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HOW TO STYLE A PIXIE CUT IN UNDER 5 MINUTES

There’s nothing more refreshing than a bold pixie haircut. The common misconception is that in order to pull off the look you need to have a certain face shape. Despite popular belief, anyone can pull off a pixie since it’s such a versatile cut. What it really comes down to is style. While it can take serious guts to chop off inches of hair in favor of the layered look, it’s completely worth it.

Fair warning: The look does require more styling than you might think, but it’s possible to make it out the door in less than 5 minutes. With the right pixie hair styling hacks, you can skip the temptation to throw in the towel and pull hair back with a headband. Whether you’re itching to try the latest it-girl trend or are currently sporting your own cut, these pro tips can help you achieve the piece-y look with plenty of time to spare.


:30 PREP FOR YOUR PIXIE HAIRSTYLE


No pressure, but the first 30 seconds of styling a pixie are critical for securing the ideal shape. To set the stage, quickly prep damp hair with a priming spray or treatment cream after stepping out of the shower. These time-savers can help cut blow dry time in half and make your life easier without weighing your hair down. Plus, they offer built-in heat protection and can help preserve the health of your hair. During this step, you’ll also want to part hair according to your preference, whether it’s a deep side part or down the middle.


1:00 BLOW DRY

A major bonus of going short is that your natural texture can shine through by only blow drying hair until it’s roughly 50 percent dry. If you have naturally straight hair, free-hand your blowout and concentrate heat at the roots using a round brush to achieve va-va voom volume. If you’re working with curly hair use a diffuser to blow dry hair, focusing the heat on the ends. Don’t worry about making it perfect — you can polish things off during the styling stage. If you’re really pressed for time and can’t heat style, reach for a cream like No Blow Dry and allow hair to air-dry. The flexible formula can help give hair just the right amount of movement it needs.


3:00 CREATE THE PERFECT PIXIE HAIR STYLE


Depending on the look you’re going for, pixies can be styled in a number of ways. If the length of your cut allows for it, slick down freshly blow-dried hair using Hardwear 16 and brush hair in a sideswept motion for a sleek look. To rock a chic disheveled look, opt for a texturizing hair powder. Sprinkle the product throughout the roots and use your fingertips to distribute the powder for a natural lift.

Is a trendy pompadour right up your alley? Use Quick Tease and a comb to tease hair at the roots and brush back using a flat brush. For extra height, use a 1-inch curling iron to curl hair up and away from the face. Follow up by using your fingertips to apply a pliable styling paste like Rewind to give the pompadour more shape. To get an even application, emulsify (rub) the product in your hands to break it down. You can also use a flat iron to smooth away any pieces of hair that are out of place or add wispy curls and waves.


4:00 ADD SOME SHINE

To really dress up a pixie, glossy hair is the way to go. If your haircolor has a high contrast or is on the darker side, it will naturally reflect shine. Lighter haircolors can turn up the shine with the help of styling aids. Spray hair with a shot of a glistening hair mist to help score a stunning glossy sheen. On the flipside, if shiny hair isn’t your thing, you can also spray hair with wax aerosol for a lived-in matte finish.


4:30 SET YOUR PIXIE


Finish off by spraying the hair with Triple Take to help achieve maximum staying power sans the crunch. A high control spray can do wonders for keeping unruly layers in check, especially if your cut is choppy. If you want a workable product that helps keep humidity at bay, use a fast-drying spray like Fashion Work. Now you’re ready to take on the day (or night) with a pixie that looks like it was styled by a pro!

Ready to take the plunge? If you’re looking to make “short hair, don’t care” your new motto, set up an appointment with your local Redken stylist using the Salon Finder!



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