A haircut that requires less time spent on a bouncy blowout and less money spent on hair products, you say? Sold! Enter: The pixie, a short chop synonymous with celebs like Zoë Kravitz, Emma Chamberlain, and Emma Stone. And if you've stumbled upon this page, I assume that you are more than likely in the market for a pixie. If you're in need of some inspo and want a Cosmo beauty stamp of approval, keep scrolling for the best pixie cuts.
And you're probably wondering what exactly does this cut entail? Well, allow us (read: hairstylist Jordanna Cobella and me) to share our expertise on what to expect when chopping your hair chopped into a pixie, as well as delve into what kind of the cut works best for your hair type (because there are many), as well as the best celebrity pixies to use as inspo for your very own. Call it our guide to the pixie cut 101.
What is a pixie cut?
A pixie haircut is a short, feminine style that often features layers on top with shorter sides and back – and it's one that Cobella calls "edgy, chic and versatile." Contrary to what many think, there are many different pixie styles. It's not just a simple chop! Cobella breaks them down for us, below:
Types of pixie cuts:
The classic pixie is typically short with uniform layers, worn neat. The asymmetrical pixie is intentionally cut unevenly to create differences in length or to soften the look around the front. And lastly, the longer pixie gives a more grown-out shape with more movement and style options for an effortless finish.
How would I look with a pixie cut?
Here at Cosmo, the limit does not exist when it comes to experimental beauty. If you want a pixie cut, we say go for it–no matter your face shape or hair type! However, to note, Cobella does say that pixie cuts generally work best for "oval, heart, and square face shapes, as they highlight the cheekbones and jawline." She also adds that "They can complement round faces, adding structure and length."
Do pixie cuts work for all hair types?
"Pixie cuts work wonders with fine to medium hair, but they can also be styled on thick hair with the right layers," Cobella explains. Think: The shorter the hair, the thicker the appearance.
Curly hair types can also look stunning in a pixie– just take Julia Garner's recent 'do (as shown below) as a prime example. Cobella says that pixies, however, "require the right curling creams or gels to manage the texture."
Overall, there are so many variations; you can make it work for any face and any texture. So, now that we've got the finer details of the pixie haircut down, let's get to the inspo pics... Screenshot the following photos to take to your next salon appointment.
Emma Stone
Teyana Taylor
Halle Berry
Zoë Kravitz
Emma Chamberlain
Gabrielle Union
Julia Garner
Kris Jenner
Rihanna
Florence Pugh
Janelle Monáe
Taylor Hill
Halsey
Jodie Turner Smith
Meet the expert:
- Jordanna Cobella is a professional hairstylist and the owner of Cobella Salon in London, England.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
