For many of us, September feels like a fresh start. It’s a time to embrace cooler days, cosier evenings and the arrival of autumn. There’s no better moment to get a fresh haircut – and Helen Mirren has just given us the perfect example.
In images shared by hairstylist Charley McEwen on Instagram, the MobLand actress has given her bixie cut a fresh, elevated update. As you may know, the bixie has become a hugely popular choice for older women this year, particularly those with grey or fine hair. Few know how to wear the style better than Helen Mirren, who switched from her signature bob back in June. She’s now given her short cut a sharp, chic update that experts say creates the look of a ‘naturally lifted face’.
Helen, 81, has transitioned from her shorter, softer, heatwave-ready bixie style into a more structured autumnal variation, with cleverly-cut angles that really flatter her face.
It’s a look that Tina Farey, editorial director at Rush Hair describes as a ‘graduated bixie’. This more structured take on the bob-pixie hybrid features clean lines, defined edges and carefully shaped layers. It combines the cropped ease of a pixie with the fuller, face-framing shape of a short bob, creating a sculpted silhouette that still retains plenty of movement and texture, perfect for adding dimension and depth into more mature hair.
As Tina tells us, the cut is also ideal for drawing attention to the face’s natural focal points, including the cheekbones and eyes. ‘This helps to create the appearance of a naturally lifted face,’ Tina says.
Why is this bixie a great haircut for fine, mature hair?
Shorter haircuts can sometimes be viewed negatively when it comes to mature hair, but Tina says a Helen-esque bixie is an excellent way to refresh and rejuvenate your look.
‘The bixie is loved for its ability to open up the face,’ she explains. ‘Unlike some shorter styles, it can maintain balanced proportions while creating a flattering, face-framing shape.’
Thinning hair and a more-visible scalp can also be common concerns for mature hair. The bixie helps to create the illusion of greater thickness, volume and body. Helen’s graduated version is particularly effective, as the carefully blended longer layers help to retain fullness while giving the style plenty of shape and movement.
Why is this cut the perfect update to Helen’s summer bixie?
Helen’s summer bixie had what Tina describes as ‘the height of boho chic’, with wispy, touchable volume and a relaxed, effortless finish. Its feathered ends gave the cut a softer, more summery feel.
Her new style is sleeker and more defined, with a stronger, blunter shape that creates a polished silhouette. The smooth finish makes it an ideal transitional haircut, taking the bixie seamlessly from late summer into the cooler months.
Does the bixie work with all hair colours, including grey?
Absolutely. Many mature A-list celebrities have embraced the bixie in recent years, including Emma Thompson, Pamela Anderson and Michelle Yeoh, each putting their own spin on the versatile style. The fashionable cut instantly makes silver hair look modern, especially when the tone is as flattering as Helen’s.
‘Lighter hair colours, such as silver, can help to brighten the complexion,’ says Tina. ‘As we mature, we lose pigment in the skin, so a hair colour like Helen’s, with brighter undertones, can help to give it a gorgeous glow.’
What should I ask for at the salon if I want a bixie?
‘Harmony is key to this cut,’ explains Tina. ‘It’s important to consider whether you want the style to highlight or balance your features and face shape.
Take along a photograph of the exact look you like, as this gives your stylist a clear idea of the shape, length and finish you have in mind. During your consultation, discuss how much graduation and texture would suit your hair type, as well as how short you are comfortable going. This will help ensure the final cut complements your features and works with the natural movement of your hair.
How should this bixie be styled?
The sharp, graduated bixie is all about movement and texture, so it should feel effortlessly chic and relaxed rather than overly styled.
To recreate Helen’s sleek, high-shine finish, Tina recommends using ‘products that are designed to give the hair a gorgeous shine without weighing it down’. Heavy formulas can make mature hair appear flatter and thinner, reducing volume and movement. A lightweight oil can help to create a glossy, bouncy finish while allowing the hair to retain its natural shape and movement.
For weaker or more fragile strands, a lightweight fortifying serum can also help to improve the hair’s condition and reduce breakage without leaving it feeling heavy.
When it comes to styling, blow-dry the lengths using a round brush, then allow the hair to fall naturally. The shape of the cut should do most of the work, creating the relaxed yet glamorous finish that Helen wears so well.
