Fine Hair? This Is How To Make A Pixie Cut Work For You
For those of us with fine hair, it often feels like our styling options are limited. We tend to steer clear of looks that might draw attention to our hair density—think topknots or bobs—and instead gravitate toward styles that add volume and create the illusion of fuller hair, such as Hollywood curls or a bouncy blow-dry. For this reason, you might think a pixie cut is totally off the cards for you…but you’d be sorely mistaken.
Can A Pixie Cut Work For Fine Hair?
‘Yes, you can absolutely have a pixie cut if your hair is fine,’ confirms Layla Smith, Kevin.Murphy key platinum educator. Tom Smith, hair stylist and trend forecaster, agrees, adding: ‘The pixie cut is an amazing shape for fine hair because it will increase the look of thickness in the hair.’
In fact, fine hair will work to your advantage when opting for a pixie cut, as it's easier to create that 'slim, head-hugging shape the pixie cut needs,' as Tom puts it, than with thicker hair types.
The best pixie hairstyles begin with an expert cut. Once in the chair, your stylist can ‘adapt the cut to suit your head shape by keeping the greatest amount of texture in the areas that are the finest,’ adds Aaron. And they might use a razor to create the cut, as 'this method of cutting gives the appearance of thicker hair,’ says Maria Sotiriou, co-founder of SILKE London.
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Pixie Cut Styling Tips For Fine Hair
One of the joys of a pixie cut is the low maintenance day-to-day styling, especially if you have some natural texture to your hair, as the waves ‘stack’ and create a thicker appearance.
For those without natural texture, lean on texturizing and thickening hair products to create this volume. ‘Start by building mass into wet hair with a mousse, like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Soft Hair Mousse, which will make it easier for the pixie cut to take and hold shape (without getting crunchy!)’ Aaron begins.
Once the hair is dry (you can use a hairdryer and your fingers, or leave it to dry naturally), ‘then use a texture spray to create separation, movement and fullness in the pixie cut. This step is key to prevent the hair falling flat.' As for creating the right shape, aim to smooth and flatten the sides and back, and create volume around the top and fringe area.
Alternatively, ‘a texture powder, such as Kevin.Murphy’s Powder.Puff, or a spray wax (try Touchable) will add definition. A dry paste or clay-based product is preferable over a gel or cream in this instance,’ Layla adds.
One challenge to note, however, is that ‘you might have to dedicate time to washing your hair a little more often so your pixie cut maintains a ‘full’ look,’ says Layla.
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How To Grow Out Your Pixie Cut
Prior to cutting, it’s important to have a consultation with your stylist and discuss the long-term plans for your pixie cut. If you’re willing to invest time and money into upkeep, with regular trims, then you have more options at the cutting stage. For example, ‘if the hair was cut one inch all over the head, it would be very round and grow out in a challenging way,’ explains Tom. See Florence Pugh’s pixie cut below for reference.
Should you tend to take a laxer approach to maintaining your hairstyle, your stylist can plan for this from the get-go. ‘The bigger the difference between the shortest part of the hair and the longest part of the hair, the better a haircut will grow out,’ Tom continues. You can achieve this by adding a fringe or curtain bangs to your pixie, or by keeping it shorter by the ears.
Ahead, The Best Pixie Cuts For Fine Hair
Ultra-short pixie haircut for fine hair
Playing to your hair’s strengths means adding a piece-y micro fringe to your ultra-cropped pixie cut. The wispy, airy texture of fine hair works to your advantage in this shape, falling just-so with minimal effort.
Blonde pixie haircut for fine hair
Florence Pugh’s one-length blonde pixie risks losing shape, but her dark roots add a striking dimension, restoring depth and contrast to the look.
Long pixie haircut for fine hair
Have you met the Bixie? With the edgy, choppy layers of a pixie cut and the shoulder-grazing length of a bob, it’s the ideal pixie alternative for someone with fine hair. The focus on dimension creates the illusion of thicker hair, especially when paired with loose, bedroom-y waves.
Blonde pixie haircut for fine hair
Iris Law couples her short, boyish crop with a striking peroxide shade for the ultimate 90s pixie look.
Pixie haircut with micro bangs for fine hair
Jourdan Dunn joins the likes of Rihanna, Halle Berry, Zoë Kravitz and Nia Long with this sleek gamine hairstyle.
Curly pixie haircut for fine hair
How to take a classic style and make it feel new again? Texture. Embrace natural waves and curls to instantly add thickness and definition to fine hair.
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