What the heck is a ‘bixie’ cut?

The retro-inspired hair trend explained

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / December 01 2022

When it comes to fashion, we’re used to styles (some beloved and others most unwelcome) being recycled every decade or so, and the same can be said for hair trends.

After wading through the deluge of awful perms, bowl cuts and Billy Ray Cyrus mullets of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, an era of disheveled short shags existed. The likes of Meg Ryan, Winona Ryder and Courtney Cox all rocked the no-fuss look, and now it’s making a comeback in a big way.

Coined the ‘bixie’ by Aloxxi Artist Sam LaBella, the bob and pixie cut hybrid hairstyle is now having it’s modern day in the sun. “This look gives me the ‘Meg Ryan’ circa ‘90s vibes,” LaBella explained to  The Zoe Report. “Tapered at the nape and razor textured in the front makes this super playful and ultra sexy.”

Image credit: Getty

Image credit: Getty

The playful cut has already been trialled by trendsetting models Kaia Gerber, Hannah Kleit and Edie Campbell, who set a stellar example of how to make the short look versatile enough for the every day.

@kaiagerber

@hannahkleit

@ediebcampbell

But it’s the likes of Saweetie, Doja Cat and Ciara who showed us the sleek red carpet potential of this seemingly shaggy ‘do. Saweetie donned a diamante-encrusted variation of the bixie for the 2021 Met Gala, Doja Cat chose a fairy floss wig in the retro style for the “Best Friends” music video the pair shot together, and Ciara rocked a bixie chop at the 2022 Billboard Women in Music awards.

Getty Images

@dojacat

Getty Images

Now, Florence Pugh is bringing up the rear with a razor-cut bixie that’s rumoured to be in anticipation of an upcoming role (we’re not screaming, you’re screaming).

@FLORENCEPUGH

Thought the bixie cut was losing steam? Think again. Demi Lovato’s keeping the trend alive with a Meg Ryan-inspired chop. With feminine soft layers and a curtain fringe, this grown-out pixie cut puts her cheekbones (and her adorable butterfly tattoo) on full display. 

@ddlovato

@ddlovato

We’re definitely tempted to try this lighter look ourselves (please, someone, hide the scissors). 

A bob more your cup of tea?
Here’s how to find the best bob haircut for your face shape.

Main image credit: @florencepugh

Briar is the Beauty Editor at BEAUTYcrew. Her 'down for anything' attitude has resulted in more than a handful of hair transformations, and she doesn't mind being used as a guinea pig for the industry's most unusual products and treatments. Her work has also appeared on Refinery29, Girlfriend and beautyheaven.