Helen Mirren’s sideswept bixie is the chic, face-lifting update for short mature hair

Just when we thought the bixie haircut couldn’t get any cooler, along comes Helen Mirren with a fresh sideways look. The iconic actress, 81, switched up her short cut with a chic, swept-over restyle, immediately giving the haircut a brand new look – no scissors required.

Helen showcased her style update at the New York premiere of A Talent For Murder. Her hair had a new deep side parting and choppy texture, while her glossy, silver shade was perfectly complemented by a swathe of pearls around her neck and on her earlobes. A pop of pink lipstick and feline eyeliner flicks completed a very chic look.

Helen’s look is an absolute masterclass in styling, and proves how youthful and feminine short hair can be.

‘What I love about Helen Mirren’s sideswept bixie is how effortlessly chic it looks,’ says Warren Edwards, creative director of Warren & The Hare salon in Bournemouth. ‘It’s a beautiful example of how a shorter haircut can feel modern and fresh.

‘The softness through the sides, combined with that sweeping fringe, really opens up the face and draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones,’ he adds. ‘The little bit of height and movement through the top gives the whole look a lovely lift, while the softer edges stop it from feeling too severe or structured.’

So if you thought short hair was ageing or dated, Helen answers that one. ‘I think Helen proves that great hair has absolutely nothing to do with age,’ Warren adds. ‘It's about finding a shape that complements your features, works with your natural texture and, most importantly, makes you feel fantastic.

Helen’s hair revamp also quashes any idea that going short means chopping your options.

‘The beauty of the bixie is that it isn't just one haircut,' says Warren. 'You can wear it quite textured and undone, sleek and polished, or with a softer, more glamorous finish. That's what makes it such a versatile style.’

Just to prove the point, Helen was seen the following day with the same hair worn in a totally different way again. This time, she’d gone for a very slightly off-centre parting, and softly bevelled ends to flatter the contours of her jaw. A little lift at the crown ensured there was none of the dreaded drag-down effect that can come with a more central parting plus straight hair.

‘For me, the best thing about this haircut is that it has personality. It's elegant, a little playful and incredibly flattering. Helen wears it with such confidence, and that's ultimately what makes any haircut look fantastic.’

How to wear the side-swept bixie

If you're looking to recreate Helen’s look, ‘ask your stylist for a soft, layered bixie with a little extra length through the fringe so it can be swept across the face,’ says Warren. ‘You want to keep some movement and softness around the ears and neckline rather than cutting everything too tight.’

When styling, a small round brush is your best friend - ‘it will give the roots a little lift and encourage the fringe to fall naturally to one side,’ he says. ‘Finish with a tiny amount of lightweight styling cream to separate the layers. You want it to look beautifully effortless, not overly styled.’