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Original poster

Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...

113 replies

Pinecone90 · 13/02/2021 19:36

Tell me honestly -

I’ve been dithering over getting short hair for at least 20 years. I have very fine hair and I’d really like to stop worrying about ratty ends! And I always admire women with sharp cuts. But... I’m tall (5’9), my hair has a tendency to either pouf or fall really flat and I dress fairly androgynously. I’m 37. Honestly... I’m going to look like my dad circa 1992, aren’t I?

OP posts:
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25
PaulHollywoodsLowHangingFruit · 14/02/2021 00:21

I have a pixie- I do it myself with clippers.

Take a longer section (around 2 inches length max) and section this off at the crown.

Number 7 at the sides and back- moving the clippers from top to bottom and keep them straight. This helps blend the sides with the top.

Number 8 on fringe and top - avoiding longer crown bit.

Lastly trim crown to around 1,5 inches and run texturising scissors lightly through. do the same for the rest of the top layer- just pick the hair up between your fingers and lightly thin out the very tips. Thin out fringe as well- the shorter the better.

Run some product through to ruffle it up it up.

This grows out well so doesn't look scruffy for yonks.

PaulHollywoodsLowHangingFruit · 14/02/2021 00:22

This is my length of choice

Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
PaulHollywoodsLowHangingFruit · 14/02/2021 00:25

Forgot to add- more people suit pixies than you would imagine. You don't need a small nose/perfect jaw etc to pull them off

GeidiPrimes · 14/02/2021 00:33

I would not class that as a pixie, this is what I would call a pixie

You're absolutely correct, the pic I posted is a shag cut.

BusterGonad · 14/02/2021 03:12

I had the 90s Helena Christianson short hair cut, I think I had the cover of Elle which I took to my hairdresser, well my older sisters hairdresser. I loved it, my bone structure was pretty good so I looked good but I wouldn't get it now as I'm older, my chin isn't so firm and it's quite unforgiving. If I lost 2 stone I think I'd get away with it again but for me, personally to carry it off I need to be slim and at my peak, not a few stone too many after being stuck at home doing zilch for a year! 😂

DarkMutterings · 14/02/2021 03:38

I've gone through various versions of short and very short - and now have a shag a little bit like the one GeidiPrimes posted. Super easy to maintain, adds a bit of volume to my fine hair, needs good colour to stop being flat but very forgiving. As I've aged I find having a little bit longer at the back so you can see it past the jaw line is more forgiving.

PracticingPerson · 14/02/2021 06:24

[quote Pinecone90]@PracticingPerson deal![/quote]
Grin

Bet you I get another boring bob again!

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 14/02/2021 06:28

What is your face shape?

It is the easier cut ever. I just bung in a little product and away I go.

I barely even wash it in lockdown. I cut it myself at the moment.

lazylinguist · 14/02/2021 09:25

I think it depends on your hair type and colour as well as your bone structure/face shape. On very fine, very straight, mousy hair like mine it's not great. There's only so much that product can do.

Original poster
Pinecone90 · 14/02/2021 11:10

Ah see, a couple of you have mentioned product. I’ve got such sensitive skin that I can barely use anything. Literally limited to old school sugar water at the moment! Maybe it’s not meant to be.

OP posts:
Coffeepot72 · 14/02/2021 12:14

I had a pixie about two year ago. I hoped it would look chic and edgy. However, unless I was having a particularly good hair day, I looked like Nicola Sturgeon.

If I got my outfit and makeup absolutely spot-on, I just about felt ok, but anything less and I felt like an older lady with a ‘short back and sides’ cut, rather like I’d given up. Almost like because I’d got less hair, every other aspect of my appearance had to give more to compensate, if that makes sense? Thankfully I’m now back to just above shoulder length, I feel more attractive and feminine.

I think that was last time I will dabble with short hair, each time I’ve had it cut short I grow it again.

BallsToYouSue · 14/02/2021 12:33

Omg do it! 20 years?! Don't worry about product. I've had pixies where I've used nothing in it and it's been fine. Occasionally something like wax, but tbh you could probably achieve similar with a smidge of coconut oil or something more natural.

The only problem, as you've already mentioned, is the growing out part. Although, tbf, I didn't find it too bad. I grew mine out over lockdown(s) and it is now a little below jaw length. That was going from a buzz cut at the back with a little more length at the front. If you know the bad guy (woman) in the final series of Prison Break; that was the cut I had and it was ok to grow out and really was alright without product, just kept it well conditioned.

BallsToYouSue · 14/02/2021 12:36

Bad guy (woman) from prison break!

Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
RoseHarper · 14/02/2021 13:43

I think you need to have strong features/bone structure and your hair needs to be a good colour, blond/brunette/red, on mousey it can look frumpy. Also I think it looks best if you take good care of yourself otherwise, nails/make up and clothes.

Coffeepot72 · 14/02/2021 13:50

You’re right @RoseHarper, with short hair you need to make so much effort with everything else.

Cocolapew · 14/02/2021 13:56

I've had short hair on and off must of my life, I don't agree you need to be a certain size or have delicate features to carry it off.

Michelle Williams pixies are the best

kuuskajaskari · 14/02/2021 13:59

A few years ago I found myself with postpartum thinning hair, in a style I'd held onto for decades (fine hair, highlighted and cut into long layers, with a wispy fringe to hide my high forehead)

I went to a different hairdresser and told them to cut it all off and colour it and I haven't looked back.

Both those pics were taken on the same day and I was 45 then. Five years on, it's even shorter, bleached and I dye it whatever colour takes my fancy (flamingo pink today)

Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
Want a pixie cut but I think I’d hate it...
shrumps · 14/02/2021 14:03

I've been growing mine out because I couldn't keep up with maintenance during lockdown and now it's bob length I am enjoying having some hair after years of a pixie. It is a lovely cut and I think it suits a lot of people who feel scared to try it but it does take quite a lot of hairdressers upkeep to keep looking sharp. Washing and drying takes half the time though, so that's the pay off. Definitely try it - it's only hair, you can easily grow it out.

Coffeepot72 · 14/02/2021 14:16

@kuuskajaskari you really suit glossy dark short hair! You look cool and edgy, I am most envious 😃

lazylinguist · 14/02/2021 14:22

@Coffeepot72 - your post describes my dabbling with short hair to a tee. I can't guarantee I'll never do it again though. Sometimes I just want a big change, and I see a lovely pic of a pixie cut and am really tempted! I get so bored with bobs, and when it's shoulder length I inevitably just tie it back in a pony tail every day.

lazylinguist · 14/02/2021 14:25

@kuuskajaskari - that is an amazing transformation. It really suits you that way. I'm beginning to wonder if mine would look better darker if I cut it short. It's currently mousy brown with fairly subtle but growing-out highlights.

PinkArt · 14/02/2021 15:21

Mine's been pixie to boob length and everything in-between over the years, and pixie was by far the most high maintenance. It needed far more styling than longer hair

Original poster
Pinecone90 · 14/02/2021 15:34

Omg @kuuskajaskari I need to know everything as I swear we must have shared ancestry. That’s my hair, my eyes and my skin you have there Shock Have you ever had your colours done...? What are we?? Grin Hair looks great btw and short and pink is very tempting!

OP posts:
Untrained · 14/02/2021 15:37

I could have written this post OP. I went for the chop just before Christmas after having the same style of (varying lengths) long hair for 30 years. I’ve got it so I can just about tuck it behind my ears. I’ve got very fine, straight hair and no time or patience to be forever styling it so I asked my hairdresser to keep the layers quite ‘messy’ so it’s not a super sleek pixie cut that needs work, it’s a much lower maintenance style. Id say go for it - if you don’t like it grow it out and the ways things are going with the pandemic it will be months before anyone will even see it!

Janegrey333 · 14/02/2021 15:49

@Coffeepot72

I had a pixie about two year ago. I hoped it would look chic and edgy. However, unless I was having a particularly good hair day, I looked like Nicola Sturgeon.

If I got my outfit and makeup absolutely spot-on, I just about felt ok, but anything less and I felt like an older lady with a ‘short back and sides’ cut, rather like I’d given up. Almost like because I’d got less hair, every other aspect of my appearance had to give more to compensate, if that makes sense? Thankfully I’m now back to just above shoulder length, I feel more attractive and feminine.

I think that was last time I will dabble with short hair, each time I’ve had it cut short I grow it again.

I agree, totally. Very few people will look like Gemma Arterton in her pixie cut. Of course her hair is long these days.