20 Hairstyles For Growing Out Bangs Without Looking Awkward

Look, I’ve been there. That weird in-between stage where your bangs are too long to be bangs but too short to tuck behind your ears? Yeah, it’s frustrating. I spent months feeling like my hair was stuck in some kind of style limbo.

But here’s what I learned: growing out bangs doesn’t have to mean months of bad hair days. Actually, this transition phase can be pretty fun if you know the right tricks. I’m talking about hairstyles for growing out bangs that’ll make you look intentional and stylish, not like you just gave up on styling.

After going through this myself (twice, because apparently I never learn), I’ve collected the best tricks for making peace with that awkward length. These aren’t complicated salon-only styles—they’re real, doable looks that actually work for everyday life.

And if you’re leaning into that face-framing vibe, you’ll love these textured layers with curtain bangs ideas too.

Why Growing Out Bangs Feels So Awkward

You might be wondering why this phase feels so much harder than just growing out the rest of your hair. It’s simple, really. Your bangs sit right in your line of sight, literally in your face all day long. When they’re that weird length where they poke your eyes but won’t stay tucked, it’s impossible to ignore.

Plus, bangs frame your face differently than the rest of your hair. When they’re growing out, that frame shifts and changes every few weeks. What worked last month suddenly doesn’t work anymore. It’s like trying to hit a moving target.

If your bangs keep falling weirdly into your waves, these wavy hair with bangs styles can give you quick inspo.

But the good news? There are tons of hairstyles for growing out bangs that work at every stage of the process. You just need to know which ones to try when.

The Growing Out Bangs Timeline

Growth Stage	Approximate Length	Best Styling Options	Main Challenge
Weeks 1-4	Just past eyebrows	Side-sweep, headbands, pin back	Getting in your eyes constantly
Weeks 5-8	Reaching nose/cheekbones	Curtain bangs, braids, twist backs	Won’t stay put, falls forward
Weeks 9-12	Hitting chin/lips	Face-framing layers, tucked behind ears	Still too short to fully blend
Month 4+	Past chin	Full blend with layers, all styles work	Finally reaches the promised land

Now here’s where it gets interesting: you don’t have to just suffer through each stage. There are specific hairstyles for growing out bangs that’ll actually make each phase look intentional.

20 Hairstyles For Growing Out Bangs That Actually Work

Let me walk you through the styles that saved my sanity during the great bang grow-out of 2023. These work for different lengths, textures, and commitment levels.

For more movement and shape while your fringe grows, check these wavy layered hairstyles too.

Easy Everyday Styles

1. Textured Side-Sweep

This is probably the most versatile of all hairstyles for growing out bangs. What I love about this one is how forgiving it is—a little messiness actually makes it look better.

Start with slightly damp hair and spray some texturizing product through your bangs. Once they’re dry, use a flat iron to create subtle bends (not full curls, just gentle waves). Sweep everything to one side and use your fingers to tousle it around. Don’t make it too perfect—that’s the whole point.

The texture keeps your bangs from looking flat and lifeless, which is a real problem during the grow-out phase. A light hairspray will hold everything without making it stiff or crunchy.

If side-sweeps always flatter you, you’ll also like these side part haircuts for more styling ideas.

2. Feathered Curtain Fringe

Curtain bangs are basically the grown-up version of regular bangs, and they’re perfect for this transition. This is one of those hairstyles for growing out bangs that makes it look like you planned this all along.

Part your hair down the middle and use a round brush while blow-drying to sweep your bangs to each side. The key is creating that gentle curve away from your face—it opens up your features instead of hiding them.

If your bangs are getting a bit heavy, ask your stylist to use thinning shears on the ends. This creates that feathered texture that blends naturally with the rest of your hair. In my experience, this is the style that gets the most compliments because it just looks so intentional.

3. Wispy Blended Bangs

Sometimes you don’t want to completely get rid of the bang vibe, and that’s fine. This style keeps some fringe while making the transition smoother.

The trick here is asking your stylist to cut wispy, piece-y sections instead of one blunt line. This breaks up the harsh edge and creates a softer, more natural look that grows out way better.

Style it by working a lightweight mousse through damp hair and blow-drying with a small round brush. Twist small sections around your finger to enhance that wispy texture. It’s subtle but makes a huge difference.

4. Sleek Center-Part

For those days when you want to look polished and put-together, this is your go-to. It’s one of the more sophisticated hairstyles for growing out bangs that works for professional settings.

Apply a smoothing serum to damp hair—this is important because you want everything sleek, not frizzy. Use a fine-toothed comb to create a precise center part, then blow-dry straight. The straighter, the better for this look.

Tuck your growing bangs behind your ears or let them blend into face-framing layers. Finish with a shine spray for that glossy, just-left-the-salon look. Fair warning: this style works best when your bangs have reached at least eyebrow length.

5. Face-Framing Layers

This is where you turn those awkward bangs into an intentional style choice. Instead of fighting the length, you’re embracing it and making it work for you.

Ask your stylist to cut long layers starting at chin length that blend into your existing hair. This creates a flattering frame around your face that actually looks like a deliberate style, not a grow-out phase.

Style by applying volumizing mousse to damp roots and blow-drying with a round brush. Add soft waves to those face-framing pieces with a curling iron. The movement makes everything look more intentional and less “I’m just waiting for this to grow.”

Edgy and Bold Options

6. Choppy Asymmetrical Bangs

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not lean into the awkward phase and make it edgy? This is one of those hairstyles for growing out bangs that says “I meant to do this.”

Have your stylist cut your bangs at an angle with one side longer than the other. Add some choppy, textured pieces for that modern, lived-in vibe. It’s bold but in a wearable way.

Style with texturizing paste on dry hair, focusing on the ends. Use your fingers to separate individual strands for that perfectly imperfect finish. I love this style for weekends or creative work environments.

7. Swept-Back Fringe

This sleek look works for both casual coffee runs and fancy dinner dates. It’s versatile, which is always a win in my book.

Start with volumizing mousse on damp roots, then blow-dry directing the airflow from roots to ends. This creates lift so your bangs don’t fall flat against your forehead. Use a paddle brush to smooth everything back and away from your face.

Secure with bobby pins if your bangs are being stubborn (mine always are), and finish with medium-hold hairspray. The key is getting enough volume at the roots so it doesn’t look too severe or slicked down.

8. Braided Bang Solution

When all else fails, braid it. This playful style is perfect for those days when you just need your hair out of your face, and it’s genuinely one of the cutest hairstyles for growing out bangs.

Part your hair to one side and take a small section from the heavier side, including your bangs. Start a French braid working diagonally across your forehead and down the side of your head.

Secure with a small elastic and gently tug on the braid to loosen it—you want it soft and romantic, not tight and severe. This works especially well on second-day hair when there’s a bit of natural texture to work with.

Textured and Casual Looks

9. Wavy Parted Bangs

Beachy waves solve a lot of hair problems, including awkward bangs. This relaxed style is great for achieving that effortless vibe everyone’s always going for.

Part your hair down the middle or slightly off-center—whatever feels natural to you. Apply sea salt spray to damp hair, scrunching it in for texture. Let it air dry if you’ve got time, or use a diffuser if you’re in a hurry.

Use a curling wand on any sections that dried flat, including your bangs. The waves disguise the weird length and make everything look intentional. Run your fingers through to break up the pattern for that lived-in look.

10. Twisted Pin-Back

This is so simple but looks way more put-together than the effort required. It’s elegant without being fussy, which is the sweet spot for everyday styling.

Apply texturizing spray to your roots for grip (this helps the pins actually stay in place). Take a small section of your bangs, twist it away from your face, and secure with a bobby pin.

Tuck the end underneath for a seamless finish. You can do both sides for symmetry or just one side for an asymmetrical look. Either way works, depending on your mood.

11. Messy Piecey Texture

Embrace the bedhead. Seriously, this is one of those hairstyles for growing out bangs that actually looks better when it’s a little undone.

Apply texturizing powder to your roots and bang area—this stuff is magic for creating volume and separation. Use your fingers to work it through, focusing on creating lift at the roots.

Twist small sections of your bangs around your finger to create definition. Finish with dry shampoo for extra volume. The whole look should feel effortless and cool, like you just rolled out of bed looking this good.

12. Tapered Layer Blend

This is a cut-and-style combo that creates a seamless transition. It’s one of the smartest hairstyles for growing out bangs because it actually changes the structure of your hair to work with the grow-out.

Ask your stylist for long, tapered layers starting around your cheekbones. This blends your bangs into the rest of your hair without harsh lines or obvious transitions.

Style with volumizing mousse and a round brush while blow-drying. Add subtle bends with a flat iron for that lived-in texture. The tapered layers mean you don’t have that obvious “these are my bangs” line anymore.

Volume and Root-Focused Styles

13. Root Volume Boost

Sometimes the best way to handle growing bangs is to just lift them up and away from your face. This technique adds body and disguises awkward lengths.

Apply root-lifting spray to damp hair, concentrating on the crown and bang area. Flip your head upside down and blow-dry, directing air at your roots for maximum lift.

Once dry, use a teasing comb to gently backcomb the roots of your bangs. Smooth over the top layer with a brush so you get volume without looking like you backcombed. It’s a subtle difference but makes your bangs way easier to deal with.

14. Slicked-Back Editorial Look

This high-fashion style isn’t for every day, but when you want to look extra polished, it delivers. It’s definitely one of the more dramatic hairstyles for growing out bangs.

Apply strong-hold gel to damp hair, focusing on your bangs and front sections. Use a fine-toothed comb to smooth everything straight back—precision matters here.

Once dry, use a tiny bit of pomade to tame flyaways. Finish with strong-hold hairspray. Fair warning: this look works best when you’re committed to it. Half-slicked looks messier than just leaving it natural.

15. Bohemian Braid Crown

This whimsical style incorporates your bangs into a soft, romantic braid that wraps around your head. It’s giving festival vibes in the best way.

Part your hair to one side and start a French braid at your temple, working your bangs into it. Braid across your forehead and continue down the side.

Secure the end and gently pull on the braid to loosen and soften it. Pull out a few face-framing pieces for that romantic, undone effect. This style is perfect for summer or any time you want something a little special.

Smooth and Polished Styles

16. Faded Side-Swept Fringe

This creates a gradual transition that looks incredibly natural. It’s one of those hairstyles for growing out bangs that hairstylists love because it’s technically clever.

Ask your stylist to cut your bangs at an angle—shortest pieces just below your eyebrows, gradually getting longer. This faded effect means no harsh lines as they grow.

Style with smoothing cream and a round brush while blow-drying. Gently sweep to the side with your fingers for a natural finish. The angled cut does most of the work for you.

17. Textured Flip

Add some retro flair with a textured flip. This playful style works well with medium to long bangs and adds volume to fine hair.

Apply volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry using a round brush, directing hair up and back. Once dry, use a small barrel curling iron to curl the ends away from your face.

Light-hold hairspray maintains the flip without making it stiff. The volume at the ends helps disguise the fact that your bangs are in an awkward length—it just looks like a style choice.

18. Swept Pixie Style

This works especially well if you’re growing out super short bangs. It’s got that cool androgynous vibe that feels modern and fresh.

Apply texturizing cream to damp hair and work it through with your fingers. Blow-dry directing hair back and up at the roots for volume.

Use pomade to piece out the ends and create definition. This style embraces shorter lengths instead of trying to hide them, which is honestly refreshing.

19. Seamlessly Blended Layers

This is all about creating cohesion between your bangs and the rest of your hair. No one will even know you’re growing them out.

Ask for long layers starting around your cheekbones that blend into your existing length. This integrates your bangs without any obvious transitions or harsh lines.

Style with leave-in conditioner and a round brush. Add subtle bends with a flat iron for natural movement. The blended layers mean everything flows together instead of looking choppy.

20. Beachy Tousled Waves

Let’s end with a classic: beachy waves solve almost every hair problem, including awkward bangs. This is probably the most forgiving of all hairstyles for growing out bangs.

Apply sea salt spray to damp hair, scrunching from roots to ends. Air dry or use a diffuser for natural-looking texture and waves.

Use a curling wand on any flat sections, including your bangs. Run your fingers through to break up the waves and create that perfectly imperfect beach texture. The tousled nature of this style means awkward lengths just look like intentional texture.

Styling Products That Actually Help

In my experience, the right products make a huge difference when you’re working with hairstyles for growing out bangs. Here’s what actually works:

• Texturizing spray: This is your best friend. It adds grip and volume, making bangs easier to style and control.
• Volumizing mousse: Great for adding body at the roots so your bangs don’t fall flat against your forehead.
• Light-hold hairspray: Heavy enough to hold but flexible enough to look natural. Avoid strong-hold unless you’re doing a slicked-back style.
• Bobby pins that match your hair color: Sounds obvious, but this makes pin-back styles look so much cleaner.

What I’ve learned is that less is usually more. Over-product your bangs and they’ll look greasy and separate weird. Start with less than you think you need and add more if necessary.

How to Talk to Your Stylist

When you’re getting cuts during the grow-out phase, communication is everything. Don’t just say “I’m growing out my bangs”—that doesn’t give your stylist enough information.

Instead, try something like: “I’m growing out my bangs and I want to keep them looking intentional during the process. Can we do face-framing layers that blend them in?” or “I want to maintain some fringe while growing them out—what would you suggest?”

Bring photos of hairstyles for growing out bangs that you like. Visual references help way more than descriptions. And be honest about your styling routine—if you’re not going to blow-dry every day, say so. Your stylist can cut your hair differently to work with air-drying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Look, I’ve made every mistake in the book while growing out bangs. Let me save you some trouble:

Don’t cut them yourself when you get frustrated. I know the temptation is real, but stepping away from the scissors is always the right choice. You’ll just restart the whole process.

Don’t skip trims entirely. Yeah, you’re growing them out, but you still need to trim every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends and keep the shape looking intentional.

Don’t use too much product. Bangs are right in front of your face, so overdoing it with styling products is super obvious. Less is more here.

Don’t expect every day to be perfect. Some days your bangs will cooperate, some days they won’t. It’s just how it is. Have a few go-to styles for bad bang days and don’t stress about it.

Accessories That Save the Day

Sometimes you just need backup, and that’s where accessories come in. These have saved me on countless bad bang days:

• Headbands: Wide ones, thin ones, knotted ones—they all work for keeping bangs off your face
• Bobby pins: Invest in good quality ones that actually stay put
• Small clips: Perfect for twist-back styles or securing braids
• Scarves: Tie one around your head for instant retro vibes that also control your bangs

The key is having options. Some days you’ll want to style your bangs, other days you’ll want to accessorize them away. Both are valid choices.

Timeline Expectations

You might be wondering how long this whole process actually takes. On average, hair grows about half an inch per month. So if your bangs are at your eyebrows and you want them at chin length, you’re looking at about 3-4 months.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to feel like waiting. With the right hairstyles for growing out bangs, each stage can look intentional and stylish. You’re not just enduring the process—you’re styling through it.

The first month is usually the hardest because your bangs are at that super annoying eye-poking length. Months two and three get easier as you have more length to work with. By month four, you’re usually in the clear with enough length to fully blend or tuck behind your ears.

Final Thoughts on Growing Out Bangs

Growing out bangs doesn’t have to be the style disaster everyone makes it out to be. Yeah, there will be some frustrating days, but with these hairstyles for growing out bangs, you’ve got options for every stage of the process.

What I love most about this transition is that it forces you to experiment with different styles. I discovered looks I never would have tried otherwise, and some of them became permanent parts of my styling rotation even after my bangs were fully grown out.

The key is being patient with yourself and your hair. Some days will be better than others, and that’s okay. Keep your stylist appointments, invest in decent products, and don’t be afraid to try different techniques until you find what works for you.

And remember: hair grows back. If you hate how your bangs look today, they’ll be a different length in a few weeks. This phase is temporary, but the styling skills you learn along the way? Those stick with you forever.

So embrace the journey, try these styles, and stop stressing about your bangs. You’ve got this.