haircut advice · hair growth
Growing Out Short Hair: How to Get Through theAwkward Stage
How to grow out a pixie, bob, or short men's cut without hating it: the stages, which trims to get and when, styling tricks for each length, and realistic timing.
Hairover Team
The key to growing out short hair is to keep getting small shaping trims, especially at the back. Most of the “awkward stage” happens because the hair at the back reaches your collar while the top still looks short, which makes a shape like a mullet. If you trim the back and sides every six to ten weeks while letting the top and front grow, your hair looks like a deliberate cut at every stage.
The stages
Pixie to bixie
The sides cover the tops of your ears and the top gets heavier. This is where a bixie comes in: ask your stylist to shape it into one. It’s a real style, not an in-between.
Bixie to chin bob
The hardest stage. The back reaches your collar while the front is still short.
- Keep trimming the back so it doesn’t outgrow the front.
- Tuck the sides behind your ears.
- Use clips, headbands, and side parts.
Chin bob to lob
Once the front catches up, your stylist can square everything off into a bob. From here it’s easy: the bob becomes a lob.
For men
Growing out a short cut follows the same idea.
- Let the top grow first, while keeping the sides tidy.
- Then stop cutting the sides and let them catch up.
- Keep the neckline clean. A tidy neck makes longer hair look intentional.
See surfer hair for men, the flow haircut, and long hairstyles for men for where you might end up.
What to tell your stylist
“I’m growing my hair out. Please only shape it: keep the back and sides from getting ahead of the top, and take off as little length as possible.”
Many stylists offer shorter, cheaper appointments for shaping trims.
Styling tricks for the in-between stages
- Change your part. A deep side part disguises uneven lengths.
- Add texture. Messy, piecey hair hides awkward ends better than sleek hair.
- Use accessories. Clips, headbands, and scarves.
- Tuck it. Behind the ears is your best friend.
- Try a half-up style once the top reaches your crown. See half-up half-down hairstyles.
How long it takes
It depends on how fast your hair grows, which is mostly set by genetics. Our guide on how fast hair grows covers typical rates and what affects them. Expect months, not weeks, and plan for it.
Keeping the length you grow
You can’t make hair grow much faster, but you can avoid losing it to breakage. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests using a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, patting hair dry, and limiting hot tools. Also avoid very tight ponytails and buns, which the AAD says can cause hair loss at the hairline over time.
Related guides
- Pixie Cut Ideas
- How Often Should You Get a Haircut?
- How to Fix a Bad Haircut
- Headband Hairstyles: Easy Looks for Every Hair Length
See where you’re headed
It’s easier to stay patient when you know what the next length will look like. Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio, from a bixie to a full bob.
FAQ
Should I get haircuts while growing out short hair?
Yes. Small shaping trims every six to ten weeks keep the back from getting ahead of the front and remove the awkward bulk. Tell your stylist you're growing it out so they only shape, not shorten.
What is the awkward stage of growing out a pixie?
When the hair is too long to look like a pixie but too short to tie back, usually when it covers the ears and the back starts to look like a mullet.
How long does it take to grow out a pixie into a bob?
Many months to a year or more, depending on how fast your hair grows and the length you start from. Shaping trims keep it looking intentional the whole way.
Can I make my hair grow faster?
Growth rate is mostly set by genetics. What you can control is keeping the length you grow, by avoiding breakage from heat, rough brushing, and tight styles.
