We’ve survived the great 2025 bob mania—you know, the massive wave of short short hair transformations that cemented the bob as the “it” haircut of the year. The bob is loved for various reasons. It’s versatile, timeless, and incredibly chic, but we know there comes a time when you simply want a change. While there are multiple styles you can ask your hairdresser for in 2026, there’s one in particular that is absolutely perfect for this summer: the bixie.
If you liked the bob look that took over last year but want a slight change, this hybrid haircut is your answer.
“The bixie is one of those haircuts that turns heads,” says Taylor Murphy, hairstylist and beauty expert at Made and Taylored. “It’s fun and edgy while also being chic and girly, so it’s the best of both worlds. More than that, it’s an easy haircut to style and also isn’t frustrating to grow out. The best part? It looks good on all hair types!”
What is a bixie?
The bixie is a bob and a pixie cut combined; it’s short and fresh—ideal for those high summer temperatures—but also allows you to play with volume. First emerging in the ’90s, celebrities like Winona Ryder, Halle Berry, and, of course, Princess Diana, popularized the bixie and attracted media attention to the look.
We’ve seen the style have a comeback in the past couple of years, but it seems to be reaching its peak in 2026. Recently, celebrities like Emma Stone, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh have rocked variations of the style, proving that you can play with your bixie as much as you want to ensure it feels like you.
“The 90’s bixie was really just a long pixie with choppy, defined layers,” says Murphy. “In 2026, we have modernized it by making the bixie more of a bob than a pixie. While the layers are still defined, they’re blended more to give it a softer look. The modern bixie gives that nostalgic 90’s vibe with a cool modern edge.”
How to get the look
Murphy explains that you should ask your stylist for a shorter bob that hugs your ears and has soft layers throughout. However, you should have reference photos ready before you even head to the salon.
“Remember that we all have different definitions of what short is, so pictures are always better than words when it comes to hair,” she says. “Make sure to have plenty of screenshots and videos to show your stylist what it is that you’re looking for; that way, you can talk through the best option for your hair type and lifestyle.”
How do I maintain a bixie?
Before you get a bixie, make sure it makes sense with your lifestyle. According to Murphy, a bixie requires daily styling in order for it to look how it did when you walked out of the salon. You should also take your hair thickness and volume into consideration. “This haircut will look different on curly hair vs. straight hair and thick hair vs. thin hair,” she says.
Additionally, you can count on getting it cut every eight to twelve weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. “This will help maintain both the shape and the length,” she explains.
Murphy recommends using a textured pomade to help define your layers and a hairspray to hold volume. Her personal favorites are the Oribe Fiber Groom Elastic Texture Paste and Redken Brushable Hairspray.
The bottom line
Bixies are a highly customizable look and are perfect for those who want a trendy haircut that can also look unique on them. It might be a recreation of a past style, but if you ask Murphy, those are the most fun and durable.
“Any hairstyle or color that is a recreation of a past style is going to always be a hit,” she says. “Short hair has been in style for decades, but with cuts like the bixie, it’s not only a haircut, it’s an accessory to your everyday look. You can plan on the bixie sticking around for years to come.”
