32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (2024)

Having long hair can be lots of fun–especially because there's no shortage of ways to style it. But, if your hesitancy in going for a chop is because you're worried about being limited in terms of styles, we're here to tell you that's not the case. Even if you get a super-short pixie cut–which, bonus: is much more low-maintenance than longer hair– there are still a surprising number of ways to dress it up and express yourself.

Consider all the iconic pixie cuts you've likely seen in your lifetime: Twiggy's side-swept pixie cut that shot her to icon status in the '60s, Rihanna's 2012 shaggy pixie that broke the internet, Lupita Nyong'o's bedazzled Oscars pixie that stole the show, Emma Watson's piece-y pixie that defined her post-Harry Potter style, etc. So, as you can see, there's still plenty of variation to be had–even with super short hair.

Of course, there are different types of pixie cut styles to consider before chopping off your hair. "I believe a good hairstylist will cut your hair and adapt the pixie look according to your face shape," says celebrity hairstylist Michelle Sultan. And beyond the cut, there are many ways to play around with your pixie to make it your own.

So, if you're considering getting a pixie or simply want to refresh yours, we've got your back. Below, find 32 celebrity-approved pixie cuts and expert tutorials on how to achieve their looks.

Meet the Experts

  • Michelle Sultan is a hairstylist and Brand Ambassador + Creative Director for Imbue Curls. Her clients include Jennifer Hudson, Alesha Dixon, Mel B, and Jordyn Woods, and her work has appeared on television shows such as The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.
  • Ryan Richman is a hairstylist known for both red carpet and editorial work. He's worked with Kate Mara, Sadie Sink, Lili Reinhart, and countless other celebs.

01of 32

Slicked-Down Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (1)

"Pixie cuts are super versatile and can be styled in many different ways, whether you want an edgy, classic or vintage look," Sultan says. Eva Marcille's slicked-down 'do epitomizes elegance.

  • For a slick, almost wet-looking pixie, start with freshly washed hair. Part in the desired direction.
  • Add a shine-inducing oil, like Oribe's Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, to strands.
  • Then, coat the entire head with a lightweight gel (we love Kenra Styling Gel 17). Use a light hand to avoid a total helmet vibe, and move with the grain so that the hair lies flat.

02of 32

Braided Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (2)

Braid your pixie for an unexpected hairstyle that looks both romantic and edgy.

  • To get Julianne Hough's look, add some texture to your hair with Amika's Perk Up Dry Shampoo, which will give the hair grip and make your braid hold all day long and well into the night.
  • Braid diagonally across the crown of the head, pulling some pieces of the braid loose to get that disheveled look.
  • Pin the ends into place to secure the braid.

03of 32

Polished Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (3)

Kerry Washington's side-swept pixie totally encompasses the mod style of the 60s.

  • "Short hair can still be extremely feminine by creating texture around the hairline (bangs, sideburns, nape of the neck) by using a razor for feathery softness," celebrity stylist, Ryan Richman says.
  • Use a comb such as Mason Pearson's Fine Tooth Comb to sweep your locks to one side when styling.
  • Add a little hairspray to keep the bangs in place.

04of 32

Accessorized Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (4)

Lupita Nyong'o's textured pixie looks even more stunning when accessorized with a headband.

  • Pull your hair back away from your face. If you have a longer pixie, secure it back in a high bun or small ponytail.
  • Use bobby pins as needed to secure into place.
  • For shorter pixies, keep the back loose and flowing and use a headband to pull your hair away from your face.
  • To get Nyong'o's look, rock your natural texture and apply a dainty accessory like this Tasha Crystal Headband.

Byrdie Tip

"Foam wrap lotions are great for wrapping and setting short, naturally wavy, or relaxed hair," Sultan says. Try Nairobi's Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion.

05of 32

Voluminous Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (5)

Lily Collins's high-volume pixie is the perfect look for an evening out.

  • "For straighter hair, use a blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle and a flat brush to blow dry the hair in different directions to create volume and texture," Richman says.
  • Embrace your cowlick like Collins does, and add some Bumble and bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse to your roots.

06of 32

Pinned-Back Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (6)

Jada Pinkett Smith's simple yet chic style is super easy to recreate.

  • To add volume to your crown, start by applying some volumizing mousse.
  • Blow dry your hair, using a nozzle and flat brush. Dry it up and in several different directions to create texture and volume.
  • Use bobby pins to pin hair back. Make sure you keep some volume on top.
  • A decorative clip like these Kitsch Classic Rhinestone Bobby Pins could add a dressier element.

07of 32

Curly Pixie

"Curly pixie cuts are so chic and can look super effortless," Sultan says. Follow her advice for styling:

08of 32

Spiky Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (8)

Halle Berry's signature pixie might be the most coveted short 'do of our time. To reach spiky heights like Berry's, follow these tips:

  • First, start with the right cut: "An oval face shape is ideal to sport any style of pixie cut," Richman says. That said, any face shape can go short. "Other face shapes may require a different style of pixie cut to create balance."
  • Next, on air-dried hair, use a root-lifting product like Kenra Professional's Root Lifting Spray.
  • Add a bit of touchable gel at the tips to keep that height and lift in place for hours.

09of 32

Asymmetrical Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (9)

Tichina Arnold's choppy strands are similar to Berry's, but with a face-sweeping fringe.

  • Follow the tips from #8, lifting the back of the hair into spikes around the crown.
  • Then, use Ouai's Wave Spray and comb your bangs off to one side.

10of 32

Pixie with a Deep Side Part

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (10)

Michelle Williams's iconic pixie is perfectly polished. To copy:

  • Wash your hair and air dry or blow dry, using a paddle brush to straighten if you have more of a natural wave.
  • Comb over, starting the part far over to one side.
  • Spray a toothbrush with Living Proof's Style Lab Flex Hairspray and run it atop your hair to tame unwanted flyaways.

11of 32

Pixie with Shaved Sides

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (11)

"Pixie cuts should be easy to manage, almost wash-and-go depending on your hair type," Sultan says of this edgy pixie cut, which especially suits tight curls.

  • Ask your stylist for sharply shaved sides, with a little length on top.
  • Add a little styling serum to play up your curls and shine, while keeping frizz away.
  • You can also style this into a faux hawk for an even edgier look.

12of 32

Pixie with a Micro-Fringe

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (12)

"My favorite pixie style is when there are no hard lines around the edges of the haircut, but it’s layered and tapered well to fit the head shape," Sultan shares. Zoë Kravitz's baby bangs and super short sides fit the bill.

13of 32

Retro Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (13)

Want to dress up your short 'do? Make like Zendaya and give retro finger waves a try.

  • To get the look, use a generous helping of mousse and setting pins like Conair's Styling Essential Wave Clips.
  • "If you want a straight finish, foam mousse is great for molding hair and/or creating finger waves before drying," Sultan adds.
  • Apply the mousse, then comb the product-coated hair into the finger wave shape.
  • Clip into place and wait for it to dry.

Byrdie Tip

You can speed up the drying process with a blow dryer, or let air dry.

14of 32

Piece-y Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (14)

While Emma Watson's pixie is fairly simple, her perfectly placed wispy bangs give her major style points.

  • For sleek and smooth tresses like Watson's, start by using Living Proof's No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream, which smooths frizz, controls moisture, and keeps baby bangs in place.
  • Blow dry hair, using a flat brush as needed to smooth strands.
  • Create a side part, brushing bangs over to the side.
  • Use a small amount of styling serum and separate small pieces of hair to create the wispy bangs.

15of 32

Bobby Pinned Pixie

This softer take on a pixie as seen on Hikari Mori features a little bit more length and artfully placed bobby pins. To style:

  • Blow dry freshly washed strands to get those imperfectly flipped-out ends.
  • Add a shine serum, like the Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Working Serum.
  • Place bobby pins along the front to hold hair off the face. We're partial to this asymmetrical take.

16of 32

Pompadour Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (16)

Scarlett Johansson's pompadour works just as well at the office as it does at a concert.

  • Use a volumizing mousse while hair is wet.
  • Use a small round brush to dry the top of your hair back in the pompadour style.
  • Use a pomade like Oribe's Fiber Groom, first to the sides of your hair to style them flat or slicked back.
  • Add in the pomade to the top to reinforce the height of your pompadour. You can also tease the roots before brushing back as needed.
  • Finish with a spray of hairspray to lock in the style.

17of 32

Coiffed Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (17)

Anne Hathaway’s ’90s-inspired ’do is a classic.

  • To get the look, give your pixie a little lift by adding a touch of a root spray at the roots.
  • Use your fingers to get that piece-y, imperfect style.

18of 32

Long and Wispy Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (18)

Want gorgeous, bold bangs like Jennifer Hudson's? It's all about the volume.

  • Work in a dollop of volumizing mousse.
  • Blow dry your hair with a hairdryer like Drybar's Buttercup Blow Dryer. Not only will this add volume to your hair, but it will also make your bangs that much easier to style later on.
  • Use a flat brush to dry your hair up as well as in different directions to create texture and volume.
  • Create a side part and brush bangs to the side.
  • Finish off your style with a spritz of hairspray to keep your bangs in place.

19of 32

Colorful Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (19)

Bright, pastel ringlets make this short crop stand out. To style a curly pixie, Richman says:

  • "Diffuse your hair using a blow dryer with a diffuser attached and someMonat Studio One Curl Defining Cream."
  • "For a more precise curl, touch up your hair using a small curling iron after it is dry."

20of 32

Faux-Hawk Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (20)

It doesn’t get more rock 'n' roll chic than Miley Cyrus's bleached faux-hawk. It's similar in some ways to Berry's spiked pixie, but with closer, shaved-down sides.

  • Use a root-boosting product while hair is wet to set the stage for the height.
  • Dry hair completely, using your fingers or brush to direct strands upwards.
  • Work in some Moroccanoil Molding Cream for defined spikes and flexible hold.

21of 32

Purposely Disheveled Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (21)

Talk about taking a risk. A few years back, Rowan Blanchard chopped her gorgeous chestnut brown locks into this edgy pixie cut, and we are 100 percent here for it.

  • "Aside from a good cut, you need a great texturizing spray for fine to medium textured hair to finish your style," Richman says.
  • "Texturizing spray will create wispy movement and volume throughout your hair." He likes Monat's Studio One Dry Texturizing Spray.

22of 32

Sculptural Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (22)

For those more adventurous, try a sculptural pixie. This works especially well for very curly hair types that can hold a shape without much product.

23of 32

Side-Swept Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (23)

Pixie queen Evan Rachel Wood demonstrates a longer take on the style. Her '20s flapper-esque cut is super short in the back, longer in the front, with side-swept bangs that come to a point just above the jawline.

  • Start by working a styling product through your hair that boosts shine to create straight, sleek strands. One great choice is L'Ange's Glass Hair Thermal Blowout Primer.
  • Use a flat brush to blow dry hair straight. If your hair has more texture, you may need to use a flat iron.
  • Once dry, create a deep side part and brush your bangs to the side.
  • Add in a small amount of shine-boosting serum and finish off with a spritz of hairspray to keep your locks in place.

24of 32

Shaggy Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (24)

Shags are timeless—it's all about finding the style that works best for you. If you want a super-short cut like Rihanna's circa 2012, this style is for you.

  • Use your fingers to brush your bangs forward.
  • Apply a medium-hold pomade to swoop your bangs to the side and seal the shape.

25of 32

Grown-Out Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (25)

Cara Delevingne shows us how to navigate that awkward grow-out period in style. Follow Sultan's advice for transitioning from super short to slightly longer:

  • "Growing out a pixie cut requires time and patience," notes Sultan, who recommends making a plan with your stylist.
  • "It also helps to adjust or change your hair color while you’re growing out your hair. A clever colorist can make short hair look fuller, or dare I say it, longer, using techniques that you may not have had with the pixie cut."

26of 32

Vintage Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (26)

You can't talk about pixie cuts without mentioning Twiggy's iconic look.

  • Post-shower, air dry your hair.
  • With your hands, apply a hair mousse to the sides of your head and over your bangs to keep hairs in check.

27of 32

Slightly Soaked Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (27)

Halsey's wet look pixie is a little bit sexy, a little bit edgy, and a whole lot perfect for a night out.

  • Start with wet hair and part your hair to one side.
  • Work in a lightweight gel throughout your entire hair, styling it to the side.
  • You may need to use a few blasts of the hair dryer to get the height at the crown.
  • Keep out a few longer strands in front to graze the forehead.

Byrdie Tip

If you feel like your hair looks too crunchy, mix together a dollop of hair gel and hair cream for the perfect wet look.

28of 32

Butterfly Clipped Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (28)

Cute butterfly clips add a flirty '90s vibe to just about any style of pixie, but we especially love how they look on Janelle Monae's choppy, super short version.

  • Dry your hair using a hairdryer with a nozzle, brushing your hair in several directions to create texture and volume.
  • Apply a pomade to the roots to create more volume.
  • Clip in butterfly clips throughout your hair, such as Eoane's Metallic Mini Butterfly Hair Clips.

29of 32

Side Braided Pixie

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (29)

Ruby Rose shows us a different take on the braided pixie that's super simple to recreate.

  • Part your hair down the middle.
  • Gather one section of your hair and braid across, using a small clear hair tie at the end.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Pull each braid back to one side, clipping back with a bobby pin.

30of 32

Betty Boop Wet Look

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (30)

Channelling Betty Boop has never looked so chic as it does on model, Taylor Hill.

  • Saturate your hair in a strong hold gel.
  • Using your fingers, create the swoops you desire, then pin them down for five minutes until the shape is secured.

31of 32

Choppy Fringe

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (31)

Choppy fringe with shaved sides provides a cool contrast. If you have super short hair with bangs, take Richman's advice:

  • "When styling a pixie with bangs, or any haircut with bangs, you should always style the bangs when they are wet, and you should always style them first."
  • "Use a brush with mixed bristles for tension and work the bangs back and forth to break any cowlicks."
  • "Once most of the moisture is out of your bangs, begin to style them in the direction you want them to go."

32of 32

Longer in Front

32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (32)

This pixie is all about the bangs.

  • "The great thing about having bangs with a pixie cut is that you can totally switch it up," Sultan says.
  • "You could try moving the part to create a flatter look or a side-swooping fringe for drama over the eye.Bangs work well to create a face-framing hairstyle.They really help to bring attention to the eyes, which can look super sexy." says Sultan.
  • Blow-dry your bangs using a paddle brush to get the bang placement right every time.
32 Ways to Style a Pixie Cut, As Seen in Hollywood (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6206

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.