You’ve hit a new stage of hair growth and that should be celebrated. You’ve worked hard to get your hair to the length it is while keeping it healthy and shiny. The problem is, now you’re not sure how to style it. It’s not long enough for your dream style, but it’s not quite at a length you’re comfortable with. What do you do?

One of the fastest ways to derail your efforts when growing long, lush hair is cutting it. It sounds obvious and of course, you’d never do that, right? Wrong. So many of us get frustrated with those in-between stages that we just can’t take it anymore and we head to the salon or *gasp* we take the scissors into our own hands.

A haircut that fits you

That said, you can keep your length and find a haircut that fits your face, haircare regimen, and lifestyle. It might sound too good to be true, but we promise you it’s not—because you deserve to look phenomenal no matter what hair stage you’re rocking.

The bob

If your hair is still on the short side, wearing a bob haircut is the perfect way to work with your layers. It has a sassy charm and puts the focus on your face while looking cutting edge and on trend.

Try a lob

The lob, or long bob haircut, is a twist on the traditional bob, but with longer hair, and it's perfect for any hair length goal.

This haircut looks great with all face shapes and is pretty low-maintenance. It works with sleek and sassy styles or softly tousled. We recommend using Hair La Vie Serum for both straight and curly styles, as it holds softly and prevents frizz.

Bangs

This may or may not be the solution to you, as it depends on your final hair goals. If you want all one length long hair, then obviously bangs won't work. If you’re thinking that you’ll keep the bangs or want layers, this is a great way to frame your face and take years off your look.

Get curly

Soft or even tight curls are great for hiding uneven hair and giving your hair bounce and body. They also romantically frame your face for date-night drama. For a fresh look, try using a Leave-In Conditioner before styling your hair. Make sure to choose one that doesn’t cause buildup or weigh your hair down.

Embrace the braid

Braids are not only on-trend, but they’re also an easy way to hide uneven lengths and give your hair a flattering shape and style. Whether you go for all-over braids or just one to pull your bangs back, the possibilities are only limited by your creativity and skill.

Try an updo

Whether doing a bun, pinned-up curls, a half-up or some other updo, learning to work with your hair is half the fun of growing it out. Play around with it and practice until you can master some of those celebrity styles you’ve been eyeing.

Accessorize

Learning to work with everything from a bobby pin to clip-in hair extensions can really help you expand your styling repertoire. You can do so many wonderful things with accessories.

Just remember that pulling your hair back the same way too much can cause damage and even breakage in that area. You should also stay away from elastic hairbands that can rip out your hair and utilize cloth ties or scrunchies instead.

Final thoughts

Even if it feels frustrating at times, you’re definitely making progress. Learning to accept and work through those awkward stages is tricky, but there are some really easy ways to flatter your face and get the look you want.

In fact, learning how to style your hair during the growing out process will help you better manage your hair when you finally do reach your desired length.

While you’re trying new hairstyles, it’s important to keep up with the haircare regimen that got you this far. Your shampoo and conditioner should be designed to support your goals and not thwart them with dangerous chemicals.

You’ve been moisturizing all along, that’s why your hair looks amazing and healthy. Don’t sabotage yourself by over-styling to get through that awkward stage. Blow drying excessively or using a hot iron regularly can damage your hair and cause breakage. This will ruin all of your efforts, so keep moisturizing at the top of your to-do list.

You’re almost there, and it’s time to really enjoy the progress you’ve made.