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In This Article

Frequently Asked Questions Zoë Kravitz Logan Browning Jennifer Hudson Evan Rachel Wood Halle Berry Charlize Theron Nicole Richie Rihanna Ruth Negga Scarlett Johansson Audrey Tautou Zendaya Amandla Stenberg Joey King

Janelle Monáe Rowan Blanchard Solange Knowles Samira Wiley Maria Borges Alia Shawkat Halsey Jodie Turner-Smith Ginnifer Goodwin Lupita Nyong'o Anne Hathaway Meagan Good Sofia Boutella Teyana Taylor

Curly hair is versatile, worn up or down, long or short. In the world of shorter crops, pixie cuts for curly hair are always timeless and cool. The style may sound slightly limiting, but you can style your pixie in many ways to make your curls look (and feel) new. To help, we rounded up inspiration and tips from stylists Gina Rivera and Anastasia Stylianou for your curly pixie cuts. Ahead, find 30 pixie cuts for curly hair we love. 

Meet the Experts

• Gina Rivera is the founder of Phenix Salon Suites. She is also the creator of Colours by Gina and the By Gina hair product line.

• Anastasia Stylianou is an internationally acclaimed hairstylist and creative and artistic director. She is a specialist in curly hair.

01 of 28

Zoë Kravitz

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Cropped styles can still have the utmost dimension, especially when you play around with shapes like Zoë Kravitz. "Zoë left some length on top that she styles to add height and dimension and to create a unique look," says Rivera. To achieve her style, she suggests adding a root booster at the base of the scalp. "I like Innersense Beauty's Volumizing Foam. Then, use gel from mid-strand to the end of the hair to shape and generate the look." 

02 of 28

Logan Browning

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Logan Browning's tight coils look great cut into a tapered pixie, and light layers and bangs contribute to its impeccable shape. "To enhance this style I recommend using lightweight products to allow the hair to do its own thing," Stylianou says. "I would apply a small amount of DevaCurl Wave Maker when hair is wet. And finish using Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist to soften the hair and give it volume and texture."

03 of 28

Jennifer Hudson

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"Here, a mid-length pixie has a lot of texture yet also presents as being soft since it's slightly longer at the crown," explains Rivera. She adds, "This is a great look that you will not have to over-style. Use a styling mousse and shine serum. To get the slightly tousled effect, use your fingers when blow-drying hair. Complete the look with a spritz of Clutch hairspray from By Gina."

04 of 28

Evan Rachel Wood

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Evan Rachel Wood swept her curls over to one side while her highlights naturally brightened her complexion. To replicate her elegant pixie, Rivera says to create height by adding root boost to the longer hair at the crown. "Using a round brush, direct hair off of the face and then curl the ends using a round brush or large barrel curling iron. Finish with a natural hold hairspray. I recommend Clutch by Gina," she says.

05 of 28

Halle Berry

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You can't talk about pixie cuts without mentioning Halle Berry. Her iconic tousled look will always reign supreme and remains timeless to this day. While this style is more relaxed and wavy than curly, the length at the top here is still perfect for her natural texture. "I would recommend using a good blow-dry primer for this type of texture and hairstyle to ensure it looks smooth and glossy. My fave is Christophe Robin Daily Cream With Sandalwood," Stylianou says.

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Charlize Theron

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This throwback of Charlize Theron's upright curly cut will never get old. To lock a style like this in place, get your hands on Tresemmé Tres Two Hair Mousse Extra Hold styling mousse. Rivera adds, "Leave sides slightly shorter and comb down words or pull toward to mix it up when styling. Use a root boost to get height at the crown. I like Matrix Biolage Hydrafoaming styling mousse for this purpose. Next, use a one-inch curling iron to loosely curl back the hair on the crown, and then separate the curls using your fingers." Finish with a few spritzes of hairspray.

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Nicole Richie

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If you're not ready to commit to a full-on chop, do like Nicole Richie and go with this faux pixie updo. Again, experimenting with different lengths will instantly add dimension to your cut. For added gloss, finish with a shine spray.

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Rihanna

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When it comes to curly pixies, you can keep them closely cropped like Rihanna's and add a little volume by using a mini flat iron to lift from the root of each curl. This style is perfect if you're looking for something low maintenance. "I recommend beginning with Morrocanoil’s Hydrating Styling Cream then use a small round brush to create soft curls and slightly straighten hair turning at just the ends when styling. Use fingertips to move and place curls. Finish the look with shine spray to get luster, I like Redken’s Diamond Oil High Shine Airy Mist for this purpose," says Rivera.

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Ruth Negga

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These defined spirals suit Ruth Negga so well. And in case you're shopping around for other short, natural hairstyles, we've rounded up our favorite inspiring looks.

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Scarlett Johansson

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To get this style, Rivera advises, "Shave the sides leaving your natural color as the base. At the crown combine a highlight with a root melt in order to create dimension. I recommend a root booster to provide lift and volume at the crown." Finish with a lightweight hairspray, such as Shu Uemura Moya Hold Finishing Hair Spray.

11 of 28

Audrey Tautou

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Audrey Tautou's soft, voluminous curls have a slightly undone finish, proving that there is perfection in imperfection.

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Zendaya

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Zendaya is an old-Hollywood glam queen with these perfect finger waves, which looks great on short hair. To achieve this look part the hair deep to one side, use styling gel when creating these gorgeous finger waves. Finish with a shine spray like Morrocanoil’s Glimmer Shine," says Rivera.

Byrdie Tip

For the ultimate slickness, tie your hair down with a silk scarf for 20 minutes post-styling.

13 of 28

Amandla Stenberg

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Amandla Stenberg stepped on the red carpet paying homage to this angular, high-top fade that took over the '80s and '90s. Her curls look healthy and hydrated; however, according to Stylianou, the burgundy color is the real star of this 'do.

"I feel when you're going for a style like this, a simple bold color really finishes it off perfectly," she says.  "I recommend using color glosses to enhance the cut and give the hair depth. Christophe Robin has a great selection of Temporary Color Gel. Prep curls using DevaCurl Styling Cream to enhance curls and give them a little structure."

14 of 28

Joey King

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Joey King's hair is an example of how you can grow out your pixie (while it still being a pixie). Aim for volume and lift at the roots where curls shine brightly up top but are more relaxed at the bottom and sides.

15 of 28

Janelle Monáe

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Janelle Monáe's feathery curls paired with a bejeweled headband makes her look like a walking goddess. To achieve a similaer style, Rivera recommends, "Apply a styling cream and a shine serum, then using a round brush, dry hair and slightly direct bangs to one side. To really nail the look, add a headband and tease slightly at the back. Style curls gently over the backcombed area for some extra volume. Touch off with a finishing spray."

16 of 28

Rowan Blanchard

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Rowan Blanchard goes retro with her chic crop. A sharp side-part adds structure to her sleek undulations and complements her heart-shaped face. Paired with a red lip, it's as if she just stepped out of an old Hollywood picture.

17 of 28

Solange Knowles

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It was a moment when Solange stepped back into the platinum realm. "The extra length combined with the stunning color is the perfect way to embrace your curls," Rivera says.

Byrdie Tip

If you're interested in this style, Rivera suggests meeting with your colorist to determine the perfect shade for your skin tone. Also, keep some length and add a curl-enhancing product to get the perfect shape.

18 of 28

Samira Wiley

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Samira Wiley's look is minimalist, but it makes a statement. We're loving the contrast of texture with shaved sides and a longer curly mop on top.

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Maria Borges

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Victoria's Secret Angel Maria Borges exemplifies the beauty of Afro-textured pixies. To achieve a similar look, Rivera recommends "using a very good wetline that has biotin, collagen, and the B Vitamins that ensure hair health. Pure BioGen Complex is my favorite shampoo and conditioner for improving and maintaining extremely healthy hair."

20 of 28

Alia Shawkat

 Gary Gershoff / WireImage / Getty Images

Alia Shawkat is one of our fave poster girls of curly hair. She makes an argument for embracing hair's natural texture. All you need are a few styling products and a killer red headband to pull off this pixie.

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Halsey

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Halsey gives their pixie cut a little rock star edge with this wavy wet look paired with purple lips. To pull off the wet look, the secret is mixing a bit of hair gel and hair cream. Work the mixture through your hair, using your natural curls and texture to give you volume.

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Jodie Turner-Smith

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Actress Jodie Turner-Smith combines chic finger waves with shaved sides in this modern and totally screenshot-worthy pixie. To create finger waves, work a dollop of mousse, such as The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam through your hair. For finger waves, mousse often works better than gel. Use a fine tooth comb to brush your hair into a wave and your fingers to keep the curls or grooves into place.

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Ginnifer Goodwin

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Ginnifer Goodwin plays off her natural texture with this adorable tousled pixie haircut. Work in a volumizing mousse and dry your hair with a round brush. Apply a molding paste, such as R + Co Mannequin Styling Paste to create a piecey texture and finish off with hairspray for added height and to hold the style in place.

24 of 28

Lupita Nyong'o

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Lupita Nyong'o uses her headband to push all her hair back to put the emphasis on her beautiful face. A small delicate headband is the perfect accessory for this look. Give the rest of your pixie some volume by teasing the back and set with hairspray.

25 of 28

Anne Hathaway

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Anne Hathaway shows off her lightened up pixie that uses her wavy texture to create this cute pompadour. To copy her look, spray some root booster, like L'Ange Grand Debut Root Booster onto roots and dry using a round brush. Slick back the sides of your hair and spray on hair spray to set your look.

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Meagan Good

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Meagan Good's pixie cut makes a strong case for combed out curls on shorter hair. To mimic the look, start with polished curls and use a wide-tooth comb (or your fingers) to separate your waves.

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Sofia Boutella

Sofia Boutella

Sofia Boutella's lightly-waved pixie looks even better with side-swept bangs.

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Teyana Taylor

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Teyana Taylor's pixie look is a unique take on finger waves and reminds us of styles popular in the 90s. To try the look at home, set your curls with foaming mousse and sit under a hooded dryer, so your hair keeps its shape.

FAQ

• How do you style a naturally curly pixie cut?

  To cut down on maintenance and styling time, work with you natural texture. That begins with asking your stylist for a pixie cut that complements your curl type and using products that keep coils moisturized and defined.

  LEARN MORE: How to Style a Pixie Cut

• How do I know if I'll look good with a pixie cut?

  Almost anyone can rock a pixie cut as long as it's adapted to suit you. So before making the cut, you'll need to consider your face shape and features, as well as your hair type and lifestyle. There's no one-size-fits-all pixie.

  LEARN MORE: How to Tell if You'd Look Good in Short Hair

• Is a pixie cut good for curly hair?

  Yes. Apart from being low-maintenance, a curly pixie cut is incredibly versatile. Having natural texture requires minimal styling because you can just let your curls do their thing—as long as you invest in the right products, that is.

  LEARN MORE: 15 Hair Products That Let Your Curls Live Their Best Life