Between the collarbone-skimming French bob and the shaggy wolf cut, short haircuts have long dominated trend cycles and runways.  So it should come as no surprise that, yet again, experts are predicting the continued reign of short hair in 2024, with an emphasis on crops and other short and choppy cuts. These are ultra-cool but less intimidating to wear than you would expect, plus come with the bonus of being relatively low maintenance to style.

But potentially the edgiest haircut of the year is set to be the mixie, aa cross between a (still trending) mullet and a pixie: short at the front and longer and choppier at the back. 

The look was first popularised a few years back by Úrsula Corberó in Netflix’s Money Heist and rides on the coattails of the wolf/shag retro hair renaissance. As it has more length than your average pixie, it’s a great style if you want to be experimental while growing out your super-short cut, too.  

“The mega crop is achieved with no layering, just a sharp crop across the chin,” explains Tyler Moore, an expert hair stylist at Live True London. “This look works well for everyone, although the more textured your hair the more styling it will take to create a more sleek look.”

Intrigued? We spoke to some of the nation’s best-loved stylists to get their take on the trend and help you decide whether you’re ready to mix(ie) things up in the new year… Scissors at the ready. 

It’s a cut that captures the retro hair mood of the moment and is a lot cuter than it sounds. As Earl Simms, whose client list includes Victoria Beckham (who could definitely rock a mixie cut, no?), told Stylist: “The mixie is a bit retro, with inspiration from the 1970s; it’s carefree and young. It will work for people of any age – it’s all about an attitude and how you dress.” 

Ghd global ambassador Adam Reed agrees: “It’s a bit 70s – think Joan Jett. It’s feminine and easy to achieve; I absolutely love it. I like it for its versatility and its young, fresh, easy-going modernity.”

So, will the look work for you? In short (and with a little more length at the back), yes. Whatever your hair colour or texture, there’s a version of this cut for you.

It comes as no surprise that the queen of experimental style, Rihanna, is the one to take the trend to the next level with cropped baby bangs at the front, more length at the sides and back, movement through the hair and a little volume. The cut is also a stepping stone towards a full mullet, should you be that way inclined. Corberó and Miley Cyrus are also among the A-list fans of the look to take inspiration from.

If you were wondering whether the look will work on curly hair? The answer is yes. But you might want to consider keeping the hair slightly longer at the front and layering to prevent it from looking too triangular. 

How you style the mixie crop depends largely on your hair type (and how much attention you’d like your hair to attract). Those with super-straight locks should add some movement for the full effect.  

“It should look natural but you need a bit of movement in it, so put texture in with a waving iron or bend the hair with a tong and use a teeny bit of product,” advises Simms. “Or, create texture by drying with a diffuser, but do not overdo it!” 

Adam Reed also recommends adding texture, with a mini styler: “To style this look I would use the ghd Unplugged to add small kinks, additional texture, tousles to the hair and to detail the ends. You can bend the ends or top to create a very piece-y look.”

He also recommends ensuring hair is super clean to encourage maximum volume and movement: “Clarify the hair and scalp to help promote volume and rid the scalp of impurities which tends to weigh the hair down. My favourite way to do this is with the Monpure clarifying scalp scrub, it exfoliates away dead skin using biodegradable jojoba beads, but doesn’t leave it feeling dry because it uses nourishing argan oil extract and shea butter.”

Whatever your hair type, just make the mixie your own. Reed told us: “You can make it smooth or funkier, you can have it tucked down or tuck the back bits away. With the mixie, you would initially go shorter at the top and longer at the back; however, I would keep it looking longer and softer to really bring out the versatility of the look.” 

Images: Getty