Zendaya Just Made the Pixie Cut the Haircut of the Moment

Why Pixie Cuts Are Everywhere Right Now

If Zendaya’s Emmys look is any indication, the pixie cut isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Shorter styles have ruled 2026—from the bob to the bixie to the full-on pixie—and celebrities like Teyana Taylor, Taylor Hill, Iris Law, and now Zendaya are showing just how many ways there are to make the cut your own.

“A pixie cut is edgy while still allowing your femininity to shine,” says Zinck. “I think women are taking charge of being strong and independent, and this cut does a great job of showing that off.” Naturally, there’s nothing we love more than a beauty moment that radiates confidence, and the pixie does that with ease. 

How to Recreate Zendaya’s Emmys Pixie

The secret to Zendaya’s perfectly imperfect texture? Not making it too perfect. Moreno started by blow-drying her hair with the GHD Speed Hair Dryer to build the pixie’s sculpted shape. Once dry, he used the GHD Sculpt to lift sections at the root and add subtle bends throughout, alternating their direction so the texture didn’t look too uniform. Finally, he used his fingertips to pinch and separate pieces through the crown and fringe for that airy, undone finish.

What to Consider Before Getting a Pixie Cut

As with any hair style, there are a few things to take into account before making the cut. Take into consideration your face shape and hair type, since that’ll determine what look you want to go with. “A pixie is super simple to style, which on one hand is great if you want a quick morning routine,” says Zinck. “The trade-off is that there aren’t a whole lot of other ways to style it, so it's a look you have to stick with for a while.” If you’re in doubt, start with a consultation. You can always go shorter—but not longer—so start with something closer to a bob and work your way up to pixie once you’re ready. 

10 Pixie Cuts That Might Convince You to Make the Chop

1. Zendaya’s Flapper-Inspired Pixie

Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Releasing UK

Zendaya may have had us screenshotting her piece-y pixie at the 2026 Emmys, but it’s hardly the only way she’s styled the short cut. We also love this ’20s-inspired take, which proves just how versatile a pixie can be. A deep side part, gel, and strategically curled edges give the cut a totally different, vintage-inspired feel.

2. Iris Law’s Platinum Pixie Cut

Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Model Iris Law will forever be on our pixie cut moodboard. If you’re looking to make an extra statement with your shorter cut, consider pairing it with a striking platinum dye job. When you don’t feel like putting in the extra styling work, the color speaks for itself. 

3. Jessie Buckley’s Deep Parted Bixie

Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures

A little longer than your average pixie cut, the bixie looks great no matter how you style it. You can wear it air-dried, or for an easy and occasion-ready style, a deep side part brings the drama (look-wise, not styling-wise). Take notes from Jessie Buckley’s look and add a little gelled curl in the front. 

4. Zoë Kravitz’s Piece-y Bixie

Photo by Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty Images

For a truly effortless look, go with a textured bixie like Zoë Kravitz. Curled edges and piece-y bangs help the look feel complete, making it a great style to go with if you haven’t yet experimented with shorter cuts. After washing and drying your hair, run a little styling cream through your hair, taking care to flip the ends of your hair and finger-part your bangs. We like using the LIVING PROOF No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream because it smooths hair and eliminates frizz without weighing hair down, making it perfect for pixies. 

5. Teyana Taylor’s Curly Pixie

Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images

Teyana Taylor’s Academy Awards look was deserving of its own trophy. While hairspray was key to holding her pixie in place, hairstylist Nikki Nelms brought those curls to life by using a diffuser while drying Taylor’s hair. Before using a hot tool, make sure to protect (and prime) your ’do with a heat protectant like the SUTRA Heat Guard® Blowout Cream. 

6. Emma Stone’s “Messy” Pixie

Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Zinck’s favorite way to style a pixie? “A textured, messy look,” she says. There are no rules to this look, but we do recommend blow-drying your hair upside-down for a little extra volume before adding in your styling product (Zinck recommends a texturizing paste) to recreate this Emma Stone look. 

7. Carey Mulligan’s Gelled Pixie

Photo by DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Equal parts simple and stylish, the gelled pixie will soon be your go-to. A dramatic side part (seen here on Carey Mulligan) helps the look feel more formal, but you can part your hair wherever you like. First, apply a generous amount of gel to your hair—and we mean generous—and then grab an extra-fine-tooth comb to brush the product through your hair and create your part. Set with a quick spritz of hair spray, and you’re good to go!

8. Janelle Monáe’s Fluffy Coiled Pixie

Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Leave it to Janelle Monáe to put a fresh spin on a classic cut. We love how the lighter blonde color accentuates the singer’s natural coils. Here, the most important part of styling your pixie is to keep hair hydrated and to get it cut frequently to keep its shape.

9. Halsey’s Edgy Textured Pixie

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Feeling adventurous? Take notes from Halsey’s fiery red pixie cut. The tousled, piece-y texture and slightly longer length through the top give the close-cropped cut an effortlessly edgy feel, while the vibrant color makes an even bigger statement. It’s proof that a pixie can pack plenty of personality—even without a lot of length.

10. Kehlani’s Styled Edges

Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Audemars Piguet

Give your pixie some edge—literally—with some romantic curled edges. Kehlani’s cut is a great example; after gelling your hair down, use a small edging brush to smooth your edges and lay them down into small curls. Paired with a classic smoky eye, this look is ready for any occasion.