There’s nothing we love more than an easygoing hairstyle that complements the kind of chill summer vibes we want to portray (whether realistic or merely aspirational). Wash-and-wear hair is a rare gem, so when we find a cool, chic style that manages to be sophisticated, laidback, AND low-maintenance — well, sign us up.
Meet the “wixie” — your classic pixie with punk-ish wispy pieces that makes it 100 times cooler, fresher, and more modern. The look has taken off among trendsetters and, the best part? Thanks to its layered component, you can absolutely customize it to suit your features and your face shape. The wixie is one of the most flattering short haircuts, especially for women over 40 — here’s what you need to know about it.
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What Is a Wixie?
For anyone who still is unsure what the true definition of a wixie is, think of a wispy pixie, the stage of when a pixie is about 6 weeks grown out, explains Marcus Francis, Celebrity Hair Stylist and Ambassador for Better Natured. “Longer yet still piecey around the ears, at the nape and at the forehead, Francis continues. “It’s a very texturized cut with a lot of point cutting, especially on the top sides and back to keep the shape from going round.”
Michelle Morton, founder of KmXtend Hair, describe it as a cool and edgy haircut that’s perfect for a low maintenance summer style. “There is less hair weighing you down and less heat trapped against your neck and shoulders to help keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer months,” Morton says. “It’s stylish and trendy with a little bit of edge and punk to it. It suits someone who is seeking a bold or daring look.”
Who Does The Wixie Flatter?
Generally speaking, the wixie can look great on just about anyone — and it’s more about having the right attitude to pull it off. But, with that said, Francis agrees it suits most face shapes since the softer edges keep the look feeling feminine with playfulness.
“It’s especially flattering for those with a heart-shaped face, as it accentuates the cheekbones and jawline,” says Min Kim, L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador & Colorist. “However, this cut can work well on anyone who wants to make a bold statement with their hair.”
Who Doesn’t It Suit As Much?
Hair that has a tight curl, texture that tends to go frizzy when cut too short and fine hair that doesn’t have a lot of density can find difficulty in getting a shake that feels balanced, and having a control in the texture, Francis explains.
However, keep in mind that the wixie provides more opportunity for customization that the pixie. Depending on the facial features you want to highlight, you can ask your stylist to snip those longer pieces in different ways.
How To Style The Wixie
Anyone’s hair can look great after it’s styled by a pro at the salon, but the true test of a great cut is whether it responds to your own products and methods at home. And the good news about the wixie is that it’s fairly low-maintenance.
“You can let your hair air dry with applying the Better Natured’s Hydrating Leave-In Milk throughout the hair and using your fingers to style, piecing out the hair with length (forehead, ears, nape),” Francis says. “You want to keep the sides, back and top going down and styled close the head, but not flat. Think of it as wanting to show off the texture with the natural bends, swirls, and kicks. The Hydrating Leave-In Milk will help with hydrating the ends to achieve that.”
“For any volume or airy separation especially on the longer hair around the hairline or crown, use Better Natured’s Fresh Dry Shampoo Powder,” Francis says. “It can even be used the day after you shampoo to help reactivate the styling and zhuzh the shape back into place.”
A little bit classic, a little bit punk — the wixie is your perfect summer haircut (one you’ll keep asking for when temperatures drop and sweaters come out of hiding).
