We get it: A pixie cut can seem daring to try—especially if you’ve lived the better part of your life with long hair. But this super-short hairstyle isn’t just chic, it’s also gloriously low-maintenance, lightweight, and a huge 2024 fall hair trend. You might even find it freeing to chop it all off. "While long hair has traditionally been associated with femininity, short hair challenges conventional beauty standards, allowing women to redefine their notions of beauty, femininity, and strength," explains celebrity hairstylist Jordan Jay Brumant.
The biggest appeal of a pixie though, is that they're so easy to style. "If you don’t want to be bothered by your hair, cut it," says hairstylist Kindra Wright-Horn. With the right cut, you can just wash your hair and run out the door. It's partly why so many celebrities (think: Emma Corrin, Lori Harvey, Ciara) have embraced the look.
We rounded up some of our all-time favorite styles to inspire you and help you choose the pixie cut that's right for you. Prepare to scroll, screenshot, and take a trip to the stylist.
Pixie Cuts at a Glance
What Face Shape Looks Best With a Pixie Cut?
How Often Do You Need to Trim a Pixie Cut?
Are Pixie Cuts Trending for 2024?
Pixie Cut Ideas
Classic Pixie Cut
Brumant is the mind behind model Jourdan Dunn's gorgeous, simple pixie cut.
"Jourdan decided to embark on a journey of self-reinvention through the transformative power of a pixie cut. The symbolism of shedding old energy and embracing new beginnings resonates deeply, marking a bold step into uncharted territory," he wrote via Instagram when premiering the look. "We drew inspiration from iconic figures such as Rihanna, Halle Berry, Zoë Kravitz, and Nia Long to pay homage to those who have fearlessly paved the way in redefining beauty standards."
Bleached Bixie Cut
When your hair gets long enough, it veers into bixie cut territory—take Delilah Belle Hamlin's white almost-micro bob as an example.
"When distinguishing between a bixie and a pixie cut, it primarily boils down to hair length," explains Brumant. "The bixie seamlessly blends the sophistication of a pixie with the versatility of a bob, offering more styling options."
Veiled Short Pixie Cut
A pixie is a necessary stop when growing out your hair post buzz-cut—and Emma Corrin accessorizes theirs beautifully. The Crown star also gave a longer pink pixie a shot in their show A Murder At The End Of The World.
Middle-Parted Curled Pixie Cut
Jodie Turner-Smith is a short hair legend, always doing something different with her micro-length locks. At a December 2023 screening of All of Us Strangers she tried out a deep red color, parting her hair in the middle and adding curls throughout.
"Every pixie cut should be versatile. I should be able to wear it down or spike it up or curl it," notes Wright-Horn. As for specific styling trends, the stylist says that the magic of the pixie is that it's more about what works for you than what everyone else is doing.
"Everyone’s length is different. I think the main thing is the cut—the cut is important," she shares. "Whether you’re curling it or not curling it, that cut needs to be in place. You need to be able to walk out the door and look good."
S-Waved Pixie Cut
The lovely Lori Harvey's pixie features s-waves that frame her face for the perfect touch of old-Hollywood glamour.
"I’m one of those people who will pretty much try anything when it comes to wellness, so I don’t think there's anything that I'm not into. When it comes to health and wellness, I'm game to try it all," the model previously told Marie Claire. Luckily, the same apparently goes for her hairstyles.
Asymmetrical Bixie Cut
While simple in appearance, the artistry of Ciara's bixie cut is something to behold. Her deep side part adds volume to her sleek black locks while also providing a touch of asymmetrical structure.
Flippy Bixie Cut
There are many reasons to watch Vanderpump Rules, but Katie Maloney's haircut may come out on top. She often wears her bixie tucked behind her ears and flipped out at the ends.
Faux Curly Pixie
No, this isn't technically a pixie or bixie cut—but Keke Palmer's smart updo gives the illusion of a major chop. If you're wanting to try out a short style without actually cutting your hair, a wig or top-of-head bun with carefully placed bobby pins might just do the trick.
Ear-Framing Pixie Cut
There are many aspects of Doja Cat's look to zoom in on, but I'm particularly fascinated with what's happening with the hair right around her ears. This is face-framing at its best, a little longer than the rest of her locks.
"I always tell people they'll [need to stop in the salon] in anywhere between six to eight weeks to bring that cut back," Wright-Horn shares. "In between that time, you’ll get some growth (especially over the ears)." This is how to make it work.
Swooped Pixie
Cardi B's 2018 VMA look was a wig, but we've been begging the rapper to take the plunge in real life ever since. Or she could at least give us more bang content?
Icy Pixie Cut
Of course a woman with a name as chic as Pom Klementieff has a haircut as chic as this. The Marvel star's icy, side-parted short hair is slicked down with just a bit of pomade—and lends itself well to that bright red lip.
Voluminous Copper Bixie Cut
Cynthia Nixon's copper locks take on major volume with piece-y, textured ends.
Straightforward Pixie Cut
This short-and-straightforward look is about as simple as you can get with pixie cut styling. But because Rihanna is our model, a new level of coolness is unlocked. In the early '10s, the Fenty Beauty mogul could often be spotted rocking short locks. Now, imagine her current cool blonde hair in a short style—it would maybe make up for how long we've been waiting for a new album.
Wet-Look Bixie Cut
"A pixie should not be over two inches, technically," explains Wright-Horn. Therefore, this cut—which Tyla wore to the 2024 Met Gala—is 100 percent a bixie. Worn down and slightly wetted, the longer style allows more of the singer's natural wave to shine through.
Curly Bixie Cut
With her hair's natural-looking curl making its mark, Vicky Krieps' Cannes Film Festival 2024 bixie cut is giving "I woke up like this" in the greatest way—this is exactly what short haircuts are best at.
"In summertime we sweat, so we don’t require much product because our bodies are building up oils. It’s all about the cut," explains Wright-Horn. "We as women have so much on our plate, and your hair should be easy."
Brushed-Back Pixie Cut
Artist Xuan Xu took the 2024 Cannes Film Festival red carpets by storm with an elegant, pushed-back pixie with a cool purple tone. To get the look, sweep your hair straight back instead of pinning it off to the side when your grow-out journey begins.
Butter Yellow Pixie
Can a short afro also be classified as a pixie? Solange Knowles votes yes; her voluminous curls are a nice change up from so many slicked-back styles.
Pixie Cut with Side-Swept Bangs
Doesn't this simple pixie cut look like it was specially crafted to complement Dixie D'Amelio's face? That's because it was.
When it comes to picking the right pixie cut for your face shape, Wright-Horn said it's less about understanding your own bone structure and more about trusting your stylist's eye.
"There are stylists out there who say 'I do short hair' but they don’t. They’ve maybe done a couple of short haircuts," she explains. "When you’re a specialist in cutting short hair and cutting pixies, you know what fits someone’s face."
Strongly Parted Pixie Cut
Ginnifer Goodwin is another star we can always count on for an amazing short haircut. Here, she lets her bold, slightly off-center part lead the way, with the rest of her dark hair pushed off to the side and pinned behind her ears.
Close-Cut Pixie Cut
Winona (and her pixie cut) forever! From the '90s to today, this is still one of the best celeb haircuts of all time—can you spot its influence elsewhere on this list?
The Textured Pixie
More textured hair pixie inspo, please. Lupita Nyong'o showed up to the photo call for A Quiet Place: Day One in May 2024 wearing a bubblegum-colored suit and holding a live cat (!), but let's focus on that great side part for a moment.
Grown Out Pixie Cut
Fantasia Barrino's pixie cut styles are the stuff of legend. For this flattering look, she showed off a voluminous cut complete with longer layers and side-swept bangs.
Tonal Blonde Pixie Cut
Zendaya is a hair chameleon like no other; can you believe she hasn't rocked a pixie cut since 2017? Still, this look is one for the books: the elvin hair color and cut deserves a comeback.
Curled Pixie Cut
Curls are a great way to give your pixie cut a bit of character and flair. Ruth Negga can show you the way.
When it comes to red carpet events, Brumant loves the "effortless vibe" a pixie brings. "I also love incorporating hair pieces," he says. "This enables me to experiment with various textures and silhouettes, elevating the overall look and feel."
Sculptural Pixie Cut
Iris Law's hairstylist really did something here, huh? Always keeping things interesting (once she added just two perfect, bouncy ringlets to her short hair), this piled-on style lets the model's natural brown roots shine through.
Short Choppy Pixie Cut
Maisie Williams' texture adds some exciting depth to her choppy cut. Remember: a "perfect" pixie does not exist, and a little messiness can be a good thing.
Long Choppy Pixie Cut
Lisa Rinna, you (and your signature short hair) will always be famous. Going a little darker than her regular shade, the former Real Housewives star chose to have her strands stick out in every direction.
Dark Layered Pixie Cut
Now that is a famous pixie. There's a reason Kris Jenner has kept the same hairstyle for such a long time—it looks amazing on her.
Polished Blonde Pixie Cut
The ever-elegant Michelle Williams has rocked some gorgeous pixie cuts in her day. This simple, Mia Farrow-esque style is just one example of the magic her hairstylist works with some shears.
If you've ever wondered how often short haired stars such as Williams have to go in for a trim, Brumant has some wisdom to share. "Maintenance is key for keeping a pixie cut sharp and polished," the artist tells Marie Claire. "I typically recommend touch-ups around the ears and hairline every four to six weeks, ensuring the cut maintains its shape and structure."
Flippy Pixie Cut
In April 2023, Karrueche Tran appeared at the premiere of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 with her hair in the cutest flippy pixie cut. After this look, the red carpets were full of flippy styles—and yes, I do think she was on those vision boards.
Spiked Up Pixie Cut
Halle Berry has been letting her locks grow out a bit these days. Still, we'll never forget all her short 'dos—including this spiked up style. No, there's not a lot of length to play with here. But there's still a ton of height.
Soft Natural Curls Pixie Cut
Halsey's pixie cut era has also been one for the books. She's played around with tone and length since chopping her hair, even going so far as to wear it with her soft natural curls. Don't be afraid to set down the hot tools and let your natural texture reign!
Painted-On Pixie Cut
No, Cara Delevigne's 2016 Met Gala look probably isn't something you're going to reach for every day. But isn't it kind of fun? With a bald head and some silver makeup at her disposal, the actress painted on a pixie that rivals any naturally grown style.
Softly Highlighted Pixie Cut
Since she opened up about her journey with alopecia, it's been fun seeing Jada Pinkett Smith rock creative short styles—and sometimes no hair at all. This softly structured, pretty style is one of my all-time favorites: the golden highlights and pink makeup work oh so well together.
"There are so many different reasons why women will cut their hair. The first will be trends. The second reason is that they have to; their hair is damaged. The third might be a change: a breakup, medical reasons," explains Wright-Horn.
Fiery Red Pixie Cut
Yes, I know Teyana Taylor looks good in any style, but there's something special about seeing her with short hair. This bright red style lends its wearer an even more effortless cool-girl look—a favorite pixie variation of Brumant's.
Vintage Blonde Pixie Cut
Zoey Deutsch stunned fans when she showed up at Chanel's Fall/Winter 2024 with her long dark locks completely lobbed off—and dyed platinum.
"They wanted her to look like Jean Seberg," hairstylist Tracey Cunningham wrote in an Instagram post at the time. "We didn’t want to look like a current 2024 bleach and tone."
Ear-Length Pixie Cut
Even though this sleek style from the 2019 Met Gala was only temporary, it goes without saying that Bella Hadid looks unbelievable in an elegant pixie. Bring it back for the next Orebella campaign, please?
Short-and-Simple Pixie Cut
Here, Maggie Rogers exhibits the truly chic nature—and ease—of a pixie cut. Cut short and styled extremely simply, she paired the style with a suit jacket to add another, deeper element of cool.
Pixie Cut with Natural Curls
Lashana Lynch's curly pixie—made all the better with some grays dispersed throughout—is incredibly lovely. The simplicity of the hair also works well with her gorgeous makeup; that deep red lip deserves its time in the spotlight.
Mia Farrow Pixie Cut
A pixie cut story without Mia Farrow's famous '60s haircut? It simply couldn't be done. This super-flattering style requires very little styling; the magic is found in its softness.
"The hairdresser was aghast, and the producers were upset, and people with wigs were summoned,” wrote Farrow of the chop in her 1997 memoir, What Falls Away. “It looked fine to me.”
Wet Look Pixie Cut
It doesn't get more stylish than this super-shiny style on Taylor Hill. Pile on the pomade (or the product of your choosing) to achieve a glossy finish.
One-Sided Feathered Pixie Cut
I now present another queen of the pixie cut landscape: Tilda Swinton. While a quick Google image search for the actress will give you plenty of pixie inspo, this style does something special. The deep side part offset by a feathered bang is unexpected yet delightful.
Lengthy, Highlighted Pixie Cut
Actress Storm Reid's sultry pixie is on the long end of the pixie cut hair length spectrum, but a pixie nonetheless. Grazing her eyebrows, she first debuted the cut at the 2022 Met Gala, It was even Zendaya approved.
"She gave me some words of encouragement which meant a lot because she's the queen of the Met Gala," Reid told Entertainment Tonight at the time. "She was one of the first people I went to about cutting my hair, like what'd she think, and she was like, 'You go ahead, it's gonna look great.' So she really gave me confidence to chop my hair off."
Classy Slicked Back Pixie Cut
With plenty of fancy events to attend, Greta Gerwig has become an expert at jazzing up her signature pixie cut, adding waves, volume, you name it. For this particular night, she took a different approach, slicking her hair down into an elegant helmet for a 2024 Cannes Film Festival red carpet appearance.
Tightly Coiled Pixie Cut
Dress up your pixie with finger coils like Amandla Stenberg and add a healthy amount of pomade for a long-lasting hold. The patience this style requires is well worth it.
Pretty in Pink Pixie Cut
Auli'i Cravalho's pixie is pretty in pink, a testament to a fashion color's easy ability to add some intrigue to your simple style. And if you don't like the color? Don't worry—it'll grow out pretty quickly.
"The inspiration for this color came from Auli’i herself! I started doing hair in the NYC punk scene in 2013 which gave me a strong foundation in alt hair colors," shared colorist Elyssa Oliver while discussing another short pink style worn by the star with Marie Claire. "At my collectively run queer salon, Saturn Sixteen, we believe hair should reflect the individual, not just a trend. For Auli’i, I created a custom blend using Pravana colors for a pearlescent effect."
Side-Swept Pixie Cut
Here, Zoë Kravitz's sweet pixie was swept entirely to one side. Quite classic looking, no? "A classic pixie features short sides and back, with bangs framing the face, highlighting its beauty," notes Brumant.
Bowl Cut Pixie Cut
Woman with bowl cut but make it chic is just another role Charlize Theron was born to play. Isn't there something timeless about this single-layer look?
Parted and Bling-y Pixie Cut
Florence Pugh's rhinestone-embellished pixie cut is very on-trend. While her cut is more structured, a bit of bling gives it a fun, laidback spin.
And if you need tweezers to help you place your glittery accents just so? You can find our favorite picks here.
Slick-and-Curly Pixie Cut
I love the vintage feel of this pixie cut on Euphoria's Alexa Demie. It reminds me of Betty Boop, who is a beauty icon on her own accord.
Pixie Cut with Lengthy Side Bangs
Here, Julia Garner traded her signature curls for a sleek-and-straight pixie. Almost veering into microbob territory, the blonde 'do is a perfect example of short hair meeting up (and having a stellar time) with the current side part trend.
Pixie Cut With Dark Roots
The dark roots peeking through Kristen Wiig's pixie cut add so much dimension. Also worth complimenting is that wet-but-not-oily slick styling.
What Is a Pixie Cut?
"A pixie cut is a charming, short, and feminine hairstyle, often characterized by its soft, rounded shape and subtly textured edges—offering a less angular look than its more masculine counterpart," explains hairstylist Julie Dickson. These cuts are shorter on the back and sides and longer on the top, adds celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan, who is responsible for the classic pixies on Mia Farrow and Michelle Williams.
How Do You Style a Pixie Cut?
Because pixie cuts are so short, there are two main ways to style it: messy or classic. You can air dry your hair and style it with a light pomade for the former. "This is the way to go if you want to look effortless and non-contrived like a short elfin or Winona Ryder in Girl Interrupted," says Dickson. On the other hand, you can go for a super chic, high-shine pixie with help from a pomade. "Comb it close to the head with precision for a vibe that's like a black-tie Linda Evangelista or Old Hollywood at the Oscars."
According to McMillan, you may also want to forgo the highlights. "Short hair always looks better when it's all one color," he says.
What Face Shape Looks Best With a Pixie Cut?
Every face shape can pull off a pixie cut, depending on how you style it. "For example, a round face shape can style with more volume on the top and an asymmetrical side-swept bang to elongate the face," says McMillan. An angular face, on the other hand, can go for a straight and polished look, or even a spiked-up style. The key is finding a stylist with the know-how to highlight your best features with an expert cut.
How Often Does a Pixie Cut Need a Trim?
You'll want to get your pixie cut trimmed every six to eight weeks, according to McMillan. "Many people assume that with less hair comes less upkeep, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While you won’t need to spend an hour blow-drying, short hair isn’t always wake-up-and-go," says Dickson. You'll want to shower in the morning or keep a spray bottle on hand to tame any flyaways or unruly sections after a night's sleep.
Are Pixie Cuts Trending for 2024?
Pixie cuts are having a huge moment in 2024. "On the one hand, we're seeing the ultra-short, slicked-down styles inspired by men's cuts from the 1920s, and on the other, there are whimsical, elfin pixies with a Bowie-esque mullet vibe, resembling a cap of tousled, dancing waves," explains Dickson.
Meet the Experts
As founder and head hair maven of Joon Drop, Julie is all about making her clients feel comfortable and listened to, while creating a look that flawlessly complements their skin tone, eye color, bone structure and lifestyle.
Julie initially made her mark in the business for her finesse with fine hair and natural looking color, but she can do just about anything with hair. Both ladies and a loyal male clientele come to Julie for her ability to infuse classically inspired looks with a downtown edge.
Originally from Minnesota, Julie’s passion for hair stems from fine art, architecture design, fashion and music, and is grounded in her rigorous training. Her first two ventures were a destination for beauty in Nolita. She’s now thrilled to bring Joon Drop to the best block in Two Bridges, where she continues to live her dream of doing what she loves in her favorite city.
Whether or not you’ve ever even heard the name Chris McMillan, chances are your life has been touched by his work.
Chris has been cutting hair for over three decades. He is the creator of The Rachel—the cut from the TV show Friends that defined the 1990s.
He’s also the mastermind behind the sexy, beachy wavy look that is currently ubiquitous on every red carpet. When Kim Kardashian got engaged, it was Chris she wanted to do her hair for the big day.
Young creative, Jordan J Brumant is a London based hair stylist and fast becoming the first option within the fashion and entertainment industry.
Jordan began his career at the age of 13 as a young enthusiastic hairstylist at the crown academy of hair extensions. Leaving as a senior stylist, Jordan was determined to establish a name of his own.
Today, Jordan’s list of celebrity clintele includes Winnie Harlow, Naomi Harris, Amandala Stenberg, Lianne La Havas, Little mix and US rapper EVE (to name a few).
Kindra Wright-Horn is not just a hairstylist; she’s a visionary, transforming the world of short hair with Pixie HeatTM. Kindra’s love affair with short hair ignited during her teenage years when she embraced a shorter hairstyle. Guided by the legacy of her Grandmother, a salon owner for over six decades, Kindra realized her gifted and talented hands would soon transform the look and confidence of many women. For the last three decades, Kindra has worked across the east coast fine tuning her craft and establishing a loyal clientele. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Kindra opened her first salon in New Jersey, “JalaMadi Signature Salon,” named after her children, which she owned and operated for 12 years.
