If you're under the impression that bangs are a big commitment because you have to get regular trims, just wait until you find yourself wanting to grow them out. Deciding it's time to move on from your bangs is the easy part. The struggle is getting through the four or five months it actually takes to fully grow out your bangs. 

"It's so hard to grow out your bangs because they're constantly changing where they frame the face as they grow, and not every length is flattering," celebrity stylist Justine Marjan told us. "It's tough to have the patience to let them catch up with the rest of the hair, so you have to be creative with styling so they blend with your current cut."

According to Marjan, one of the biggest myths about growing out your bangs is that you shouldn't touch them at all — but that couldn't be farther from the truth. 

"It's super unflattering when a blunt bang grows out if weight isn't taken out and if it isn't slightly shorter in the center so that it can frame the face," she explained. 

We turned to Marjan for her tips on how to get through every awkward length, plus the best hairstyles for growing out your bangs.

Meet the expert

Justine Marjan is a Tresemmé global stylist. Her clients include Gwen Stefani, Ella Balinska, and Kristin Cavallari, among others.

Keep reading for our expert-approved guide to growing out your bangs.

Embrace Curtain Bangs

To get through the initial stage of growing out your bangs, Marjan recommended styling your fringe into a curtain shape. Start by applying a bit of gel to your roots at the front of the hairline when your hair is damp. Then, blow dry with a small, round brush.

"Use the nozzle on the dryer to direct the hair forward onto the forehead, then use the round brush to direct the middle and ends of the hair back so they create a curtain that opens and frames the face," she instructed. For extra hold, apply a lightweight hairspray like Tresemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hairspray Hold Level 4: Extend.

Reach for Hair Accessories

When you're a month or two into growing out your bangs, take advantage of the current vintage hair accessory trend. At this point, your bangs have probably grown to an in-between length that's too long to wear down but too short to tuck behind your ears.

Marjan suggested embracing '90s hair accessories like bobby pins, clips, and headbands by using them to pin and tuck bangs away à la Alexa Chung.

Try a Lived-In Style

Once you hit the two-month mark, style your hair with "fluffy French girl texture" in mind, advised Marjan. Start by spritzing your hair with a texture-boosting hairspray, such as Tresemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hairspray Hold Level 1: Texture and place no-crease clips around the front to set the hair in a wave pattern.

"Either let the hair set like this for 20 minutes or apply heat to it with the Ghd Air Blow Dryer ($199)," she instructed. "Finish by removing the clips and scrunch in more hairspray."

Opt for Face-Framing Layers

"When your bangs are almost grown out, blend them into the hair by taking your hair length up and layering around the face," Marjan said. "If you are attached to length and don't want to take it up, try Hidden Crown Hair clip-in extensions to blend the front pieces." 

She also suggested using hair spray, clips, and a blow dryer — as you did in stage three — to create a wave pattern in your hair, leaving the ends straight.