When it comes to our hair, it is only natural to want a change now and then to switch it up a bit. So if you are a fan of stylish short hairstyles that look flattering, then a pixie cut could be perfect for you. Pixie cuts for older women are ideal as they look great on thinning hair as well as grey hair too.
Pixie cuts are short on the back and sides with a little more length on top. As one of the best low-maintenance haircuts recommended for older women, pixie cuts can give you a stylish makeover that will also make your hair look fuller, healthier and fashionable. There are plenty of celebrities who love the pixie cut style, like Dame Judi Dench and Dame Julie Andrews, who look stylish and chic with their pixie cut styles.
If you are used to having long hair, then going really short all of a sudden can seem like a big step. This is why we spoke to Tina Farey, Editorial Director at RUSH, a hair salon franchise and hairdressing academy, for her expert insights on what to consider before getting a pixie cut.
“As we age and our hair begins to thin, it is natural to look for stylish hairstyles for thin hair and shorter hairstyles, such as pixie cuts, are a great option for older woman who are looking to rejuvenate their look. The pixie cut creates an illusion of thicker hair, adding volume and body, while also being versatile and requiring minimal styling,” she says.
She also recommends having a conversation with your hairdresser to figure out the perfect pixie cut for your hair texture and density.
We also spoke to Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist, Key Opinion Leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde, a line of salon quality hair products that cater to coloured hair and the founder of Studio23, a gender-neutral hair salon. His advice to those considering a pixie cut is to embrace it with confidence.
“It’s a timeless, chic look that can enhance your features and express your personality. It’s important to work with your hairstylist to tailor the cut to suit your bone structure, hair texture, and lifestyle - whether you want something soft and feminine or edgy and modern. I always recommend bringing reference images to the salon,” he says.
What face shape is best for pixie cut?
“The pixie cut can be tailored to suit your face shape, adding a youthful edge, while highlighting your best features. The pixie is suited to those with a more sculpted face shape, such as square or diamond – however, it can be pulled off by almost any face shape when styled to harmonise with your features,” says Tina.
“If you’ve got stronger or more pronounced features, then you may want to go with a softer, wispy pixie to balance the face. If you’re lucky enough to have more youthful appearance, then you could pull of the edgier, blunt pixie – lots of layers and texture!” she adds.
Jason further elaborates on the different face shapes and what kind of pixie cuts would suit each type.
Oval faces tend to suit almost any style, including a classic pixie.
For heart-shaped faces, a bit more length around the crown and nape can balance the forehead and draw attention to the eyes.
If you have a round face, adding height on top and keeping the sides slightly longer can create a more elongating effect.
Square faces look amazing with textured, layered pixies that soften strong jawlines.
As a haircut that requires minimal effort which makes it a great wash and wear haircut, there are plenty of different ways you can style it, and these celebs here can serve as inspiration if you are looking for ideas to style pixie cuts for older women, contemplating edgy hairstyles to refresh your look or just looking for an image to show your hairdresser.
Best pixie hairstyles for older women
1 of 15Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton has always maintained a good amount of hair on top, despite her shaved backs and sides. These extra lengths allow her to curl the top or keep them sleek and straight like above. If you are looking to go for a short pixie without wanting to lose all your length, this is a perfect style to go for. It gives you an edgy and elegant look in one.
2 of 15Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis has kept her pixie cut looking fresh for most of her life, and we think it looks great in her natural grey hue. So if you are keen on getting a short pixie cut while holding onto your silver hair, this is a great example of how you can cut and style your hair. This would also be a really low-maintenance cut that does not require any major styling on a daily basis.
3 of 15Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne's fiery red locks look fabulous in a longer pixie cut here. Sharon's kept the cut fairly long to really frame her face. This is a good example of how a longer pixie cut would look which is perfect for those transitioning from long hair to a shorter hairstyle. This is a length that does not have to be trimmed and maintained very regularly too, making it a low-maintenance and easy pixie cut to style everyday.
4 of 15Viola Davies
We love how Viola Davies rocks her pixie cut, with thick locks at the front, making this a perfect style if you want a good fringe. If you have thick and full hair, this is a lovely way to style your pixie cut that will give you a trendy, younger appearance.
5 of 15Michelle Williams
This clean, platinum blonde pixie cut looks amazing on Michelle Williams. It's great if you have naturally straight hair, and the side sweeping fringe won't get annoying when it starts to grow out, making it an easy cut to maintain. The longer sides makes it feel like a very short bob that also gives you the sleek edginess of a pixie cut.
6 of 15Julie Andrews
Dame Julie Andrews always looks elegant with her pixie cut. Her style has a little more texture, making it an ideal style if you have wavy or curly locks. This kind of style would add more definition, shape and fullness to your hair if you are struggling with thinning or lack of volume.
7 of 15Halle Berry
If you are keen on trying more funky hairstyles that suit women over 50, go for a dramatic fringe like Halle Berry for a real fashion forward look. Halle also keeps plenty of height and volume on top to keep it looking youthful. This is a perfect cut if you have mostly straight hair that has considerable volume and thickness.
8 of 15Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda's natural grey locks look great in this choppy and voluminous pixie style. This hairstyle is perfect for those with straight hair that is thinning or even lacking volume as it can be styled to create a more full and voluminous appearance. It also gives you a cheerful, elegant look. It is worth asking your hairdresser to teach you how to style this look with the right products like a texturizing spray or mousse as it is quite easy to achieve this look from home.
9 of 15Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes looks fabulous with these retro Hollywood style curls on her pixie cut. This is a style that will work on a range of hair textures like straight, wavy or curly as the longer hair on the top of your head will give you lots of lovely definition, volume and shape. As you see here, this is a perfect example of how to style this kind of pixie cut for a special occasion or event.
10 of 15Judi Dench
If you've got thinning hair and looking for something that'll take minimal effort in the morning and be easy to style, then take inspiration from Dame Judi Dench. This kind of close-cropped pixie cut is perfect for those who love to keep their hair short, and it works for any kind of hair – straight, wavy or curly.
11 of 15Kerry Washington
We love a sweeping fringe on a pixie cut, and Kerry Washington is here to show us how it's done. This style creates a fuller, more voluminous appearance on the top and that gives you a more stylish, youthful look. Although the back of the hair is pretty short, there's plenty of height left on top to play with and style as you wish.
12 of 15Emma Thompson
Hate the feeling of hair in your face? Style your hair off your face like Emma Thompson. This is a great everyday look, especially for the summer months when you need your hair to be off your face. This look can be achieved with long or short pixie cuts and all you’ll need is a good styling product like the best leave-in conditioners or frizz-controlling creams for some hold and long-lasting definition.
13 of 15Charlize Theron
This pixie cut with a deep side parting and a sleek finish looks super stylish. This kind of cut would suit straight hair with some thickness and volume. Charlize Theron is showing us how this kind of pixie look can be perfectly styled with minimal effort, and we love it.
14 of 15Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner manages to keep her pixie cut looking flawlessly and effortlessly styled by making sure her hair is in the best condition and shining. Using the best frizzy-hair remedies to control flyaways and maintain shape will help to elevate your pixie cut and keep it looking defined. This kind of style will suit those with straight and thick hair.
15 of 15Victoria Hamilton
Actress Victoria Hamilton is best known for her work on Life, Doctor Foster, COBRA, The Crown and more recently, Unforgotten series 6. We love this brunette pixie cut with a swiped fringe and this style would look equally fabulous on anyone with straight or mildly textured hair with some thickness. You can also make it look more voluminous and defined with the right styling products.
Maintaining your pixie cut hairstyle
First things first, if you currently have longer hair but you're keen to go for the pixie cut then go gradually. Cutting all your hair off in one can often make you feel like you're losing a bit of your identity, so it's best to go gradually shorter overtime.
Colour
Whether you're wanting to stick to your natural grey or have something a little bolder, it's a good idea to have some highlights to give your hair dimension and the appearance of added texture. Having one single colour could make your hair look a little flat, especially if it's on the thinner side.
Another way of adding the appearance of more volume with colour is by having slightly darker roots and lighter ends to make the hair look thicker at the root.
Maintenance
Although you may think short hair equals less hassle and maintenance, you might want to think again. Having a very short style will mean more regular trips to the salon and more styling to make it look right. Not as easy as whipping it up into a hair clip on a bad hair day. Before chopping it off, have a think whether or not you can keep up with the maintenance.
Best products to maintain pixie cuts for older women
As you'll need to style your hair everyday, you'll want to invest in some good styling products as well as a good quality hairbrush and comb. We've listed some of our must-haves below.
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A good hairspray is essential, especially if you want your hair to stay in place all day. With pixie cuts, shape is everything and a good hairspray like the TRESemme Flexible Hold Hairspray will help to give your hair natural movement while also controlling frizz and flyaways for up to 24 hours. It is designed to bring out your hair’s natural shine and give you a shiny, touchable finish without any stickiness or residue. Plus, it is super affordable and effective as well.
Bootswww.boots.com
The Mielle Rosemary Mint Daily Styling Crème is perfect if you are looking for a styling cream or gel that gives you hold and definition without weighing your hair down. The product works on a variety of hair textures, and it is made with certified organic ingredients that moisturise and nourish your hair while also styling it. It offers frizz protection and smells amazing too.
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If it's volume and fullness you're lacking, then a volumizing spray will work wonders. This one from Living Proof works to add volume at the root with the help of texturizing molecules, giving you results that will last all day. Your hair will look more defined, full and voluminous. It also provides heat protection up to up to 210°C.
Bootswww.boots.com
The TRESemme Volume & Lift Hair Mousse is the perfect choice if you are looking for more volume and definition for fine, thin hair. The formula is humidity-resistant and lightweight which makes the results long-lasting and effective for days. It is enriched with a UV filter and provitamin B5, that protects and nourishes your hair while enhancing volume and definition. Reviewers have shared that it gives long-lasting fullness to fine, flat hair that lacks body without feeling sticky, crispy or heavy. Several added that it makes their hair smell lovely too.
FAQs
Does a pixie cut look good on older women?
Celebrity hairstylist Jason Collier says, "Absolutely! Pixie cuts look phenomenal on older women. They can instantly lift and brighten the face, giving a fresh, youthful feel that’s both elegant and effortless. Shorter cuts can also help create volume and texture, especially if your hair is thinning or becoming finer with age. More importantly, a pixie cut can radiate confidence and individuality, which is always beautiful at any age. I’ve seen women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond absolutely own the pixie, making it a signature part of their style."
Who should not get a pixie cut?
There’s no hard and fast rule for who should not get a pixie cut, it’s more about individual preferences and lifestyle than suitability, says Jason. "That said, if you’re someone who doesn’t like the idea of regular salon maintenance or prefers to tie your hair back for convenience, a pixie might not be for you," he adds.
Some people also feel emotionally attached to longer hair, and it’s important to be sure you’re ready for the dramatic change. I always advise my clients to consider a transitional cut first if they’re unsure, something like a short bob, before fully committing to a pixie.
How to find out if short hair suits you?
You can take Jason’s advice and go for a transitional haircut like a short bob before going for a full pixie cut to see if you like short hair on you. There are other options like tying a ponytail or pinning up your hair and arranging the length of your hair like a messy pixie would sit on your head to see if you like the look.
What to keep in mind when asking for a pixie cut?
Tina Farey from Rush Hair and Beauty says, "When asking for a pixie cut, you’ll need to consider whether you want your cut to highlight or balance your features and face shape – the goal is for everything to harmonise! I’d always recommend bringing an inspiration picture to your appointment to ensure that you and your stylist’s vision is aligned.”
"Communication is everything. Be really clear with your stylist about how short you’re comfortable going and what kind of vibe you’re after, whether that’s soft and romantic or bold and fashion-forward. Be open to your stylist’s advice based on your hair type, growth patterns, and facial features. It’s also helpful to discuss styling and upkeep as some pixie cuts require more daily effort than others, so knowing what suits your routine will help you get the most out of the look," Jason adds.
Meet the experts
Jason Collier is a celebrity hairstylist, Key Opinion Leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde, a line of salon quality hair products that cater to coloured hair and the founder of Studio23, a gender-neutral hair salon. He works with high-profile celebrity and press clients as well as brands like Selective Professional, Panasonic, Shea Moisture and O&M. He was also named London's Best Colourist in the London Beauty Awards, and awarded as Best Stylist in the Marie Claire Hair Awards 2018.
Tina Farey is a professional hair stylist and the editorial director at RUSH, a hair salon franchise and hairdressing academy. She is also the founding member of the Rush creative team who was awarded London Hairdresser of the Year for 2019.
Lorna White is a digital writer at Yours.co.uk and MotherandBaby.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. She loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.