Pixie cuts are stylish, feminine, and cute — but when the day comes that you decide to trade your super-short crop for something a little bit longer, there are a lot of dos and don'ts to make growing out a pixie cut less of a challenge.

Growing out a short haircut has the downside of an awkward in-between phase. Angelo David tells his clients considering a pixie cut that it's a commitment. "The cut is a lifestyle and a look that changes your appearance," he says. "It's a bold haircut, so you must own it."

Meet the expert

How fast your pixie cut will grow depends on your hair's texture, how quickly your hair grows, the health of your hair and how good of a pixie cut you got in the first place. "For example, if you have curly, frizzy hair, it's more of a challenge to grow it out," says Garren. "Generally, a pixie on fine or medium hair should grow out effortlessly. But, on average, it may lose some of its shape about four to six weeks after cutting the hair into a pixie cut."

While patience is key in growing out a pixie cut, a good hair routine complete with plenty of hair-helping products doesn't hurt. We tapped expert hairstylists for their tips to make the transition from short to long easier while you wait for your hair to grow.

Baby the Hair You Have

Even if you load up on hair growth-boosting supplements and products and perform regular scalp massages to stimulate blood flow, hair grows, on average, only half an inch per month. So as the hair transitions from short to a bit longer, getting and keeping it in tip-top shape is critical for healthy hair growth. Load up on a diet full of healthy fats, green leafy vegetables, lean protein, and omega-3s for healthy hair. 

You'll also want to make sure the hair is well-moisturized so the ends don't appear frizzy, fried and dry. Aaron Grenia explains that when the scalp and hair are hydrated, the hair is less prone to breakage, which can prevent growth. To reinstate lost moisture, he recommends moisturizing shampoos, conditioners, and deep conditioning treatments to nourish the hair.

Treat the Scalp

Equally as important as hydrated hair is massaging the scalp. “Scalp massage promotes blood flow to the hair follicles, which can help increase blood circulation, stimulate the hair follicles, and may promote hair growth,” says David; he likes The Flex Brush XL, noting that it provides a soothing massage that increases blood supply to the hair follicles. "The increased circulation supplies oxygen and nutrients essential to growing strong, shiny hair."

Get Regular Trims

Even though you want to kiss your pixie cut goodbye, you'll still need to invest in regular trims to give shape and style to the hair. Without one every month or so (again, it depends on how fast yours grows), the hair will look too round and lifeless.

Garren recommends trimming fine hair a little at the nape of the neck so it doesn't look stringy. "Then, I'll generally tell clients to let their hair go for another three to four months so it morphs into a shaggy, gamine haircut — it's trending right now — that looks cool."

Add Layers

Cutting layers into a transitional pixie cut is another hairstylist's secret. Grenia says cutting layers into a growing pixie cut can help blend the shorter and longer sections of hair, reducing the stark differences in length. "Layers also create movement and texture, making the growing process look more intentional."

You can cut a full fringe when the hair is slightly longer (right above your eyebrows). According to Garren, a strong bang gives the hair a well-defined look rather than looking like it is growing out.

Be Strategic When Styling

Styling a growing-out pixie cut takes a little imagination and a lot of patience since, as David shares, pixie cuts have a mind of their own as they grow in. "The hair has to be shaped and retexturized during the regrowth." That's why finding easy-to-do styles while shifting between shorter and long hair will make it easier to style your hair daily.

Add an Accessory

The easiest way to disguise hair that is between lengths is to slip on a hat, headband, or scarf, which will push the hair off the face. To tame rogue pieces, slip in a bobby pin or two. Not only will bobby pins secure uncooperative pieces in place, but you can also use them to elevate hair that is growing out.

For example, twist one or two small sections of hair and slide the bobby pin in for a more playful look. Or, add a bit of volume at the root by slightly teasing the hair and securing it with a pin. You can even trade in the standard black or brown bobby pins for something a little blingy, like Kitsch Mini Rhinestone Snap Clips.

Slick It Back

Slicking back the hair, tucking it behind the ears and wearing more of a wet look are other go-tos for styling hair in a difficult stage. When the hair is a little longer than a pixie cut but not as long as chin length, you can slick it back with water and firm-hold hair gel, which will stay all day.

"Just avoid using products with heavy waxes, silicones, or excessive oils," Grenia advises. "These ingredients can weigh down the hair and make it appear greasy or limp." Other quick and easy styles that keep the hair off the face while helping to manage growth include baby braids, top knots and half-up styles.

Add Texture

Adding texture to the hair can also camouflage longer pieces for a more cohesive look. "Texture sprays like IGK Beach Club Touchable Texture Spray creates the illusion of volume and disguises uneven lengths during the growing process," Grenier says. You can also add texture with sea salt sprays or dry shampoos.

A piecey, separated look prevents the hair from looking helmet-like. "You can use a product like R+Co BLEU Essential Hair Tonicfor more of a chunky look," Garren says. Then, add a styling pomade for separation and texture. "After letting the hair dry — I like air drying over blow drying, which can leave the hair looking puffy — give it a little formation with hair oil," he says. "Take a drop in your hands and run it through the hair to make it look manageable and shiny."

Consider Extensions

When a pixie cut grows out, the hair doesn't always grow uniformly, so there may be uneven growth. David says the regrowth process is always a little odd, and many of his clients become impatient because they can't wait a year or more for their hair to grow down to their shoulders.

"It's hard to add extensions to pixie cuts because there should be about six inches of hair growth before considering them," he says. But extensions can provide instant length once the hair reaches that point.