Katie Waissel and Emma Watson prove they’re a cut above the rest

X Factor’s Katie Waissel and Harry Potter star Emma Watson prove that facing the chop isn’t so bad after all.

Cut!: Katie Waissel and Emma Watson show pixie crop is way to go this Christmas Pic: Katie Waissel: © Ken McKay / Rex Features Emma Watson: © Twitter

Someone once said A Change Would Do You Good (wise words from Sheryl Crow) and it seems she was on to something.

Katie Waissel has had an extremely turbulent ‘journey’ on The X Factor and after being dubbed the ‘singing scarecrow’ by Simon Cowell, the young lady finally had enough of the criticism and went for the chop.

She stepped on to the stage on Saturday night’s show, looking a world away from the Gaga-inspired look she was harshly criticised for on show one of the series.

Looking softer and much more demure than before, Katie rocked a sixties frock and matching pixie-like cut, dyed chocolate brown.

Her new, on-trend look seemed to evoke a refreshed confidence and as the 24 year old put her heart and soul into a highly appropriate rendition of Help, the judges also warmed to the ‘marmite’ star.

The proof was in the pudding when a delighted Katie avoided being in the bottom two at last – a triumph for the chop?

Others to have undergone a drastic scissor job are Harry Potter star Emma Watson and Brit actress of the moment, Carey Mulligan.

Emma said that her haircut “was the most liberating thing ever” and it marked the end of an era, as her days as Hermione Granger in the HP movies came to an end.

So it seems it’s time to ditch the extensions (take note Cheryl Cole) and go for a sixties inspired pixie-look this Christmas… if you’re brave enough.