Undercut Pixie Cut: Everything to Know Before You Chop
Learn what an undercut pixie is, who it looks good on, and how to know if it matches your face before you cut your hair.
Cutting your hair short can feel scary. If you want a cool, light haircut that makes a statement, the undercut pixie might be the one. Here is what you should know before you visit the salon.
What Is an Undercut Pixie?
An undercut pixie is short on the top and shaved very close on the back and sides.
Traditional pixie cuts have soft, blended layers all the way down to your neck. An undercut creates a sharp contrast. The hair on top stays longer, while the hair underneath gets buzzed with clippers. You can hide the buzz under your top hair, or you can sweep your hair over to show it off.
Who Does It Look Best On?
This cut works with many different people, but it is extra great for two main things:
Thick hair: If you have heavy hair, an undercut takes away weight. Your head will feel much lighter and stay cooler in the summer. Oval and heart faces: The short sides draw eyes up to your cheekbones and forehead. Round faces can wear it too, as long as your barber leaves plenty of height on top to make your face look longer.
If you have very fine, thin hair, be careful. Shaving half of your hair away might leave the top looking flat. Tell your barber to keep the buzz low so you keep as much hair as possible.
How to Ask Your Barber
Pictures help more than words. Bring two or three photos of what you want.
Tell the barber how short you want the shaved part. A "number 2 guard" on the clippers leaves a little fuzz, while a "number 1 guard" shows more skin. Tell them how you like to part your hair, too. Do you want to sweep the top to the left, brush it forward, or spike it up? Your barber needs to know this before they make the first cut.
Upkeep and Growing It Out
Short hair takes work to keep neat. Your shaved sides will start looking fuzzy after three or four weeks. You will need quick trim visits to keep the buzz clean.
Styling at home is fast. You only need a pea-sized drop of matte paste or wax. Rub it between your hands and mess up the top. You can wash, dry, and style your hair in five minutes.
Growing it out takes patience. When you get tired of the undercut, the buzz grows into an awkward puff. The easiest fix is to cut the top short to match the sides, then grow everything out together into a classic bob.
Test It on Your Face First
You do not have to guess if this bold cut will look right on you. With the HairMatch AI app, you can take a selfie and see an undercut pixie on your own head right now. Get a free face-shape check to start, then unlock photo preview packs starting at $0.99 to test the cut before the scissors come out.