Ron King: Is a Pixie Cut Right for Your Client?

by The Style King/Ron King on Monday, January 3, 2011

Ron King has worked as a hairstylist, transforming people’s appearances, for more than 20 years. With a growing celebrity clientele, King travels the world taking inspiration from different cultures and countries. Along the way, he has developed his own “easy wear” style philosophy which plays up a woman’s natural hair texture and pairs it with natural-looking makeup that’s easy to apply. This mantra led him to launch a signature line of cosmetics for women who want to look pulled together but who are are short on time. King has worked with some of the most respected names in the industry, including L’Oreal Professional, Ted Gibson, Eva Scrivo and Rick Wellman.

A bevy of tinseltown beauties has recently chopped off their locks and now look impossibly soignee and chic (Ashlee Simpson, Hayden Pannetierre, Jessica Lowndes, just to name a few), but is this cropped look a ‘do for everyone? I say it depends on the person’s style, confidence level, age, personality, hair type, face and body shape. There is a short cut that will suit nearly everybody…It’s just a matter of cutting and styling it in a way that is flattering to the wearer.

For a true pixie style, it helps to have petite, delicate facial features and a heaping dose of confidence since your face will be front and center. Crops can look good on those with more rounded or angular features as well. Simply ask for longer layers and maybe err on the side of a short bob with side bangs (same if you’re on the taller or plus size side because it can look disproportionate). Attitude is key with the pixie and it should match your style and personality as well. Teens and ladies in their twenties/thirties look best in a Mia Farrow-esque ‘do, which makes them appear fresh and stylish. On the other hand, women on the more mature side do best with bobs or shoulder length hair usually because it lends an air of youthfulness to the face and very short hair can look severe on mature faces. At the same time, going too long with your length when you’re a woman of a certain age can make you look older as well. It’s best to hit that mid-length sweet spot.

Is your client scared of losing all her length at once? I suggest gradually taking her shorter (from long to medium length to a bob to a pixie cut) so the shock won’t be as sudden and you can get an idea of what she will look like without taking too much off at once. Play with color as well when you take the short hair plunge. Just like with adjusting hair and makeup styles and colors when you make a change in your appearance, you should take your time with your client’s color. This can also ease growing pains if your client doesn’t like the cut and is a nice way to make short hair more playful and fun.