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Haircuts are often viewed as a way of letting go, which is why for some people, the shorter the better. We’ve seen plenty of people lob it all off in the name of turning over a new leaf, and if the bob is just not dramatic enough for you – or if you just can’t be bothered with washing, drying, and styling a longer cut – a liberating pixie cut could be right up your alley.

Pixie haircuts have always been popular, especially with celebrities. We’ve seen Rihanna, Taylor Hill, Florence Pugh, and Zoey Deutch, to name a few, take the plunge with the dramatic chop, and that’s only a small sampling. If you’ve been thinking about making a big hair change, read on for more info about what the pixie cut is, how to style it, and who it works best on.

What Is a Pixie Cut?

A pixie cut, also known as pixie crop, is a haircut that is usually no more than three inches in length. It’s shorter at the back and sides of the head, but longer in the front. The great news is that pixie haircuts look great on all face shapes, but round, heart shaped, and oval faces are extremely well-suited for pixie cuts. If you have more of a round-shaped face, a pixie cut with bangs would be a great option. The style also works on all hair types and textures.

How to Style a Pixie Cut

Though you may not be able to experiment with updos, braids, and ponytails, pixie hairstyles still offer plenty of versatility. The cut itself can be androgynous and edgy with shaved sections and sharp lines, or softer and more romantic with longer bangs or a clever part that can be adapted to give you different looks. You can go wild with product to spike it up, slick it down, or add texture and curl, and you can also experiment with wild new colors. Overall, styling the look is fairly low-key and won’t take up too much of your time. However, it’s important to note that a pixie cut does require frequent trips to the salon for trims in order to keep the length short and cropped.

For a little Insta-inspiration, see how our favorite takes on the pixie cut, then get that salon appointment booked.

Pixie Cut Inspiration