Hi Curl Friends! You’ve decided to grow out your tapered haircut. Now what? The tapered haircut is the perfect option for curl friends looking for low maintenance while having some hair to style. However, when it’s time to grow out the haircut, the process can be long and painful.
Image Source: @breezyspuffs
I’m three months into my grow-out journey, and the most frustrating part has been growing out the sides and back. It’s taken some time, but I’ve finally figured out a few tips for growing out my short, bushy sides and laying my edges. I’m here to tell you that growing out a tapered haircut doesn’t have to be a long and painful process when you follow six steps to kick start your tapered haircut grow-out journey.
Having a planned strategy for growing out a tapered haircut will keep you away from the scissors and excited about growing a head full of healthy, long curls.
Establish A Healthy Hair Regimen
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Establishing a healthy hair regimen is the first step to kick-starting growth. It doesn’t have to be complicated or take hours. The key steps to any naturalista’s regimen should include cleansing, conditioning, detangling, moisturizing, sealing, deep treatment, and styling. Consistently following these steps will cleanse your scalp and moisturize your curls, which catalyzes healthy long hair.
Get Your Hair In Shape
Image Source: @kennybarberio
Now that you’ve established a healthy-hair regimen, it’s time to get in shape. Although you want to grow your sides and top to achieve a certain length, you still want to cut your hair for overall shape and health. There’s nothing worse than having split ends, breakage, and fairy knots crush your long hair dreams. Moreover, you’re less likely to hate your hair during the awkward stage if your hair has shape.
Image Source: @loc_n_loose
I actually got a full haircut at the start of my grow-out journey. Over the last three months, my hair has flourished, so much so that I need another haircut. Give your grow-out a kick-start by removing split ends and getting in shape. When you have a healthy and styled haircut, you will be less likely to dislike your hair at the start of your journey.
Create Inspiration
Image Source: @barbeirodiegojordan
When we first create a goal, we start a vision board full of quotes, pictures, and other inspirational items to keep us focused on the goal. This should be no different when setting a hair goal. Head over to Pinterest and Instagram to create boards and save your favorite looks.
When you’re having impulses to cut your hair because your sides won’t lay smooth or your hair isn’t growing fast enough, you can refer to your inspiration to remind you of your grow out goals. Check out my personal Pinterest Grow Out Inspiration Board.
Try A Protective Style
Image Source: @iamelizabethfrazier
One major downside to growing out a tapered haircut is not having an option for bad hair days. If your hair is not “done,” or you miss a wash day, your hair just won’t look good. There’s no high puff or slick back ponytails. However, you can incorporate protective styles to get you through bad hair days.
You can try clip-ins, wigs, box braids, crochet braids, knotless braids, and more depending on your length. Protective styles are an excellent option to add versatility and low hair manipulation and provide you a break from growing out your hair.
Invest In Hair Accessories & Tools
Image Source: @unclefunkysdaughter
My biggest frustration has been growing my sides out. Three months ago, my sides were smooth and laid. Now, they are curly and bushy and require quite a bit of maintenance to look neat. If you’re like me, you won’t have the time or, quite frankly, you won’t want to style your sides every day. If this is the case, you must stock up on headwraps, turbans, hats, hair clips, and other hair accessories.
Image Source: @yougonatural
Shop head wraps and turbans: Curlfriend Collective, YGN T-shirt Turban, Kitsch, and Scunci
Shop hats: Grace Eleyae and Yanibest
Patience, Patience, and More Patience
Having patience during a grow-out is easier said than done. We all wish we can snap our fingers and wake up with long hair, however, we know that’s not how the process goes. On average, your hair will grow ½ inch per month or about six inches per year.
It’s important to understand that starting a grow-out process will take time. Having this perspective will save you a lot of frustration when you don’t see or think your hair is growing fast enough. So sit back, relax, and trust the process!
Growing out a tapered haircut doesn’t have to be a long and painful process when you follow six steps to kick start your tapered haircut grow-out journey. Having a planned strategy will keep you away from the scissors and excited about growing a head full of healthy, long curls.
Have you experienced growing out a haircut? What are some tips you’ve learned along the way?
