While there is no denying that the glamorous swish of a lengthy mane is utterly captivating, there’s something so effortless about a shorter ‘do. From Halle Berry to Emma Stone, cropped tresses have become something of a recurring pop culture phenomenon - most recently championed by the one and only Zendaya during the press tour for The Odyssey.
The Hollywood muse hit the streets of New York sporting a 90s-inspired bixie cut - that has fans firmly in a chokehold.
As the name suggests, the style is about taking the best elements of a bob and a pixie cut, and combining them. If you're after the ultimate reference, look no further than Princess Diana who embraced various iterations of the trending style back in the 90s, thanks to her hairstylist Sam McKnight. And, as with other nostalgic trends like claw clips and cycling shorts, Gen Z can't get enough.
© GC ImagesThe style has the length of a micro bob but with the choppy layers of a pixie which creates a really flattering, textured, cool-girl finish. It's also a great way of easing yourself into a super short pixie-cut look, without having to go through the lengthy process of growing it back out.
© Anwar HusseinWe spoke to leading hair stylist Luke Hersheson about his thoughts on the iconic look.
Why is the bixie having such a moment right now?
"The bixie sits in that sweet spot between a bob and a pixie, so it gives you the freedom of short hair without feeling too severe. Add natural texture or curls into the mix and it suddenly feels effortless rather than over-styled. People are moving away from hair that looks too 'done' and embracing movement, individuality and texture. Zendaya wears it brilliantly because it looks confident but still soft. It's polished without trying too hard."
What face shapes and curl patterns suit the bixie best?
"The beauty of a curly bixie is that it can be tailored to almost anyone. It's less about your face shape and more about where the volume sits. If you have a rounder face, I'd keep a little height through the crown. If your face is longer, I'd create more of a curtain fringe. It works beautifully on everything from loose waves to tighter curls, you just adapt the cut to the curl pattern rather than trying to force every curl into the same shape. That's the difference between a good haircut and a great one."
© Stephane Cardinale - CorbisWhat's the biggest mistake people make when styling a curly bixie at home?
"People overwork it. Curly hair doesn't reward too much styling. They'll brush it too much, overload it with product or keep touching it while it dries, which is the fastest route to frizz. The best curly hair usually happens when you do less. Get the cut right, use a few smart products like Almost Everything Cream and then let the hair do what it naturally wants to do."
Which products and techniques are essential for keeping a curly bixie defined, bouncy and frizz-free?
"Hydration is everything. I like applying a lightweight styling cream, like Hershesons Almost Everything Cream, to soaking wet hair because it smooths the cuticle while still allowing the curls to move naturally. If you're diffusing, keep the dryer on a lower airflow and avoid constantly moving it around, let the curls set before you touch them. The Hershesons Great Hairdryer is brilliant because it's powerful without blasting the hair into a frizzy mess. Once the hair is completely dry, resist the temptation to keep fiddling with it. That's usually when the definition disappears."
© ImaxtreeHow often should you trim a bixie to maintain its shape without sacrificing healthy growth?
"I'd say every six to eight weeks. The shape is what makes this haircut work, and once it starts growing out around the nape and ears it can lose that balance quite quickly. Regular trims aren't about stopping your hair from growing, they're about keeping the haircut looking intentional. With shorter styles, the haircut is doing most of the work for you, so it's worth maintaining it."
