Skip to main content
Basket Preview
Your basket is empty.
Back to Posts

The Pixie Cut Revival: Emma Stone’s Bold New Look

Emma Stone Pixie hair style at the Golden Globes

Whenever red-carpet season rolls around, fashion enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the dazzling designer pieces celebrities will be wearing. At this year’s Golden Globes, it wasn’t just the fancy gowns making news. Actress Emma Stone’s stylish pixie cut had everyone talking.

While Emma Stone is no stranger to bold hair transformations, this is the first time in years that the classic pixie cut has surged back into mainstream popularity. Having previously rocked short hair for her Vogue November 2016 cover, Emma’s latest look has ignited a fresh wave of admiration for the timeless cropped style.

The Inspiration Behind Emma’s Pixie Cut

Emma’s long-time hairstylist, Mara Roszak, revealed to Allure magazine that the inspiration for the pixie cut came from two iconic actresses of the late 1990s: Stranger Things star Winona Ryder (circa 1996) and Lord of the Rings actress Liv Tyler (circa 1998). Interestingly, Emma had shaved her head for a role, and what we saw on the red carpet was actually her natural hair growing back. To perfect the look, Mara gave Emma a final trim on the day of the Golden Globes, ensuring her pixie was camera-ready.

How to Achieve the Look

To recreate Emma Stone’s effortlessly stylish pixie cut, Mara followed a simple yet effective styling process:

  • Washed Emma’s hair before rough drying it to about 70%.
  • Applied a light styling cream to control fly-aways and add texture.
  • Finished with a soft blow-dry to enhance natural movement and shape.

Iconic Pixie Cuts Through the Decades

Emma Stone’s pixie cut instantly evoked comparisons to some of the most iconic short hairstyles in history. While many linked her look to the grunge-chic styles of the ‘90s, the pixie cut’s roots go even further back.

1960s: The Ground-breaking Pixie

The 1960s was an era when long, voluminous hairstyles dominated. However, when Mia Farrow debuted her short, choppy pixie cut in the 1968 horror film Rosemary’s Baby, she sparked a revolution in women’s hairstyling. The cut became a symbol of women’s liberation, challenging traditional beauty norms. In fact, it was rumoured that Mia’s then-husband, singing legend Frank Sinatra, threatened to divorce her after seeing her short hair a sign that society wasn’t quite ready for women embracing androgynous styles.

groundbreaking short hair styles

1950s: The Original Pixie Pioneers

Before Mia Farrow’s daring move, two legendary actresses, Audrey Hepburn and Jean Seberg, had already popularised the pixie cut in the 1950s. Audrey Hepburn’s version was soft, elegant, and delicately choppy, exuding feminine charm. On the other hand, Jean Seberg opted for a bolder, more severe pixie with shaved sides, exuding a cool, rebellious attitude.

Styling Essentials for a Modern Pixie Cut

While Emma Stone makes the pixie cut look easy, breezy, and beautiful, it’s a cut that definitely requires the right products, and you’ll need to advise your client to book in for regular trims. People often assume that short hair is more low-maintenance than long hair, and while that’s mostly true, with a pixie cut your client will never have the option to just scrape it away from their face with a scrunchie or tie it up into a topknot!

Top 3 Products for Styling a Pixie Cut

  • A styling cream: Great for adding control while blow-drying, as per Mara Roszak’s technique for Emma.
  • A pomade: Offers versatility—opt for a glossy finish or a matte option to enhance choppy texture and completely change up the look.
  • A texture mist: Ideal for adding volume and body to fine or limp hair.

Don’t forget to keep your kit stocked up by visiting your nearest Capital store today, or shop online.