Congrats! You finally got that short pixie cut you’ve been mood-boarding for ages. Now what?
Generally, a pixie cut will make getting ready in the morning much easier—especially if you opted for a statement look such as an undercut pixie or a pixie cut with bangs. Still, it’s important to take proper care of short hair to ensure it stays fresh and healthy.
Ahead, we speak to a professional stylist to find out just how to make sure your pixie cut thrives through the summer and beyond.
When to trim your pixie cut
Hair grows at varying rates depending on the person, but in general, Dale Herne, a stylist at Hershesons Fitzrovia, recommends getting your pixie trimmed every six to eight weeks to maintain its shape. “Eight weeks will give you about an inch of growth, which can look very long on a pixie cut,” Herne explains, so it’s worth booking in just beforehand.
As for whether you should try a DIY trim, professionals caution against it—pixie cuts can be notoriously tricky. “The key to pulling it off lies in a cut that’s tailored to your face shape,” Herne says, so leave it to the pros.
If a standing appointment at your hair salon isn’t feasible, let your hairstylist know during your consultation so they can suggest pixie cuts that fit your lifestyle. A bixie (a bob-pixie hybrid) or a long pixie might be a better option if you’re easing into the look.
How to condition your pixie cut
Because the lengths closest to your scalp are the freshest, hair in a pixie cut often feels healthier overall. Still, there are plenty of ways to keep it in top form.
“Coily and curly hair may require more nourishing products,” Herne says, recommending Hershesons Almost Everything Cream. For a weekly treatment, look for hydrating masks packed with fatty acids and plant proteins to keep texture soft and strong.
The Hershesons cream also works on straight and wavy textures, helping minimize frizz and maintain a smooth finish. Each week, use a lightweight hydrating treatment to condition your lengths.
Style your pixie cut carefully
Because short hair is less prone to tangles, it requires far less combing than longer locks, so use your fingers to gently style it.
Mousses and soft styling creams help shape your pixie and add hold; you can also run a texturizing cream or mist through strands for extra definition.
With a pixie cut, it’s easier to minimize heat styling—the cut itself should do the heavy lifting (which also means less heat damage). If you do reach for hot tools, always apply a heat protectant first.
ELLE Edit: Pixie Cut Hair Essentials
Curlsmith Hydro Creme Soothing Mask
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Hair Pomade
Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil
How to cleanse your pixie cut
According to Herne, your wash routine doesn’t have to change dramatically. “It depends on your hair texture. If it’s thicker, you don’t need to wash as often; if it’s finer, you may want to wash more frequently,” he says.
Take care of your scalp
It goes without saying that great hair starts with a healthy scalp. Because pixies sit closer to the scalp, giving yourself a scalp facial is much easier. Regular five-minute scalp massages encourage blood flow and improve hair growth over time, while adding scalp oils and scalp scrubs to your routine will help create an ideal environment for new hair to thrive.
