Side-By-Side Pics Of MacKenzie Scott Prove She Can Rock Both Long & Short Hair

MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is widely recognized for many things, with her large-scale philanthropic work and billionaire status among the most prominent. Beyond such accolades, she's also known for a distinct personal image, often defined by her long, dark hair.

The megadonor, who was instrumental in the early stages of the world's largest e-commerce company, has always rocked voluminous brunette tresses. Whether through her rare public appearances or publication features surrounding her massive, no-strings-attached donations, folks have grown accustomed to this signature look. Earlier in her life, however, Scott embraced an entirely different style, sporting a short pixie cut that not only reveals a striking contrast to her long mane but also proves she can effortlessly rock both looks.

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Not much has changed with Scott's features over the years; she seems to be aging gracefully, and like many celebs who have dared to wear no makeup on the red carpet, looks just as good with minimal cosmetics. It's no wonder the philanthropist's long and short hair suits her equally well. In 2004, at the "Amazon.com Goes Hollywood for the Holidays – Orange Carpet" (right photo), Scott's pixie cut brought her facial features into sharp focus. As with most short hairdos, the look highlighted the profile and shape of her face, bone structure, and jawline. Hairstylist Erin Powers, in explaining the appeal of the pixie cut to Byrdie, noted, "I think the key point to identifying a pixie is that it should open the person up." In Scott's case, her pixie cut with face-framing micro-bangs did exactly that.

There are several reasons why women opt for shorter hairstyles. While it's often considered low maintenance, it can also create a more youthful appearance. For MacKenzie Scott, her facial profile makes her an ideal candidate, according to experts. "A great pixie haircut is based on not just face shape but also the shape of the client's head," says Karie Bennett, master artist at Atelier Salon and Studio, via Byrdie. "Since a short haircut is basically influenced by bone structure, it's important to consider that before you decide on length and shape."

By nailing her bold short cut back in the early 2000s, Scott proved she wasn't one to follow conventional beauty standards. The style also demands a certain level of confidence and even more poise to transform a typically reserved cut into a rather fierce one. "There is a lot of fear with chopping your hair off. But once you do, you are able to own yourself in a way you never thought possible," stylist Amber Maynard Bolt told Vogue.

As the then-wife of Jeff Bezos, Scott appeared less concerned with being her husband's arm accessory and more intent on being taken seriously – another effect of shorter hairstyles. "The pixie cut...says 'Take me seriously', not 'Look how pretty I am', while still being incredibly flattering," explains Michael Angelo, owner and stylist of "Wonderland Beauty Parlor", as per Vogue. Ultimately, Scott proves she can certainly pull off short hair — joining the ranks of other celebrity pixie cuts to inspire your next super short haircut.