Ask a Hairstylist: How to Grow Out a Pixie Cut Into a Bob

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Q: Hello Bill! I would like your help figuring out the best way to grow out my short hair. I am looking for a funky, easy style that would allow me to continue to grow.

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Ask a Hairstylist: How to Grow Out a Pixie Cut Into a Bob

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I’ve had a pixie of some sort for about two years now. I started to grow it out recently, and had it in a little bob. It was cute for a minute, but then it felt like a helmet. I went to a new hairstylist and she was going to “texturize” my hair (which I like—I’ve had messy, choppy hair for years). But instead, she started randomly slicing into my hair with no rhyme or reason. 

So now, I’m back to a pixie, but a very bad one. There is no underlying shape to my hair. It’s just an awful choppy lump that doesn’t do much of anything. One side has longer pieces than the same spot on the other side. The back, near the nape of my neck, looks awful. 

With product, I can make it look okay at best. I sometimes wear it messy, and sometimes sleek and tucked behind my ears. I don’t blow-dry or like to take a lot of time on my hair.

The texture is fine-ish, but I have a lot of hair, so it feels pretty thick. It is mostly straight, but as it grows longer (and if it’s cut in the right layered way), I do get waves. I have four pretty big cowlicks: two at the nape and sides of my neck, and the other two on either side of my forehead.

The colour is dark ashy brown, but I colour my own hair—usually warm reddish browns, and then I play with bits of colour in the bangs. I like it lighter around my face.

Thank you for the consideration! — Cristie

A: Cristie, thank you for sending along your consultation request and the pictures of your short haircut. While I like the short hair on you, I think you will find that a longer style is a lot easier to work with.

Pixie With Long Bangs

Here’s how I would start. I always find that the bangs and crown take the longest to grow, so leave those bits alone.

You already have long side pieces, so I would leave them to grow as well. You can always hide them by tucking them behind your ears.

The nape grows the fastest, so this is where you can have fun during the growing process. Until you acquire length in the crown and bangs, I would keep this area cropped close to your head. You have a great jawline for cropping the nape.

Here’s what this first stage could look like:

Pixie Bob

Here is the next length, still growing out the layers:

Short Bob

Then onto the bob. Here are some great examples of working with your cowlicks at this length:

Long Bob and Beyond

From here keep growing and growing if you still want long hair.

Another length using cowlicks:

Bangs

With your cowlicks, I don’t recommend getting bangs.

But if, for some reason, you do decide to get them, you must be creative in the way you part the hair in order for it to work:

Golden Brunette

As for your hair colour, I agree that warm tones are a great idea for you.

But moving toward a golden colour, rather than red, would be a better approach. This will make your eyes stand out and will suit your complexion.

This is the colour that I am talking about:

Also, this shape is the direction I see for your long pixie cut.

I hope this finds you well and answers your questions.

P.S. No bangs!

billyxoxo

Bill Angst is a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Angst Hair in Toronto, Canada.