How to Stylishly Grow Out Short Hair
This will only hurt a bit. (Photo: Shutterstock)
A pixie cut is super trendy—but it takes major upkeep. And growing one out can be seriously awkward. In addition to cutting back your visits to the salon, there are some simple tricks you can keep up your sleeve to prevent an unflattering look for months on end. Here, Damian Santiago, co-owner of Mizu New York Salon, schools us on returning to long hair.
Hold onto as much length as possible so that you can style your strands into a short bob, says Santiago. Because most pixies are longer in the front to frame the face, the simplest transition is an angled bob with shorter pieces in the back. Going an extra two to four weeks between trims is ideal for getting back some length.
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Use product to camouflage uneven layers or funky growth. “Play with styling it differently and exploring different products during that period,” says Santiago. The best option is to add texture to hide obvious ends. Santiago swears by R+Co’s Rockaway Salt Spray ($25, randco.com) and Death Valley Dry Shampoo ($29, randco.com). On seriously stringy cuts, you can add texture and volume with a curling iron and setting spray.
If you have just a little length, braids are your best bet at hiding your awkward phase. “You can be really creative with braids these days,” says Santiago. Starting at the part, French braid down the hairline (using as much or as little hair as you’d like) and secure with a bobby pin or elastic where the hair ends. This creates an intentional asymmetrical aesthetic so any uneven layers look almost purposeful. And if pieces start to slip out (one of the tribulations of short hair!), just pin them back in place. Messiness is part of the style’s charm.
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The bottom line: Don’t chicken out in fear of the inevitable growing-out phase. If all else fails, use bobby pins to pull the hair up into a creative updo. Twist small sections of hair and pull them into the center of your head. Or even faster—pull the front strands back with a simple headband (FranceLuxe.com sells a variety of cute, chic styles.) You’ll have longer hair before you know it.
More from Women’s Health:
How to Stop Getting Split Ends Once and for All
Are You Secretly a Short Hair Person?
