Welcome to one of the most difficult hair dilemmas you will ever face. OK, it’s not really THAT bad, but it can seem like your short pixie will never become a longer style.
Growing out a pixie cut into a bob, lob or even longer will take time and some adjustments, but these 10 tips will ease your transition and help you avoid throwing in the towel and shaving it all off.
Instagram / @courtneyxcentrichair
1. Know the Timeline
The idea of growing out a bad pixie cut is one of the main things keeping women from cutting long hair short. Of course, the grow-out timeline will differ for everyone, but on average, hair grows a half-inch a month, which gives a pretty good idea of when you will be able to grow out your short hair to a shoulder-length hairstyle.
You also need to factor in trims along the way to keep your hair healthy and in some sort of style. All in all, for most people, growing out a pixie cut into a medium bob will take from 6 months to a year, depending on the length they’re starting from. Thus, start your transition with realistic expectations and keep your patience.
Instagram / @courtneyxcentrichair
2. Get Regular Nape Trims
To get it trimmed or not to get it trimmed, that is the question. For my clients who are growing out their pixie cuts, I offer ‘clean ups’, which consist of trimming at the nape. This area will get long, flippy and bushy repeatedly throughout the growing process and keeping it in check maintains a polished look. At the same time, avoid trimming hair on the top unless it’s damaged or needs to be reshaped. You won’t need to get all of your hair trimmed frequently because that would be counter-productive, but those nape trims can save your sanity and prevent a mullet look. This is especially helpful if you’re growing out a pixie into a bob, as you will start to see a vision of the bob more with each nape trim.
To grow out short hair with grace, get your nape trimmed every four weeks or so, depending on your hairline, density and direction of growth. If your hair is fine, it might be easier to let it grow out without trims. Thick-haired beauties are definitely going to require some reshaping along the way with some texturizing and blending. Those with awkward swirls and flips at the nape may require more frequent clean-ups too.
Instagram / @courtneyxcentrichair
3. Redistribute the Bulk
Changing the way you style your hair while you’re growing out a pixie will most likely be necessary as your hair gets bigger, wider and longer. Experimenting with where you part your hair will help to redistribute the bulk and weight to sit in a more balanced shape. This can also give you a new look while you’re getting through boring and awkward stages of the grow-out.
The biggest impact when redistributing bulk is when you refrain from directing all the hair to each side. You’re going to resemble a mushroom real quick if you’re parting and brushing straight down to the sides. Instead, comb all the hair forward first, and then sweep the front out of your eyes. The hair on the sides will fall into place, and you’ll suddenly have a much narrower shape. You will notice that you don’t have a definite part and that your style now emphasizes the length that you do have.
Instagram / @shae_li
4. Tuck Behind the Ears
Once your pixie cut gets long enough to tuck behind the ears, the game is changed. This also provides a narrower silhouette to your style, and your ears can majorly assist in taming a bulky mane. Doing an extreme side part and tucking the side the part is on gives a really fresh look, especially if it’s slicked with some strong-hold gel or secured with a cool hair clip. There are more hairstyles for growing out a pixie cut than you think!
Instagram / @courtneyxcentrichair
5. Master Hairstyles for Short Hair
Long swooping bangs that we often get when our pixie grows longer may look awesome, but this is not something all women enjoy to have. Don’t get discouraged though; there are many hairstyles for short hair that help keep hair away from your face and add an alluring form to naughty, grown out hair.
Headbands, scarves, clips and all-time-favorite bobby pins will help you set hair in place. Also, try some bouffants, twists, braids and other hairstyles that help hide the grown-out bangs – these work equally well to style your grown-out pixie. Experiment with various ‘dos to have fun while transitioning from short to longer hairstyles.
Instagram / @leahcolours
6. Ace Styling Products
When your pixie is cut the right way, a fresh wash & go if often enough to create an excellent hairstyle. When you avoid trimming your short hair to grow a longer pixie or bob, rely on volumizing and strong-hold products to perfect your style. A cream, a gel, or a mousse will provide control over the grown-out locks and help you create the desired hairstyle. Bringing long hair up for a bold look and face elongation is just one option to try.
Instagram / @piapiapia_no
7. Curl Hair to Add Direction and Texture
How about adding curls? Curling short hair is not what we are used to and your length may be too short for your efforts to resemble an actual curl or wave. Still, you can get some nice direction and texture with your curling iron or flat iron. This can be especially helpful if you’re suffering from uneven lengths or unruly sections.
Instagram / @courtneyxcentrichair
8. Wash Hair Less
One thing that works for some people is to wash it less. Since very clean hair tends to be fluffier — and hair with some natural oils in it sits flatter — frequent shampooing will not be your friend if you’re trying to avoid poofy hair. If you can’t go without daily washing, consider using a heavy conditioner or mask to assist in controlling it.
Instagram / @hairbychloecardiff
9. Stimulate Hair Growth
From scalp massage to onion juice, there are many ways to stimulate your hair to grow faster. While not all methods will show noticeable results, stimulating blood circulation in your scalp is always a good thing. Healthy eating and hair vitamins, such as biotin, silica and collagen help hair growth, too. This can speed up the process for some, especially those who are lacking essential vitamins.
Instagram / @courtneyxcentrichair
10. Keep Hair Healthy
The most important factor when growing out a pixie is to keep your hair healthy. You probably won’t need regular trims, but if your ends are damaged, they need to go. Conditioning treatments can help with dry, brittle hair. Reducing or eliminating heat styling will prevent further damage. If you’re growing out a pixie cut, be very careful with your flat iron and lower the heat setting. You might also want to consider using a heat-protectant product.
Instagram / @mummymonkey
At this point, I’m hoping that you have some direction and confidence to move forward with your growth process. Growing out a pixie with success is entirely possible, and while you may experience some bad hair days or undesired awkward stages, these tips and ideas will help guide you as you make your way to a longer style (just imagine when you can get it into a ponytail). Come join me on Instagram for more style info and inspiration.
