A little political and a lot fashion, the platinum pixie cut is definitely a thing, says Sarah Murray.
First there was the lob, then came the bob — it seems the hottest hair lengths just keep creeping ever higher. Right now the trend is for the peroxide pixie cut, which is about as short a crop as you can get without shaving your head.
We’ve seen leading ladies rock the pixie before. It’s long been a favourite style of actress Michelle Williams, who once said she sported the ’do as a nod to her former partner Heath Ledger. However, earlier this year model and style icon Cara Delevingne, actress Zoë Kravitz and singer Katy Perry all showed off radical hair transformations — all of the platinum variety. They say two dramatic haircuts is a coincidence, but three is a trend. And we’re on board.
Creative director of Wellington’s Willis York, Rebecca Brent, says the pixie cut has always been a well-liked choice, but she believes its recent surge in popularity is due to the political atmosphere. “At the moment there’s a huge political shift happening, which often creates a shift in fashion and style. Woman are feeling empowered and cutting their hair super-short to reflect that.” Whether it’s the post-Hillary hangover or the recent worldwide Women’s Marches, change is in the air.
WATCH: Lara Worthington gets a pixie cut
How to choose the right pixie cut for you
With the platinum pixie cut fast becoming the hairstyle of the day, how do we pull it off? Contrary to what you might think, Rebecca says almost everyone can try it — the key is knowing that not all pixie cuts are created equal, so customising yours to suit you is essential.
“Those with an oval-shaped face are lucky enough to suit any style, while those with a round face suit a cut with a longer, offset fringe [think Jennifer Lawrence]. If you have a square face, you’ll need texture and height, and a heart-shaped face looks cute with a pixie fringe.”
As for the platinum aspect, Rebecca believes there’s a blonde out there to suit us all. “I find short haircuts need to be bold for maximum impact; the colour is what makes this look so striking. This is a shade that should only be done by a professional, who will find one to suit your skin tone,” she says.
Of course, a hairstyle like this does involve a bit of upkeep. “Regular trims every four to six weeks will keep it looking sharp,” says Rebecca. “And colouring every six weeks will help avoid over-processing and breakage.” She also suggests investing in quality home haircare to help maintain colour and shine and neutralise yellow tones.
