Growing out a pixie cut is basically a spiritual journey. One day you feel like a chic Parisian model, and the next, you look in the mirror and realize you've accidentally become a member of a 1980s hair metal band. It’s frustrating. Honestly, most people give up and chop it all off again right around month four. That’s the danger zone.
The trick to surviving the transition isn't just patience; it’s knowing which hairstyles for growing out short hair actually work for your specific hair texture and face shape. You can't just let it grow wild. If you do, you’ll end up with a "helmet" shape that lacks movement.
I’ve seen it a thousand times.
People think they need to avoid the salon to save length. That is a massive mistake. If you don’t trim the nape of your neck, your hair will grow into a literal mullet within twelve weeks. You want the top and sides to catch up to the back. That’s the secret sauce.
The awkward phase is actually a design flaw
Most people hit a wall when the hair reaches the tops of the ears. It pokes out. It flips. It refuses to lay flat. This happens because the hair on the crown of your head has a longer journey to travel than the hair at the base of your skull.
When you're looking for hairstyles for growing out short hair, you have to prioritize the perimeter.
Celebrity stylist Chris Appleton, who has worked with everyone from Kim Kardashian to JLo, often emphasizes that "invisible layers" are the key to maintaining a shape that doesn't feel heavy. If you have thick hair, your stylist needs to take some weight out of the internal sections. This keeps the hair from "triangulating"—that dreaded shape where the bottom is wider than the top.
Why the "Bixie" is your best friend
The bixie is exactly what it sounds like: a mix between a pixie and a bob. It’s the ultimate transitional cut. It keeps the shaggy, effortless vibe of a short cut but gives you the weight and swing of a bob.
Think about Rowan Blanchard or Florence Pugh. They’ve both mastered this middle-ground look.
The beauty of a bixie is that it embraces the "messy" look. You don’t need a perfect blowout. In fact, a bit of texture—aided by a sea salt spray or a lightweight pomade—makes the awkward lengths look intentional. It looks like a choice, not a struggle.
Strategies for the first six months
First, stop looking at your hair every hour. It grows about half an inch a month. That’s it. Science doesn't care about your weekend plans.
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During months one to three, your main goal is hiding the "wings" that sprout over your ears. This is where accessories become your entire personality. Silk scarves are great. Bobby pins—the heavy-duty kind, not the flimsy ones—can slick back the sides to create a faux-undercut look.
By month four, you’re likely dealing with a "shullet." A short mullet.
To fix this, go to your stylist and tell them: "Keep the length on top, but clean up the neck."
You want to keep that neckline tight. If you let the back grow as fast as the top, you’ll never reach a cohesive bob. You have to sacrifice a little bit of length at the bottom to let the rest of the hair catch up. It feels counterintuitive to cut hair when you want it long, but it’s the only way to stay sane.
Micro-braids and the "wet" look
If you’re having a truly bad hair day, lean into the wet look.
Take a high-shine gel—something like the Ouai Matte Pomade or even a classic Bumble and Bumble Gel—and comb your hair straight back. It’s sleek. It’s edgy. It hides the fact that your layers are three different lengths.
For those with curly or coily hair, the "growing out" process is a bit different. Your shrinkage is going to make the process feel five times longer. Protective styles are your lifeline. Finger coils can help define the shape as it grows, preventing the "frizz cloud" effect that happens when short curls lose their weight.
Handling the back-of-the-head bulk
There is a specific moment in the growth cycle where the back of your head starts to look like a haystack. This is usually around month five. The hair at the occipital bone (that bump at the back of your skull) starts to push the hair out.
You need texturizing shears.
Don't do this yourself. Seriously. I know there are YouTube tutorials that make it look easy. They lie. One wrong snip and you’ve got a bald spot or a cowlick that will haunt you for six months. A professional will "point cut" into the ends. This creates a soft, feathered edge that blends the short layers into the new length.
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The psychological game of hair growth
Let’s be real. Your hair is a huge part of your identity. When it doesn't look right, you don't feel right.
There's a reason people say "it's just hair," but we all know it’s not. It’s your crown.
When you’re searching for hairstyles for growing out short hair, you’re actually searching for a way to feel like yourself again. The most important thing you can do is change your perspective. Stop seeing it as "waiting for long hair" and start seeing it as "experimenting with short-to-medium styles."
- Month 2: The "Slicked Back" Pixie.
- Month 4: The "Messy Bixie" with headbands.
- Month 6: The "Shaggy Bob" (The Lob’s younger sibling).
- Month 8: The "French Bob" (Chin length with bangs).
Bangs are a great "distraction" technique. If the bottom of your hair looks weird, give people something else to look at. A curtain bang or a blunt fringe can redefine your entire face shape while the rest of your hair does its thing in the back.
Real talk about supplements and speed
Biotein. Collagen. Prenatal vitamins.
Everyone has a secret pill. Honestly? Most of them just give you expensive pee. Unless you have a genuine vitamin deficiency (which a doctor should check via bloodwork), your hair is going to grow at the speed your genetics dictated.
However, scalp health is real.
A healthy scalp equals healthy hair. Use a silicone scalp massager when you wash your hair. It increases blood flow. Does it make hair grow 3x faster? No. Does it make the hair that is growing out stronger and less prone to breakage? Yes.
Keep your ends hydrated. Even though the hair is "short," the ends are still old. They’ve been through the original haircut, styling, and probably some sun damage. Use a light oil—Mielle Rosemary Mint is a cult favorite for a reason—on the very tips to prevent split ends from traveling up the shaft.
Mastering the "Tuck"
One of the most effective hairstyles for growing out short hair is the simple ear tuck.
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Once your side pieces are long enough to reach your ears, tuck them. Use a tiny bit of hairspray to keep them there. This instantly transforms a messy, overgrown pixie into a deliberate, chic "short bob" look. It narrows the silhouette of your face.
If your hair is too slippery to stay tucked, hide a small bobby pin behind your ear. It’s a classic red-carpet trick. It creates a clean line from the temple to the jaw, which is incredibly flattering.
The transition to the "Lob"
Eventually, you’ll hit the shoulders. This is the final boss.
When hair hits the shoulders, it flips out. It hits your trapezius muscles and curls upward. You can either fight this with a flat iron every day (which causes heat damage) or you can lean into it. The "flipped out" look is actually very trendy right now—think 90s era Drew Barrymore.
Practical Next Steps
To successfully navigate this transition without losing your mind, follow this specific cadence:
Every 6-8 weeks: Visit the salon for a "dusting." This is not a haircut. It is a microscopic trim of the nape and the very tips of the hair to maintain shape. Tell your stylist specifically: "I am growing this out, do not touch the length on top, only the back and the weight."
Invest in "The Kit": You need three things. A high-quality headband (velvet or silk to avoid breakage), a dry texture spray (for volume), and a nourishing scalp oil.
Shift your styling products: As your hair gets longer, it gets heavier. The wax you used for your pixie might be too heavy for your bixie. Switch to a lightweight mousse or a volumizing spray to keep the roots lifted.
Embrace the change: The most successful "grow-outs" happen when the person tries styles they never would have considered before. Maybe you never thought you were a "headband person." Maybe you never liked the "wet look." Now is the time to try. You’re in a period of transition anyway—you might as well have some fun with it.
Your hair will grow. It feels slow, but in a year, you’ll look back at photos of this "awkward" stage and realize you actually looked pretty cool. The "mullet stage" is only a tragedy if you don't own it. Wear it with confidence, keep the nape of your neck clean, and trust the process.
Before you know it, you’ll be complaining about how long it takes to blow-dry your hair again. Enjoy the low-maintenance life while it lasts.