The Wixie Cut Is the Short Hair Trend You’re About to See Everywhere

Meet the low-maintenance sister of the pixie.

First, there was the bob, then there was the pixie—now, say hello to the “wixie” cut, aka the "winged pixie." Described as a “more modern way to wear a short choppy cut,” the wixie is the younger, edgier sister of the pixie. This short hair is chic, and most importantly, easy to style and maintain. We asked stylists everything you need to know about the wixie cut, including how to style it and with which hair types it works best.

Meet the Expert

• Ashley Gomila is a celebrity MUA and hairstylist.

• Min Kim is a L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador.

• Wes Sharpton is a lead brand educator and stylist at Hairstory.

What Is the Wixie?

The wixie cut is essentially a winged pixie, short but paired with longer “winged” pieces to frame the face. It’s often paired with more length in the nape of the neck, resembling a shag with chunky texture.

The cut has become super trendy for people who are looking for short hair but are over the bob look that everyone has been doing for the last few years, according to celebrity MUA and hairstylist Ashley Gomila.

Wixie vs. Pixie

The wixie and pixie cuts are both short hairstyles, however they have a few key differences. The wixie cut tends to have longer layers on the top, making it a more versatile cut; you can style the layers in different ways. The layers also add texture to the hair. Overall, the wixie cut is a slightly messier (albeit intentional) and more voluminous look than the pixie, which tends to be a sleeker style.

Best Hair Types for a Wixie Cut

The beauty of the wixie is that anyone can wear it. The wixie cut is versatile and can work well with various hair types. For curly or wavy hair, the wixie cut enhances the curl and wave texture and helps to define them. It also adds volume and movement to the curls and waves, creating a tousled effect.

For straight hair, a wixie cut may require more styling with a texturizing spray or curling iron. But choppy layers can still create that illusion of texture. This even works well with fine hair, since the layers prevent it from falling flat. As for thick hair, the wixie cut can also work but the hair may need to be thinned out to prevent too much bulk. Products can help manage the volume and shape the hair, as well.

What Face Shape Suits a Wixie?

“The wixie cut is a versatile and edgy style that can work on many different face shapes," says L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador Min Kim. "It's especially flattering for those with a heart-shaped face, as it accentuates the cheekbones and jawline. However, this cut can work well on anyone who wants to make a bold statement with their hair."

Because the cut's choppy layers can highlight the natural symmetry of the face, it works well with oval, round, long, and square faces, too. For oval and round faces, more volume at the crown and angled layers can reduce the look of roundness. Meanwhile, for square or long faces, longer layers can add a softer touch to strong jawlines and horizontal volume to add dimension.

How to Ask Your Stylist for a Wixie

“Hairdressers achieve this by cutting shorter to longer and detailing the side and back bit to make it flow,” says Wes Sharpton, Hairstory Lead Brand Educator and Stylist. Be sure to emphasize you want the look of a pixie, but with a little longer length around the perimeter to help achieve the perfect edge of a wixie.

As always, images are your best friend when trying out a new cut, so be sure to bring in a handful of inspiration images for your stylist to reference, especially of people who have a similar hair texture as yours, advises Sharpton.

How to Style the Wixie

Styling a wixie is super easy, low-maintenance, and versatile. For a messier, tousled look, simply add a styling product, such as a wax or pomade (try Hairstory’s Hair Balm) to your damp hair and rake your fingers through and forward to bring texture to the cut. If you want to make sure your hair has plenty of volume, add a volumizer like Living Proof Amp² Texture Volumizer or Balmain Hair Couture Volume Mousse at the crown before blow-drying with a diffuser.

If you’re more into the polished look, you can use a flat iron to straighten or curl sections of your hair, says Kim. Pro tip: always protect your hair before using heating tools. Try adding a few drops of L’Oréal’s Professionnel Metal Detox Concentrated Oil for protection and shine.

Tips for a Wixie Cut

If you're going to go for the wixie cut, be sure to have a thorough consultation with your stylist to discuss your hair type, face shape, and styling preferences. Once you have a solid understanding of what the wixie cut will mean for your hair and face type, consider the maintenance. A wixie cut may require regular trims to keep the layers looking fresh and well-shaped.

It's also important to invest in good-quality styling products like texturizing sprays, mousse, or lightweight gels to help achieve and maintain the desired look. Talk to your hairstylist about the best products for your hair type to make sure you get the most definition and texture out of your layers.

Related: The Best Volumizing Products for Gorgeous, Bouncy Hair

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