While the pixie may seem like an easy wash-and-go cut, it’s not a style that will suit everyone. From hair type to budget, there are a lot of things to keep in mind before making such a drastic change.Wondering if the pixie is the right haircut for you? Several celebrity stylists reveal what you should consider before taking the plunge.
Seek Someone Who Specializes in Cropped Styles
“If you see someone with a short haircut that you love, ask them for the name of the person that cuts their hair,” says Eugene Smith, senior stylist at Ted Gibson in New York City. This is especially important for ladies with wavy hair as this requires more precision than those with fine, super straight tresses. “If you have wavy to curvy hair, be prepared to put a little effort into it,” he adds. “A pixie cut with straight hair, on the other hand, tends to be effortless.”
Beyoncé debuted her pixie cut on Instagram.
Photo: via Instagram
Shy? Think Twice
Wallflowers, be warned. The pixie cut is made for those with bold personalities because, as Smith says, “there’s no hair to hide behind.” Also, having a super short cut means knowing how to style it quickly on the go, while putting more emphasis on your other features. “A pixie cut is all about owning the look,” says New York City-based celebrity stylist Angelo David Pisacreta. “There is a sense of freedom and empowerment of having your hair short and styling it very quickly. Cutting your hair short means more attention will be directed to the face. This is why confidence in owning the look is key in pulling it off.”
Halle Berry has made the pixie cut her signature.
Photo: Getty Images
Know Your Face Shape
The best way to determine whether the pixie will look amazing on you? Take note of your face shape, an immediate indicator of how short you should go. “Pixie cuts tend to look best on oval, square, and heart-shaped faces,” says Ryan Richman, stylist at Prive Salon. “Women with heart-shaped faces can pull off shorter pixie cuts as it brings attention to the eyes and away from the long jaw line. Additionally, heart-shaped faces tend to have wide foreheads. Adding some side-swept bangs will help narrow it.” If you have a round face, Richman suggests opting for a longer style with some height on top to elongate the face, providing slimming results. Square-faced ladies should ask for soft layers to make the features appear less harsh.
Rihanna’s feminine pixie is one of our favorites.
Photo: Getty Images
Do the Pixie Test
Another way to determine whether the style will flatter your face is by doing the so-called pixie test. “Pull your hair back in a tight ponytail and see how your face pops with hair off of it and off your neck,” says Ray Salazar of Nelson J Salon in Beverly Hills. Also, take note of your facial features. If they’re on the small size, chances are you’re the right candidate for the pixie. However if your features are larger, your neck is short, or you have a bigger figure, chances are the pixie will only widen your features.
Continued: How to tell if a pixie cut will look good on you
More On Fox News Magazine:
Help! I Have a Bad Haircut
Long Locks Express: Making Your Hair Grow
Sonia Kashuk’s Fall 2013 Beauty Forecast
FAQs
The answer is surprisingly simple. There's an easy, and we mean easy, way to decide if short hairstyles are in your future. We call it the 2.25 rule. Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.
How do I tell if I'll look good with a pixie cut? ›
The answer is surprisingly simple. There's an easy, and we mean easy, way to decide if short hairstyles are in your future. We call it the 2.25 rule. Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.
How do I see what I would look like with a pixie cut? ›
Perfect Corp's AI photo editing app YouCam Makeup is the best AI hairstyle app in 2024 for free short hair try on, available for Android and iPhone. With the app's AI Hairstyle feature, you can easily try different hairstyles and find out instantly, what you will look like with short hair or with any other hairstyle.
Who can pull off a pixie cut? ›
They also encompass several variations, so a pixie cut can work on anyone, it's just about choosing the right lengths and proportions. “A great pixie haircut is based on not just face shape but also the shape of the client's head," says Karie Bennett, founder and master artist at Atelier Salon and Studio in California.
What face shape do you need for a pixie cut? ›
Oval, round and heart face shapes can usually pull off a pixie, says Donna Tripodi, master stylist at Eva Scrivo Salons in NYC. "That said, most shapes can handle short hair," she adds.
Would a pixie cut suit me test? ›
The 2.25 rule states that, if the measurement is less than 2.25 inches, your face would suit a short hairstyle like a youthful bob. If the measurement is more than 2.25 inches, your facial structure is less likely to suit short hair and you should sitck with longer locks.
What is a true pixie cut? ›
A pixie cut is a short hairstyle, generally short on the back and sides of the head and slightly longer on the top, with very short bangs. It is a variant of a crop.
Does a pixie cut make you look younger? ›
Our final pick for a youthful look done right is the pixie cut. “It's an amazing way to reinvent yourself because it's liberating and shows a sense of confidence,” Cutler explains. “The beauty lies in the simplistic nature of the look. It's more than youthfulness, it's about the reinvention of you.”
What is the easiest pixie cut to maintain? ›
Top Stylish and Low Maintenance Pixie Cuts for Thin Hair
- Asymmetrical pixie for shorter hair. ...
- Cute pixie cut with a subtle side part and fringe. ...
- Easy feminine pixie with sideburns. ...
- Short pixie hairstyle with sideburns. ...
- Pixie cut with side-swept bangs. ...
- Choppy pixie with undercut. ...
- Silver pixie.
The formula uses a ratio that looks at the length between your chin and your earlobe to determine whether long or short hair would suit you better. If the distance you measured is less than 5.5cm, a short haircut suits you. If it's more than 5.5cm, longer hair will (theoretically) flatter you the most.
Pull a comb through the hairline, pulling it up. Placing your fingers just behind the comb, make a V-shape with your fore and middle fingers, closing them against the hair at the nape. Then, cut the hair just below them. Repeat the process along the hairline, holding your fingers at a slight angle.
How do you know if a pixie cut will look good on you? ›
According to John Frieda, hairdresser to the stars, a measurement of 5.5cm or less from the base of the ear to the bottom of the chin is important, this is because it makes you look less jaw heavy (a more 'masculine' trait). So in general, shorter face shapes (square and round) find it easier to carry off shorter hair.
Who doesn't suit a pixie cut? ›
A heart shape face? You bet! The only face shape that should never get a Pixie or Bob-Pixie is the face shape whose stylist doesn't remember to aim for balance!
How do I find the perfect pixie cut? ›
As with any hair style there are a few things to take into account before making the cut. “Consider your face shape, hair type, and how drastically your styling regime will change once you opt for a pixie cut, as these will be factors at play in committing to your new style,” says hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons.
Can a pixie cut look good on anyone? ›
With the help of a trusted hair stylist and a dash of confidence, anyone can sport any type of pixie cut! Certain styles will help you highlight or conceal different facial features, and different styles work better with different hair types.
Do pixie cuts suit chubby faces? ›
Those with a round face can help balance their features out by adding a bit of volume to a pixie cut. This might mean adding product up top or asking your stylist to make the length on the top a little longer.
Do pixie cuts make you look thinner? ›
"Pixie cuts are extremely flattering if you're bold enough to go for it! Adding a textured side bang will slim the forehead area and balance out a heart shaped face," says Bosque.
