Skip the “awkward” phase with salon-backed advice
There’s something magical about the pixie cut. It’s equal parts daring and delicate—a haircut that says I woke up like this but also don’t mess with me. It’s been the calling card of women who reinvent themselves on their own terms: from Twiggy in the ’60s to Florence Pugh, Emma Chamberlain, and Doja Cat today.
But here’s the catch: for every moment of power that comes with chopping it all off, there’s an equally humbling phase when you decide to grow it back. Somewhere between “structured crop” and “shapeless fluff,” your hair stops taking direction and starts doing whatever it wants. You try tucking it, slicking it, pinning it—nothing works for more than an hour.
The good news? The awkward grow-out era doesn’t have to be awkward at all. The trick is to treat it as a style evolution, not a waiting period. With strategic shaping, texture play, and the right maintenance routine, you can turn every inch into a look of its own.
Whether you’re freshly cropped or six months deep into your grow-out journey, this guide breaks down exactly what’s happening, what to ask your stylist for, and how to make each stage feel intentional. Think of it as your roadmap from pixie to polished (minus the panic and the baseball caps).
What is a pixie cut?
The pixie cut is a short, sculpted hairstyle that typically sits around the ears or nape of the neck, leaving just enough length at the top to play with texture and movement. It’s cropped, confident, and deceptively versatile—one of those cuts that can look graceful or punk, depending on how it’s styled.
It first gained cult status in the 1950s and ’60s, when Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow turned the close crop into a symbol of modern femininity. Since then, it’s been reimagined by everyone from Halle Berry and Winona Ryder to Zoë Kravitz and Halsey. More recently, stars like Emma Stone, Michelle Williams, and Taylor Russell have revived it as the ultimate “cool girl” cut: a look that’s effortless yet editorial.
While it’s often described as low-maintenance, a great pixie is all about precision. Every snip matters. It frames the face, enhances bone structure, and instantly communicates confidence. It’s so much more than a haircut—it’s a whole mood, and for many, the start of a new era.
The “awkward” in-between stage
For some, this is the phase where patience gets tested and hairpins become emotional support items. One day your hair feels chic and directional; the next, it’s sticking out like static. This is when most people start wondering if they should just grab the scissors and start over. Don’t. You’re closer to chic than you think. Here are the common phases of growing out a pixie cut:
Phase 1: The baby mullet
About six to eight weeks post-cut, your hair starts to grow faster at the back than the top, and suddenly you’re giving unintentional rockstar. The crown flattens, the neckline thickens, and the proportions get… interesting. A quick neck trim can keep things tidy, but this phase is all about embracing texture—think tousled, not tamed.
Phase 2: The shaglet stage
Next comes the in-between of in-betweens: the shaglet. Layers start to blend, fringe begins to soften, and your shape takes on a ’70s edge. It’s actually the most forgiving phase: there’s movement, personality, and room to play. Headbands, clips, and mousse become your best friends here.
Phase 3: The micro-bob
This is where things start to feel intentional again. The ends graze your jawline, the layers settle into something resembling a bob, and styling suddenly feels possible. It’s the first “I could live like this” moment in your grow-out journey—and the sign that you’ve officially graduated from awkward to effortlessly chic.
Each stage comes with its own challenges: volume in the wrong places, fringe that won’t behave, and sideburns that seem to grow faster than the rest of your hair. But here’s the upside—these transitions can actually work for you with the right shaping and styling tweaks.
How to grow out a pixie
Okay, you’ve made the brave decision: you’re growing out a pixie. Now what? The secret to surviving (and slaying) the in-between isn’t to wait it out—it’s to work with what you’ve got at every stage. That means trims, texture, and a little tactical patience. Here’s how to guide your pixie through its growth spurt:
1. Book regular shape-ups
Counterintuitive? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely. Getting trims every six to eight weeks keeps your hair looking intentional instead of overgrown. Your stylist can taper the neckline, refine the sides, and redistribute weight where needed to maintain balance. Think of these as “mini refreshes,” not setbacks—each trim helps your cut grow out better, not slower. Ask for soft layers and light texturizing around the crown to prevent that dreaded helmet effect.
2. Play with texture
Texture is your camouflage. A little bend, wave, or tousle can disguise uneven lengths instantly. Use a salt spray or texture paste to create movement and volume at the top—this keeps your shape fresh and dimensional. If your hair is naturally straight, try a small curling wand or flat iron flicks for lift. Curly or coily hair? A lightweight mousse or curl cream will define your pattern and reduce puffiness. The key is controlled imperfection—lean into the lived-in look.
3. Switch up your parting
When your fringe hits that awkward, eye-grazing length, a deep side part can completely change the proportions of your face. Middle parts elongate the silhouette; side parts create instant volume and shape. Experiment with what feels balanced and flattering. Even a subtle shift in parting can make a few millimetres of growth look like a whole new haircut. Bonus tip: tuck one side behind your ear for that effortless “I meant to do this” vibe.
4. Accessorize smartly
When in doubt, accessorize it out. Headbands, scarves, barrettes, and clips can transform a chaotic grow-out day into a deliberate look. A silk scarf adds polish, while minimalist pins or metallic clips keep things modern. Use accessories to highlight the style you have, not the one you’re waiting for—your transitional styling toolkit, if you like.
5. Feed your hair
Healthy hair grows faster, thicker, and shinier—simple as that. Focus on scalp care and hydration: use a moisture spray, do weekly masks, and massage your scalp to boost circulation. Supplements with biotin, zinc, or collagen can also support stronger strands. And remember: growth is gradual. You’ll notice changes month by month, not day by day, so celebrate the small wins (like when your fringe finally tucks behind your ear).
Growing out a pixie is less about endurance and more about evolution. Treat every inch as its own moment—shape it, style it, own it. Because when you handle the grow-out with confidence, it doesn’t look like a transition; it looks like a deliberate choice.
Hairstyles for growing out a pixie cut
The right look can turn uneven lengths into texture, volume, and attitude. You don’t need to fight the in-between—you just need to know which hairstyle works best for the stage you’re in. Here are four of our favorite styles that allow you to fake a good hair day at every inch.
1. The textured crop
Perfect for the earliest phase of regrowth, when your pixie’s still short but starting to lose its shape. Think tousled, bed-head energy. Work a pea-sized amount of matte pomade or styling cream through dry hair, focusing on the crown to add lift. Rough it up with your fingers for movement, then pinch the ends for definition. It’s deliberately undone, not neglected—a nod to French-girl cool that makes short hair feel easy again.
2. The sleek side sweep
When your bangs start to hover awkwardly over your brows, lean into it. Create a deep side part and blow-dry your fringe forward, brushing it diagonally across your forehead. Use a light hold gel or serum to smooth everything into place, and tuck one side behind your ear. The result? Elegant, directional, and totally red-carpet-ready (Florence Pugh does this beautifully). It draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones, not your grow-out lines.
3. The soft shag
Once you hit the shaglet stage, texture is your best friend. Ask your stylist for feathered layers around the crown and sides—nothing too heavy, just enough to add flow. Then style with sea-salt spray and air-dry for that perfectly imperfect finish. It’s playful, flattering, and works on nearly every hair type. Add a headband or a few decorative clips to pull back shorter pieces and highlight your face.
4. The mini bob
When your ends start grazing your jawline, you’re in prime mini-bob territory. It’s a sleek, modern shape that can be worn straight and sharp or flipped out for a retro touch. Apply a smoothing balm, blow-dry with a round brush, and finish with a bit of shine serum to emphasise the line. This stage marks your transition from “pixie grow-out” to “short-bob moment”—and it photographs really well.
No matter which style you go for, each one lets you reclaim control over your shape and celebrate texture. The grow-out is temporary, but the confidence you build styling it? That sticks around.
Hair cuts when growing out a pixie
The big question: should you really be cutting your hair while you’re trying to grow it out?
Surprisingly, yes. Regular shaping trims don’t slow your progress—they speed it up by keeping your ends healthy and your silhouette balanced. The goal is to stretch your shape from cropped to bobbed without ever hitting that shapeless zone. Here’s how strategic cuts can help at every stage.
1. The neckline cleanup
The first thing to go rogue? Your nape. Those extra millimetres at the back can throw off your whole shape and make your cut look uneven. Ask your stylist for a neckline cleanup every six to eight weeks to keep things sharp. They’ll remove bulk at the base while leaving the top layers to grow freely—instantly transforming “scruffy” into “styled.” It’s the fastest way to fake a fresh cut while still gaining length.
2. The layered transition cut
Once your crown starts feeling heavy or flat, it’s time for soft layering. Gentle layers help distribute weight and blend new growth so it doesn’t sit awkwardly on top. Ask for internal texture—tiny snips within the layers that create movement without changing the length. It keeps your grow-out light, bouncy, and easy to style. Pro tip: this is the ideal moment to add some face-framing pieces to reconnect with your features.
3. The fringe refresh
When your bangs start hovering in that “do I trim or suffer?” zone, the answer is: trim. A quick fringe refresh makes a world of difference. Curtain bangs or long side-swept layers help bridge the gap between short and mid-length hair while keeping attention on your eyes. Even a micro-bang can be reshaped into something softer.
4. The pre-bob cut
This is your graduation moment. Once your layers start touching your jawline, ask your stylist to even out the perimeter into a subtle bob shape. This creates a clean outline and gets rid of uneven tails or lingering mullet edges. Whether you go blunt, rounded, or slightly A-line, this cut marks the shift from “growing out” to “short-bob chic.” Finish it with a smoothing blow-dry, and suddenly your grow-out looks like a choice, not a compromise.
Every strategic trim brings you closer to your goal. It’s less about cutting length and more about sculpting shape—so each stage feels like a fresh haircut rather than a holding pattern.
Here’s an idea you probably didn’t expect…
If your pixie seemed like a fun decision at the time (and now feels like a personality crisis), you’re not alone. Growing it out takes time—and sometimes, you just want long hair, now. Enter: halo extensions and hair toppers. These clever, non-committal pieces blend seamlessly with your natural hair to add instant volume and length.
Toppers work especially well during the grow-out phase because they sit at the crown, disguising uneven layers and adding fullness where your pixie might feel flat. Halos, on the other hand, offer more dramatic length without clipping into delicate regrowth. They’re light, comfortable, and adjustable, meaning you can style your hair exactly how you want it while your natural locks continue to grow underneath.
With the right color match and a few styling tricks, no one will know you’re faking it—and honestly, who cares if they do? You’ll get your confidence (and your ponytail) back in one swoop.
From pixie to polished… and beyond
Growing out a pixie is a serious power move. Each phase teaches you how to style, shape, and own your look in a new way. And when you need a little help making each stage look effortless? TYME has your back. Our tools are designed to smooth, curl, and shape your hair through every inch of growth (no awkward phase required). So go ahead, grow it out. We’ll make sure it looks intentional every step of the way.
