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

A woman with dark hair and a pixie cut wearing a white turtleneck — Stocksy

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 Expert

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.

01 of 32

Slicked-Down Pixie

"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 ($57), to strands.
Then, coat the entire head with a lightweight gel (we love Kenra Styling Gel 17, $17). Use a light hand to avoid a total helmet vibe, and move with the grain so that the hair lies flat.

02 of 32

Braided Pixie

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 ($28), 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.

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Polished Pixie

Kerry Washington wears a tousled side-swept pixie cut — Getty Images

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 ($34) to sweep your locks to one side when styling.
Add a little hairspray to keep the bangs in place.

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Accessorized Pixie

Lupita Nyong'o wears a cropped hairstyle with a thin cream headband while holding her 2014 Oscar — Getty Images

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 ($24).

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 ($10).

05 of 32

Voluminous Pixie

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 ($35) to your roots.

06 of 32

Pinned-Back Pixie

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 ($12) could add a dressier element.

07 of 32

Curly Pixie

Woman with short natural curls with caramel highlights — @barbaraacruz

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

"I always recommend using a great shampoo and conditioner, such as Imbue's Curl Liberating Sulphate Free Shampoo ($10) and Curl Respecting Conditioner ($10), which will stop the curls from being too flyaway."
"This should be followed by the Imbue Curl Empowering Crème Gel ($13), which will lightly set the curls without drying them out or creating a hard cast."
Diffuse for a quicker dry and added volume.

08 of 32

Spiky Pixie

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 ($20).
Add a bit of touchable gel at the tips to keep that height and lift in place for hours.

09 of 32

Asymmetrical Pixie

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 ($28) and comb your bangs off to one side.

10 of 32

Pixie with a Deep Side Part

Michelle Williams wears a polished pixie cut with a deep side part — Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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 ($32) and run it atop your hair to tame unwanted flyaways.

11 of 32

Pixie with Shaved Sides

Woman with curly platinum pixie cut with shaved sides — @rafafranco2

"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.

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Pixie with a Micro-Fringe

Zoe Kravitz wears a short pixie cut with micro fringe — Getty Images

"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.

Use your fingers to brush your bangs forward.
Twist a few small pieces for a more separated look.
Give short bangs major sheen with a spritz of Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Dry Oil Finishing Spray ($36).

13 of 32

Retro Pixie

Zendaya wears a pixie hairstyle with finger waves — Steve Granitz/Getty Images

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 ($5).
"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.

14 of 32

Piece-y Pixie

Emma Watson with a short, straight pixie cut with feathered bangs — Jon Furniss/Getty Images

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 ($42), 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.

15 of 32

Bobby Pinned Pixie

Hikari Mori wears a soft, long pixie cut styled with bobby pins — Getty Images

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 ($15).
Place bobby pins along the front to hold hair off the face. We're partial to this asymmetrical take.

16 of 32

Pompadour Pixie

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 ($39), 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.

17 of 32

Coiffed Pixie

Anne Hathaway with a blown-out pixie haircut — Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

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.

18 of 32

Long and Wispy Pixie

Jennifer Hudson wears a pixie cut hairstyle with wispy bangs — Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

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 ($100). 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.

19 of 32

Colorful Pixie

Woman with pink and blonde curly pixie cut — @salonchristol

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 some Monat Studio One Curl Defining Cream ($46)."
"For a more precise curl, touch up your hair using a small curling iron after it is dry."

20 of 32

Faux-Hawk Pixie

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 ($30) for defined spikes and flexible hold.

21 of 32

Purposely Disheveled Pixie

Rowan Blanchard wears a long, tousled pixie cut — Getty Images

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 ($41).

22 of 32

Sculptural Pixie

Jodie Turner-Smith wears a fade pixie haircut with a voluminous geometric top — @jodiesmith

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.

"Use a bit of sculpting taffy in the palms of your hands and fingertips to finish your look," Richman says. He recommends the Monat Restyle Instant Sculpting Taffy ($39)

23 of 32

Side-Swept Pixie

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 ($30).
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.

24 of 32

Shaggy Pixie

pixie cut styles rihanna — Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

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.

25 of 32

Grown-Out Pixie

Cara Delevingne wears a grown-out, tousled pixie hairstyle — Getty Images

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."

26 of 32

Vintage Pixie

pixie cut styles — Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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.

27 of 32

Slightly Soaked Pixie

Halsey wears a wet look pixie hairstyle and purple lipstick — Getty Images

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.

28 of 32

Butterfly Clipped Pixie

Janelle Monae wears a short pixie hairstyle with white butterfly clips — Getty Images

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 ($10).

29 of 32

Side Braided Pixie

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.

30 of 32

Betty Boop Wet Look

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.

31 of 32

Choppy Fringe

Choppy blue and black two-toned pixie cut — @ofelipequecortou / Instagram

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."

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Longer in Front

Woman with pixie cut with long bangs — @ralizabeth / Instagram

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, Inspired by Celebrities

Slicked-Down Pixie

Braided Pixie

Polished Pixie

Accessorized Pixie

Voluminous Pixie

Pinned-Back Pixie

Curly Pixie

Spiky Pixie

Asymmetrical Pixie

Pixie with a Deep Side Part

Pixie with Shaved Sides

Pixie with a Micro-Fringe

Retro Pixie

Piece-y Pixie

Bobby Pinned Pixie

Pompadour Pixie

Coiffed Pixie

Long and Wispy Pixie

Colorful Pixie

Faux-Hawk Pixie

Purposely Disheveled Pixie

Sculptural Pixie

Side-Swept Pixie

Shaggy Pixie

Grown-Out Pixie

Vintage Pixie

Slightly Soaked Pixie

Butterfly Clipped Pixie

Side Braided Pixie

Betty Boop Wet Look

Choppy Fringe

Longer in Front

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