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Growing Out & the Awkward Stage

Every long-haired girl survived the "mullet months". Here's how to grow with grace (and clips).

📖 Read⏱️ 8 min🌸 15 petals

The truth about growing out

Growing your hair from short to long takes time - usually 1–3 years to get past the shoulders. Somewhere around ear-to-chin length, almost everyone hits the awkward stage: too long to sit neatly, too short to tie back. It sticks out over the ears, flips at the neck, and does its own thing.

This is completely normal. It’s not a sign it isn’t “working” - it’s the middle of the story.

Trims: yes, really

It sounds backwards, but regular small trims help you grow out faster looking good:

  • Ask for a “shape-up” or “dusting” every 8–12 weeks: removing split ends and shaping, not length.
  • The back usually grows faster and gets mullet-y - ask your hairdresser to keep the back in line while the top and sides catch up.
  • Say clearly: “I’m growing it out - please take off as little length as possible.”

Styling the in-between

  • Tuck it. Behind the ears, with a little bobby pin or a cute clip.
  • Accessories are your best friend. Headbands, scarves, mini claw clips, snap clips, pearl barrettes. They make “I’m growing my hair” look like “I chose this”.
  • Product for control. A little cream or texture spray stops flicky ends; a light oil tames fluff.
  • Half-up styles become possible sooner than a full ponytail.
  • A side part can change the whole shape instantly. Experiment!

Looking after length

Long hair is old hair - the ends might be two years old. Protect it:

  • Condition every wash; use a leave-in on the ends.
  • Use heat protectant (or skip heat - more on that soon).
  • Sleep on a satin/silk pillowcase or in a loose braid or scrunchie (inexpensive ones from department stores, pharmacies or online work fine).
  • Avoid tight elastics with metal bits; choose scrunchies or spiral ties.

About hairlines

Lots of women (cis and trans) have a higher hairline, a widow’s peak, a temple recession or thinning on top. It’s one of the most common hair worries there is, and there are loads of gentle, effective options:

  • A soft fringe (bangs) or curtain fringe, once there’s enough length.
  • Side parts and face-framing layers.
  • Headbands and scarves.
  • Toppers and wigs - we have a whole seed on these later.

Be kind to yourself

Take a photo every month. On a bad day, scroll back and look at how far it’s come. Growing out is a quiet daily act of patience, and the payoff is lovely.

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