6 Simple Methods for Growing Out Your Bangs, as Recommended by Professionals

Once you’ve taken the plunge and gotten bangs, it can feel like a commitment. But fear not, because when the time comes to grow them out, there are strategies to make the transition smoother. Susan Williams, a hairstylist based in Washington, advises that growing out bangs typically takes four to six months. However, with the right approach, the process can be manageable and even stylish.

Firstly, assess the type of bangs you have, whether they’re curtain, side-swept, choppy, or blunt. According to Williams, blunt or baby bangs can be the trickiest to grow out, requiring patience as they lack enough length for versatility. Additionally, individuals with naturally curly hair may find the process takes longer, but blending them with the rest of the curls is easier, she notes.

To tackle the growing-out phase effectively, take proactive steps. Williams and Elidona Pjetraj, a stylist based in Manhattan, outline six practical methods to navigate the transition with finesse.

1. Prioritize Hair Health: Pjetraj emphasizes maintaining a nourishing hair care routine as paramount. Regular salon treatments, supplemented with at-home care like the Fekkai CBD Scalp Calming Hydrating Mask, promote healthy hair growth. Weak hair is more susceptible to breakage, elongating the grow-out period.
2. Trim Strategically: Counterintuitive as it may seem, Pjetraj recommends periodic trimming to aid growth. Trimming the center of the bangs between the eyebrows or using thinning shears for texturizing helps them fall more naturally, gradually adopting a curtain bang or face-framing effect.
3. Embrace Face-Framing Layers: As the bangs grow out, Williams suggests incorporating face-framing layers to seamlessly blend them with the rest of the hair. Internal layers provide support, enhancing volume and overall aesthetic.
4. Texturize the Tips: Softening the tips through texturizing techniques helps them blend harmoniously with the rest of the hair. Williams advises using dry shampoo or texture spray for lift, with products like Ouidad Going Up! Volumizing Texture Spray offering grip and hold.
5. Pin Them Back: During the awkward stage when bangs are longer but not yet fully grown, styling hair into ponytails, braids, or pinned-back twists keeps them off the face, recommends Williams.
6. Boost Volume: Adding volume to the bangs lifts them above the brow bone, maintaining their length while enhancing texture. Pjetraj emphasizes the importance of blow-drying, directing hair in front of the face and in opposing directions for optimal volume.