So, you’ve decided it’s time to grow out your pixie. While the idea of growing out your hair may be exciting, we know that the process of achieving this goal is not so fun. Cutting any short hair to a longer length can be daunting, especially when considering those in-between lengths.
According to Amanda Elaine Killen, professional hairstylist and Amika’s chief professional educator, hair tends to grow about 1 centimeter per month or 6 inches per year. Some people’s hair grows a little slower or a little faster. That said, learning how to develop your pixie cut is all about learning to accept change and adapt to your length at all different stages.
To learn how to do this, we spoke with a hairstylist to get some of their best tips and tricks for creating a pixie cut without having to succumb to an awkward haircut. Next, read on for some expert advice that will make the Pixie growing experience even easier.
RELATED: 6 Best Pixie Cuts to Try in 2021, According to Hairstylists
Get regular shaping haircuts.
No matter what you think, getting regular haircuts while growing out your pixie cut will make it easier to grow your hair. Sierra Kener, a professional hairstylist at Salon Ninety One in Los Angeles, calls these haircuts “shaping appointments. She says visiting your stylist for a trim to cut out dead ends and remove excess hair around the nape of the neck minimizes the awkwardness of the middle length.
Killen also likes this shaping approach. “I prefer to cut the sides and nape of the neck area shorter than the top until the top of the hair is long enough to meet, merge and cover the sides of the hair,” she says. “This avoids unflattering or difficult to manage looks because the weight of the hair on top of the head eventually grows long enough to help weigh down the sides and ‘train’ the hair into an easy-to-manage style.”
Regular haircuts also help cut split ends, which can prevent the growth of long, healthy hair.
Embrace texture.
“Texture is a grower’s best friend,” says Kieren. “Playful, messy hair is a great way to disguise the hardness of the shape of your hair, and it’s flexible enough to separate.”
She recommends buying texture sprays such as Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray ($27; sephora.com) to help create effortless curls and waves in the hair to promote movement and hide any rough parting lines on the sides and top of the hair.
Play with different hairstyles.
In addition to texture, Kener likes to play with different hairstyles. Adding hair ties, bobby pins and even experimenting with slicked-back styles can make for a fun pixie look, she says.
Focus on scalp health.
Good hair starts with a good scalp, Kener says. To help promote healthy and faster growth, she recommends paying extra attention to scalp health during regrowth. “Regularly exfoliating the scalp with a dry brush or scalp cleansing product will prevent scalp buildup and allow for nutrient absorption.”
Kenner also says regular scalp massage helps improve circulation and stimulates hair growth. Scalp massage can be as simple as running your fingers through your hair, or you can use tools like shaving to make it feel more relaxed and luxurious.
Try a growth-focused hair care system.
One of Killen’s final tips is to look for hair care products that promote hair growth. “It’s beneficial to use a growth-oriented at-home hair care system, such as amika’s 3D Daily Thickening Treatment ($38, sephora.com), which contains redensyl,” she says. redensyl is an ingredient that helps prevent hair loss and promotes hair growth.
Another option to try is Nutrafol Growth Activator Hair Serum ($69; amazon.com), which supports scalp health and promotes cell renewal for thicker, stronger hair.