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

First there was the bob, then there was the pixie—now, say hello to the “wixie” cut.

So far, 2023 has been the year of short hair—edgy, chic, and most importantly, easy to style and maintain. People are picking up the shears and saying goodbye to hours of styling their hair. Even celebs are taking to the simple, low-maintenance hair trend.

If you’re ready to chop some inches before summer, you may want to try the latest trend on the block: the “wixie” cut. Described as a “more modern way to wear a short choppy cut” the wixie is the younger, edgier sister of the pixie. 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.

We asked stylists everything you need to know about the wixie cut, including how to style it and which hair types it works best for.

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.

Best Hair Types for the Wixie

The beauty of the wixie is that anyone can wear it. But if you’re a bit hesitant to chop off your locks, the wixie may be the perfect place to start. “The wixie cut is a versatile and edgy style that can work on many different face shapes. 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,” says L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador Min Kim.

What to Ask Your Stylist

“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.