Alcina's Bixie Shag: full cut and colour technique with formulas

Alcina has released a complete step-by-step formula for the Bixie Shag, an edgy blonde look combining a mullet silhouette with a soft shag-bob base, created by head of looks Robert Mrosek and head of coloration Susanne Schaller. For salons, it is a fully documented service blueprint: cut, foil placement, lightening formulas and toner ratios are all specified.

The style is defined by three structural features: a longer nape, a heavily layered top and deliberately broken-up sides. Strategic layering, razor work and varied lengths preserve natural movement while sharpening the shape. The longer nape anchors the mullet character; the highs and lows through the sides add visual interest.

What does the cut involve?

Mrosek's technique runs in six stages:

1. Section the nape at mid-ear level, set the base length and cut the back horizontally. Work the sides diagonally backwards so they shorten towards the front.
2. Section diagonally from the highest point of the head to the contour, divide the back in a star shape and cut from the outside upwards at 90° to the head, layering almost uniformly with slight length increase towards the top.
3. Section the top in a trapezoid, distribute the hair downwards, shorten, then texturise with modelling scissors.
4. Connect top and back with vertical partings at 90°, continue the technique to the sides, pull sections outside the trapezoid to the centre and use stationary layering, keeping fullness up to the hat line.
5. Section the uppermost back area in a semicircle and blend transitions with razor or texturising scissors, working top to bottom then outwards; razor the sides the same way.
6. Personalise above the ears with the razor: a panel the width of the ear, cut to about 3–4 cm below the ear, with selective sections creating varied lengths and definition.

How is the colour built?

Schaller starts from a natural level 6 at the roots with lengths and ends around level 10 from grown-out lightening. The approach is deliberately conventional: foil highlights with a medium weave, not Airtouch, to keep the result edgy, cool and slightly rough while retaining depth at the root.

The sequence: pre-treat with A\C Plex Pre-Spray; part diagonally ear to ear and separate the sides from the top; place nape highlights in two rows to get close to the root; then work contour, back, top, sides and front sections diagonally before finishing with Alcina Intensive Toner.

What are the exact formulas?

• Pre-treatment: A\C Plex Pre-Spray
• Lightener 1: Rapid Blond + Creme Oxydant 1%
• Lightener 2: Rapid Blond + Creme Oxydant 2%
• Toner: Intensive Toner 10.06 (10 parts) + 9.65 (1 part) + Creme Oxydant 1%
• Aftercare: A\C Plex Shampoo + A\C Plex Finish Mask
• Finish: Save 'n Shine

The toning controls warmth and pushes the blonde cool and elegant, with the 10-to-1 mix of 10.06 and 9.65 giving a clean, luminous result that stays wearable rather than harsh.

What does this mean for the salon?

The Bixie Shag is a cut-and-colour combo service: staff need competence in razor work, star-section layering and precise foil placement to deliver it. The two-row nape highlight and medium weave keep appointment time manageable compared with Airtouch or freehand techniques. Stocking A\C Plex, Rapid Blond, Creme Oxydant in 1% and 2%, and the two Intensive Toner shades covers the full service and the recommended retail aftercare.

Credits: cut and style by Robert Mrosek, colour by Susanne Schaller, photography by Leo Lindhorst, styling by Janine Aggen, make-up by Jeannette Johannson.

Watch Alcina Professional's channels for the next looks in this series — the Bixie Shag positions the brand's blonde and razor-cut education for the season ahead.