How to Grow Out Your Pixie Cut in 9 Easy Steps

Avoid that awkward grow-out phase with these expert tips.

zoe kravitz

@zoeisabellakravitz / Design by Michela Buttignol

There are so many benefits to having short hair. For one, it requires a lot less maintenance than elbow-grazing lengths. Not to mention, there's such sophistication to short hairstyles, especially pixie cuts (think: Audrey Hepburn, Zoë Kravitz, and Zendaya). With that said, rocking longer lengths can be fun, too. And if you currently have a pixie cut, you know growing it out can be a bit of a nuisance.

Hair takes time to grow—there's no getting around that. There will be moments when your hair has an awkward length during the grow-out phase, but there are ways to make the process easier. Ahead, top hairstylists Horlenny Burgos, Chad Wood, Adam Livermore, George Papanikolas, and Anthony Montoya share their recommendations for growing out a pixie cut.

01 of 09

Do Weekly Hair Conditioning Treatments

"Weekly [conditioning] treatments are vital to maintaining the health of your [hair], so [it has] the foundation to continue growing healthy," Burgos explains. She recommends Ouidad's Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hydrating Mask ($32) for those with dry hair and the brand's Curl Therapy Lightweight Protein Foam Treatment ($38) for people with compromised curls.

02 of 09

Apply Coconut Oil to Your Hair and Scalp

Celebrity hairstylist Chad Wood recommends applying coconut oil to hair, as it not only helps with hydration and growth but also encourages natural scalp oil reproduction. Those with dry or curly hair will benefit most from this ingredient, while those with thinner, more fine hair may find coconut oil weighs their hair down.

03 of 09

Eat a Balanced Diet

Be sure to incorporate foods that boost your hair's health. This means loading up on foods good for hair growth—think healthy fats like avocado, salmon, nuts, and lots and lots of veggies. According to Horlenny Burgos, the lead hairstylist at Ouidad's Manhattan flagship location, this will be key to keeping your hair growth journey on track.

04 of 09

Take Hair Supplements

If your regular diet lacks some of the nutrients necessary to grow strong, healthy hair, supplements are an easy way to get them. Nutrafol or Viviscal are two that are clinically proven to speed up the hair growth process as well as thicken hair. Just be sure to check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

05 of 09

Give Yourself Scalp Massages

When you give yourself a scalp massage, you encourage blood flow to the area, which, in turn, promotes hair growth. An easy way to do this is by incorporating a scalp scrub into your haircare routine. We like Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub ($39) as it combines physical and chemical exfoliants to dissolve dead skin cells and gently buff away product buildup.

06 of 09

Get Regular Trims

Believe it or not, trims are a necessary part of growing short hair. "This might seem counterintuitive, but it helps maintain your hair's shape as you enter that 'awkward length' stage," Burgos explains.

Wood adds that hair will begin to take on a round shape without frequent trims. Another reason to hit the salon? Not only will consistent cuts eliminate split ends (which, as we know, can hinder the growth process), but they'll freshen up your style. What's more: A periodic check-in with your hairstylist will help you find a cut that complements what you're working with.

Byrdie Tip

According to celebrity hairstylist George Papanikolas, cleaning up the nape of the neck every eight weeks until the top layers catch up should be sufficient for a trim.

07 of 09

Avoid Heavy Hairstyling Products

Burgos says to avoid products such as heavy gel, which can weigh down the hair and clog hair follicles if not properly washed. On that note, if you use heat styling tools, apply a heat protectant to avoid damaging your short hair.

08 of 09

Learn to Style Your Pixie

Styling your hair while it's in the grow-out phase requires patience and creativity, but thankfully there are so many ways to style pixie cuts of every length.

For super-short pixies, Los Angeles-based hairstylist, Anthony Montoya, likes to take his hairdryer on medium heat and medium airflow, brush hair following the shape of your head with your paddle brush—first from right to left, then left to right. "This will help to break any undesired partings that your hair naturally falls into," he explains. From there, he suggests using a pomade for hold and texture.

For longer pixies, he says to take Bio Ionic's 10x Iron ($219) with one-inch plates to smooth out hair or add texture. "To avoid pin-straight ends, slightly bend your wrist and curve your flat iron as you smooth through the ends," recommends Montoya. "Once cool, apply your pomade to add hold, break up texture, and add a smooth, shiny finish."

No matter the length, Wood recommends playing up your look with some fun accessories, donning a middle part, or slicking it back. You'll find products like pastes, pomades, and sprays will come in clutch during this time. We love Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray ($49), which gives ends textured, piece-y movement for that slightly messy, model-off-duty look.

Byrdie Tip

If you have wavy or curly hair, Papanikolas recommends using a leave-in designed for curls, like Matrix's A Curl Can Dream Moisturizing Cream ($24), to help control volume and frizz and give curls definition.

09 of 09

Be Patient

Patience is key as hair grows about half an inch per month. "I encourage everyone to find stress management tools that work for them," celebrity hairstylist and Oribe global artist Adam Livermore says. "Exercise, meditation, massage, yoga, whatever works for you, do it. Your life and your hair will be better."

FAQ
  • How long does it take to grow out a pixie?

    According to Livermore, most people’s hair grows about six inches a year. "To get from a true short pixie to a shaggy 'bob' with layers, it takes close to a year," he says. "A true blunt bob, like the trending Italian bob, will take longer." With that said, he adds that hair texture will also play a big factor in how long it takes to grow out a pixie, as curly hair tends to get bigger rather than longer.

  • Should you cut your hair when growing out a pixie?

    Keeping up with trims and cuts helps ensure your hair stays healthy (and that you avoid split ends). So yes, even those growing out their pixie cuts should keep getting trims. Try and get a trim every eight-10 weeks to avoid split ends and maintain the shape while you're growing it out.

  • Is there a way to speed up hair growth when growing out a pixie?

    There's no real surefire way to speed up growth, only by keeping your hair healthy. "Stay hydrated and get plenty of amino acids and essential fatty acids in your diet," says Livermore. "Stimulating circulation on the scalp helps with growth, and a good scalp exfoliator will boost circulation and help your topicals work better, just like it does with your face."

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. Ablon G. A 3-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the ability of an extra-strength marine protein supplement to promote hair growth and decrease shedding in women with self-perceived thinning hairDermatol Res Pract. 2015;2015:841570. doi:10.1155/2015/841570

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