Few haircuts make a statement like a pixie. It’s bold, modern and surprisingly easy to live with, and it has been one of the highlights of Behnaz’s work this year, from a vivid magenta pixie to confidence-boosting transformations shared on her Instagram. As she puts it in one of her posts: “Less hair, more attitude.”
If you’ve been thinking about going short, this guide covers what makes a great pixie, how to tell whether one will suit you, and what to expect before and after your appointment.
What Is a Pixie Cut?
A pixie is a short haircut that’s cropped close at the back and sides, with a little more length on top. That length can be swept to the side, textured and tousled, or kept sleek. Because there’s so little hair to hide behind, a pixie depends on proportion: the balance between the top, the sides and the nape is what makes it flattering.
Pixie Styles to Consider
- Classic tapered pixie: short, neat sides and a softly tapered nape, with enough length on top to style forward or to the side.
- Textured pixie: choppy, piecey layers on top for movement and volume. Great for fine hair that tends to lie flat.
- Long pixie: more length on top and a longer, side-swept fringe. A gentler first step if you’re nervous about going very short.
- Undercut or asymmetric pixie: closely cut on one side or at the nape, with a longer sweep on top. Edgy and very low-maintenance.
Will a Pixie Suit Your Face and Hair?
More people can wear a pixie than they think. The secret is tailoring the shape to your features rather than copying a photo exactly.
- Oval and heart-shaped faces suit almost any pixie.
- Round faces look great with height on top and a side-swept fringe that adds angles.
- Strong jawlines and cheekbones are shown off beautifully by a close, tapered cut.
- Fine hair often looks fuller short, especially with texture on top.
- Thick hair needs weight removed from the inside so the pixie lies smoothly instead of puffing out.
- Asian hair, which is often straight and dense, can stand up when it’s cut short. Precision cutting and the right texturizing help it sit down and hold its shape. Behnaz specializes in cutting Asian hair, including Korean, Japanese and Chinese hair.
- Curly hair can be cut into a curly pixie that works with your natural pattern.
Why Precision Matters for Short Hair
With long hair, small unevenness disappears. With a pixie, every line shows. Behnaz trained at the Vidal Sassoon Academies, where haircuts are built with clean, controlled sections and exact angles. On a pixie, that means crisp lines around the ears, a nape that grows out neatly, and a shape that falls into place when you towel-dry it, not just when it’s been styled at the salon. Learn more about her precision haircuts.
Pixies and Bold Color
Short hair is the perfect canvas for color. This year Behnaz created a vivid magenta pixie (“Bold. Vibrant. Unapologetically pink.”) and a custom-mixed red with a tailored pixie, designed to highlight the client’s features. Because pixies are trimmed often, bold color stays fresh and any fading is cut away quickly. Softer options, such as fine highlights or a gloss, work beautifully too. See her hair color services.
A Fresh Start for Stressed Hair
Sometimes a pixie isn’t just a style change. It’s the healthiest option. When hair has been over-processed or damaged, cutting away the tired lengths can be the best treatment of all. In one of her recent transformations, Behnaz took a client from stressed hair to a strong, short cut with bright blonde highlights. As the caption says, “Sometimes the best treatment is a fresh cut.”
Living With a Pixie
- Trims: plan on a trim every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the shape crisp.
- Styling: most pixies take just a few minutes. A small amount of paste or cream adds texture, and a little shine product smooths a sleek pixie.
- Mornings: less hair means faster washing and drying.
- Changing your mind: if you decide to grow it out later, the stages can be shaped so each one looks intentional. See how to grow out a pixie or bob.
Thinking About Going Short?
Bring a few photos of pixies you love, and ones you don’t, to your appointment. Every service with Behnaz includes a free consultation, so you can talk through the shape, the length and how you like to style your hair before a single strand is cut. See more of her short-hair work on Instagram, and book your appointment at Salon Bravissimo in Sacramento.
