No wonder it’s a favorite among It girls.
Described as a “winged pixie,” the wixie hits that sweet spot between a pixie and a short shag cut. “Essentially, the wixie is what we used to call the shaggy pixie,” says celebrity stylist Matthew Collins. “The main difference is [the wixie] has more edge than the pixie with more softness and chunky texture. [It is] often paired with more length in the nape of the neck.” It can also be paired with shorter bangs, adds celebrity stylist Andrew Fitzsimons.
Although anyone can pull off the cut, Collins points out that those with coily curls or very fine straight hair might find it tricky to style and get those wispy, winged pieces. Still, that’s nothing that a few styling products can’t fix. And when it comes to maintenance, the wixie requires less upkeep than a normal pixie. “A pixie is more of a precise haircut, so [it] needs almost monthly maintenance,” Collins tells us. “The wixie will grow out well, and you could do two to three months [between cuts].”
To inspire your next salon visit, we’re rounding up our favorite wixie haircuts with pro stylings tips from Collins and Fitzsimons. Keep scrolling for 8 wixie haircuts to try out, stat.
1920s-Inspired
Be inspired by the flapper era and style your wixie layers in finger waves with a slick finish. To get Ruth Negga’s look here, Collins instructs those with coily curls to smooth out their hair and add a glossy paste for definition. Ruth Negga shows us how it’s done.
Tousled to Perfection
If you have fine hair, Collins suggests using a volume mouse to give your strands some grit and texture (also, avoid using too much conditioner as it can weigh your hair down). After drying it, he says to use something like the Dyson Corrale to flip the ends to give them that wispy bend. The result will look something like Italian actress Nicoletta Braschi’s style, here.
Straight and Smooth
Keep your wixie long and swept to the side to frame your face. Collins suggests bringing in photos to give your stylist a visual of what you’re going for and just to be safe. “Your stylist will know how to perform this cut, but they just may know it by a different name, he says. “Haircuts used to be named by the stylists themselves but it seems now these fun new names are named and made viral by the consumer.”
Platinum Blonde
Your traditional wixie is defined as a pixie with a deep-cut choppy texture and lots of soft texture around the perimeter. However, for a more dramatic interpretation consider Jodie Turner-Smith’s platinum ‘do with choppy face-framing pieces.
Winged Mullet
Short hair muse Kristen Stewart combines two hair trends in one with her grown-out wixie. This transition period between the pixie and the mullet makes for the perfect wixie or mini mullet. The layers with the ends slightly bent add definition to the entire cut.
Side-Swept
Effortlessly chic, Karrueche Chan’s side-swept wixie proves that growing out your pixie doesn’t have to look awkward. To style, Fitzsimons suggests letting your wixie hair air-dry and adding some paste for separation. He likes using a texture spray, like his Apres Sexe Texture Spray, to add touchable hold to hair.
Romantic Curls
Julia Garner’s curly crop is proof that wixies work on all hair types and textures. To style, apply a curl cream before drying hair with a diffuser. The final look will be bouncy, defined tendrils that last for days.
Super Sleek
To dress up your wixie, consider a wet look style like Doja Cat here. By simply applying your go-to hair oil or serum, your wixie goes from casual and cool to edgy and elevated.
