GROWING OUT VERY SHORT HAIR
Dear Jellybean,
Ok. So I've had really short kinda spiky hair for a while now, and want to grow it long. I had it long when I was younger, and I was wondering how to go about growing it, and styling it etc. while it is growing out and is in that weird in-between-long-and-short stage.
It is a darkish brown and at the moment has blond highlights, and I have an oval shaped face if that helps :)
Because I had it long when I was younger, I never learnt how to style it past a simple ponytail.
Please help Jellybean, you're amazing!
Love,
The Styling Virgin
Dear TSV,
You're lucky to have an oval-shaped face! This is ideal, because hairstyles of varying lengths and shapes will work on you, meaning you can look cute throughout the growing-out-your-hair process.
An FYI: I've been in your shoes, a long time ago, with a very short and spiky cut, and successfully grew it out quite long. I'm going to give you my best tips for doing so in style, with a minimum of weird-hair days.
Keep It Real
Be realistic about how fast your hair will grow. Healthy hair generally grows at a rate of half-an-inch per month. That means if you have two-inch-long spikes now, it will take approximately 12 months to get it shoulder-length.
Keep It Healthy
As you grow out your hair, keep it in its healthiest possible condition. The healthier it is, the more likely it is to grow quickly. Minimize the use of heat styling tools. You don't want to have to trim off more than you'd like as it grows, due to frazzled ends. Keeping hair healthy also means using a daily conditioner after every shampoo, and a deep-conditioning treatment once a week.
Keep It Trimmed
Don't just stop visiting the hairstylist, and let all your layers go on a race for the finish line. To look decent as it grows, you will need to get your hair trimmed regularly to snip dead ends, and give your style some shape. Let the stylist know you're growing it out, and want to remove as little hair as possible.
Keep It In Shape
While your hair is growing, don't just focus on what you want it to look like once it's long. Be flexible about how you can wear your hair at various stages. Take advantage of the growing layers to wear different styles. Look for pictures that match up with the length your hair is now, and ask your hairstylist for suggestions. Here are some free online galleries where you can find pictures of haircuts at various lengths:
Hair Boutique Hairstyle Gallery
Keep Styling It
While your hair is growing, as well as getting regular trims, keep experimenting with styling it yourself. A medium-length hairstyle can be very versatile, and look totally different if it's curled toward the face or away, pushed back from the face or worn down, teased up or styled stick-straight.
Playing up your bangs can really change up your look. As the front layers get long enough, style them into flattering side-bangs, let them hang front and center, or part them in the middle for a cool look.
Sweeping your hair back with a thick fabric band is so chic, and works really well too. Or cop a Gwen Stefani vibe by pushing bangs back with a plastic headband, and bringing them slightly forward, so they pouf out into a pompadour.
Play with styling gels and trendy barrettes and clips. These can hold wisps in place, change up your look, and add cuteness when you're feeling blah about your growing-out hair.
Change up the texture. See how your hair looks when it's straight, add waves to change up the look, try it all messy and curly, or just slick it straight back.
As it gets longer, consider adding one of the many clip-on ponytails and extensions that are available at beauty supply stores and some salons, for instant length and drama.
Keep Your Patience
Going long from short hair requires real patience. If longer hair is your goal, don't give up and run for the scissors when you get to an awkward stage. Hang in there! Think of how far you've come, get funky with some fun hair clips and put on a smile. It will be worth the wait when your hair is long, just like you wanted.
