logo
Is the French pixie crop the most flattering haircut of all time?

Is the French pixie crop the most flattering haircut of all time?

Telegraph05-03-2025

Gamine, effortless and oh-so-cool, few haircuts have made their mark like the pixie cut. A timeless style that's beloved in the hairdressing world, this year's awards season has been punctuated by excellent French pixie crops, from Emma Stone – who took her newly chopped 'do to the Oscars on Sunday – to Isabella Rossellini (who was also there), the model Anok Yai, Brie Larson, Taylor Russell and Iris Law. It is set to be 2025's hottest haircut – but really, it's been there all along.
Initially brought into vogue in the 1920s by Josephine Baker, an American-born French performer whose gelled high-shine crop inspired the French pixie name, it was then later adopted by actresses Audrey Hepburn and Jean Seberg in the 1950s. Their elfin cuts – which were so far removed from the popular coiffed Marilyn Monroe waves that defined the era – remain on many a stylist's mood board today.
Other famous adoptees include Linda Evangelista, whose own pixie – cut in by Julien d'Ys in 1989 – is said to have made her career, Edie Sedgwick and Halle Berry, not to mention a whole host of French women, like Léa Seydoux, who have pulled it off with the effortlessness it requires. It has always been a cut for a woman who knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to be seen – when you have a pixie crop in situ, there's infinitely less hair to hide behind.
Hairstylist Luke Hersheson agrees: 'Generally, shorter hair says, 'I'm confident, independent and I don't mess about',' he says. 'You really have to have the confidence to wear a cut like this – you don't want it to wear you.' That said, there is a crop to suit everyone – it's more versatile than you might think. Here are five ways to wear it now.
Ask for a softer silhouette
Just because it's short, it doesn't mean it has to be drastic. Actually, says Hersheson, it's all about opting for a cut that feels soft and gentle around the face. Avoid hard lines around the ears and the back of the neck, in particular, for a more flattering and feminine feel. 'Micro-diagonal and curtain bangs, worn with a side or centre parting, are also a great way to soften the look,' he says. While a good cut will speak for itself and won't need copious amounts of styling, creating some definition through ends with a styling cream or texture spray can help prevent any solid lines.
Almost Everything Cream, £14, Hershesons
Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist, £28, Hair by Sam McKnight
Opt for a gloss
When it comes to your colour, less is more, so ask your colourist to avoid harsh highlights and using any techniques that distract the eye from the style as a whole. 'For a cut this short, and with this many layers, it's better to go for one colour,' recommends colourist Nicola Clarke. 'Using a gloss over the whole head creates a softer, more fluid look that's less blocky.'
While an in-salon gloss treatment is best for rich and longer lasting colour, you can also top up its benefits at home with the help of a weekly colour mask. And for those who are still tempted by a multi-tonal look, approach with caution: 'I would suggest tiny lights – so tiny that they look like tiny flecks of sunlight – through the longest part of the cut, like the fringe and on top,' she recommends. 'Avoid the layers around the back and sides because you'll end up with hair that appears patchy… and that's not a good look.'
Christophe Robin New Shade Variartion Care, £39, Cult Beauty
Do soft-focus skin
'I love how a pixie cut opens up the face and naturally highlights the face's features,' says make-up artist Nikki Wolff. 'With less hair framing the face, skin becomes a focal point, so I always recommend creating soft-focus definition: think, a liquid bronzer blended seamlessly under the cheekbones to subtly sculpt, or a flush of blush swept across the bridge of the nose for a fresh, natural warmth.' Add a little highlighter to the high points of the face (such as your upper cheekbones) and a smattering of faux freckles and you'll be ready for summer a couple of months early.
And for a thoroughly French approach to the look? Try a bold lip. Wolff recommends keeping the shape soft and flattering. 'Try a deep berry lip liner, buffed out with a brush or fingertip for a diffused effect, then top with a balm for a natural just-kissed, blurred pout that feels modern and effortless.'
Sculpt like the stars
Stone graced the Oscars red carpet with a pixie cut to be reckoned with. Taking her cues from the 1920s and 1930s – Baker must surely have been an inspiration – her hairstylist Mara Roszak created ultra-glossy finger waves in Stone's short crop. Saturating her hair in RŌZ's Evergreen Style Cream (try Typebea's Ultimate Styling Serum for a good UK alternative), Roszak used a fine-tooth comb to create S-waves through her hair, sculpting and smoothing as she went. She later dried it in place using a Dyson Supersonic with diffuser attachment, on a low heat and air flow setting.
Play with your parting
Short hair doesn't have to be boring. As well as experimenting with finish and texture, one of the easiest ways to switch up the style is by playing with your parting. At the Baftas in February, Rossellini sported a cool, deep side parting, while at the Oscars she wore it to the centre, with more volume and body at the roots and through her hair. Easy to achieve at home and totally transformative, never underestimate the power of the parting.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Viral trad wife Nara Smith pregnant with 4th child aged 23 – as trolls say ‘that's insane, as I'm sure the name will be'
Viral trad wife Nara Smith pregnant with 4th child aged 23 – as trolls say ‘that's insane, as I'm sure the name will be'

Scottish Sun

time25 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Viral trad wife Nara Smith pregnant with 4th child aged 23 – as trolls say ‘that's insane, as I'm sure the name will be'

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NARA Smith has announced she's expecting her fourth child. The 23-year-old, who went viral as one of the first 'trad wives', took to Instagram to reveal that she and model husband Lucky Blue Smith will soon be growing their family again. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Nara Smith and husband Lucky Blue Smith have announced they're expecting their fourth child Credit: instagram/naraaziza 5 The pair shared their news as Nara lifted up her top to show off her bump Credit: instagram/naraaziza 5 Nara smiled as Lucky gave her stomach a sweet kiss Credit: instagram/naraaziza In a video, Nara modelled a low-slung white skirt and an off-the-shoulder cream top, which she lifted up to reveal her burgeoning bump. Lucky, who looked thrilled at the news of his wife's pregnancy, gave her a tight hug, before giving her stomach a tender kiss. "Baby no. 4 loading," she wrote over the top of the clip. "Our little surprise," she added in the caption. With the majority of people in the comments section offered their congratulations, others questioned what the baby would be called - considering the couple have chosen unique monikers for their other three children. Their first child, born in October 2020, is called Rumble Honey, while their current middle child, three, is called Slim Easy. Their youngest, who turned one in April, is named Whimsy Lou. Lucky is also dad to daughter Gravity, whose mother is model Stormi Bree. "4 kids by 23? That's insane as I'm sure the name of the baby will be too!" one wrote in the comments section. "Congratulations, patiently waiting for the name of the baby," another added. Channel 4 star horrifies fans as she reveals 'truly awful' baby names ahead of birth of second child "Omg congrats!!! Can we revisit Bubble for the name," a third commented. "Congratulations. I can't wait for the name announcement," someone else admitted. Others harked back to an interview Nara and Lucky had given to GQ magazine back in 2024, when they said that despite originally wanting six children, they were "absolutely done" with three. "After Whimsy, we are absolutely done now," Nara told the publication. "Having toddlers is the best sort of birth control, because they're wild." While Lucky added: "We feel like we couldn't be as good of parents if we added in any more." Are Unique Baby Names Worth The Hassle? YOU may think having a unique name helps you to stand out, but is it all it's cracked up to be? Fabulous' Deputy Editor Josie Griffiths reveals the turmoil she faced with her own name while growing up. When I was a child, all I wanted was one of those personalised keyrings with my name on it. But no joy, the closest I could find was Rosie, Joseph (not great for a little girl) and Joanne. Josie is short for Josephine, which is a French name, and I managed to reach my 20s without ever meeting anyone who shared it. When I try to introduce myself to people, I get all sorts of random things - like Tracey and Stacey - which can be pretty annoying. Although I have come into contact with a couple of Josies over the last year - there seems to be a few of us around my age - it's still a much rarer name than most of my friends have. On the whole I don't mind it, at least it's not rude or crazily spelt. And it means I can get away with 'doing a Cheryl' and just referring to myself as Josie. I'm getting married this year and some friends are shocked that I'm changing my surname, as it's not seen as very cool or feminist to do so these days, but I explain to them that I'm not that attached to Griffiths as I'd always just say 'hi it's Josie' when ringing a mate up. I think it's nice to be unique and I'll definitely try and replicate this when naming my own kids. It's the rude names you've got to watch out for, so after nine years as a lifestyle journalist I'll definitely be avoiding those. "Is no one gonna talk about how she was done after 3 kids and is popping out another one AGAIN?" one person wrote in the comments. "I'm almost certain you said you didn't want anymore… hmm. Well congrats anyways!" another added. "Didn't she say she's done with 3 kids?" a third questioned. "Loving this for you honey but it makes me laugh how last year you were dead set on 3 babies!" someone else said. "She literally killed me during her GQ couples quiz when she said she was absolutely done having kids," another wrote. "But I guess she's changed her mind about having 6!" "They took the mission of populating the earth very seriously," someone else joked. 5 People in the comments said they couldn't wait to find out the baby's name, considering the unique monikers of their other kids Credit: instagram/naraaziza

'I tried burrito challenge no one's ever completed – surprising bit was hardest'
'I tried burrito challenge no one's ever completed – surprising bit was hardest'

Daily Mirror

time25 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

'I tried burrito challenge no one's ever completed – surprising bit was hardest'

A woman who took on an undefeated mammoth food challenge has said there was one part of the challenge she didn't anticipate struggling with - and it made her lose precious time Food challenges are not for the faint-hearted, and there's a reason so many of them go undefeated for so long. If you've ever been to an independent cafe or restaurant, you might have seen a food challenge on their menu. These are huge plates of food that often come with a time limit and are designed to be almost impossible for one person to eat. Winning a food challenge usually means getting your name put on the restaurant's wall and getting your meal for free, although some places may throw in extra goodies as well. TV shows like Man v. Food popularised the challenges, and while some restaurants in the UK do have them, they're more common in places like the US. ‌ But one woman who recently took on an undefeated food challenge has said there was a surprising part of the meal that she struggled with - and it wasn't the food itself. ‌ Katina DeJarnett, known online as Katina Eats Kilos, is a professional eater who visits restaurants all over the US to conquer their food challenges. In one recent video shared to TikTok, she went to a restaurant called Las Fresas Mexican Grill in Van Buren, Arkansas, to take on a challenge no one has ever managed to complete. The challenge consisted of a 32-inch "monster burrito," which weighed a colossal 8 lbs (3.6kg) and was packed with steak, chicken, and chorizo, as well as 1 lb (453g) of rice, 1 lb (453g) of refried beans, and a staggering 2 lbs (907g) of French fries. But that's not all. The burrito was then topped with around six cooked shrimps, and came with three dipping sauces (queso, chilli Colorado and chilli verde) that Katina had to use in order to complete the challenge. She said: "I have 45 minutes to finish all of this in order to win my meal for free, get myself a groovy T-shirt, and the very first spot up on the wall of fame here at Las Fresas." Katina started by demolishing the shrimp that were placed on top of her burrito, before moving onto the main bulk of the challenge. She cut her mammoth dish into four pieces and began by eating the two ends, which she topped with the chilli verde sauce to polish off the bowl. ‌ But surprisingly, the part Katina found the hardest about the entire challenge was the chilli Colorado sauce. She claimed that while it didn't seem spicy at first, the heat "built up" over time and soon had her struggling. She explained: "My strategy with the sauces was to start with the chilli verde and then move on to what I assumed would be the super spicy salsa, I believe it was chilli Colorado, next. Then I could move on to the queso to dampen the heat if it was too spicy for me." On her first mouthful of the chilli sauce, she declared it wasn't "too bad," but she quickly found out that she had underestimated the slow burn. She soon regretted her words - even though she believed it was "pretty mild." ‌ In a voiceover, she declared: "The heat from this one did actually end up building up over time, but if I could handle it, I think it was a pretty mild sauce and most people would be okay eating it." With her lips "on fire," Katina powered through and finished the chilli Colorado sauce along with her third chunk of burrito, leaving just one section on her plate. A time-lapse showed her devouring the final section along with all the queso sauce. Although she struggled at times and had to convince herself she was just eating "cheesy broccoli soup," she eventually managed to finish the challenge and stop the clock, finishing the challenge in just 29 minutes. ‌ At the end of her video, she said: "That was delicious, but thank god I'm done. I gotta say, I was not confident going into that one, but I'm feeling confident now. And a little bit bloated. 29 minutes and one second." Commenters on the video congratulated Katina on her ability to finish the challenge, as some said the restaurant's addition of the sauces was "diabolical". One person said: "I can't understand how that call fit in someone's stomach." Another added: "As someone who just gave birth to an 8lb baby ... oh my god girl!" While someone else wrote: "Making you finish the sauces is diabolical."

BBC Antiques Roadshow guest speechless as £1 vase bought at boot sale makes staggering value
BBC Antiques Roadshow guest speechless as £1 vase bought at boot sale makes staggering value

Edinburgh Live

time44 minutes ago

  • Edinburgh Live

BBC Antiques Roadshow guest speechless as £1 vase bought at boot sale makes staggering value

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Antiques Roadshow's Eric Knowles was left gobsmacked when a glass vase, purchased for a mere £1 at a car boot sale, was valued at an astonishing amount. A woman from Ayrshire, who wished to remain anonymous, brought the vase to the BBC show for evaluation, not anticipating the staggering valuation she would receive. The vase was identified as a 1929 piece by famed French designer René Lalique, after being scrutinised by experts at Dumfries House near Cumnock, and was valued at a minimum of £25,000. The five-inch-tall glass vase was crafted using an ancient technique known as cire perdue. This complex method involves creating a wax model that is encased in plaster, then melted away and replaced with molten glass, with the plaster mould being broken away once the glass cools to reveal the final creation. The market value for Lalique pieces has seen a significant increase in recent years. Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles shared his excitement with the Irvine Herald: "It's wonderful to find treasures like this beautiful vase during the programme's filming," reports the Express. (Image: BBC) He continued: "It certainly gives us all a buzz and we thoroughly enjoy meeting people everywhere we go. I've been waiting over 25 years for such a piece to come in, and this was the stuff of dreams. They'd dumped it in the attic after the plant in it died and were about to throw it away. We had a lot of clouds in Dumfries, but this was the cloud with a silver lining. It's worth at least £25,000." The vase ultimately fetched a whopping £32,450 at auction, exceeding its previous valuation by £7,000. This follows a rerun of the beloved BBC programme, which aired on Sunday, June 8. Viewers were transported to Brodie Castle in Scotland, where a parade of treasures awaited appraisal. Among them was a man who wowed Richard with a 1960s Rolex GMT-Master, inherited from his uncle. Richard, peering intently at the watch, informed the owner: "All Rolex collectors refer to these things by their reference number," and "You know as well as I do, because it says so on the dial, that it's a GMT-Master." (Image: BBC) Richard explained: "It's the reference 1675, which is the classic GMT-Master. When you said 60s, I think we could fairly safely say 1960 to 1961, so that all fits in." Upon closer inspection, Richard was thrilled to find the watch unaltered, noting that many watches are often modified during servicing, much to collectors' dismay. He said: "They would've changed the bezel and they would've changed the dial with an upgrade," before adding:"You would've had it back thinking, 'Oh, it looks like new'. Collectors hate that, it's absolutely original, spot-on." The expert told the owner: "It's a Rolex product, of course, but it says 'Made in the USA'. So perhaps he specified that he did not want the oyster bracelet; he wanted a jubilee bracelet, and they put this one on for him. "Which sort of detracts from it a little bit, probably detracts from it by a couple of thousand pounds." However, Richard had some good news as well, revealing that the watch is worth "£12,000 to £15,000." You can catch Antiques Roadshow every Sunday at 8pm on BBC1.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store