Read on to check out some of our favorite transitioning hairstyles and tips that you can wear while your hair grows out:
15 Transitioning Hairstyles
1. The Mini Buzz
Want to start fresh in one of the ultimate transitioning hairstyles for short hair? Then, you’ve got to go for the ultimate big chop: the buzz. The buzz cut is a cool style in its own right and gives you immediate access to your curly roots. You can then let it grow however you like, without dealing with straightened ends.
2. Flexi Rod Curls
Merging curly roots is a lot easier if you rock curls all over! You can get a perfectly curled look if you use overnight curlers to set your hair. Flexi rods are your best bet for looser curls that aren’t a total pain to sleep in, literally. In the morning you can unravel your curlers and shake loose your new curls. To give a little hydration and shine to your hair, mist over your finished style with Suave Frizz Reducing Refresher Spray.
3. Bantu Knots
Bantu knots have become a fashion statement in their own right. Besides the result of bouncy curls when you unravel the knots, the multi-bun hairstyle has become a look. The more knots you do, the tighter the curl when you release them. Big buns like these will give you looser, voluminous curls when you take them out.
4. Bantu Curls
Here’s a great example of how your curls can look when you unroll smaller Bantu knots! The perfected curl look? Oh yeah, it always works! The best part is you can wear curls like these in nearly any other style.
5. Twist Extensions
If you want to avoid the transition between your curls and your straightened hair altogether, try wearing hair extensions. We love the look of these twisted extensions for a voluminous, longer look. If you choose extensions that match your natural hair color, you won’t be able to see where your ends end.
6. Top Knot
A top knot never did anyone harm. This is a fun style that works for nearly any hair length, so long as you have bobby pins and maybe some hair oil to keep any flyaways in check. Wrapping up all of your hair keeps your ends protected and can help you to avoid knots.
7. Braid Out Waves
We’re a little bit obsessed with the look of braided waves. If you do just one or two braids with all of your hair, you can get nice relaxed waves. The more braids you do, the tighter the wave pattern will be, like braided crimps! Just set your hair overnight and shake it loose in the morning. You can apply a little TIGI Copyright Custom Create Colour Lustre Oil on your ends for a moisture and shine boost in the morning.
8. Box Braid Extensions
Just like twisted extensions, box braid extensions can help you to get a longer look while you grow out your hair. You just need to make sure they are not too tight to avoid putting too much pressure on your roots. Too tight of a style can make it more difficult for you to be able to hydrate and care for your new growth.
9. Crown Twist
Another style that keeps your ends tucked away is this gorgeously romantic crown twist. Gracing your whole hairline with a crown twist is just like a crown braid but a bit easier to do because you’re only working with two sections of hair. Just twist, add a little more hair and twist again.
10. Twist Out
Speaking of twists, they give a gorgeous result the next day, too. These are the tighter version you’ll get from Senegalese twists, not a twisted crown hairstyle. These untwisted results are great for getting a tight, natural-looking curl pattern. Bonus: You get two looks out of one twisting session.
11. Space Buns
If your hair is just a bit too short to fit all of it into one bun — or you want a funkier look — try out space buns. All you need to do is part your hair down the center, then create two even buns on either side of the part. The best part of space buns is that you can wear them way up on top of your head or below your ears for a totally different effect.
12. Tucked French Braid
On the last leg of your hair growing adventure? Just tuck those ends away! Doing a French braid creates a little space between the braid and your scalp. It’s just the right spot to be able to tuck the end of your braid under. You can pin it into place from underneath to secure this look.
13. Mini Curl-Out
Want to rock a ‘fro, but your hair just isn’t there yet? Go for mini curls. We suggest opting for those mini snap-together curlers you can pick up in most drugstores. You’ll set your hair overnight again and take out in the morning. Then you can wear your tight curls however you like! We like to add a little shine and moisture with Suave Professionals Define & Shine Serum Gel.
14. Pineapple Updo
Rock the curls you’ve created in any of the transitioning hairstyles we’ve mentioned above in a pineapple updo. They’re easy to do—and so cute! Follow our pineapple updo tutorial so you can get this look at home. It’s safe for your ends because they aren’t brushing up against anything during the day.
15. Boxer Braids
Working with transitioning hairstyles braids like with boxer braids (or cornrows, or dutch braids) is a great way to wear pigtails with a little more oomph. You can start the braids from your front hairline, and keep braiding all the way down to the ends. Make sure you secure the ends with a hair tie that won’t rip at the ends of your hair.
