A Pixie Cut For Thick Hair Can Be Transformational - Here's How To Do it Right

Elle

14-07-2025

Pixie cuts are the ultimate statement haircut; short, choppy and completely exposing in the best way. Where long hair can be used as an accessory to shy behind, there's no hiding behind a bold, powerful pixie cut. On fine hair, the cut can be relatively effortless to achieve – for naturally thick hair, it's a completely different story. Similarly to getting a dramatic bob haircut, nobody should venture into the world of pixie cuts without the help of an expert stylist.
'Having a pixie isn't just a haircut. It's a whole vibe,' says Hershesons' hairstylist Dale Herne. 'With short hair, there's something really empowering about it. But it's not just about the hair itself. You've got to think about how it's going to work with your lifestyle, your energy, and your overall look.'
Here, he outlines the need-to-know details of getting a pixie cut for thick hair, including how to style it.
Unfortunately, getting a pixie cut for thick hair is far more complicated than just buzzing or snipping your lengths. There are many elements to consider beyond just looking at your face shape and hair texture.
'When you're getting a pixie on thick hair, it's got to be cut extremely well,' explains Herne. 'You need to loosen it up at the root when removing weight or adding texture — otherwise, it can end up looking like a little microphone, or even a small afro. A pixie is all about movement and texture. If it's cut too thick or heavy, it'll just sit there as a silhouette of hair, instead of giving you that lived-in texture and flow.'
While we always recommend taking a reference photo to your appointment too, it's important to remember than not all styles will necessarily work for thicker hair densities. 'When it comes to what type of pixie suits thick hair, that's a tricky one. Because when you're cutting hair, it's never one-size-fits-all,' he adds. 'It's about what suits the person. Their face shape, their bone structure, and their character.'
That being said, when done right, a pixie cut for thick hair can be totally transformational. Just don't skip the consultation appointment first.
Surprisingly, pixie cuts also require a certain level of styling finesse. It's very rarely as simple as waking up and stepping out as is.
'Whatever pixie you go for, the key to styling thick hair is to keep the texture soft and defined,' says Herne. 'Misting in Air Dry Spray UV gives that undone, natural finish — adds grit, definition, and movement — without weighing the hair down. Plus, the built-in UV protection helps keep the hair healthy and protected, especially in the summer.'
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Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.