How to Grow Out a Pixie Haircut

The pixie is bold and beautiful… most of the time. Here are a few of the best and worst styles from my grow out experience over the past 16 months. If you’re considering cutting your hair into a pixie or if you have one and have struggled to grow it out, then this is for you. Anyone else? Well enjoy looking at some really bad hair days and embarrassing selfies…

THE HAIRCUT

I rocked a pixie for 6 months and this was my final and favorite cut before I began growing it out. It was cute, sassy, and perfect for my hair texture (extra thick, very course.) Styling my hair (and not styling) was a breeze.

The Highs: Wake up looking ultra chic with no effort!

The Lows: No styling options. (Clearly I got bored and colored it 3 times within 1 month.)

Styling Options: Throw in some paste and go.

Maintenance: To maintain you will need a cut every 3-6 weeks.

Tips: Don’t get this haircut impulsively, as cute and easy as it is, don’t forget that it’s a commitment.

1-3 Months: The Poof, Puff, & Pudge

You will be dying for a haircut by your 3 month mark… push through it! The ultra chicness is gone and you’re left with… well, something annoying.

The Highs: The mohawk! When I wanted to feel good about my hair, the mohawk was really fun. This is your only window to rock the hawk so take advantage and try it for a night out.

The Lows: Basically everything… this is the most difficult stage to get through. My hair would poof and spike when I didn’t want it to. Glasses are also very annoying with a pixie; putting my glasses on was a strategic process of placing the temples over my ears without my hair sticking out funny or getting flattened.

Styling Options: Good products, blowdrying, and straightening. Mohawk. Accessories like pins and flowers will become your best friend during this stage.

Maintenance: NO CUTTING!!!!!

Tips: Check out bob or long haired inspiration to keep your eye on the prize! It will all be okay.

4-6 Months: The Whaaa?

If the last stage didn’t bother you, then this one will. You’ll notice more length to work with but you’re still in a “long pixie” with few options. You’ll need to get really creative with this stage.

The Highs: You’ll be able to go get a blowout for the first time, which is a great option when you need a lift in spirit or have a special occasion. You’ll also fit into a (sad excuse for a) pony for the first time (LOTS of bobby pins.)

The Lows: Styling becomes much more necessary and a bad hair day looks BAD (as shown below.) Working out headbands and working out in general is also the worst in this stage; things flop and fall and stick out easily.

Styling Options: You can try air drying with product but you’ll have more successes round brushing or straightening for the best looks. I experimented with “flips” a lot but wouldn’t recommend in hindsight. HEADBANDS!

Maintenance: NO CUTTING!

Tips: If you need something to lift your mood get a blowout, buy a new headband, or get your hair colored – no bleach.

7-9 Months: The Mullet

This stage is called the Mullet because that’s exactly what you’ll have. When you start to notice it, rock pigtails until you can get it cut… but only cut the back! Not the front, not the top. Your stylist should be in on your goals.

The Highs: For me, air drying or diffusing was now an option and I took full advantage, getting your first trim and fitting into a  real ponytail are also major highs.

The Lows: The mullet is nasty and your hair will most likely have lots of ledges or poof goin on. For me, straightened hair did not look good in this stage.

Styling Options: Air dried/diffused with product, pigtails, ponytails and headbands

Maintenance: 1/2 haircut… cut that mullet off and NOTHING else.

Tips: Tuck your hair behind one ear to give your cut more shape.

10-12 Months: Happy 1 Year!

You’ve made it to your 1 year mark and deserve a major pat on the back! It’s all uphill from here but don’t get too lazy, this stage still takes styling and effort to look cute.

The Highs: You’re so close to bob territory that it hurts and good hair days feel REALLY good.

The Lows: Styling is necessary and hair will feel very heavy. Bad hair days are BAD.

Styling Options: Crafty updo’s and twists, air drying/diffusing with product, or straightening

Maintenance: 1/2 haircut… cut only the back again and NOTHING else.

Tips: Dryspun Finish by Bumble and Bumble saved my life during the stage. When my hair was poofiest and craziest, I just embraced it.

13-15 Months: The Short Bob

FINALLY, you deserve a full. on. haircut! By this point your bob is heavy and crazy and ready for change. Melt and blend those layers in and you’ll be in hair heaven.

The Highs: YOU HAVE A BOB! You can now wear your hair up, straight, wavy, curled… anything you like! Some updo’s are hard but with 500 pins a french twist is possible.

The Lows: Air drying doesn’t work as well and styling takes longer… but hey that’s what hair is!

Styling Options: Straight, wavy, curled, or up.

Maintenance: You deserve a real haircut! Blend in those layers and clean up dry ends.

Tips: You’ve worked hard… take care of your hair by using heat protectants.

16 Months: Go Get Banged Cuz You Made It!

Although my hair growth process isn’t over, I truly feel like I made it. The back of hair is now long enough where I can fit a small curling iron comfortably without burning myself. I can also comfortably wear my hair in cuter ponies that are slightly higher. I was ready to treat myself so I had my hair colored and got bangs; at this length, bangs are perfect to open up your face and give the illusion of even longer hair.

The Highs: You feel so accomplished and the possibilities are endless!

The Lows: Your hair requires styling, especially your bangs, and more product is necessary to achieve ideal results.

Styling Options: Anything and everything, up or down.

Maintenance: Bang trims every 4-6 weeks, and I’ll probably get another haircut in 3-4 months!

Tips: Don’t get bored and rush into another pixie cut! Take advantage of your hard work and have fun.

More Tips for Anyone Growing Their Hair Out

• If your hair has been stuck at the same length forever, know that genetically your hair can only grow to a certain length; some people will have longer hair than others… it’s just the way it is.
• Lube that shit! Dry hair is more apt to become brittle and split, and keeping your ends healthy is vital to growing out long beautiful hair. Using hair oils while styling, before bed, etc are great. I would even douse my hair in olive oil before taking hot showers to buffer the water.
• Showers: Wash your hair minimally and try to use look warm to cool water when washing or conditioning your hair. Use high quality shampoos and conditioners that are moisturizing or protecting your hair. Try skipping a shampoo and only conditioning, or keeping your hair in a pony or towel.
• Hair pills are questionable by some, but I used them and saw results. But don’t overdue them… (that’s a whole other story.)
• Try not to backcomb too often… certain stages will be more necessary but if it’s your day off put a hat on instead.
• I styled and colored my hair as little as absolutely possible… it makes for a lot of bad hair days but in the end I think it was worth having long hair that is also healthy.
• Try to skip bleach. I opted but darker blondes throughout my process and only used bleach in the last 3 months of growing out. And get your hair colored professionally, please.
• When my hair wasn’t as fashion forward as I would have liked, I depended on makeup to give me a little boost. And care for your skin just as much as your hair.
• Always remember there’s a light at the end of the tunnel… be patient, be creative, and feel beautiful!!!!!

Happy Growing!