A Pixie Is the Short Haircut Anyone Can Pull Off

13.09.2025, 02:33 allure.com

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Getting a dramatic haircut is often viewed as a sign that you're going through a major life event. That sentiment was certainly true for me. After having my first child, I felt like a different person. My perspective on so many things, including beauty, changed. So I chopped my coils into a cute little pixie cut. It was an outward transformation that reflected the internal shifts I was experiencing.

A pixie is typically trimmed closer to the scalp along the sides and nape of the neck and kept slightly longer at the top, explains New York City-based hairstylist Marcos Diaz, adding that it’s usually no more than two or three inches at its longest points. It’s this ultra-cropped length that distinguishes a pixie from other short hairstyles, like a bob or a bixie.

Long before it became a staple on today’s Pinterest boards, the pixie had its share of memorable moments throughout history. Michigan-based hairstylist Jewell Hingorani says actor Audrey Hepburn helped first popularize the look in the ’50s, especially after her role in the movie Roman Holiday. (Her character cuts her hair into a flipped-out pixie with short bangs.)

“Twiggy gave it a mod [twist] in the ’60s, then Halle Berry gave it her own glamorous take in the ’90s,” Hingorani continues. By the early aughts, It girls were giving the look an edgier spin with sharp angles and spikier textures. “I’ll never forget when Victoria Beckham cut her hair into a pixie around 2008,” says Hingorani, who watched reputable New York City hairstylist Garren give Beckham one of her most memorable hairstyles to date. “Being in the salon and witnessing that transformation was electric. You could feel the cultural impact instantly.”

Today the pixie still reigns among short hairstyles. According to Spate, the phrase “pixie haircut” receives an average of 1.1 million monthly searches on Google, while TikTok sees an average of 38.2 million weekly views on videos tagged with the phrase. In the pixies of 2025, “we’re seeing [more] layers, longer fringes, and even playful undercuts,” says Hingorani.

Considering all of this, showing up at a salon and asking for “a pixie” could lead you in so many different directions. Instead, Diaz recommends, do your research and bring a few inspo pictures to your appointment. One crucial thing to clarify is how long you want your pixie to be. “Let your stylist know if you want your ears and neckline visible or slightly veiled,” he says.

It’s also important to consider how much time you're willing to spend styling your hair each day. When I first cut my hair, I assumed it would save time; but while my wash days are shorter, I’ve found that styling a pixie can still be time-consuming. Creating springy finger coils and shaping them just right takes me about 30 minutes. And, as with many distinct haircuts, the primary downside to the pixie is maintenance. Even if you ultimately spend less time styling in the mornings, you’ll likely be making more trips to the salon. “A pixie looks its best when it’s freshly shaped,” says Diaz, “so you’ll want to plan on trims every four to six weeks.”

Your stylist can help you decide on the length and shape of the pixie that best suits your lifestyle and desired maintenance level, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

If you’re working with textured hair, Diaz suggests using a leave-in conditioner (like The Potion Studio's Rose Bomb Leave-In, which he loves) for moisture, followed by a curl cream (like All About Curls Bouncy Cream, another Diaz recommendation). Comb the cream through in sections with a Denman brush to define your curls, then “let your hair air-dry for a soft finish,” he says.

For my coily pixie, I love the Crown Affair Leave-In Conditioner, which I apply generously after towel-drying. The lightweight, milky formula leaves my hair soft and residue-free. I follow that with the LottaBody Foaming Mousse instead of a curl cream because it gives my coils better definition and hold without any flakiness.

Those with wavy hair may benefit from adding long, loose bangs to their pixie to highlight their texture (like Joey King’s whimsical pixie, above). To style a pixie haircut on wavy hair, Diaz suggests starting with a lightweight texturizing spray, like the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Professional Styling Perfect Texture Spray. After spritzing all over the hair, “use your hands to mold your hair into the shape you like,” he says. “For a more polished finish, apply a small amount of blow-dry cream and rough-dry with a blow dryer. This keeps the texture soft and touchable.” Wavy-haired Allure editors love the Living Proof Full Thickening Blow-Dry Cream for its lightweight feel and heat protection.

A short, uniform pixie with a slight side bang is extra-flattering on those with straight hair. (Just look at Michelle Williams’ neat cut.) To style it, reach for a pomade like the Kevin Murphy Pomade Nightrider or the STMNT Classic Pomade, which Los Angeles-based hairstylist Sophie Rose Gutterman swears by: “[Pomades] give you hold but won't leave hair feeling too shiny.”

If you’re looking to add a little texture, Gutterman suggests using a beachy leave-in spray after blow-drying your hair. Use your hands to ruffle your stands to create volume and an effortlessly tousled look. Gutterman recommends the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, which has the right amount of grit to maintain your waves without leaving a crunchy or sticky finish.

All About Curls

Amazon

Crown Affair

Sephora

Violet Grey

The Potion Studio

Nordstrom

Biotera

Amazon

Lottabody

Amazon

Bumble and Bumble