Today the pixie still reigns among short hairstyles. According to Spate, the phrase “pixie haircut” receives an average of 1.1 million monthly searches on Google, while TikTok sees an average of 38.2 million weekly views on videos tagged with the phrase. In the pixies of 2025, “we’re seeing [more] layers, longer fringes, and even playful undercuts,” says Hingorani.

Considering all of this, showing up at a salon and asking for “a pixie” could lead you in so many different directions. Instead, Diaz recommends, do your research and bring a few inspo pictures to your appointment. One crucial thing to clarify is how long you want your pixie to be. “Let your stylist know if you want your ears and neckline visible or slightly veiled,” he says.

It’s also important to consider how much time you're willing to spend styling your hair each day. When I first cut my hair, I assumed it would save time; but while my wash days are shorter, I’ve found that styling a pixie can still be time-consuming. Creating springy finger coils and shaping them just right takes me about 30 minutes. And, as with many distinct haircuts, the primary downside to the pixie is maintenance. Even if you ultimately spend less time styling in the mornings, you’ll likely be making more trips to the salon. “A pixie looks its best when it’s freshly shaped,” says Diaz, “so you’ll want to plan on trims every four to six weeks.”

Your stylist can help you decide on the length and shape of the pixie that best suits your lifestyle and desired maintenance level, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Pixie Haircut Inspiration

Side-swept pixie haircut

Pixie haircut with long side bangs

Pixie haircut with micro-bangs

Curly pixie

Coily pixie

Pixie haircut with finger waves

How to style a pixie cut

Textured hair