My previous blog post on how to style a pixie cut got so much positive feedback, so I thought I’d create another one! Whether you already have a pixie or are thinking about getting one, it’s nice to know there are plenty of styling options available. The starting point for all these styles is a pixie that’s slightly longer in front and around the ears (compared to my previous post), but still very short from the occipital bone to the neck. In my opinion, the ultimate trick to styling a pixie is to think of it as sculpting, creating lines and shapes with the hair. In fact, none of the styles in this post need special accessories or tricky styling tools; I only used a few bobby pins, some hair gel/spray, and a straightening iron that’s one inch wide.
The Audrey no. 1
This is how I tend to style my hair most days now, as it’s quick and works well with my hair. My natural texture is pretty easy to work with; if I blow-dry it, it goes straight and sleek, but if I leave it to air-dry, it has much more texture and soft waves. After a shower I sort-of part it to the side, and scrunch it with my fingers to enhance the texture. When it’s dry, I usually end up creating more waves around my face using the straightener. I finish with a little bit of gel scrunched in there, or a mist of hairspray. If your hair is naturally curly this will be even easier to achieve, and if your hair is quite straight, you’ll just have to curl it more all over to get the same result.
The Audrey no. 2
This one is rather similar to my Emma Watson-style from the other blog post, except it’s slicked back over the ears as well. Some gel and a fine-toothed comb will make this much easier. The fringe/bangs swoop forwards from a deep, straight side part. To get that smooth, even curve in front, you might want to comb and then clip your hair in that shape while it’s wet. You can also use a straightening iron, just clamp it gently on right next to the part, then pull it smoothly sideways across your forehead. This should create a curve, but not a wave with any volume. A bobby pin behind each ear makes it even more sleek, and keeps the hair close to the scalp. Hair that’s slicked back can sometimes end up looking greasy, so finish with some hairspray to keep it in place – this way you won’t have to touch your hair that often, which can make it look dull after a while.
The baby bob
This will only work if your pixie has some length around and behind the ears. Pull it all over your ears, straighten it if you have to, just get as much hair down there as you can. To further the illusion of having “length” to the hair, I create a side parting, let the actual fringe hang down as normal, but pull the hair on top of my head to one side and fasten it with a sneaky little bobby pin. Parted like this, it almost makes it look like your bangs are one length, and the rest of the hair reaches all the way down to your earlobes. Almost. If this hairstyle could be anyone it wanted, it would be Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in Chicago. For that, you really do need longer hair, but a baby bob can be very sassy nonetheless.
The wave
The wave is a very soft, feminine way to style a pixie. You can use either a blowdryer (for damp hair) or a straightening iron to create this. The trick is to sculpt the fringe area into a soft wave; it goes up and back from a deep side parting, then curves slightly towards your forehead, before sweeping back and up again. A little texture and whispy bits are nice for this style, so some styling product for separation in the back can be helpful. If your fringe wants to flop forwards, or it’s windy outside, just sneak a bobby pin or two in there, following the curve of the hair so they won’t stick out.
The cover sweep
I named this “the cover sweep” because it’s a hairstyle that’s seen so often in fashion magazines if their model/actress has short-ish hair, or is growing out her hair and is in that awkward in-between length. You can see some version of it it here, here, here, here, here and here, for instance. The caracteristics of this style is that it’s tousled, messy, and all swept back without any visible aid. It looks like you’ll either have to run your hands through it every couple of minutes to make it stay put, or hire an assistant to walk in front of you with a fan. Actually, though, there are many ways to create this and make it stay put. They all start the same way, though: when you’re leaving the shower, slick your hair back, then wrap a towel tightly over it. Starting that backwards movement when hair is dripping wet will make sure it stays that way. Then you can either add strong mousse/gel and blowdry, or just clip it back until it’s dry, and use a straightener to gently wave it backwards. Finish with a strong kind of hairspray, and perhaps a bobby pin or two, just in case.
Voilá!
Beautiful styles. Planning on getting a pixie cut soon. Thank you for the different styles
You’re very welcome, Gema, and good luck on getting that pixie!
Oh, the pictures are so lovely! And I think I’ going a few of the elements from these styles on my shoulder-length hair. Great inspiration (as always).
That’s great to hear – although I do like my pixie posts and has found there is a “need” for them, I also know that not all of my readers are pixies. It’s great that you “longer” gals also can find inspiration in posts like this one 😀
Looking good! In these pictures I think you look a bit like Lena Dunham. You’re pretty and stylish as always, Maria! 🙂
Thank you, Kine! Lena is cool 😀
Were you in Bergen at a tango evening last week? I think I saw you there but was too chicken to come over and say hi…
Oh, I WISH I was at a tango event in Bergen – I haven’t visited that city in way too long, and tango is so wonderful. I’m afraid it wasn’t me (though I’d love to have a somewhat-identical-doppelgänger in Bergen), but if you’re ever in Oslo and think you see me, do come over and say hi 🙂
It is so wonderful to find that you have written a new post, and they are have been so frequent lately! You hair looks beautiful in this post, and I have to admit that I had never realised you could style such short hair in so many different and feminine ways. The Audrey is definitely my personal favourite – so elegant and simple!
Thank you so much, Bonnie! I’ve found that my blogging energy comes in waves, so whenever I feel one coming, I tend to post much more often, before there’s a lull again. I know most blog traffic advice and such thinks this is a mortal sin, but no matter. Blogging is something I do for fun, so I try to keep it that way 🙂
Love! I hate it when people insist that there’s no way to style pixie cuts. You rock it so well!
Thank you, darling! 🙂
five more please<3
*laughs* We’ll see, I’ve actually started growing mine out, so perhaps the blog posts I’ve already made will have to do for now. I’m working on a post about how to style a pixie _while it’s growing out_, though, so perhaps that’ll be useful 🙂
Ohh this is very helpful and good <3
Love it! Thanks for this awesome post
You’re very welcome, Karen — and your avatar is so cool!
This and your last post are super! I love trying new stuff with my hair but can never find any websites to explain as “short” appears to be defined as a bob! And also I am utterly torn to pieces by jealousy over your eyebrows! I wish I had them!!! Keep the hairstyles coming!!!!
I know! A bob isn’t really that short, really, unless you’ve had super-long hair for ages and dread the idea of cutting it off. I’m actually growing out my pixie now, it’s gotten to that short bob stage, but there will be more hair posts in the future anyway 🙂 And thank you for the eyebrow compliment, I’m so grateful they’ve managed to grow back after I plucked them into oblivion in high school.
Hi Maria!
I love all the hairstyles you shared above, and I’ve spent quite a lot of time today… ahem… stalking your posts about your pixie cut hairstyle. I got into a kinda fight with my mom today, and was searching through the internet the benefits of a short hair to use in my favor, and boila! Your awesome website appears. You’ve inspired and motivated me more to get a pixie cut, and I can’t wait to cut my hair. I have really long and straight hair (15 or more inches) most of my life because my mom doesn’t want me cutting it. I start college next year and want to do that as a change and sign of being my own person, plus be comfortable with a change! Long hairs can be tricky, and I’d save on Tylenol on the migraines it sometimes causes me. I shall be showing her your awesome pictures to let her see how beautiful one may look with a short haircut, plus not look like a man. Thanks a bunch, and have a great day! 😀
You’re my favourite kind of stalker, Jennifer! I hope you and your pixie will be very happy together 😀
Maria,
I just wanted to tell you what an inspiration your pixie posts have been to me. I have been mulling over a haircut for some time now. I’ve been a pixie before, but have always been afraid to go back, because of the nasty things people (like my own mom!) have said about ladies and short hair. But! I have a toddler and am currently pregnant with baby #2 – I don’t have time to spend 30 minutes with the blow dryer and straightening iron every morning anymore! I know I need something low maintenance, playful, and carefree – and reading your post has given me the courage to go back to a cut I have always loved. I’m chopping my shoulder length hair in a few hours, actually! I can’t wait.
Thank you again. 🙂
Hi Heather!
I hope your haircut went well, it sounds like a pixie should work wonderfully for you 😀 Though I’ve grown out my pixie now, I can very much remember how easy and quick it was to style — I can see many more pixies in my future, to put it that way!
I always like to see what others are doing with their pixies. The only cut I will have. True classic! Your hair is adorable ?
Thank you, Tara! Now that my hair is much longer, I really miss having a pixie. It will happen again someday, no question about it.
Thank you for writing this! I’m 3 months post pregnancy from my 2nd child in 2 years. Weight was gained. I’ve been wanting a pixie cut but I’ve been a chicken. My hair now goes right past my bra line down my back. It takes a lot of time & work. My husband has no problem at all with me chopping my hair off. It’s me! I’m making myself nervous yet I want to do it so badly!!
I hope you figured out your hair dilemma, Jenn! Bra-strap lenght hair must be a lot of work, especially with two young children.
Thank you for all the great tips and advice! Just got my hair cut in a pixie and I love it! Thank you for the wonderful inspiration!
I loved your blog & pics. Just one more question. Will a pixie work with someone natural curly, thick hair?
I got it straighten about a month ago, and use a flat iron once a week.
The Cover Sweep is what I do in the summer after having styled my hair with product and then gone swimming haha! I’m wearing all the slicked back looks with dark eyes and pink lips : )
Slicked back hair is SO underestimated, it can be seriously cool 😀