How to Get Audrey Hepburn's Hairstyle in Roman Holiday

A pixie hairstyle is easy to manage on a day-to-day basis.

The 1953 film Roman Holiday marked Audrey Hepburn's big screen debut. Going from her long chestnut locks to a carefree pixie cut during the film represented her character transforming herself and fleeing from her royal lifestyle to that of a runaway princess. Short pixie cuts work best on women with fine features, however with variations they can suite any face shape. This is one of the more complicated hairstyles to achieve and it is nearly impossible to do by yourself so grab a friend, some scissors and the spirit of Audrey and go at it. A pixie style is carefree, fun and always in style.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Hair clips
• Plastic cape
• 2 towels
• Spray water bottle

Instructions

1. Shampoo and condition hair and lightly towel dry it. Place a plastic cape over your shoulders and secure it in front with a hair clip or other device. Insert a towel into the back of the cape so that half of it remains outside and the other half tucked in, lying flat against the back. Comb the hair out completely.

2. Ask your assistant to cut your hair. This is not a task that one person should attempt alone. Starting in the front center, cut the perimeter of the hair, with your head angled down at the temples (in front of the ears), angled back up to just below the tops of the ears. Repeat this procedure on the other side of the head.

3. Start from the back of the head at the center nape area and cut the perimeter of the hair in a curve at the neckline. This line should slope behind the ear and meet where the front perimeter cut ended. Repeat this for the opposite side, working from center back to the opposite ear. During this step, it is helpful for the assistant to pull the hair gently to the side and view it in the mirror to ensure that both sides are even.

4. Create layers by using vertical cutting lines on the sides and back of the head. Be sure to work from the back of the head towards the front. Be aware of the lengths you are trimming to ensure even layers and consistency throughout the hair..

5. Comb the hair at the top of the head from both directions and then from a side position, use the front (fringe area) perimeter cut to cut a top traveling guide. Follow this guide back toward the crown area, while blending the top section to the parietal ridge.

6. Blow dry hair using fingers to lightly style. Remove cape and towel and sweep up any hair on the surrounding floor.

Tips & Warnings

• It is a good idea to keep the hair damp by spraying it with a water bottle. This will allow for a more precise hair cut.

• A pixie style will require regular trimming to maintain a well groomed appearance.

References

• Hair Finder: Short Pixie Haircut