70 Short Shaggy, Spiky, Edgy Pixie Cuts and Hairstyles

A pixie cut is a short women’s haircut you typically see on a fashionably gamine woman. If you are a tomboy at heart or just want to shake things up a bit and don’t mind a crop, definitely go for a pixie haircut! You may lose most of your locks but what you gain is a simple wash-and-go style, an added edge to your and lots of compliments.

What Is a Pixie Cut?

Pixie crop or pixie cut is a women’s haircut about half an inch to 3-inches in length. It may either be one-length or cut shorter on the back/sides and longer on the top.

Pixie haircuts became popular in the 50s, after the premiere of the Roman Holiday featuring the charming short-haired Audrey Hepburn. In the 60s, actress Mia Farrow and supermodel Twiggy wore the cut as well. Moving to modern day, many celebrities have tried pixies, too, such as Katy Perry, Cara Delevingne, Pamela Anderson, and Miley Cyrus, among others.

Pixie Haircut Benefits

If you are ready for a short crop, here are some reasons to choose a pixie:

• It’s practical. That means less time and money on styling.
• It’s expressive. It perfectly frames the face and makes cheekbones pop.
• It’s ideal for hair color experiments. Less hair to bleach and your tresses quickly regenerate.

Check out trendy hair color ideas for a pixie cut.

As a disadvantage, many point out the lack of versatility. A myth! Just look below in our gallery at how differently short hair may be styled and put that hesitation aside. The only drawback is that a Sunday-bunday and lazy ponytail is not an option.

Best Pixie Cut Ideas for 2021

Modern pixies are often paired with long side bangs or a shorter angled side fringe. They are upgraded with choppy, spiky layers and undercuts. The contrast of lengths, such as long hair on the top and very short tapered sides and back is very in. A great idea for a pixie is to try a new fashionable hair color you’ve never tried but have always wanted to. Now’s the time! Check all these variants and other beautiful ideas — flip through!

#1: Pixie Wedge

Instagram / @mojamezie

Finding a picture of a haircut you kinda dig, can be the foundation for getting your vision across to a stylist. Keeping the top and sides longer than a traditional pixie can add volume, and change the shape accordingly. These small changes make this pixie linger near the borderline of turning into a Dorothy Hamill wedge; a testament to why it will always be a classic cut.

#2: Feathered Pixie with Balayage Highlights

When in doubt, go with the highlights-and-layers pairing; it works for short haircuts just as well as with longer ones. Bonus: when you grow out this pixie, its original asymmetrical cut will remain interesting and edgy, as your hair is getting longer.

Instagram / @bonnie_elise05

#3: Classic Pixie

The hairstyle you think of when you hear ‘short hair’, is the classic and timeless pixie cut. Sticking to the classic cut, you may at the same time go for a trendy hair color, such as this gorgeous silver blonde.

Instagram / @justindillaha_hair

#4: Two-Tone Pixie

Normally, there is no such thing as any style being age specific, but a disconnected haircut could be too extreme for the working professional. Modern pixie cut hairstyles may seem too mainstream for someone requiring only a bit of sass, so if it’s the case, allow your stylist to add some “neat” texture throughout. Using a little pomade to emphasize the texture will do the trick in adding that missing spunk, and also a bit of shine.

Instagram / @annikahair

#5: Pixie Bob

A long shaggy pixie cut is the perfect transition if you do decide to start the process of growing out your hair. Having more long hair in front will now give you more color options to play and experiment with.

Instagram / @emilyandersonstyling

#6: Disconnected Blonde Balayage Pixie

A longer tapered pixie cut provides enough length to play with texture and color. Try a pixie with long disconnected layers, a soft nape line and piece-y bangs. If you have fine yet dense straight hair, it will look awesome in easy tousled styles with a dab of root-lifting product and a quick blowdry.

Instagram / @emilyandersonstyling

#7: Choppy Gray Pixie

The number one reason to be smitten about the pixie cut is its brilliance in versatility. Knowing you can quickly grow out color with shorter hair, means making more confident color choices, and possibly experimenting with the symmetry of your cut.

#21: Uneven Undercut Pixie

Uneven choppy layers that twist and turn on a whim cover the back undercut partially creating a cool asymmetrical half-shaved cut. Play up your pixie with a popular platinum blonde shade. If you boast porcelain skin, you can make the hair shade almost icy.

Instagram / @sarahb.h

#22: Side-Parted Blonde Balayage Pixie

This boyish tapered pixie cut is upgraded with long girly bangs and enhanced with a sun-kissed color. Blowdry those bangs with a round brush to achieve the swoopy effect that never goes out of style.

Instagram / @amethyst_hairstudio

#23: Chick Undercut Pixie

The disconnected, choppy pixie cut is, in essence, a ‘chick undercut’. It may seem unusual that an undercut and a choppy pixie can be integrated into one style, but that’s the power of creativity of one amazing stylist with a vision.

Instagram / @iwearblackallday

#24: Ravishing Red Pixie

If you’re gonna go short, you should go red while you’re at it! A bright crimson hair hue is the perfect way to brighten up your pixie cut. Make sure to invest in a color-enhancing hair mask that protects your color and keeps your color-treated strands from getting dry and brittle.

Instagram / @russellmayes

#25: Long Voluminous Pixie

Not all cropped styles pull a tomboy out of you. Some pixies are very feminine. Here’s a beautiful example. Length, layers and color come together to build up a short yet voluminous ‘do you’ll love to wear with jeans or dresses.

Instagram / @jonsewellhair

#26: Lavender Pixie-Bob

Modern choppy pixie cuts are all about blends… Blends of lengths, textures and hues result in swoon-worthy hairstyles you can’t pass unnoticed in the street. This lavender pixie-bob is one of those.

Instagram / @emilyandersonstyling

#27: Contemporary Pixie

Contemporary hairstyles have become more versatile in color, specifically in terms of tone. Your pixie cut style can be as warm and golden, or as frosty platinum blonde as you want. Having a picture of the exact tone of blonde you want cannot be any clearer for your stylist.

Instagram / @onikasimone

#28: Choppy Side-Parted Pixie Bob

Long pixie cuts for straight hair always resort to layering to avoid a boring flat look. Opt for chunky layers and dress them up with balayage to bring the impact from the texture to maximum. Style tousled and try a side part; those tricks work particularly well for fine hair that begs for added body.

Instagram / @publichairhouse

#29: Reverse Gray Ombre for Short Hair

An interesting effect of a reverse ombre is achieved if your leave your natural dark hair color at the nape and highlight the top part of your hair. It takes some smart blending of colors and expertly cut layers to succeed with the perfect gradient. The side and back view of this style are simply flawless!

Instagram / @lolo_paez_

#30: African-American Messy Ashy Pixie

Ash blonde hair with light cool-toned skin is an evident solution, but this picture proves that ashy hues can be pulled very well by darker complexions as well. There’s something magnetizing about an African-American lady with cool blonde hair, but the cut itself also counts. Short pixie haircuts with plenty of crescent layers are very flattering on black women. By the way, did you know they pair great with hoop earrings?

Instagram / @najahliketheriver

#31: Shaggy Pixie with Balayage Highlights

This cute pixie features a neat brown undercut underneath long, razored, bleached layers. The contrast of light and dark, long and short, neat and shaggy once again results in a wow short hairstyle we are tempted to try.

Instagram / @thisgirlmichele

#32: Long Honey Blonde and Black Pixie

The pixie with long choppy layers is the most feminine of short haircuts. You can scrunch those pieces with mousse or curl them with a flat iron getting different looks for different moods.

Instagram / @kaylahair27

#33: Cropped Tousled Waves and Side Bangs

Buzzed pixie cuts aren’t your only option. If you would like to still have some length, there are ideas for you. Her layers are long enough to be styled straight or curly. The latter option is brilliant for making your mane appear thicker and flirtier, too!

Instagram / @lorietherrien

#34: Long Pixie for Fine Hair

It takes some skills to cut fine hair so that it doesn’t look limp. Lots of thin layers are a way to go. A balayage with very light, fine pieces that pop plus chunkier warm toned strands that fill in the gaps and serve as a backdrop for highlights is a brilliant idea if your want to bring more interest and visual volume to your thin hair.

Instagram / @buddywporter

#35: Stacked Pixie-Bob with Long Bangs

Pixies that build up maximum volume around the crown are very flattering. And when balanced with extra long bangs, they add to the overall cool girl impression. High or low contrast balayage highlights won’t hurt either. As a result, you get a style that turns heads. In a good way.

Instagram / @andrewdoeshair

#36: Undercut Blonde Pixie with Dark Roots

The extra long wispy blonde layers are beautifully set off by the nape undercut and dark roots. This style has depth and boosts volume of fine hair. Long bangs sweeping across the forehead accentuate the eyes and ooze nonchalant summery vibes. Why not take with you into the cooler months?

Instagram / @lavieduneblondie

#37: Balayage Pixie with Tiered Layers

Layers on layers on layers give off an impression of enhanced texture where the extra long pieces and shorter strands are smartly blended for a feminine yet edgy style in a short length. Pixie haircuts like this are perfect for ladies on the go who want a comfortable cut that’s also chic and on-trend.

Instagram / @rosemarymonicahair

#38: Finely Chopped Buttery Blonde Pixie

The long pixie hair cut is almost a bob with volume on top and thinned out ends. The wispy feel of finely chopped strands is played up by the subtle buttery blonde balayage added to the platinum blonde base.

Instagram / @keykuafor

#39: Ash Blonde Pixie with Nape Undercut

Dishwater blondes often complain about boring hair. Cheer things up with an edgy pixie haircut and melted ash blonde balayage. A nape undercut is optional but it makes the style sharper, chicer and absolutely present-day.

Instagram / @lavieduneblondie

#40: Brunette Pixie with Feathered Layers

There’s an assumption that short brunette hairstyles look too androgynous, so if you go for a crop, it’s better to pair it with a lighter hue. This pixie hair style shows that looking feminine with a short cut while you keep your natural dark hair is a breeze as long as you soften the style with feathery layers and subtle highlights.

Instagram / @monicaprusa

#41: Short Choppy Side-Parted Pixie

Even extra short hair doesn’t appear boyish when it features a height on the top achieved with tiered layers. Add this parted on the side cut to your inspirational gallery if you have a round or square face, as it has an elongating effect flattering for those face shapes.

Instagram / @cutyourhair

#42: Angled Pixie Bob with Layers

The right haircut enhances your best facial features and follows the lines of your face. If you have a lovely face shape and want a long pixie, consider layered pixie cuts cropped at the same angle as the angle of your jawline.

Instagram / @lisaminthair

#43: Messy Tapered Pixie

One cute styling idea for a layered tapered pixie is a messy ‘do with haphazard at first sight, yet in reality strategically shuffled, layers. The partial balayage where highlights graze only the bangs is a popular pick for short cuts, because it’s commitment-free but does the job of catching the eye perfectly.

Instagram / @askforjamie

#44: Piece-y Cut with Subtle Balayage

Check this edgy short cut that confidently follows the trend on mixes. Today we mix everything – textures, colors, lengths – and achieve unexpected contrasts. This pixie-bob is not much in your face. But it does stick to the idea and looks fresh.

Instagram / @finalehair

#45: Sassy Undercut Pixie with Bangs

Modern short pixie cuts are never cut evenly. Shaved sections can border on extra long pieces while being topped with mid-length spikes. Add a trendy blonde shade and dark roots and you get this charming undercut pixie you can hardly resist, and why should you?

Instagram / @katiezimbalisalon

#46: Soft Pixie Bob for Fine Hair

Soft in texture, soft in color, this beautiful style seems to be designed in heaven and it’s meant for delicate fine strands. Side part and blow out with a round brush. Backcomb the crown and be ready to be exposed to admiring glances.

Instagram / @luigi_monte

#47: Long Curly Pixie

There’s room for curly pixies in every short hair gallery. Growing out your pixie hairuts can be frustrating but with the help of styling tricks (curls, braids, scrunched styles) and regular trims to refresh the shape, you’ll enjoy your pixie bob and painlessly transition to lob.

Instagram / @emilyandersonstyling

#48: Reddish Brown Layered Pixie Bob

A pixie bob in a rich hue with dimensional highlights is a great transitional style if you are growing out your short cut. Though this long sunset inspired pixie is so chic that you may want to wear it for a longer period of time and keep the length at the nape for a while.

Instagram / @bonnie_elise05

#49: Blonde Pixie with Short Angled Layers

This very short spiky cut with a gradual reduction of length down the back and sides stands out thanks to its cropped V-cut layers and a high contrast dye job. Style the slightly longer top messy to bring some dynamics into your style.

Instagram / @sarahb.h

#50: Choppy Pixie Fade

A blurred bottom hair line and choppy ash blue layers make for a very unique short edgy cut for women. It’s so nice to have hair off your neck. Literally. As long as you can pull off an extra short cut, this idea is fresh and interesting.

Instagram / @seandanielsen_

#51: Imperfect Pixie

A bonus to waking up with a messy pixie cut, is that messy hair is in! For the few who always seem to be rushing out the door every morning, a messy pixie is the ideal hairdo. Grabbing a dab of hair paste or pomade and running it through your hair takes less than 30 seconds, and takes your ‘just-rolled-out of-bed’ look to the next level.

Instagram / @douglascarrollsalon

#52: Finely Chopped Pixie for Thin Hair

Worried that your wispy locks can’t accommodate a bold short hairstyle? Quit your worries and try this wonderfully layered look for thin hair. The finely chopped layers will add both structure and volume to your look, while the thin highlights will bring out your expression at all times.

Instagram / @efoxxhair

#53: Tapered Pixie with Long Bangs

There’s nary a hue of red missing from this pixie cut, which happens to work amazingly well for thick hair. When you’ve got an ample mane to show off, but want to keep it short for maintenance purposes, go all out with the coloring, keep that fringe long, and never stop exploring the styling options.

Instagram / @hairbyelena

#54: Ashy Blonde Pixie with a Messy Touch

You can find ample variations among modern sassy pixies, from the more classical and demure, featuring exclusively natural hair colors, to the most trendy and brash. Our top favorites usually include a bold choice in coloring, since nothing says ‘edgy’ quite like short messy silver hair on a twenty-something!

Instagram / @_lucidcreations

#55: Platinum Pixie

Short hair does not mean limited styling options. Just like any other style, a pixie can be as mod and messy, or as sleek and classic as you want. Choosing the right styling product with the right degree of hold, and the right finish allows just as much versatility, if not more.

Instagram / @rtaigen

#56: Rose Gold Pixie

A wispy, rose-gold pixie cannot be more angelic and appealing to the eye. Both the cut and the color are soft, they’re both vintage and modern, 2 inThey work harmoniously together making this lovely style look fresh and contemporary.

Instagram / @kelseynortonhair_

#57: Feathered Pixie

Finding a product to highlight your edgy pixie cut just the way you like may be tricky. It might be a good idea to get small samples of different pomades, pastes, or gels to see which works best for you. There are matte or shine-finish products with different degrees of holding power. Choosing a few favorite styling products for the looks you wear often would be wise.

Instagram / @xdeadboy

#58: Funky Blue Pixie with Layered Bangs

Embrace the strong features your square or diamond shaped face comes with, by adopting a daring, short pixie cut. Afraid that it might make you look frumpy? With the right choice of color, like the icy blue, you’ll appear anything but!

Instagram / @wallisdoyle

#59: Tapered Pixie with Maximum Volume

A fem taper is strong in the hair game, especially if you find the right stylist to create a flattering silhouette with maximum volume on top. Using just a bit of mousse makes a tousled taper simple and almost effortless for every day hair wear.

Instagram / @dimensionaldallas

#60: Sassy Pixie for Fine Hair

One of the biggest advantages of a shaggy pixie cut is its suitability for any age and any hair type. For fine hair it’s a true windfall. Your hairstylist may suggest using a razor on the tips of your hair to build layers around the crown. This will create a shag effect that is super chic and fun!

Instagram / @allisondaza_theyoungamerican

#61: Asymmetrical Long Pixie for Round Faces

All too often, women with soft facial features will shun pixies, or any other short cuts, out of a fear that they’ll leave their visage exposed in all the wrong places. Well, if this look doesn’t prove them wrong, nothing likely ever will. The model is sporting a look with an up-swept fringe and asymmetrical strands, longer on one side, which is very flattering for round faces. But the icing on the cake is definitely her bold, vibrant purple hair color. How’s that for edgy?

Instagram / @veryemmappropriate

#62: Shaggy Pixie Cut in Red Hues

This style is possibly more reminiscent of a hobgoblin than of a pixie, thanks to its versatile fiery color. We love how the model experimented with various shades, from rich auburn to hot, hot, hot orange-tinged red. Also, check out the shape of her face: this is one cut for heart shaped faces, due to the way the bangs conceal the wide forehead.

Instagram / @agnes1907

#63: Growing-out Pixie for Curly Hair

Growing out and perfect for going out—that’s what this messy pixie hairstyle is all about. The model’s hair is naturally curly, which might lead you to believe that the haircut will lose structure as time passes. However, thanks to the smart original cut, which followed the hair’s natural lines, its new length only enriches the look, instead of detracting from it.

Instagram / @linds3yjo

#64: Choppy Pixie Cut with Side Bangs

Asymmetrical short hairdos are interesting and quite simple to pull off. Her fun pixie haircut with choppy layers and long bangs is just one example. The elements are all distinct yet they flow together.

Instagram / @essensualslondonseattle

#65: Spiked Blonde Mohawk

Grab some hair gel and create a gravity-defying ‘do by making the top layers of your hair stand straight up. If you want more of a classic finish, use the product to slick the sides and back down or brush the sides back.

Instagram / @shaylaplease

#66: Silver and Brown Pixie

Short pixie haircuts are sometimes known for not being the most versatile of styles, but hers shows how you can put your unique spin on it. The silvery blonde undercut pixie features the tapered black bottom to create a surprising contrast with the feathered silver top.

Instagram / @jacobhkhan

#67: Rocker Pixie

Every rocker chick prefers edgy haircuts for two reasons: 1) Obviously, they’re fun to play with and, 2) accessories are so much more amusing to try on and explore with so much neck and ear exposure. May your accessories match the coolness of your hair!

Instagram / @rtaigen

#68: Tousled Pixie with Undercut

There’s no better way to achieve a natural sun-kissed look with hair coloring than balayage — and that’s a fact. And since au naturel seems to be the style of choice for this model, it’s no wonder that she’s also sporting a medium-length tousled pixie. All in all, the entire style has ended up looking wonderfully casual!

Instagram / @refinehairstudio

#69: Short Black Hairstyle for Curly Hair

What’s that — a shaggy pixie haircut? Wasn’t this style supposed to be all precise, with spikes, and layers? It can be, but this photo demonstrates that it also works miraculously well and low-maintenance on naturally curly hair. This particular style has got a bit of a grown-out fauxhawk thing going on at the top of the head, but it’s toned down by the stylishly wavy sideburns that frame the model’s face so beautifully.

Instagram / @khimandi

#70: Choppy Asymmetrical Black Pixie

Need more proof that African-American ladies can sport pixie cuts without a problem? Check out the brunette beauty here. She has worked a wonderful auburn toping, as well as a long layered fringe into her look. The ample side-swept bangs add a touch of sophistication to this otherwise consummately contemporary look.

Instagram / @salonpk

Wondering why we haven’t told you much about how to style these pixie hairstyles? That’s because, when it comes to pixie cuts, the styling issues are taken care of by your stylist’s scissors beforehand. In other words, if you want to go messy, shaggy, spiky, cute, and short, just make sure you choose the right haircut for your type of hair and face. Add a dashing color and a bit of styling product, and you’ll be all set—both for wild nights on the town, as well as for efficient days at work.