The pixie is a classic short hairstyle and one we’re seeing gain popularity in terms of haircut trends. The bixi, the mixie and even the shixi encourage everyone to cut off all their threads. If you’re seriously considering getting yourself a pixie, we’re here to help. Before you get the chop, discover which pixie hairstyle suits your hair type best. Whether you have straight or curly hair, there is a pixie that will best highlight your strands. We reached out to a few experts who know a thing or two about style. See what cuts they recommend below!
Why should you consider your hair type?
Before we get into the best haircut for your hair type, let’s cover why it’s important to consider your hair type. It’s true that any hair type can be rocked, but certain iterations can better accentuate your natural hair texture.
Atelier Aveda Studio cut and color specialist Anna Johnson notes: “The most important thing about hair type is your choice of hair length. Fine hair can look great with shaggy sides tipped over the ear, but thick hair will look bulky and unflattering. Wavy and curly hair looks super cute in a pixie mullet. But straight, nap-length hair looks really quick.”
Freelance creative colorist and Moroccanoil global color ambassador Greg Gilmore notes that this cut looks best with straight hair. “Texture should be considered because if the hair is not naturally smooth, other processes should be used, such as chemical straightening (relaxers) or thermal straightening (smoothing the hair so it lays flat). But curly pixies are also a thing, and as long as the hair is one to two inches long across the board, it can still be considered a pixie.”
That being said, any good hairdresser will know how to work with your texture to give you the pixie hairstyle of your dreams!
This article originally appeared on maneaddicts.com
#1 Best Pixie Cut for Straight Hair: Classic Pixie
Anna is all about the classic pixie hairstyle for straight hair types. “Think Audrey Hepburn or Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby – a timeless classic cut that opens up the face,” she says. “It works well with straight hair because the short length leads to a lot of texture through the top because of the short layers. The forehead hair falls beautifully on the forehead and gives the desirable piecey look.”
Greg notes that with short hair, you can keep it sleek or create a more tousled look. “Sleek and straight with a little ruffle at the top works so well for the wearer. It can be soft with wavy pieces or straight legs for a slimmer look,” he says.
#2 Best Pixie Haircut for Wavy Hair: Pixie Shag
Greg notes that those with wavy hair have a nice advantage “because they can maintain a shortcut the easiest. They can wear it wavy with their natural texture or straighten it with ease using a half-inch flat iron.”
For your wavy hair type, Anna suggests a modern pixie shag that “leaves the length along the perimeter with either a short or curtain bang. The tousled bits around the hairline create an ultra-feminine shape and blend beautifully with a trendy curtain bang. Wavy hair in this length doesn’t need to be blow-dried to style. A quick finger style and scrunching with a light curl gel like Aveda’s Curl Gelée with an air dryer is all that’s needed for a flawless finish.”
#3 Best Pixie Haircut for Curly Hair: Undercut
Those with ringlets will benefit from an undercut pixie, according to Anna. “An undercut takes all the hair on the sides and back and cuts it short and completely separate from the top hair,” she says. “This cut is fun and edgy and takes care of the bulk and width that can happen with curly hair. The length of the top should extend between the top of the cheekbone to the jawline as desired. This length allows the curl on top to fully form and weigh itself down.”
As for styling, Greg says you “should keep about three to four inches in length to account for the shrinkage the curls may have while in their natural state. Otherwise, they can opt for heat straightening for a sleek and straight pixie look.”
#4 Best Pixie Haircut for Kinky Hair: Natural Pixie
The best pixie hairstyle for kinky hair will enhance your natural texture, not work against it. Because of this, Greg recommends going to a salon that is well-versed in your natural texture. “Kinky or curly hair is best with a chemical straightener if the wearer prefers to wear their hair straight most of the time. If not, they can go to a stylist skilled in smoothing natural hair. They can also consider a natural pixie style , which could consist of comb coils or small twist-outs for texture depending on the length.”
Anna notes that this hair type is very versatile when it comes to the pixie. “Lots of different lengths work for coiled hair,” she says. “The aim of a pixie on coils is that the weight is built from the bottom to the top, so that there is an upward movement to the hair. This triangular shape shows the gravity-defying nature of curly hair. It should be dry cut to enhance and never fight the natural texture.”
#5 Best Pixie Haircut for Thin Hair: Layered Pixie
To add more volume and dimension to your hair, go with a layered pixie cut. Also think about the length. “Thin or fine hair needs to take into account how long the hair needs to be so as not to show skin through the hair, especially the sides and back,” says Anna. “The perimeter should be kept tight and clean to maximize the appearance of fullness through the ends. The brow hair should not extend past the eyebrows or they may look too sheer. For some thin hair clients, longer layers through the top are good for coverage, while others will benefit of the lifting of layers.”
Greg suggests going shorter, but only if you feel comfortable. “The longer it has, the more limp it can get,” he says. “I would suggest three inches or shorter for the best pixie results.”
#6 Best Pixie Haircut for Thick Hair: Bixie
Overall, Greg mentions that thicker hair types can wear almost any pixie hairstyle. “Thick hair has a range of options and can afford to have more length,” he says. “I like, for denser hair, shorter sides and naps with a longer top for a nice bang that gives an ultra-feminine feel to the cut.”
Anna is championing the bixie cut for this hair type. “This long pixie look allows for enough length for the hair to lay down, but is also heavily layered to reduce weight,” she says. If you go “shorter than this length, expect the cut to be very high-maintenance as the hair grows in and out between appointments.”
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