The hair salon smelled like coffee and hairspray, a strange mix that brought back memories from 30 years ago. Jeanne, 73, was sitting in a chair by the window, twisting the end of her scarf. She was both amused and worried. Her grown-out bob made her face look droopy, like heavy curtains on a sunny day. “Short, yes… but not granny short,” she whispered to the stylist, as if she were telling them a secret.
Younger women around her were asking for shag cuts, messy bobs, and Californian layers. Jeanne wanted something else: a cut that would say “I’m still here” without making her look like she was trying too hard.
Jeanne raised an eyebrow when the stylist suggested a “trixie cut.” She had never heard that word before.
The mirror would talk a little later.
The “trixie cut” is a short haircut that makes a 70-year-old face look younger.
You don’t see the “trixie cut” coming, but then you see it everywhere. On the neighbor who seems to have lost weight all of a sudden. About that actress in her 70s whose name you can’t remember but whose hair you want. About the woman in line at the pharmacy who looks like she has ten years less on her shoulders.
In short, it’s a short cut with movement: it’s tapered at the back, airy on top, and has soft pieces around the face. Not a strict pixie, not a classic bob. Something in the middle, more fun.
A cut that doesn’t try to hide age but instead plays with it.
Think of a pixie with a very short layered bob. The back is short and clean, the sides are light, and the volume is a little on the crown. Just enough to give a thinning hairline some lift without looking like a helmet, which is what everyone hates.
The trixie cut changed everything for 71-year-old Françoise, who had worn the same straight bob for 25 years. Her stylist lifted the roots, cut a soft, wispy fringe, and left a few strands that were a little longer near her cheekbones. She laughed out loud when she put her glasses back on and said, “I can finally see my face… and it’s not that bad.”
The change isn’t just a big deal in terms of length. It’s in the energy.
After 70, this cut works really well for a simple reason. Heavy lengths pull down on the features as the face naturally relaxes and the jawline softens. Visually lifting everything up is as easy as shortening the sides and clearing the nape. Instead of the neck, it draws the eye to the smile, cheekbones, and eyes.
The layered crown gives you that little “push” that most people lose as they get older: density at the roots. Instead of framing the fine lines around the temples with a straight, harsh line, soft edges blur them. *From the front, the effect is surprisingly soft, and from the side, it looks very modern.
This is why the trixie cut makes you feel younger without looking like a costume.
How to change the trixie cut to fit your age, hair, and real life
The changes that can be made to the trixie cut are what make it so special. The layers should be soft and feathered on very fine hair so that the sides don’t show through. The stylist can be more daring with texturizing on thicker hair by making little “air pockets” so it doesn’t look like a block.
The main thing to do is make a difference between the shorter, neat nape and the slightly longer, lighter top that is easy to see but not too harsh. Tell your hairdresser to leave some length around your ears and cheekbones. Those little pieces, styled forward or to the side, do a lot of the work to make you look younger, like a frame around a painting.
A little shine spray and a gentle blow-dry are all it takes to shape white or salt-and-pepper hair.
Farewell hair dye : the emerging movement to conceal grey hair and appear younger stylists divided
We all know what it’s like to leave the salon looking great, only to have your hair not cooperate three days later. That’s where the trixie cut can help you be patient. It looks good even when you just run your fingers through it if it’s cut right.
Let’s be honest: no one really does this every day. The 20-minute blow-dry lesson every day? That’s for social media, not for real life at 7:30 in the morning. A good trixie cut should be “shake and go.” Just put a little light mousse on damp hair, dry it for two minutes while lifting the roots with your fingers, and that’s it.
The biggest mistake is asking for something that is too structured and geometric and will fall apart as soon as you sleep on it.
Clara, a hairstylist for more than 30 years, says, “After 70, the best cut is the one that forgives you.” “The trixie cut has this built-in luxury.” It grows out well, keeps its shape, and looks stylish even when you haven’t done much.
For people with round faces
Request a little more length on top, with some volume toward the crown, and don’t cut the sides too short. This will make your face look longer without making your features look frozen.
For hair that is thin or weak
Choose soft, hidden layers and a slightly longer outline. Adding a little texturizing powder to the roots gives your hair some lift without making your scalp heavy or making you tease your hair.
For people who wear glasses
Keep the temples light and airy so that the arms of the glasses don’t get lost in a big pile. A short, wispy fringe just above the frame makes the eyes look great.
More than just a haircut: a quiet way to say “I’m still changing.”
It’s not just the shape that moves a lot of women when they see themselves with a trixie cut. The message is what matters. People often say they cut their hair short at 70, 75, or 80 because they don’t want to deal with it anymore. It’s almost the opposite here. It’s a design choice, not a choice of tiredness.
You’re not cutting your hair because you’re getting older. You are cutting it for your face today, your schedule now, and your desire for lightness this spring and summer. That little change makes a big difference in how you leave the salon.
The trixie cut also gets rid of the small, invisible line that a lot of women feel between themselves and younger people. You don’t copy your granddaughter’s hairdo; you borrow the same codes: movement, texture, and a little bit of daring. In pictures, the effect is clear: the neck is visible, the earrings are visible again, and the neckline is clear. The whole shape breathes.
Some women choose to stop coloring their hair on the same day. If you have shorter, more structured hair, natural white or gray hair will look like a color choice on its own. Now, sparkly silver looks more “chic” than “tired.”
The trixie cut is perfect for the trend of wanting things to be easy this spring and summer. Think linen dresses, comfy sandals, fresh makeup, and smaller handbags. It looks like you put some thought into it, but it’s easy to care for.
And maybe that’s its best gift after 70: it lets you enjoy looking in the mirror again, not to chase an illusion of youth, but to see a face that has lived, softened, and still dares to change.
A small cut with scissors opens up a big space in how you see yourself for the next few seasons.
Main pointDetail: What the reader gets out of it
Rejuvenating effect without going overboardShort hair on the back of the neck, light volume on top, and soft strands around the faceIt makes features look higher and brings out the eyes and cheekbones.
Can be used on different types of hairFine, thick, white, or salt-and-pepper hair: layers and length changedGives a modern look without messing with the natural texture.
Simple upkeep every dayQuick blow-dry, finger styling, and only light productsKeeps you looking polished every day while saving time and energy
Questions and Answers:
If I’m 70 or older and have very fine, sparse hair, is the trixie cut right for me?
Yes, as long as the layers are very soft and not too harsh. Your stylist should keep the outline a little fuller, especially on the sides. Instead of thinning the ends too much, they should focus on lifting the roots with light, volumizing products.
How often do I need to get a new trixie cut?
Every five to seven weeks is the best time to clean the nape and keep the crown in balance. You can stretch it to 8 weeks if you want a softer, more grown-out look without losing the shape completely.
If I have naturally curly or wavy hair, can I wear a trixie cut?
Yes, and the result can be very beautiful. The cut will be a little longer and rounder, and it won’t be as thin. To keep the curl pattern, ask your hairdresser to shape the layers on dry hair.
Will this cut look good on white or gray hair?
Yes, it even makes it stand out more. Gray hair looks shinier and more dimensional when it is cut into shorter, textured shapes. Once in a while, using a silver or gloss shampoo can make your hair shine more and get rid of any yellow tones.
What should I say to my hairdresser so that there are no problems?
Bring two or three pictures of the kind of trixie cut you want. Say it clearly: short but soft, no helmet effect, some movement around the face, and easy to style with your fingers. Tell them about your real styling routine so that the cut fits your life, not an idealized version of it.
