The clock is ticking and the gates to Professional Beauty India, Delhi will be opening really soon. At the arena, this year, attendees will witness ace hairstylists Naseem Salmani and Virender Verma at the Hair Stage. As they will represent Vega Professional at the show, they will showcase the craft behind achieving a perfect pixie and a memorable mullet.
As Vega Professional brings to PBI leading hairstylists to showcase the right tricks and tips to cut and style a pixie and a mullet, Vidhi Arya from Professional Beauty got in a candid conversation with Virender Verma, Education Head- Vega Professional to understand the basics of these cuts that every hairstylist must be aware of. Let’s delve deep into these chops.
Pixie Cuts
The pixie cut derives its name from the mythological creature, pixie. It is a short haircut, generally comprising short hair on the back and sides of the head and slightly longer hair on the top. The striking feature of a pixie remains very short bangs on the forehead. It is a bold haircut which went into vogue with Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s. And, now, it’s back in trend. Verma says, “Pixie haircuts are always in trend, especially in summers where bold fashionistas and people with busy lifestyles choose to go for a pixie haircut.”
As this is a very short cut, there are certain things that need to be considered before getting this cut. Verma explains, “Stylists need to consider whether the client’s face cut or shape is suitable for the pixie. Apart from that, thorough attention should be paid to the hair texture and most importantly, future hair growth plans. Other than all this, consult the client to understand the efforts they can put into maintenance. This is because short hair needs more styling efforts than longer hair.”
The short length of a pixie can quickly grow out of the desired look, losing definition. It requires regular trims to maintain its shape and style, preventing it from looking unkempt. Regular trims consequently ensure the cut stays sharp, manageable, and flattering. Verma states, “We have often observed that people skip regular trim sessions which are mandated to maintain the polished look of a pixie cut. The frequency of trims can vary depending on how quickly your hair grows and how well you want to maintain the shape of your pixie cut.”
Due to its short length, it can quickly become unruly or flat. Styling helps add volume, definition, and texture, ensuring the cut remains flattering and fashionable. Verma explains, “Products like hair wax, styling creams, and dry shampoos are good to have for regular styling. However, the most important ones are shine sprays and hair hold sprays.”
Mullet Cuts
A mullet is a hairstyle that has short hair at the front and sides and longer hair at the back. Popularised in the 1980s, it offers a blend of a business-like appearance in the front. And, it offers a more casual, playful look in the back. The style is mostly famous for its dramatic contrast and unique flair. Today, achieving a perfect mullet incorporates several aspects. It includes “understanding of face cuts and shapes and impeccable knowledge of layering technique which acts as a fundamental. A mullet typically involves a gradual transition from shorter hair at the front to longer hair at the back.” explains Verma.
“Since a mullet is shorter in the front and longer at the back, regular styling and trimming of mullets are essential to maintain their unique shape and balance. Clients will need a trim every 4-6 weeks to keep the back section longer. It will also keep the front and sides neat,” Verma says. Without trims, the longer back section can become unkempt, while the shorter front can lose its definition. Furthermore, styling helps manage the contrasting lengths, ensuring the look remains intentional and polished, avoiding a messy or uneven appearance.
Suppose you’re a stylist and looking forward to acquiring the know-how of the perfect pixies and mullets. In that case, PBI Delhi is your chance to learn from Virender Verma and Naseem Salmani from Vega Professional.