray in your hair, you can achieve a rocking style, or a more elegant hairstyle with your hair slicked back.

With this short hairstyle, the hair can take on a life of its own and stand up in all sorts of directions. This makes the shaggy pixie very easy to care for. Update: Wrapping a long ribbon around the forehead and creating a boho look is a style that many black women in particular love.

7. Who is the pixie cut suitable for?

The pixie cut is particularly suitable for bold women who want to look strong and independent but still feminine. Find out what to look out for in terms of hair type, face shape and age here!

Age

The pixie cut is definitely a hairstyle that makes you look younger, which is why the pixie cut is recommended for older women. The pixie cut for women aged 50 and 60 is the perfect short hairstyle to give a youthful appearance.

The pixie cut is also well suited to women with thinning hair as they get older, as short hairstyles visually create more fullness and volume. Different layers add structure to the hair.

Face shape

The pixie cut suits women with oval face shapes very well, whereas round faces need to be a little more careful. In this case, you should make sure that the hairstyle goes upwards, making the face look longer. Then nothing stands in the way of a pixie cut for round faces.

Hair type

The good news is that the pixie cut suits every hair type. Curly hair should only be left slightly longer than straight, fine hair.

8. How to keep the pixie cut in shape

Regular trims at the hairdresser every two to three weeks or so are important for a cut, as the hair grows out quickly. This also applies to thick hair that is to be tamed with a pixie.

The cut is coveted when the focus is on the long quiff and the rest is kept quite short. The upward styling and the voluminous roots are the advantages of thick hair, which can be favorably emphasized by a pixie.

To end this sharing

Straight hair can look particularly lively with layers but fringed sections at the nape or sides also add excitement to the short haircut. Short bangs are also a cool variation of the pixie, reminiscent of Mia Farrow in the sixties. Brave people wear it rasp-short - with this ultra-short cut, strong hair colors look particularly intense.

FAQs

Q1: Is a pixie cut good for a chubby face?

Yes! A pixie cut can actually flatter fuller faces beautifully. You must opt for more volume at the top or soft side-swept bangs to elongate the face and highlight your features.

Q2: Do pixie cuts make you look younger or older?

Most people find that pixie cuts bring a fresh, youthful vibe. They open up the face, highlight the eyes, and add a bit of edge, all of which can take years off your look.

Q3: Is pixie cut high maintenance?

A super short pixie needs regular trims to stay sharp, but styling is usually quick and easy. Longer pixies give you more flexibility and grow out more gracefully. Overall, it’s less about effort and more about keeping the shape fresh.

Q4: What is a fairy pixie?

A fairy pixie is a softer, more whimsical version of the classic pixie cut. Think delicate layers, wispy bangs, and a touch of dreamy texture like something out of a storybook.

Q5: Can I do a pixie cut with natural hair?

Absolutely! Pixie cuts work beautifully with natural hair. Coils and curls add amazing texture and volume to the style. Just make sure your stylist understands how to shape your curls.

Willow Fern

Rooted in holistic beauty and plant-based care, Willow brings an earth-first perspective to hair and wellness. Her writing is calming, intentional, and deeply informed by her experience in herbal remedies and slow beauty. From flower oil rinses to eco-friendly dyes, Willow’s content invites readers to connect with their hair and themselves.