Back To The 90s: How To Nail The Nostalgic Pixie Cut
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4 weeks ago
The pixie cut goes grunge
If there’s one thing the It Girls of the 90s had in common, it was a pixie cut. And not just any old pixie either, as this one came with heaps of attitude and texture. We ask a stylist – who was there to cut this pixie the first decade round – to find out how the hairstyle is making a comeback this season.
More Pixie Cut Ideas For Your Mood Board
What Is A 90s Pixie Cut?
‘The 90s pixie cut is a choppier, edgier version of the classic pixie,’ explains Luke Sawyer, a stylist at Taylor Taylor London‘s Portobello Salon. ‘It tends to have a more wild, playful approach to texture – think of the decade’s grunge movement, and you should get an idea.
‘It marked a departure from the more demure 1950s pixie made famous by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, followed by Mia Farrow’s very short pixie as made famous by Richard Avedon’s 1966 Vogue shoot and then, of course, Twiggy in the 1960s,’ he continues. ‘In the 1990s, everyone was sporting a pixie. Literally everyone: Winona Ryder, Meg Ryan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore, Demi Moore, Kate Moss. I cut so many around that time and some I’m still doing today.’
@marcelodominguezdorado Would you go this short? The 90s aesthetic is here to rule for a while! 💙 #90saesthetic #pixiecut #winonaryderhair #haircuttutorial #haircuttransformation ♬ Sandstorm – 90s Dance Music
Now, we’re no stranger to a good throwback trend – and it was only a matter of time before 90s nostalgia finally met one of the biggest hair trends of the year. And with over 25.9 million posts tagged under #90spixiecut on TikTok, it’s safe to say that the internet has embraced the trend wholeheartedly.
‘Vintage and Y2K fashion is big at the moment, from combats and low rise jeans to scarf tops and trucker hats. So naturally hair trends follow suit,’ confirms Luke. ‘I’ve noticed lots of celebrities with different versions of the pixie cut at the moment. Zendaya, Emma Watson, Charlize Thearon, to name few. Carey Mulligan also had one a few years ago – that particular cut really suited her delicate bone structure.’
Who Suits This Cut?
The short of it: everyone. ‘Most people suit a pixie cut, although not everyone is brave enough to go for the chop,’ says Luke. ‘It suits both a sharp bone structure, and more delicate, angelic features – mainly those with oval, round or heart-shaped faces. It can also look good on any age; it’s Jamie Lee Curtis’ signature hairstyle and always looks super chic and effortlessly cool on her.’
How To Ask For A 90s Pixie Cut In The Salon (& What To Expect)
‘Always bring in reference photos of the hairstyle you want,’ recommends Luke. ‘Then your stylist can talk you through which elements of the style will work with your hair type and face shape, and adapt it accordingly so you have the perfect pixie for you.
‘I tend to use various techniques when cutting a pixie, depending on the type of hair I’m working with,’ he continues. ‘Lots of vertical cutting is involved and sometimes a straight-edge razor for a really choppy look.’
@isthatisthatjasmine 1 month’s outgrowth #90shairstyle #pixiecut #shorthairstyles ♬ Disney-style fanfare-style BGM – harryfaoki
How To Style A 90s Pixie Cut
To get the full 90s look, you’ll want to focus on nurturing natural texture. ‘I’d recommend using a texturising dust to get more of an edgy-style to your pixie cut,’ suggest Luke. ‘If it’s more of a polished pixie you’re after, then a hair oil will be your styling product of choice.’
How To Maintain A 90s Pixie Cut
While it looks great, you might need to give this cut more maintenance than your typical short hairstyle. ‘All short hairstyles need more frequent cutting,’ says Luke. ‘I’d recommend a cut every six weeks to keep it fresh. Don’t succumb to a home fringe trim – you’ll regret it. Your pixie needs looking after by a pro.’
What Next?
As for the future of the 90s pixie cut, Luke sees the trend growing (quite literally) into another major hairstyle: the bixie. ‘This is one of my favourite hairstyles to create. I love to adapt the cut to suit each client’s face shape and hair type,’ he says. ‘It’ll probably evolve into the “bixie” as people start to grow it out.’
Hair Inspiration
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Featured image: SS24 Copenhagen Fashion Week Streetstyle (c) Noor-u-Nisa
