The 'faux-facelift' haircut loved by Pamela Anderson and Halle Berry... as stylists reveal how the 'bixie' can make you look 10 years younger

It may not be 'word of the year', but the 'bixie' is still a strong contender for the most flattering mid-life haircut. The portmanteau of 'bob' and 'pixie' was in the running for the honour, alongside other 'fast-growing' slang used by Generation Z and Generation Alpha like 'carspreading' (cars becoming longer, wider and heavier). In the end, it lost to 'mogging' – meaning to outshine or dominate others, usually based on appearance – to be named the word of the year by Collins English Dictionary, but hairstylists say it's hard to beat the bixie's anti-ageing properties. The flattering style combines the shorter, layered shape of a pixie with the length and softness of a bob, and has recently been seen on some of Hollywood's most glamorous mid-life stars – from Pamela Anderson to Dame Kristin Scott.Its roots go back to the iconic cuts of Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s and Twiggy and Mia Farrow in the 1960s, before the bixie became a recognisable style in the 1990s, worn by Meg Ryan and Cameron Diaz.Today, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry and Helen Mirren continue to demonstrate the appeal of the hybrid cut that can make you look a decade younger, as experts compare it to a 'faux facelift'. What makes the bixie particularly relevant for women in their 60s is the ability to create the visual impression of thicker hair, especially when natural density and volume have changed through menopause and other life stages. The good news is that a 'bixie' can be customised to suit different face shapes and hair types, making it nearly universally flattering but experts warn it will not suit someone who prefers a low-maintenance routine. Baywatch star Pamela, 59, wears her bixie in a softer, tousled way that feels relaxed and feminine House of Cards actress Robin Wright, 60, prefers a sharper, more structured cut that looks really polished'I'm a hairdresser in my sixties and love my bob, so I can definitely see why the bixie is getting so much attention!' Carol Richie, from Portsmouth, told the Daily Mail. 'It's a lovely mix of a bob and a pixie, with the shorter, layered shape of a pixie but a bit more length and softness around the face.' Marie Nieuwoudt, Group Education Manager at Cloud Nine Hair, branded it the 'ultimate makeover' trick, adding: 'The way a beautifully executed cut redistributes weight, creates balance and accentuates natural features can make the face look lifted so you leave the salon looking and feeling ten years younger.'It's also incredibly versatile and can be tailored to suit different face shapes and hair textures, according to Laura Elliott, head stylist and educator at Neal & Wolf. For those with thicker hair, additional layers remove excess bulk and prevent the style from looking too heavy, while finer hair benefits from added lift and dimension, she explained. 'It's a great option for women in their 60s who want a modern, flattering haircut that's both stylish and easy to maintain.' They all agreed the 'bixie' is having a revival, led by Tinseltown's glamorous, older leading ladies and has even been recreated by younger stars like Zendaya and Florence Pugh. While Baywatch star Pamela, 59, wears hers in a softer, tousled way that feels relaxed and feminine, House of Cards actress Robin Wright, 60, prefers a sharper, more structured cut that looks really polished, hairdresser Gail Waterman noted. On the other hand, Emma Thompson, 67, has a more natural, easy-going style with softer layers and movement, and Kristin Scott Thomas, the 66-year-old star of John Lewis's new Christmas advert, opted for a sleeker and more sophisticated bixie. Halle Berry continues to demonstrate the appeal of the hybrid cut that can make you look a decade younger, as experts compare it to a 'faux facelift' Emma Thompson, 67, has a more natural, easy-going style with softer layers and movement'What I love about these examples is that they’re all wearing a variation of the same haircut, but they look completely different,' salon owner Melissa Timperley said. 'That’s the beauty of precision cutting. It’s about adapting the shape to the individual rather than giving everyone the same haircut.'So, how do you choose the right bixie for you? Marie said understanding face shape and profile is essential. 'Oval faces offer versatility, round faces can benefit from crown height, square faces from softer layers, and longer faces from width and fringe placement,' she continued. 'Heart-shaped and diamond faces can be balanced through carefully positioned volume,' Marie said, adding that hair type is an equally important consideration. 'Whether working with straight, wavy, curly or coily hair, the cutting technique and shape must respect natural texture, density, growth patterns and, where relevant, curl shrinkage.' 'You also don't want it looking too rounded or helmet-like, which can be quite ageing,' Carol warned. According to Alisha Bennett, senior stylist at CULt Hairdressing, the bixie's youthful look is largely due to its 'pixie influence'. 'The shorter, more textured layers can create a beautiful sense of lift and movement, drawing the eye upwards and bringing the focus back to the face. It can really highlight your best features, whether that’s your eyes, cheekbones, lips or jawline.'This is where that lovely "faux-facelift" effect comes in: the shape and volume of the cut can help create the illusion of lifted features, giving the face a fresher, more youthful appearance without looking overly styled or forced.' While bixies can be customised to suit most wearers, the experts all agreed the most important factor to consider is whether you're prepared for the upkeep. 'If you dislike styling your hair or regular salon visits, it might not be the best choice!' Gail added. How to style and maintain your bixie Styling a ‘bixie’ is really about enhancing its natural movement while keeping the overall shape soft and effortless.Start with a volumising wash routine to create a good foundation. Layering in a lightweight mousse or root lift to build body without overloading the hair.When it comes to drying, you can either diffuse to encourage natural texture or use a round brush for a more polished finish, depending on the look you want.To finish, use a little salt spray or dry texturising spray to encourage natural movement and give the hair that effortless finish.Get a trim every six to eight weeks, depending on how structured you like the shape.