How to Grow Out a Buzz Cut Without Looking Terrible
The awkward in-between stages are why most people give up. This guide gets you through every phase with a plan.
Every 4 weeks
See the Transformation
Compare both looks in a single view
Upload your photo in the app to see your real transformation
Why It Works
Growing out a buzz cut takes 6–12 months depending on your target length, and the journey has predictable phases. Weeks 1–4: the stubble phase, where hair grows evenly and looks fine. Weeks 4–8: the "tennis ball" phase, where hair sticks out uniformly and looks unkempt — this is where most people quit. Weeks 8–16: the awkward ears phase, where the sides grow over the ears but are not long enough to tuck. Months 4–8: the proto-style phase, where the top has enough length to style but the sides may still be shapeless. Months 8–12+: the styled phase, where you can finally achieve a textured crop, side part, or curtain bangs. The key to surviving each phase is strategic maintenance trims — not growing everything equally, but selectively trimming the sides while letting the top grow, creating a natural transition toward your target style.
Best for
- People learning growing out a buzz cut step by step before committing tools or a salon hour
- Anyone who has tried this from a 15-second video and failed
- Building a checklist you can bring to a barber or follow at home carefully
Skip this if
- You want a miracle with the wrong hair length or tools for this technique
- You will skip sectioning, product, or safety steps that the method needs
Common mistakes
Rushing growing out a buzz cut without the right starting length, product, or sectioning. Most failures are prep and expectations — not a missing secret trick. Practice on a day you can reset, and stop if chemical steps exceed your experience.
What to ask your barber
“I want help with growing out a buzz cut. Check my starting point and tell me what is realistic at home vs in the chair. Correct my order of steps if I have it wrong.”
How to Style
- 01
Weeks 1-4: no intervention needed — hair grows evenly and looks fine.
- 02
Weeks 4-8: visit the barber to trim sides and back, leave top untouched. Ask for a taper to prevent mushrooming.
- 03
Weeks 8-16: continue side trims every 3-4 weeks. Start using matte clay on top for direction.
- 04
Months 4-8: top reaches styling length. Shape toward your target style with a salt spray for texture.
- 05
Months 8-12: full styling possible. Blow-dry for direction and use pre-styler for volume.
- 06
Throughout: use gentle shampoo, condition regularly, and be patient through the awkward phase.
Styling notes
Weeks 1–4: no intervention needed. Weeks 4–8: visit the barber to trim the sides and back while leaving the top untouched. Ask for a taper on the sides to prevent the mushroom effect. Weeks 8–16: continue trimming the sides every 3–4 weeks. The top should be reaching 1.5–2 inches — start using a matte clay to give direction. Months 4–8: the top is long enough for a textured crop or forward fringe. Shape the cut toward your target style. A salt spray adds texture to the awkward-length top. Months 8–12: full styling is possible. Blow-dry for direction, use a pre-styler for volume, and choose your product based on the target finish. Throughout: a biotin supplement and consistent scalp care (gentle shampoo, conditioner) support healthy growth.
Trim the sides every 3-4 weeks while leaving the top alone — this creates a natural progression toward a styled cut and prevents the mushroom-head phase.
The biggest question during a grow-out is "what will I look like at each stage?" AI try-on lets you preview your target style at different lengths on your actual face, giving you a visual goal to work toward when the awkward phase makes you want to buzz it all off again.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. How long does it take to grow out a buzz cut?
To a textured crop: 3–4 months. To curtain bangs or a side part: 6–8 months. To a man bun: 12–18 months. Hair grows roughly half an inch per month on average.
02. Should I trim during the grow-out or just let it grow?
Trim the sides and back every 3–4 weeks while leaving the top alone. This prevents the mushroom effect and creates a natural progression toward your target style.
03. What is the worst phase of growing out a buzz cut?
Weeks 4–8, commonly called the "tennis ball" phase — hair sticks out in all directions and is too short to style. A hat, headband, or strategic taper on the sides gets you through it.
You Might Also Like
Want to see it on your own face?
Open the free hairstyle previewer, upload a selfie, and compare looks before you book.