Plot Twist: Martha Stewart’s Short Hairdo Might’ve Just Been A Savvy Styling Trick – Women

Martha Stewart isn’t usually one for dramatic beauty changes. The lifestyle guru, currently in her 80s at the time of reporting, has been rocking a recognizable, softly layered lob for years. Sure, she surprises us now and then, like when Stewart temporarily sported rose gold hair perfect for older women looking to change it up. Still, Stewart has such a defined, signature look that she left jaws on the floor when she debuted a trendy new bixie cut — which sits somewhere between a pixie and bob style — at “The Social Reckoning” premiere on October 4, 2026. But it looks like she didn’t necessarily commit to a dramatic cut; instead, Stewart may have mixed up her look with a clever styling trick.

During an October 14, 2026, appearance in New York City, Stewart appeared to have returned to her go-to shoulder-grazing hairstyle, less than two weeks after she had transitioned to the cropped look. Considering that it’s possible to fake a super-short cut with some creative pinning, it’s likely that she opted to style her hair in a faux bixie rather than reach for the scissors. The chic style is further proof that Stewart’s eighties may be her best decade yet.

Martha Stewart’s faux bixie is not the first time a celebrity has faked out fans with some savvy styling. In fact, the faux bob remains a beloved celebrity standby, with stars like Sandra Oh, Andie MacDowell, and Margot Robbie wearing the look. Considering that Stewart has had a few haircuts over the years that just didn’t work for her, it makes sense that she might be cautious about making any big changes. Not only is the faux bob a low-stakes way to mix up one’s style, but it’s also surprisingly easy to do. “It’s a great way to try something different without the commitment,” celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight told Women & Home. “Plus, once you’ve nailed the technique, it can become a quick, go-to style you can create in minutes.”

For someone like Stewart, who isn’t necessarily looking to upend her distinctive personal style at this point in her life, this trick gives her access to a whole new range of styles. After all, she didn’t just rock the cropped style for one night; Stewart’s short hair looked even more stunning when she styled it slicked back. It’s hardly surprising that Stewart is serving up a wealth of hair inspiration since the entrepreneur admits she takes her beauty routines extremely seriously. “I get a wash and blow-dry at least three times a week. I couldn’t bear to go any longer than that,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “It’s kind of tedious, but it’s essential to me.”