Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial

by JATAI, 04 Jun 2025

Learn how to create a Linda Evangelista short haircut that she made famous in the 1990's. One of the most well-known models at the time among Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, she had a vibrant career and earned celebrity status for her modeling. One of the most important contributions she made in the fashion world is her iconic short haircut.

Photographer Peter Lindbergh suggested she get a short haircut and in 1988 she chopped it off in a bold move that shocked the industry. Hairstylist Julien d'Ys created the iconic pixie that soon gained popularity shortly after. Her style was broadcasted all over the news and media outlets, including popular print magazines such as Vogue.

Linda Evangelista has sported many long and short hairstyles over the years, but the short crop pixie made the biggest impact in the hair world in the late 80s and early 90s. Today short haircuts are popular among women, but Linda's has maintained a timeless essence which exudes beauty in any era. Watch this tutorial and follow along with the transcript.

Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Tutorial:

Welcome back to the Jatai Academy. I'm Russell Mayes Director of Content and today we're going to be doing a study of the Linda Evangelista pixie cut, one of the most iconic haircuts of any fashion era.

And we're going to study what makes it great, what makes it work, how to remove enough weight to where it fits in nice and tight but still have some length and that was really her signature.

It was short but she still had length. She's had thickness and it was solid, but it wasn't too bulky. It still had softness and movement. So let's see how we can do that. Let's get started.

Sectioning

I want to take my first section which is going to separate the top of the hair from the bottom. The bottom we're going to fit in real nice and tight. The top we're going to leave a little longer.

We're going to take the center of the recession to the quarter part, quarter part down and then we're going to bevel that out as opposed to just going to a point. I want to bevel this out just to make it flow a little bit better in the back of the head.

I'll take an angled section right here at the front. I'm going to go through and use my Feather Styling Razor . This is the wood-look option which is my favorite right now. It's a limited edition so get it while you can.

I'm going to take this first section. I'm going to pull perpendicular to my parting. So T to the parting. Now most of Linda Evangelista's pixies were longer in the front about the center of her nose that she would kind of texturize and swift one way or the other.

Cutting the Sides

Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial - Sides

So I'm going to pull this forward. I'm going to plant my knuckles and then angle my fingers to get that length right at about the center of her nose and then we're going to go through and cut that back towards the ear.

I'll take my next section. This is going to be a parallel section to my first that I just cut. We're going to comb this out of the way. I'm going to take this section. I'm going to pull it forward the same but where this is going to differ is that I'm not pulling it straight forward flat to the head. I'm going to slightly elevate it.

So I'm going off the curvature of the head as I work this back. An easy way to determine that is I just lay the comb right at the parting and it will show me what elevation I take as I go towards the back. That's going to give me a curved line going from the front to the back.

Again pull this out, find my line. There's my guide. Try to take the same broad razor stroke that I was taking before. Cut that down and through. The next section parallel all the way down into the nape.

Now the number of sections that you're going to take is going to be determined by how big the person's head is. The bigger the head, the more sections you're going to take. The smaller the head, the fewer sections you'll take.

Pick up my previously cut guide. Pull out the first. Find the right elevation. Find the right angle. Cut that back towards the ear. Once I get to the ear I'm no longer going to work that all the way in. I'm going to start taking this section parallel to the head, parallel to my parting.

Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial - Nape

So the parting up here was at an angle. Once it hits the ear, now it becomes parallel to the section. Continue my next section. Pull this forward. There's my angle. I got the right elevation. Lift that up and through once I come into the nape parallel to my parting.

So I start to build up weight here on top of the ear and then it starts to become much more even in its weight distribution as I get down to the nape. And I will continue this until I get all the way just past center.

Next section, since I don't have any hair above where the ear is this is all going to be parallel, parallel to the parting and also following my previously cut guide. There's my length.

Nice. Very nice. It's taking me back. I've got George Michael playing in my head. Now we're going to go through and do the same thing to the other side.

To make sure that I keep my moisture content the same on both sides. I'm going to be using Jatai Blade Glide . This is going to give me the ability to keep my moisture consistent on both sides. It compacts the cuticle and makes it a lot easier to cut with the razor.

I'm just going to go through and take a parallel section to my previous guide which is going to be like that. So now from here I know that I'm going about to the bridge of the nose so I'll pull this out. I'll rock it to where I have about that elevation into it. There's my guide from underneath. Go through. Take that length off.

Same thing as I work from the front to the back. Get my elevation right, a nice broad razor stroke following my guide from underneath as I work all the way into the back of the head. Now I'm going to take a parallel section about the same thickness from front all the way to the back. If I need to add a little moisture I'll hit it with a little Blade Glide. Perfect.

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Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial - Front

There's my guide. Nice broad razor stroke so I don't build up weight but I do build up length. There's the next nice broad stroke. If I need to have them tilt their head down there's my guide from underneath. Cut that down and through.

Next section and I'm going to continue with this method until I get slightly over the center top of the head. Find the right elevation. There's my guide from underneath until I work all the way into the nape. That looks pretty good.

Now I'm going to go through and do the same thing to the other side. Uh I think we've got a little too much length in the front so I'm going to take a little bit off right in the middle so that'll be easy. Just take a parallel section there.

Yeah we got the sides fine. It's just right in the middle I'm not a fan of so we're going to go through, take that and bevel that shape from the sides into and around the front. There we go.

Cutting the Top

Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial - Top

Now to control this kind of point on top it's very easy. It's going to be very simple. I'm going to take a center mohawk section. So I've got my center section here on top.

What I want to do is go through and remove this corner that I have on top by pulling it left and right, front and back. The way I'm going to do that is I'm going to hold this and cut just like this.

I'm going to flick some of this length off by using my thumb against the back of the spine of the razor. I'm not laying it on the actual blade. I'm laying it on the back of the razor putting the hair and then pulling the blade out that will take any kind of length that hangs off over where I push that end of the blade off.

Very little, if anything, right through here. Yeah, very little. If I feel like the hair is too thick, then the way I'm going to remove some weight is not by channel cutting because I don't want to introduce any separation and any sort of movement. I want to keep this a very neutral shape.

So what I'm going to do is I'm going to pull out a section very easy and then just lay the blade directly flat across the entire section and fillet some of that weight out of it just like I'm filleting a fish, filleting some sushi. Take a little bit of that weight out and that will remove the weight without changing the shape or putting channel separation into it.

We're going to continue this on the top all over and just take a little bit of that weight out just gently lay the blade against the hair and then start to rock the blade until it starts to cut. Once it starts cutting, I'll leave it at that angle. Boom very quick, very easy, very very light.

I don't want to get heavy with this razor especially on blonde hair because it will flat cut it off quick because blonde hair tends to be a little delicate, so I need to respect that.

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I like this. I think we got the basic shape into it so now let's go through and blow it dry and see what our end results are.

Final Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Look

Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial - Final Look

So here's our end result of the Linda Evangelista haircut and I think we got the texture right which I think is the hardest thing when you're working on mannequin hair or hair that's been bleached like our inspiration picture where you got to get it soft enough thinned out enough without getting wispy and I think by laying our razor flat against the section, that really generates that type of texture and that type of shape.

We got a solid shape. We got a little bit of fullness all the way around. Very very iconic of when she was doing the George Michael video with when she had her short pixie kind of hair. I like it a lot. I think that this works really really well.

So couple of things to remember: pull your sections forward, angle your fingers so you leave more weight right here around the front and then you're tapering it into the back. Also, gently fillet with the razor across each section to remove as much weight as required.

Let us know what you'd like to see in the future and please check out the Jatai Academy. There's all kinds of fantastic information on there that will make you a better hairstylist and barber. If you have a question, leave it below. We'll try to get back to you as soon as possible and again thank you so much for watching. We'll see you next time.

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14 Back to School Haircut Inspiration Ideas for Kids

by JATAI, 23 Aug 2023

When it comes to kid's hair, sometimes it's easy just to cut their hair at home if it's a simple trim. But sometimes having a professional do the work is necessary and maybe a fun splurge or even a back-to-school look. Without being over the top, here are some cute inspirational cuts for kids that set the tone for a fun, fresh look for the kiddos. Girls @halcyonsalonshelby What's more classic than some curls. This cutie looks ready for her first day back to school with her hair color and beautiful curls on point. It's not too short but not super long either. This is a great look for any little girl. @impactbeauty_byshay A simple bob is always in style. Sometimes a little girl just doesn't want to fuss with long hair. With a one length pretty bob that's curled at the end, this little girl is rockin' it. It's low maintenance, can be styled in various ways and shows off her youthful, feminine energy. @topnotchbeautycorner Adorable, trendy and cute. This little girl has got it going on in a stylish, fun way. The small details like the gold crown trinkets and gold coil around the braid make any little girl look and feel like a princess. @definitionssalonspa Say yes to the curtain bang. Simple curtain bangs that frame the face add some style and depth to long straight hair. Part the hair down the middle for curtain bangs or style them for a side swept bang with a side part to change it up. The curtain bang is versatile! @hairby_angelina_ine This little girl is beyond her years with this asymmetrical bob that is to die for. And with straight one length bangs, her look is sassy and fun. It's sure to catch a lot of adoring attention...from the parents. @balayagemary A heavy chunky bang is always super cute on little girls. They can somehow pull it off much better than adults. Why is that? Combine it with some waves and you've got a feminine, sweet look. It's easy to maintain and very versatile. @holykale.hair Is she growing up too fast? This little girl looks like she has an adult haircut. With a cute French bob, highlights and slight wave, she's letting everyone know she's the queen of trending hair. Maybe not easy to maintain, but it sure is cute! Boys @luiselbarber Doesn't he look sweet? This gentleman's...or should we say gentleboy's haircut is clean, classic and tidy. It's short on the sides with a little length on top and combed to the side. This little man is ready for school. @salonsuccess This little guy is just cool. While it's temporary, a little hair art shows off his creative side. This kid has great hair so having his hair very short on the sides but longer on top makes his look more edgy and stylish. It's a bit higher maintenance, but it's fun! @machitong Can we say mullet? It's not for every little boy, but they sure look cute with one, much cuter than adult males. This kind of cut looks best when the hair is naturally a bit textured. He's pulls it off well. @xv.josh How cute is this little boy? That smile is adorable and the precise and clean lines of his haircut are on point. The extra design at the top just set this hairstyle off. A bit high maintenance, but it's mainly just the outlining that needs regular attention. @hairbiz.withizz Scroll through all the images and you'll see this haircut is more than it seems. At first it looks like a pompadour, but when you look at the back, it's a whole other story. This look works well on a boy with a great head of hair. It's edgy, relatively easy to maintain and stylish. @a1errthing This little boy looks so happy and he should be! This haircut fits him perfectly. It's clean and stylish at the same time. He definitely looks school ready with his perfectly razored outlined hairline and simple hair design in the back. @hairbyscheila For a more tidy, classy look, try a side hard part. It's easy for any barber to create with a razor and it gives an extra pop to any boy's hairstyle. Comb the top of the hair to the opposite direction of the part and use a little product. He's ready to go!

The Evolution of Hairstyles Throughout the Decades

by JATAI, 16 Aug 2023

Hairstyles have always been a significant aspect of human culture, reflecting the trends, values, and social norms of different eras. Let's explore the history and evolution of hairstyles over the decades: 1920s The Roaring Twenties introduced a major shift in women's hairstyles. The iconic bob haircut became popular, characterized by short, straight hair that was often worn with a side parting. This style symbolized women's liberation and a break from traditional gender roles. 1930s The 1930s saw a transition from the boyish bob to more feminine and glamorous looks. Soft waves and curls were fashionable, and women often used hot rollers or pin curls to achieve the desired effect. The Hollywood influence played a significant role in popularizing these glamorous hairstyles. The most popular look was the Hollywood wave which has continued to be a popular look in the 2020s. 1940s The World War II era influenced hairstyles as practicality and functionality became essential. Victory rolls were popular among women, involving rolling and pinning sections of hair to create a prominent wave at the front. Shorter, cropped hairstyles were also prevalent due to the practicality of working women. The victory roll is a popular hairstyles for pinup girls of today. 1950s The 1950s embraced femininity and elegance. Women's hairstyles often featured voluminous curls, poodle cuts, and the iconic bouffant. The advent of hair spray helped maintain these elaborate styles. Men's hair was often slicked back or styled into a pompadour. 1960s The 1960s brought about a revolution in hairstyles, influenced by the counterculture movements and the rise of British pop culture. Women started to experiment with shorter haircuts like the pixie cut and the mod bob. The beehive hairstyle, popularized by icons like Audrey Hepburn, was also a notable trend. 1970s The 1970s showcased diverse hairstyles influenced by the hippie movement and disco culture. Women embraced long, flowing hair, often with center parts. The Afro hairstyle gained popularity among African-Americans as a symbol of pride and identity. Men's hairstyles became more relaxed, with longer hair, shaggy cuts and facial hair. 1980s The 1980s were characterized by bold and dramatic hairstyles. Big hair was in, with women teasing their hair to achieve volume and using copious amounts of hairspray. Perms, mullets, and feathered hairstyles were all the rage. Men also sported voluminous hairstyles, including the famous "mullet" style. 1990s The 1990s witnessed a more casual and grunge-inspired approach to hairstyles. The "Rachel" haircut, popularized by Jennifer Aniston's character on the TV show "Friends," became incredibly trendy. Short, pixie cuts also gained popularity among women. Men's hairstyles ranged from long, unkempt looks to shorter, textured styles. 2000s The turn of the millennium brought a mix of hairstyles. Straight, sleek hair became fashionable, often achieved through the use of straightening irons. Emo and scene subcultures popularized asymmetrical cuts, choppy layers, and bold colors. Men's hairstyles varied from buzz cuts to spiky hair. 2010s The 2010s embraced a diverse range of hairstyles. The ombre trend gained popularity, with hair transitioning from dark to light colors. Buns, braids, and top knots became go-to styles for women. Men's hairstyles incorporated undercuts, fades, and more intricate beard grooming. 2020s And finally, we reach the modern day hairstyles. The 2020s have seen a diverse range of popular hair trends. These trends reflect a blend of past styles with contemporary influences and individual expression. These types of cuts and looks have all been popularized so far. Natural Textures There has been a growing emphasis on embracing natural hair textures and celebrating diversity. People with curly and wavy hair have been encouraged to let their natural textures shine, leading to the popularity of hairstyles like the curly afro, twist-outs, and braid-outs. Bob and Lob Haircuts The bob and lob (long bob) haircuts have remained popular in the 2020s. These versatile styles can be customized to suit different face shapes and hair textures. The blunt bob, textured bob, and asymmetrical lob have been particularly trendy. Pixie Cuts Short pixie cuts have made a comeback in the 2020s, offering a bold and chic look. This style allows for low-maintenance haircare routines and can be customized with different textures and lengths to suit individual preferences. Curtain Bangs Curtain bangs, also known as Bardot bangs or '70s bangs, have gained popularity. This style features long, face-framing bangs that are parted in the middle, creating a soft and romantic look. Curtain bangs can be paired with various hairstyles, from long waves to updos. Shag Haircuts The shag haircut, inspired by the '70s, has been a popular choice in the 2020s. This layered cut adds texture and movement to the hair, often with feathered or choppy ends and best achieved with a razor. The modern shag offers a versatile and effortlessly cool aesthetic. Balayage and Face-Framing Highlights Balayage, a technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights, has continued to be a sought-after trend in the 2020s. Face-framing highlights, where lighter tones are strategically placed around the face, have also gained popularity as they can brighten and accentuate facial features. Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Styles With increasing environmental awareness and thanks to the pandemic, sustainable and low-maintenance hairstyles have become popular. Effortless, air-dried looks, minimalist haircuts, and styles that require minimal product usage have gained traction. This trend aligns with the desire for a more eco-friendly and time-efficient approach to haircare. Throughout the generations, hairstyles have changed dramatically. Every generation has been characterized by different looks and styles. As people continue to express their creativity with their hair, as new products are developed and as social and political climates change, these all influence how we decide to express ourselves through our personal styles. While some trends have lasted for decades, others have come and gone. Who knows what the rest of the 2020s or 2030s will bring. Whatever it is, we're sure it's going to be memorable.

Bobs, Bobs and More Bobs: The Trend of 2023

by JATAI, 24 May 2023

It seems 2023 is starting off with some fun looks. After a couple years of shagadelic haircuts and mullety styles, the trending looks are taking a more classic approach these days. While shags and mullets may have had their run, the bob is turning out to take centerfold. The great thing about a bob is that it's so versatile. There are many ways to cut and style a bob to match a personality or persona. Bobs can be long or short, blunt or textured, curled or straight with or without bangs. The creative possibilities are endless! Let's look at 10 popular bob styles that get the most love. The Graduated Bob The graduated bob is a type of bob with stacked layers in the back with longer strands in the front. The back of the hair tends to be more curved instead of a hard angle. It is it a difficult haircut to achieve but it looks great when done right. It's a very common and popular short haircut. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor. A-Line Bob Alternatively, the A-Line haircut refers to the perimeter of the haircut. It is the same as a graduated bob in that the hair is shorter in the back and longer in the front. However, it does not have the stacking of layers in the back. And the front is usually more pointed than a graduated bob. Asymmetrical Bob This type of bob's distinct characteristic is that one side in front is longer than the other. It can have layers or no layers and it can be stacked or not stacked in the back. There are different renditions of an asymmetrical bob, but it's usually a style for someone who wants a little edge to their bob style. French Bob The French bob is a classic bob hairstyle characterized by very short hair, either at the chin line or above. Sometimes it's paired with short bangs too. Think of the movie Amelie and you'll know what this looks like. It usually has lots of layers and texture for a choppy look. For the extra texture, a razor works well. Italian Bob Similar to a French Bob, the Italian bob is slightly longer, usually grazing the chin or below but above the shoulders. It's sophisticated and elegant and has a blunt straight edge. The Italian bob carries weight at the bottom with a lot of volume. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor...or both at the same time. Lob Lob stands for 'long bob' so the hair generally skims the shoulders or goes slightly past it. This is a popular look in modern times as it gives a happy medium between having short and long hair. When curled it can look shorter and resemble a traditional bob, but when straightened it can look more like medium length hair. Straight Bob A classic, simple no frills bob is the straight bob. With no layers, no texture, no curls or stacking, this look is very basic. It can be cut with bangs if desired, but the general look is one of sleek sophistication. The look is completely symmetrical and lays flat against the head. It can look quite sultry and sexy if done right. Layered Bob This style is also known as a textured bob. Simply stated, this type of bob has more body and movement to give volume. While the straight bob has no layers or volume, the layered bob is all about the extra lift. The extra texture is often achieved by using a razor. Curly Bob With even more texture is the curly bob. The curly bob is full of bounce and volume. It could be layered but it doesn't have to be. This bob is fun and full of life and energy. The curls could be natural or intentionally made with a curling iron or curling tool. The curls can be tight and small or big and loose. There are so many ways a curly bob can look! Modern Bob The modern bob is so 2023. It's what has been trending for bobs in the last few years. And it's THIS bob. While it won't last forever, it is the 'it' style as of late. The modern bob is characterized as casual, cool, soft and feminine. It usually has a slight curl in there and a little volume. It's a simple yet stylish bob that's attractive and eye catching. It's no wonder the modern bob has become so popular. So that's it! 10 bob hairstyles for 2023. Although most of these bobs have been around for many many years, it just goes to show how classic the bob really is. It will never go out of style and there will always be new innovative ways to cut and style a bob. Here's to short hair in 2023. Hair Trends, Women

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Linda Evangelista Short Haircut Pixie Tutorial