We’ve all been there; you’re wrestling with your hair, or you see someone with a cute and stylish short hairstyle, and suddenly you’re inspired. Should you go for the big chop? Cutting your hair can be a big decision, especially if you’re thinking of a style as short as a pixie cut. But it can also be an exciting change that’s easier to style and gets rid of old, damaged hair for a fresh start.
Whether you’ve already decided to get your hair cut or are still weighing your options, there are lots of styles to consider. Just because your hair is short doesn’t mean you can’t find unique ways to style it and express yourself. Pixie cuts can be cute and spunky, elegant and chic, or anywhere in between. We’ve found 40 of our absolute favorite short haircuts that show just how trendy and varied pixie cuts can be.
- Wavy asymmetrical pixie
An easy way to add some interest to a classic pixie is with an asymmetric cut. Leaving one side longer gives you the drama of side bangs with the convenience of a short cut. This slightly longer, tousled pixie with layers is also perfect for anyone with a natural wave or curl to their hair.
- Layered pixie with long side-swept bangs
This is another slightly longer pixie that gives you a little more hair to frame your face while keeping the back cropped. The extreme side part adds some drama, and the shorter layers on the top provide volume, which is especially great if you have fine hair.
- Pixie bob
If you’re hesitant to commit to a super short cut, you can always do this longer pixie. As the name suggests, the pixie bob is somewhere between a pixie cut and a classic bob. You get a cute and sassy short style, but without quite as dramatic of a chop as a traditional pixie.
- Pixie with bangs
Actress Carey Mulligan is known for rocking a variety of chic and cute short hairstyles. At the 2010 Met Gala, she rocked a pixie with most of her hair brushed forward for heavy, straight-across bangs (via PopSugar). It’s a bolder style that looks wonderful with Mulligan’s oval face shape and delicate features.
- Undercut with messy top
This is the perfect low-maintenance haircut. The shaved sides keep the hair off your neck and require no styling, while leaving longer layers on top gives it a cute, messy look. It’s ideal if you have a natural wave, but if not, you can just use a little product to get that bedhead look.
- Slicked-to-the-side pixie
As reported by PopSugar, Emma Watson had her hair in this sleek style at the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” premiere in New York City in 2011. Her short hair was parted neatly to the side and slicked back for a chic and sophisticated look that’s easy to copy.
- Curly pixie cut
You don’t have to lose your curls when you go for a short haircut. This adorable pixie with a long top and shorter sides is the perfect style for curly or wavy hair. The shorter style also takes the weight off your curls and allows them to be more bouncy and voluminous.
- Short pixie crop
If you want a stylish haircut that you don’t have to spend a lot of time styling, this is the look for you. The super short, cropped pixie is about as low-maintenance as it gets but still looks fun and edgy with a slightly spiked top.
- Short textured pixie
This is another short, manageable haircut that looks effortless and chic. The soft layers add beautiful texture to the basic cut and are perfect for bringing out the natural wave or curl in your hair.
- Partial faux hawk
This is a fun and edgy take on the classic pixie cut. The short hair is chopped into light, feathery layers that are easy to style into a slight faux hawk. It’s a great option if you have fine hair that you want to give some texture and volume.
- Shaggy cut with side bangs
This tousled, messy look from Jennifer Lawrence, which she showed off at the 2013 “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” premiere (via The Hollywood Reporter), is the perfect “woke up like this” hairstyle. The shaggy layers make it look windswept and relaxed. Meanwhile, the heavy side bangs give it a unique look and gives you more hair to play with when it comes to different styling techniques.
- Undercut with a high pompadour
This haircut is such a fun take on the pixie cut. The shaved sides keep the hair off your neck, which is perfect for the summer. Then you have lots of longer layers on top to curl, gel, and style into a high pompadour (via Byrdie).
- Choppy cropped pixie
This is a slightly longer version of a traditional cropped pixie. You get the same effortless style but with a little more hair to play with and some choppy bangs. The short, layered cut is very versatile and can work on straight or wavy hair.
