6 Tips for Growing Out a Short Haircut

When it comes to your hair, there is nothing more agonizing than growing out a short haircut. Even as you decide to do it, you know it's gonna hurt. There will be days when no matter what you do, you'll look like you barely escaped a frightening encounter with a hand mixer. However, there's only one way to go from short to long hair: let it grow.

Unless you're a celebrity or a princess who can afford a few thousand dollars worth of hair extensions. ...I didn't think so.

The rest of us need help to face reality while making the transition. Here are six ways to keep your focus on the longer locks you crave.

1. Accept The Process
You already know what's gonna happen. Bangs start hanging in your eyes. Wispy sides turn into not-so-angelic wings over each ear. Strands of hair stick up or out in odd places. Yes, you know all that going into the process, so accept it and be prepared. Keep your goal of long hair in mind.

2. Start Growing the Top Out First
There's no need to cut off the bottom length to start with, but you can keep it trimmed where it is while the top layers start to catch up. Have the stylist try to maintain some overall shape to your hair instead of letting your whole head go on a race for the finish at once. Let the layers start blending before working on the length. Regular trims will help keep things in check.

3. Be Gentle
Keep your hair as damage free as you can with conditioning treatments to avoid breakage and split ends. Minimize the use of heat styling tools. You don't want to have to trim off more than you'd like as it grows.

4. Look for Intermediate Hair Styles
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 where your hair is now and ask the stylist for suggestions. Curling your hair a different direction, either toward or away from your face, may work for a while.

5. Accessorize
There's a world of hair accessories out there and they aren't just for little girls. Barrettes or stylish pins and combs can hold back wayward bangs and too-short sides. Headbands and scarves are great adornments, especially if they are helping some well-placed gel tame your mane.

6. Stay Healthy
Pretty hair, no matter the length, depends a lot on how you take care of yourself. Eat nutritiously and get the right balance of exercise and rest. Take a multivitamin each day. Some days you will need your stamina just to look in the mirror and get your hair styled for the day.

The main thing, after these six steps, is to stay the course. Human hair grows at a rate of half an inch per month or six inches per year, so take into account how long you want your hair to be. If you really want longer hair, don't give up when you are at an awkward stage and run for the scissors. Think of how far you've come, get funky with some fun hair clips and put on a smile. Before you know it, you'll have long hair.

sources:
Karen Marie Shelton, "Hair Growing Tips", Hair Boutique.com
Alice Ridley as told to Karen Shelton, "I Want Long Hair NOW", Hair Boutique.com
"How Quickly Does Hair Grow", HowStuffWorks, Inc.