Psst, if you haven’t heard, there’s a mullet resurgence happening now. Yup, the “business in the front, party in the back” style is back—and in new varieties. However, one specific style is quickly becoming the biggest hair trend of 2022. The ‘mixie’ (mullet and pixie) combines two classic cuts together for a short hairstyle that everyone from Úrsula Corberó to Demi Lovato and Florence Pugh is rocking. We tapped Josh Liu, celebrity stylist and T3 ambassador, to explain this new trendy cut and give tips on how to rock it yourself.
The Biggest Hair Trend of 2022 Has Major Edgy Retro Vibes
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Published Feb 18, 2022
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What Is A ‘mixie?’
The ‘mixie’ is the lovechild between a mullet and a pixie. The top is cut short to resemble a classic pixie, while the back is left longer and tousled like a mullet. “It’s no surprise that the mixie is on the rise because it's such a fashion-forward statement cut without looking like you tried too hard,” says Liu. “It's shaggy, it's chic and it's versatile. It also offers the best of both worlds—short, wispy hair in the front, while maintaining length in the back.”
This new style hints that we may be shifting away from the ‘90s and ‘00s looks that made a comeback in 2021 and will be leaning more towards ‘70s and ‘80s inspired hair ahead. “The ‘mixie’ is part of the revival of a very new wave of rocker hairstyles,” explains Liu. “It also serves anime realness a la Final Fantasy, and can lean futuristic.”
Aside from the major retro vibes it gives, why is the 'mixie' such a crowd-pleaser? It’s a low-maintenance ‘do. The trendy cut makes it easy to rock the “I woke up like this” look without requiring much styling on a daily basis. It also gives you the option to experiment with a shorter haircut without committing to a full-on chop.
How Do I Style A ‘mixie’?
As mentioned above, it’s a fairly low maintenance cut. You don’t have to spend hours working on your locks or relying on styling tools to get the job done. But if you’re looking to spruce up things up a bit, Liu shares a few steps to follow below:
- Apply a mixture of a heat protectant, a leave-in conditioner and a volumizing spray before drying your hair. (FYI, if you have wavy or curly hair, Liu suggests diffusing.) This combo creates body and adds shine to the shorter layers on top.
- Grab a styling tool (specifically a 1-inch flat iron) to add more shape and definition to certain sections. “When using the iron, alternate direction for more texture and don't worry about any pieces that are too short to bend or bevel. It'll all come together in the end,” he assures. For a tousled look, consider adding more bends to each section. For a looser, wispier style, flick the ends out. And if you have thick/coarse hair, try keeping the sides flat and not too voluminous.
- Use some pomade or a texturizing spray to keep the shape intact and boost shine throughout. Liu recommends using the smallest amount possible so you don't weigh down your hair. (And don’t forget the back of your mane, too.)
- Option to run a few sections under the flat iron one last time for an even piecier finish.
Can Everyone Rock The ‘mixie’?
Thankfully, the ‘mixie’ cut works on all hair types and textures. However, Liu points out that styling can be a little easier for people with loose curls and wavy textures. But that doesn’t mean people that don’t fall into these categories (i.e. fine, straight or coily hair) can’t join in on the hair trend. “It's definitely possible with the right tools and products, but note that it will require more of a commitment,” Liu emphasizes.
The best thing you can do to avoid a bad haircut is to provide your hairstylist with a reference photo. A visual representation will get what you want across and open up a dialogue on the specifics of what you’re going for. “With the ‘mixie,’ the cut itself is half the battle, so make sure your hairstylist really knows how to personalize the cut to your hair type, texture and face shape,” says Liu.
So, are you ready to make the cut?
