Katie Holmes' new pixie crop is a mix of "feminine but kickass".

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes

The 38-year-old actress has hacked off her brunette locks in favour of a pixie crop, and the star underwent the makeover in preparation her role as a former Marine and in 'Doorman'.

And the 'Dawson's Creek' star's stylist, DJ Quintero's inspiration for the new look was to find a "balance" between a girly hair style that is empowering.

Speaking about the haircut to PEOPLE, the hair expert said: "We were trying to find a balance between something feminine but kickass cause she's working really hard -- her body looks incredible."

And Katie had to have her hair cut "three" times to achieve the perfect style, which meant her tresses only got "shorter and shorter and shorter".

Quintero continued: "She really wanted it to move on camera so it was actually like three haircuts. We did it over the weekend and it kind got shorter and shorter and shorter."

However, this is not the first time Katie - who has 11-year-old daughter Suri with her former partner Tom Cruise - has had short hair, as she previously boasted a cropped do in 2008.

Katie stars in the forthcoming action thriller alongside Sophia Bush, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sofia Vergara and Hailee Steinfeld.

And the star has admitted she has been left feeling "sore" from her intense training.

Speaking about her latest venture, she said: "It's for a role. I'm getting ready to play a woman in a movie called 'The Doorman'. She's an ex-Marine and she's a warrior. I'm excited. I'm training. I'm sore."

Meanwhile, Katie has revealed she plans quit acting soon to "just direct" in the future.

Speaking previously about her career plans, she said: "This business is so unstable, and you never really know where you're going to be.

"For now I like acting and directing. Eventually I'll just direct."

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