How to Style a Pixie Cut with Wax

Co-authored by Matt King

Last Updated: September 21, 2021 References

Give your pixie cut extra volume and texture by styling it with wax. From adding a little extra oomph to your regular style to trying out a new look, like a side braid or fauxhawk, wax enables you to do a lot with a little hair! Have fun experimenting with different styles until you find the one that is perfect for you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Wax to Add Texture

1
Wash and condition your hair like you normally do. Because wax can build up in short hair pretty quickly, it’s smart to start with clean locks when you plan on using it to texturize your hair. If you don’t have time to wash, use dry shampoo to absorb some of your hair’s oil before styling it.^{[1]
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- Volumizing products are great to use on short hair, especially if you have fine hair.
- If you struggle with frizziness, use products that promote deep-conditioning.
2
Towel-dry your hair and spray the roots with a root-lifter for volume. Gently rub your hair with a dry towel to absorb most of the excess water. If you want to give your hair some extra height, spray the roots with a product made for volume.^{[2]
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- Volumizing products come in sprays, mousses, foams, and gels. Since you’ll be using wax later on, opt for a spray or foam so it is less likely to weigh down your hair.
Tip: Dry shampoo can also work well in place of root-lifter.

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3
Blow-dry your hair so you can quickly move on to styling it. Use a low-heat setting to protect your hair from excessive heat. Use a brush for a smoother style or just your fingers for a more natural look.^{[3]
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- Try blowdrying your hair upside down for extra volume.
4
Use a straightener or curler to shape your hair the way you want it. The great thing about using hair wax is that it can be added to any style to amplify its effect and make it look more textured. Or, if you prefer a more natural, messy look, skip this styling step.^{[4]
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- To avoid damaging your hair, use the lowest heat setting on your styling tools.
5
Rub a small pea-sized amount of wax between your hands to warm it up. If you use too much wax, your hair will end up looking greasy. You can use a product from the drugstore or purchase something from a salon. Look for products that include words like “wax,” “paste,” “sculpting,” “molding,” or “clay.”^{[5]
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- Because your hair is so short, it doesn’t require much product daily. A small container of wax can last a long time!
6
Work the wax into your hair with your fingertips using circular motions. Focus on getting the wax through every layer of your hair, not just the top. Use a kind of plucking and rubbing motion as you move your hands through your hair. The wax will separate the layers to create texture and volume.^{[6]
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- Don’t worry too much about the actual style at this stage. The main goal is to get the wax through your hair to create texture. After that, you can coax your hair into the style you prefer.
7
Create a tousled look for a chic, everyday style. Create a natural part on one side of your head with your fingers. On either side of the part, run your fingers through your hair, pushing back and forth and up and down to add more texture.^{[7]
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- You shouldn’t need to add more wax to your hands. What you already put into your hair should be enough to create texture and help hold your style in place. But, if you feel a little more would be helpful, trust your judgment!
8
Opt for a sleek, neat look for a more traditional pixie cut. Create a part in your hair using your fingers or a comb. Use your fingers to brush your hair on either side of the part in the direction you want it to go. For example, if you want the sides of your hair to slant forward, use your fingertips to coax them in that direction.^{[8]
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- If there are sections of your hair that just won’t stay down, try using a straightener on those areas to give them a little extra help.
- Wax is a great way to give your hair some extra form and structure.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Matt King
  Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
  Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.}
9
Pull at the ends of your hair to give them a little extra texture. Once you’re done working the wax through the body of your hair, put a very small amount on your fingertips and apply it to the tips. This makes your hair look even more styled.^{[10]
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- If you notice streaks of wax in any particular spot, just continue to work it into your hair until it disappears.
- The more often you use wax to style your pixie cut, the more comfortable you’ll get with it. Before you know it, you’ll be able to work it through your hair without a second thought!
10
Lock in your style with a few spritzes of hairspray. After you’ve achieved the look you want, quickly spray your hair. There’s no need to use a lot of hairspray—you want your style to stay in place but you don’t want your locks to look hard and immovable.^{[11]
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- Try out different styles with your pixie cut to see what you like best! Even though your hair is short, there are still lots of things you can do with it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Experimenting with Different Styles

1
Twist or braid your hair to create a neat yet elegant look. Just because your hair is short doesn’t mean you can’t rock some braids (or faux-braids)! Twist your hair and use wax to keep short strands of hair where you want them. For example, apply a very small amount of wax to your fingertips and twist your hair off to the side. Use a little more wax to finish texturizing the rest of your hair.^{[12]
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- This style is also great for hot summer months when you want your hair off of your face.
2
Fluff your hair into a fauxhawk for a fun, edgy style. Blow-dry your hair and focus on brushing the center parts of your hair upward and forward (drying your hair upside down can help with creating volume, too). Apply a small amount of wax to your hands and run your fingers upward through your hair to push it into the center.^{[13]
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- For a thinner, more traditional fauxhawk, sandwich your hair between your palms as you apply the wax.
- For a more modern and chunky look, use your fingertips to keep the fauxhawk separated and textured.
3
Use wax to create a front-poof for a voluminous finish. After you have dried your hair, rub a small pea-sized amount of wax between your palms. Gather the front middle section of your hair and pull it up while twisting the end. Pull the twist down behind the section you’re holding while simultaneously pushing it forward a little bit to poof out that front chunk of hair. Secure the end of the twist down with a bobby-pin.^{[14]
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- If there are flyaways, use a little wax on your fingertips to smooth them down and keep them in place.
- This style is also sometimes referred to as a “bump.” It resembles a pompadour but doesn’t extend all the way back.
4
Create defined waves or curls with a straightener and wax. After washing and drying your hair, use a hair straightener to curl your pixie cut. Quickly clamp a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair in your straightener and twist it inward or outward to create a small curl. Repeat with the rest of your hair. Then, rub a small pea-sized amount of wax between your palms and work your fingers through your hair. You can emphasize individual curls by twisting them with waxy fingers. Finish your look with a quick spritz of hairspray.^{[15]
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- Don’t worry if your curls aren’t perfect! Part of the beauty of the pixie cut is that it can be tousled and still look great.