PIXIE CUT DO’s & DON’TS FOR BEGINNERS 

You can call me the OG of the pixie cut because this year makes 10 years since the big chop. This is the perfect time for me to share my pixie cut do’s and don’ts for beginners. I always receive so many DMs on Instagram about my hair maintenance or how I inspired them to cut it off. So, I’m excited to share what has helped me maintain my pixie cut throughout the years. 

It all started in my dorm room at Virginia State University during my sophomore year when I looked in the mirror and said I wanted a change. As a 20-year-old girl trying to maintain my individuality on campus and keep my confidence at the center, I was always trying to push myself to be uncomfortable. It started with the big chop. One of the students on campus worked at a salon that sat right outside of the campus and that’s where the birth of this cut began.

PIXIE CUT DO’s 

Please consult with a professional hairstylist before doing the big chop. When I first got this cut I didn’t have a routine and the stylist was learning herself so she didn’t educate me much on how to keep it healthy. I started off wearing the Fantasia style with added tracks at the top part of my hair. When I graduated and went home to Jersey I started going to a stylist in Harlem and she got rid of those added pieces of tracks, educated me on the cut, and made me embrace my real hair. I now reside in Atlanta and when I first moved here I utilized social media to find a stylist who specialized in pixie cuts or someone who had high clientele in that specific style. I do recommend my first timers to see a stylist who specializes in pixie cuts because they will be able to help you decide what style will work best for your head shape and hair texture whether it's the short pixie, long pixie, asymmetrical pixie, etc. Also, if you’re not in for the long run and will be switching from short hair, lace fronts, braids, etc the stylist will be able to give you tips on avoiding breakage and keeping your natural hair healthy.

Please use a satin/silk scarf or pillowcase when sleeping. This will help maintain the texture keeping your hair in a silk-soft form. I would look at it as protection that avoids breakage and split ends. When you use satin/silk sleeping products vs cotton you will notice the difference in frizz and hydration. In the morning when I take off my silk durag/scarf it's so much easier for me to run my hands through my pixie cut and style it.

Please have an at-home hair routine in between your appointments. This made my hair journey much easier. Pixie cuts can be extremely high maintenance and expensive. You may not always be able to make it to the salon but you don’t want to skip those wash routines that keep the cut healthy. Also, when you have short hair your hair will grow out extremely fast which will change the shape of the cut and will force you to style it. Take the time out to build a relationship with your hair. In between appointments, I would watch tons of videos of girls who had similar hair textures and made sure I practiced molding my hair and styling. I realized having a routine that is aligned with the tips provided by my stylist has helped to keep my hair healthy and trained.

PIXIE CUT DONT’s 

Please don’t apply heat every day.  This can cause your hair to break off. Embrace the pixie cut and try to wear protective styles like finger waves, the mold down or apply accessories that don’t cause you to do much with your hair. These styles will allow you to get up and go and give you a few days from having to apply heat. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your cut. This cut can be bold, and fun and push you to embrace your features.

Please don’t be afraid of bad hair days learn to finesse it. As mentioned earlier this is a high-maintenance hairstyle and there will be days where you will be forced to do your hair. Unless you can go to the salon weekly, the style from the salon doesn’t last long. On my bad hair days, I like to style outfits with cute baseball caps and throw on some hoop earrings. You can utilize head scarfs and get creative with swooping your edges, creating the illusion that you're wearing a scarf by choice. 

Hopefully you decide to join the pixie cut club! Click Here for my pixie cut beginner kit where you can shop all the tools and products I use on my hair.