Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Popular with celebs -- from the youthful Evan Rachel Woods to the more sophisticated Halley Berry -- the pixie is in vogue in Hollywood. True, the cut is terse and can be somewhat androgynous, since its shorter sides and longer top are quite boyish. However, with the right styling, makeup and accessories, you can bring out the pixie cut's more feminine side.
The Cut
A feminine pixie can be as simple as the right cut. Have your hairstylist crop your crown's locks in layers, leaving a lot of length in the fringe area (making more feminine styling options a tad easier). The rest of the layers should complement the shape of the head’s shape, with slightly longer pieces at the nape of the neck. Also, some cuts can feature longer locks at the cheekbones to help frame the face and accentuate it femininity.
The Style
Styling is the key to adding softness to a pixie, allowing you to tone down the gamine-like look of the cut. Work a pea-size amount of pomade through the entire head before parting the hair along one side. Next, brush the hair along the sides and back of the head with a paddle brush before curling the crown with a ¾-inch iron. Use the brush to gingerly sculpt an S-shaped swoop, using bobby pins to hold in place. Spray a healthy dose of holding spray, before removing the pins -- revealing a sleek and chic feminine hairstyle.
The Accessories
One way to add more girl power to a pixie is to accentuate the short style with some bling. Hair jewels are often worn on the red carpet and can add a bit of old Hollywood glamour to your cut. Coiffed pixies can be accented with a myriad of barrettes, from bejeweled to feather head pieces. Other dramatic additions include headbands, for a retro 1920s flapper or flirtatious pin-up look. For those with more of a flair for the dramatic, opt for a 1940s head-hugging cap. These mini millinery pieces can be crafted out of everything from felted wool to satin and sometimes even come equipped with a veil.
The Makeup
Cosmetics are a great way to add an air of femininity to many looks -- and with pixies it's all about the eyes. The smoky eye look can be perfect for this haircut, achieved by sweeping a deep charcoal eye shadow over the lids and a framing the eyes with smudged pencil liner. Or you can go the retro, Audrey Hepburn route and wear nude matte eye shadow with winged liquid liner (both looks require a couple of coats of mascara). Contour the cheeks with a bright peach blush, sweeping it from the apples towards the hairline. Balance out the dramatic eye makeup with a pretty pink pout.
