Cut the crop

Rihanna’s pixie made waves on social media. Pic/Instagram

Just in time for muggy monsoon vibes, pixie cuts come to the rescue. And, like most trends, these too have gone through a 2021 update. As sported by singer and entrepreneur Rihanna, the pixie is now cropped shorter than ever before, making a bold and super stylish statement. And for those contemplating the big chop, this version makes sense considering that it requires very little styling as compared to other short ‘dos. Drishya Bhagyanath, hairstylist and owner of Trendy Hair and Beauty, explains that since the cut is so short, it is more of a "wash-and-wear style that doesn't require too many products. In fact, with pixies, the shorter your cut, the easier it is to maintain." She points out the importance of adding texture to your pixie while cutting so that the style frames your face. Additionally, regular trimming is a must to maintain the shape, with stylists recommending a trim every 45-60 days, depending on the rate of your hair growth.

Drishya Bhagyanath

"Since the cut is cropped very close to the head, it is best suited to angular face shapes. It can accentuate an already defined jaw line. Super-short cuts may not be the best option for very round and broad faces," she continues. Bony Sasidharan, a hair expert at Schwarzkopf Professional, says that if you have very pronounced features and a strong jaw, you may want to soften the cut. "To do so, instead of a very clean cut, opt for a feathered finish and play with the length of the strands," he advises. Both Sasidharan and Bhagyanath maintain that the cut works well with all types of hair textures, from fine and poker-straight to curly. For curls, use a curl definition cream, gel or wax to style your cut. For very fine hair, blow-dry your strands against the direction of their growth to add volume near the crown and use a little styling product to hold the shape.

Bony Sasidharan

Growing out a pixie is so notoriously difficult that it often serves as the main deterrent for many fashion lovers. "Instead of waiting to cut your hair once you've grown it out, keep going for regular cuts every other month. Focus on cutting the back of your hair so that the front can catch up - this will be more like a textured bob," says Bhagyanath. Conversely, if you're planning to go from a long mane to an ultra-short style, Sasidharan recommends doing so in stages so that you can arrive at a length that's comfortable for you, instead of being stuck with something you aren't particularly impressed with. Finally, don't forget to dress up your pixie with hair bands, clips and scarves, to keep your look versatile.