Growing out that trendy cut

If you have ever decided to take the plunge and walk on the wild side with a trendy haircut, you understand the feeling of making a big change that seems liberating. You sometimes feel the weight of the world (or your long hair) has been lifted from your shoulders. You love it. You get it trimmed up every five weeks or so to make sure it looks just right. It hardly takes any time to style and if it's done well, it looks pretty much the same every day. Then that turns into day after day having the same hair. How do you grow out a cut that you LOVED for awhile but is now not really doing it for you?
Once you have 'lost that loving feeling' for a style, it sometimes seems like it just won't go away. That is particularly true with geometric cuts like the Victoria Beckham inspired bob that was very popular last year. I personally cut off bag fulls of hair from very long to jaw length short, and I am only one stylist. For awhile it seemed like everyone wanted that cut. In this area it became known as 'the Raleigh bob'.
This is not the first time geometric shapes in hairstyles have come around. Geometric cuts were first popularized by Vidal Sassoon in the late 60's and early 70's. It has been customized by many different pop icons (Dorothy Hamill, Twiggy) and in many variations but this particular incarnation had very strong lines, severe angles, and was at times, asymmetrical. As a stylist it has been fun to get creative with this haircut since t seemed to enrapture so many different women. But all good things must come to an end, so now, how to change it or grow it out?
One way to change your hairstyle is to go shorter. Maybe that angled bob can turn into a short in the back with an exaggerated bang cut like what Rhianna has been sometimes known to wear. One step further from that would be to cut it all short and wear it spiky for awhile. All fun and daring options. Once you have cut your hair short, you may never want to grow it back again!
What about the person who does want to have a longer style again RIGHT NOW? I have a few clients who have turned to extensions for awhile. You can have your stylist order the length and color you want and if they don't match exactly, if it is human hair, it can be colored to match. There are clip in extensions and fused extensions. Clip ins can be removed whenever you want but do have to be put in every day. Fused extensions are with you day in and day out but the cost can be significantly more. The thing to remember with extensions is you must have at least three inches of hair for them to work. Also, it is difficult to blend very strong lines with extensions because the shorter hair will show through. Getting a different shape of haircut may make this option more realistic looking. You just have to decide what fits with your lifestyle and budget.
If you have decided you want longer hair and you chose to grow it yourself, the best way to grow out a haircut like this is to first of all, not cut it every five weeks. This may not be a popular opinion with other stylists but my advice is go a few extra weeks. To change the shape of a strongly geometric cut, you have to have something to work with. The next step is to change the focal point. For example, the 'Posh Spice" haircut had a very strongly angled shape to it. The shortest point was in the back with steep angles moving forward towards the face. From the front, the obvious focal point was the longest point. For some women this was jaw length and for others, it was past the chin. Either way, to change a focal point like that, the lines need to be softened. In other words, round out that point. For someone who is growing their hair out, it can be downright terrifying to cut off the longest part. This is what has to happen to change the shape. If you soften the edges, they are no longer such a strong focal point and the shape begins to change You can also add an element of distraction, for instance add bangs. If you already have bangs, push them to the side. If they are heavy, try lightening them up. If they are already wispy, maybe make them heavier. Try something different to distract from the previous shape. As for the length overall, hair just has to grow.
Your stylist can help you come up with some different ideas to change it up a bit. Sometimes, it's worth a new set of eyes. I'm not suggesting you leave the person who has been doing your hair for years. All I am saying is that sometimes a different perspective, from someone who hasn't seen you before can get you on the road to a new style. You can always go back to the person you love, maybe with a new insight into your look.
You can also just try styling it differently. Try curling it or create a sleeker, flatter shape. Do something different so you don't get frustrated or bored and just get it cut off again. Hair grows on average 1/2 inch per month. I usually tell clients who are growing out a short style that in around four months it will begin to look significantly different. That doesn't mean it will magically be shoulder length again, but it will look noticeably different.
Don't be afraid about trying a fun, trendy or radically different haircut because you are worried about growing it out. Hair is a renewable resource and will grow back so you can try something else. Your hair can be an accessory you have fun with or a chore you have to deal with. You get to decide.
Have a great hair day!