How to Grow Out a Pixie Cut – Short Hair Tips

Here at Rush we love a chic pixie cut, but it’s not unusual to want to change your hairstyle once in a while (or more, if you’re anything like us). If you’ve fallen out of love with your cropped ‘do, you have the option to start growing it out. For many, the prospect of going through the hair growth stage is exactly why they keep it short (or never cut it in the first place). Yes, the journey to mermaid-length locks may be long; the struggle will get very real, but with our expert tips that tricky in-between phase will be wholly manageable (we promise).

Be patient
When it comes to growing out a pixie cut, patience really is a virtue. It takes approximately 6-9 months for hair to grow out into a bob; you’ll have to wait up to 15 months before you can tie it up into a proper ponytail (i.e. something that’s not just a tufty stub of hair). So, if you really covet longer hair, it’ll take some perseverance. The good news is that you’ll be able to play around with lots of different looks along the way.

Nourish your hair
It’s important to keep your hair in as good a condition as possible, especially if you’re trying to grow it. Short hair is more vulnerable to damage than longer hair, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to achieve length. Though hair will continue to grow even if you have split ends, the damage can travel up the hair shaft faster than the scalp is able to produce new length; that’s why damaged hair can seem as though it’s not growing at all. Follow our top tips to ensure your hair stays healthy at any length:

1. Avoid over-washing as this strips away the natural oils and proteins that help to keep your hair and scalp healthy; washing your hair every day will leave it dry and prone to breakage. If you need to, use a dry shampoo in-between washes to soak up any excess oil and grease.
2. Apply conditioner after shampooing to retain moisture within the hair shaft. You should also use a deep conditioning treatment once a week; this will nourish and protect your hair from damage caused by everyday styling.
3. Use sulfate-free products on your hair; sulfate-containing shampoos and conditioners are known to strip hair of its essential oils.
4. Wet hair is more fragile, so treat it with care. Gently run a wide-toothed comb through your hair from root to tip after washing – you should never brush wet hair, as this causes breakage. Conversely, brushing your hair when it’s dry has some benefits; by distributing the hair’s natural oils down the hair shaft, the strands furthest from the scalp become moisturised. Brushing also stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which brings more nutrients to the hair follicles and supposedly promotes hair growth.
5. Reduce your use of hot tools and always apply a heat protectant spray before blow-drying, straightening or curling your hair.
6. Eat a healthy, balanced diet full of nutrient-rich fruits and veggies. Foods that are rich in iron, zinc, vitamins C and B, and omega-3 are linked to hair strength. The B complex vitamin biotin is also associated with hair growth. It crops up in plenty of foods including eggs, spinach and sweet potatoes (basically anything that’s good for you), so biotin deficiencies are rare. You can take biotin supplements to boost your intake, but the most important thing is your diet; get this right and you’ll be rewarded with a mane of healthy hair.

Get regular cuts
You should get your hair trimmed every 8-10 weeks to get rid of any split ends and maintain some semblance of shape whilst you’re growing it. After all, there’s nothing more deflating than an indefinable ‘do that’s impossible to style.

Hair ‘dusting’ is a technique that’s ideal for keeping split ends at bay whilst leaving length; unlike a standard cut or trim, dusting involves taking off just an eighth of an inch of hair. You’re unlikely to lose much length, but the damaged tips are cut off before they move up the hair shaft and cause more breakage. Think of it as hair maintenance; if you wait too long between salon visits, you’ll only have to take more length off when you finally do get a cut.

To achieve a bob (even a micro one), you need to let the hair on top and at the front of your head grow out, so that each section of your hair is the same length. Since hair at the back of the head tends to grow more quickly, regular salon visits will also ensure that you never veer into mullet territory.

It’s a good idea to think about how you’d like your hair to look at each stage before starting to grow it out. Planning ahead with your stylist will enable you to work with the hair once it gets to that awkward length.

Style with confidence
Once your hair has a little more length, you can start to experiment with different styling techniques and switch up your look; a little braid or bobby pin here and there will give your half-pixie-half-bob hairstyle some definition during this tricky midway point.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that short hair can be just as versatile as long hair – especially when it’s a smidge longer than an ultra-short crop. What we’re saying is, short updo’s are a thing. If the longer sections are becoming unruly, twist or braid the hair and secure it with a bobby pin.

You can also pin the front sections off the face by styling your hair into a pompadour. Backcomb the front layers to add volume and fasten them in place with your trusty bobby pins; mist over with some hairspray to finish.

A sleek, slicked-back style à la Emma Watson also works well if you’ve got a bit more length to play with. Simply spritz the hair with some water before raking a generous amount of pomade in it; comb through and create a deep side parting, then comb your hair back into the side, and finish by misting over with a firm hold hairspray.

Embrace hair accessories
Never underestimate the power of bobby pins (see above), hair scarves and headbands when growing out a pixie cut. They’re ideal for creating different looks and can be used to conceal awkward layers once you start achieving some length. A 50’s-inspired headscarf knotted at the top has a retro charm and plenty of attitude.

Have fun with your new length
Once your hair has become the same length at the front, back and sides, it’s important that you book a salon visit so that your hair can be cut into shape. At this stage, you may even decide that the pixie is, in fact, your true hair destiny and chop it all off again; you might want to carry on growing your hair or keep it above the shoulders in a bob. Whatever you choose to do, it’s always best to have fun with your hair by experimenting with different styles over time.

Ask your Rush Hair Stylist for more advice and tips!