Jamie Lee Curtis' Short Hairstyle

Jamie Lee Curtis - Short wash-and-wear hairstyle
Jamie Lee Curtis - Photos by PR Photos
One of the most common questions I hear as a stylist is, "How do I know what style will look good on me?" The truth is, the best way to find a flattering style is to look at yourself objectively and base your decisions on the styles sported by celebrities and others who share your physical characteristics. This time around, we're taking a look at Jamie Lee Curtis, who is probably best known for her gamine-short signature style.
 
Curtis inherited fine-boned features from her mother, Janet Leigh, and has a lean, athletic build, a long neck, and well-proportioned features. Her face is slightly long, and her forehead is somewhat squared. The short, heavily-textured cut allows for volume at the top of the head, which, combined with the curved fringe, hides the "corners" of the forehead, shortens the face, and creates the fully-oval appearance that is considered ideal.
 
This cut is great for women with similar features—those who have somewhat rectangular faces with slim or athletic builds. It is NOT, however, a good choice for those with round faces, square faces, prominent features (large or overly long nose, chin, or mouth), or heavy builds. It is also not suited for very curly or sparse hair types.
 
How to cut a short gamine haircut, inspired by Jamie Lee Curtis
 
Making the Cut:
 
To achieve this cut, follow these simple steps. If the hair is long enough, section it into the standard seven-section parting and leave a half-inch down all around the perimeter. Cut a guide length in the fringe area (at the front) and cut the fringe as desired using a curving line from the center to the sides. Once the fringe is cut, move to the nape of the neck and repeat the process. Start in the center back with a guide cut, then work from side to side and cut the perimeter as desired.
 
For most women, you should curve the neckline rather than square it off. Furthermore, you should cut the hair into a wedge shape that angles down from the top of the ear rather than into a squared-off sideburn.
 
The body of the cut is made using vertical cutting lines that angle away from the scalp to create shorter lengths at the lower portions of the head and longer lengths at the parietal ridge. Start at the back of the head and work your way from side to side, cutting carefully. The longest lengths in this cut will be at the top and crown of the head. The rest of the hair is cut to create a contoured effect.
 
Depending on the texture of the hair, this will result in a bit of flip and play in the style. Once the back and sides are layered, begin layering the top using a traveling guide and move around the top of the head and through the crown area as well. The goal is to create a dome shape at the top of the head to give rounded volume at the top of the style.
 
After the base cut is complete, go back over the head, taking thin slices and removing small notches of hair using the point-cutting technique. The "points" created should be between one-quarter and one-half inches wide and one-half inch deep (measuring from the ends of the longest lengths). This will add some visual interest to the style and can be enhanced through the use of styling gel or pomade for extra hold.
 
Jamie Lee Curtis' pixie cut
Jamie Lee Curtis Pixie Cut - Tinseltown/Shutterstock
About the Look:
 
This cut becomes a truly wash-and-wear style since it can be shampooed, towel-dried, plied with product, and styled with the fingers without the need for extra drying. However, some additional styling can be beneficial if you wish to "dress up" the look for special occasions.
 
Aside from the physical requirements for this style to be suitable for an individual, there seems to be an attitude that accompanies the wearing of the gamine cut. There's definitely an "aggressive" quality, but only in the sense that being self-assured, outgoing, and bold are often masculine traits.
 
This is not a hairstyle for the timid or those too caught up in traditional ideas of femininity. This is the hairstyle of a confident woman who knows who she is and what she wants in life. This is perhaps why many older women begin to gravitate toward shorter hairstyles.
 
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