Emma Watson New Short Hair

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Isabella is a news writer at . In addition to , you can find her work on The Zoe Report, Coveteur, Well+Good, BuzzFeed, Bustle, Elite Daily, & more.  

With their locks this fall—the proof is in the pudding with Kirsten Dunst’s new French bob and Kristen Stewart’s couture-grunge mullet. The latest celeb to chop it all off is Emma Watson, who showed off a short pixie cut at the Prada Paradoxe Fragrance Launch Party in London on October 13.

Emma Watson's Perky Pixie Cut

Series back in 2010, the actress and activist graduated from her flowing Hermoine tresses to a short pixie cut that made headlines. The cut had a certain Peter Pan-like

To it, with wispy fringe parted to the side along with pointed sideburns that reach down to her earlobes. It was a look that added a manicured and feminine touch to what many British rock stars sported on stage during the Tumblr era.

This time around, Watson opts for a similar pixie cut with a choppier, grungy twist, proving that grunge is here to stay this fall. The most significant change from years past is Watson’s hair color, as she went with a chocolatey brunette hue for the colder season. Her hair seems to take on the same off-to-Neverland-esque sideburns from her previous hairstyle, but her bangs and part bring this iconic hairstyle into 2022—her short fringe features rougher, more uneven edges that are comparatively more natural-looking than her wispy-yet-shaped fringe in 2010, and they’re haphazardly parted to the front and side for a more tousled finish.

The Short Hair Trends To Try This Summer

Watson also rocks this style in her most recent campaign for Prada's Paradoxe Eau de Parfum, pairing the hairstyle with a subtle graphic wing.

The Indie Sleaze trend has been kicking up a ton of dust that we thought had settled for good back in the 2010s, but Watson proves that the chop could be coming back—and with a vengeance. If you’re feeling inspired by the star, luckily, one of the hardest things about a pixie cut can be committing to cutting your hair that short in the first place. Pixie cuts are wearable for practically everyone, and the best way to dive head-first into the trend is by chatting with your hairstylist to determine which style of pixie cut works for your hair type and face shape.

Of course, there are caveats with everything in life, and the pixie cut’s main downfall is that it can be difficult to upkeep since you’ll likely need more frequent haircuts as your hair grows. On the other hand, they're super simple to style—Michelle Sultan, hairstylist and creative director for Imbue, previously told , pixie cuts are super versatile and can be styled in many different ways, whether you want an edgy, classic, or vintage look.” Whether you’re after Watson’s hairstyle or want to opt for a Y2K-favorite spiked pixie like Halle Berry’s, you’ll want to grab a hold of products like texture pastes and root lifting sprays to add dimension and shape to your hairstyle and keep it from falling flat on top of your head.

Emma Watson Has Pixie Cut In New Prada Fragrance Campaign

Household names like Watson have enchanted us with bobs, mullets, and pixie cuts all over the red carpet, not just this season, but for the past few decades, proving that a short ‘do never goes out of style. The only thing left to do is ask yourself, When it comes to summer hair trends, we can safely say the past few years have been a long and romantic ode to beachy waves.

But there’s been a shift in the tides and now we’re starting to see a wave of short styles sweep runways and red carpets. 

Tempted to take the plunge and chop your hair but unsure where to start? We spoke to one of Sydney’s most-trusted hair stylists, Anthony Nader. As a self-professed fan of short hair , the founder of Raw by Anthony Nader wants to encourage women to be “more inquisitive about shorter haircuts, ” which he believes are a display of strength and confidence. 

The Return Of The Pixie Crop

“Emma Watson is your absolute go-to for the warmer months ahead, ” says Nader, who loves the “soft, feminine, and playful” qualities of the actress’ fresh new pixie cut. 

“How incredible does Charlize look now with her darker hair and 90’s punkish crop? What I adore about her shorter length is that it’s still long enough that she can wear it slick with a deep side part or wear it loose embracing her natural texture, ” explains Nader. 

“[It] can be left out and can be swept away clean into a low ponytail, ” he went on to say. The bixie haircut “ticks so many boxes for me.”

Popular Emma Watson Inspired Short Hairstyles

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tilda Swinton with a bad haircut, ” Nader confesses. “I love that she can wear her hair very short on the sides and back, and then the top is left disconnected.”

“You’ve got this length that is dramatic, ” he explains, noting that you can use it “to create different hair shapes to suit how you’re feeling that day.”

Nader noticed a host of short hairstyles with a “romantic punk influence” while working backstage at the 2022/23 Fashion Week shows in Milan. “So many models backstage had short crops which I really admired and it’s really about time, ” he confirms.

Emma Watson Debuts Pixie Haircut In New Prada Ad

Nader recommends investing in an extra skinny hair straightener “to give your strands more direction and longevity”. They’re also “excellent for flattening out stubborn frizzy roots and adding loose waves.” Try: ghd mini straightener ($290 at Adore Beauty )

Unlike sea salt spray, you need to think of sea salt cream as giving the “hair texture of beach water, but not brittle… it's softer and feels more real, ” says Nader. He suggests rubbing a little in your palms and working it through the hair, then letting it dry naturally. The result? Plump volume and a touch of definition where you need it.   Try: SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist Hair Cream ($45 at Sephora )

“Want to enhance more of your natural waves or curls this season?” asks Nader. “Attach a diffuser on the end of your hairdryer.” 

Emma Watson Brought Back Her Iconic Pixie Cut

The attachment helps to ensure you get the styling benefits of the hair dryer's heat settings. “The heat is the key here and not the fast air flow, ” he explains. “You’ll love using this for shorter hair styles.” Try: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer in Vinca Blue/Rose ($599 at MYER )

“Make them a feature and try to not cover them up, ” he suggests.  Try: Izoa Mia Hair Clip Set ($39 at The Iconic )

Nader wants you to follow the lead of Gucci and Missoni and adopt the turban headband styles synonymous with their ready-to-wear collections.  

Emma Watson's Fabulous New Pixie Cut

“Headbands are fun, ” he insists. He suggests using one as a statement piece during the day and swapping it with something more suited to the evening before you go out with your friends.  Try: Missoni Striped Elastic Hair Band ($465 at My Theresa )

He suggests sliding various shapes and styles “just behind your ear” or you can “create a deep side part and slide in your clip just above your eyebrow arch.”   Try: Straand Secure Clips ($14.95 at Straand )

“Gel is so #1984 if not used correctly, ” warns Nader. So if you’re going to use it, he suggests a less is more approach. Too much product and your hair can look “way too stiff and rock hard”.

See Emma Watson's New Bob Haircut

He recommends blow drying the “product into the hair as well so it absorbs into each hair strand otherwise it just sits on top of the hair.”

“Just pop your comb in the drawer for the summer and use your fingers instead, ” Nader insists.  Why should we be retiring our combs when the weather warms up? “Using a comb will stretch out your natural movement, ” says Nader. “[It can] also create track-like marks, which is fine, if you just scored a part in a Mad Max movie.”

“There’s nothing worse than a chalky and flaky dry shampoo — especially on short hair, ” says Nader. Instead, he recommends investing in a “coloured spray that matches your hair colour and also has fine particles.” 

Emma Watson's Pixie Haircut Is A Major 'harry Potter' Throwback

Most stores let you road-test your next purchase “so don't be afraid to take that can for a ride for 24 hours.” Main image credit: Getty

From the side fringe revival to spiky strands, there are a handful of trends to explore in the new year — these are the 2023 hair trends you should know about. 

Briar is a Content Producer at . Her 'down for anything' attitude has resulted in more than a handful of hair transformations, and she doesn't mind being used as a guinea pig for the industry's most unusual products and treatments. Her work has also appeared on Girlfriend and beautyheaven.

Emma Watson Pixie Haircuts

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