The ‘Bixie,' the '90s Bob, and More: Summer's Must-Try Extra Short Hairstyles

Elle

6 days ago

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Harking back to the heyday of Twiggy's iconic pixie haircut and the era when extra short hair reigned supreme, nostalgic crops are now reemerging once again, with dramatic, short hair dominating our summer mood boards.
Case in point: Emma Stone has been sporting a tousled pixie cut, while Victoria Beckham recently revived her iconic graduated 'uncut' bob, leaning into a softer, more effortless hairstyle. Meanwhile, famous faces who have never cut off their lengths before are now jumping on the trend. See: Sofia Richie-Grainge, who chopped off her signature long waves and debuted a French bob while on holiday this summer.
'Extra short hair is having a moment as the ultimate style reset this summer. After seasons of long hair, people are now embracing bold, low-maintenance cuts that feel fresh and fun,' shares Eugene Smith, a senior stylist at John Frieda's Salon in London. 'It's a great way to shed any past hair damage, and with the hotter weather right now, short hair means quicker styling, fewer ponytails, and a cooler nape.'
Thinking of braving the chop but not sure where to start? Three hairstylists break down the trending extra-short hairstyles that are dominating this summer.
'The Bixie is simply a cross between a pixie and a bob; it's short and cropped at the nape like a pixie, with more length at the crown and fringe like a bob,' shares Smith. From Florence Pugh and Iris Law to Taylor Hill, the Bixie cut has been cropping up more than ever this summer. 'It's a cut that balances femininity and edge perfectly,' notes Smith.
As to why it's gaining popularity? 'It's the perfect in-between haircut for those transitioning from long hair to short hair or growing out their current cut. It helps create a soft, face-framing finish in the front and an edgier feel at the back,' shares Smith.
The Bixie can work for a number of hair types and textures, too. 'For fine hair, you can finger dry your ends using a root-lifting mousse to add volume and then finish with a texturizing spray to define the movement,' says Smith. 'For thick or coarse hair, a layered haircut is key to prevent bulk. You can finish the look with a smoothing balm to help control the shape,' he adds. If you have curly hair, he recommends embracing the natural pattern of your curls and opting for a curl cream to add volume and definition.
A grown-out pixie cut is an obvious choice for summer. 'It's because it's so versatile; you can air dry your hair, tuck it behind the ears, or wear it slicked back,' shares Smith.
Styling a grown-out pixie is also pretty straightforward. 'You can revive it by creating volume and texture,' shares Smith. 'For naturally straight hair, tongs are a great way to add movement.'
'The key to growing out short hair is having regular trims to keep it in shape and using conditioning products to keep it healthy and hydrated,' says Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY's global creative director. 'Try to minimize heat styling too—the great thing about the pixie is that it can be air dried. As it starts to grow out, play with different textures and shape; change the part or add some curls through the top,' he adds.
'Most iconically seen on Christy Turlington in the nineties, this head-hugging short haircut is becoming increasingly popular,' shares Eva Goulding, a stylist at the Nicola Clarke salon.
The aesthetic centers on a short classic bob style, which can be cut with soft layers or straight, and takes its name thanks to the iconic nineties supermodel blow-dry; it's reminiscent of the 'old money' bob and has plenty of volume and movement. Today's iterations are mostly worn with a voluminous side part and soft waves, which you can create using wide curling tongs and setting spray.