7 Easy Hairstyles for Men Growing Their Hair Out (Forget the Man Bun)
By BHFM Grooming ExpertsUpdated 20262,000+ words
Deciding to grow your hair out is easy. Surviving the "awkward stage" is the hard part. There is a grueling 6-to-10 month period between having a clean, structured short haircut and finally achieving that majestic, shoulder-length flow.
During this transition, the hair over your ears gets puffy, the back starts resembling an unintentional mullet, and the fringe falls directly into your eyes. Too many men surrender during this phase. They either shave it all off in frustration, or they tie it into a microscopic, tight man bun that pulls on the hairline and damages the roots.
There is a better way. The secret to successfully growing out your hair is realizing that you don't just stop going to the barber. Instead, you change what your barber does. By utilizing specific transitional haircuts, you can look intentionally stylish during every single month of the growth process. Here are 7 easy, highly attractive hairstyles that act as stepping stones on your journey to long hair.
Will Long Hair Actually Suit Your Face?
Before committing 12 months to growing out your hair, make sure it flatters your bone structure. Diamond and Oval faces look incredible with long hair. Find out yours now.
In the beginning, the hair on top of your head will grow faster visibly than the sides. Your goal here isn't to look like you have long hair yet; it's to build a foundation that prevents the hair from puffing out sideways into a mushroom shape.
Month 1–3
1. The Textured Fringe
As the top gets longer, it becomes heavy. The textured fringe is the perfect early-stage style because it utilizes that new length by pushing it forward. By texturizing the front, it looks intentional rather than overgrown. This keeps you looking sharp while the crown of your head does the hard work of gaining length.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"I am growing my hair out. Please do not touch the length on top. Just add some texture so it's not heavy, and give me a low taper on the sides to keep the edges clean while the rest grows."
Month 3–4
2. The Swept-Back Undercut
By month 3, the top is long enough to push backward, but the sides are likely getting puffy and annoying. The swept-back undercut solves this by temporarily sacrificing the sides to save the top. It provides a highly aggressive, stylish contrast while allowing the most important part of your hair (the top) to continue its journey.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"Leave the top completely alone, just trim the split ends. Take the sides down with a number 2 or 3 clipper to remove the side-bulk, but leave the disconnection noticeable."
Stage 2: The Awkward Middle (Months 4 to 7)
This is where boys become men. The hair is now long enough to fall into your eyes, but not quite long enough to tuck securely behind your ears. Styling products like light pomades and sea salt sprays become your best friends during this era.
Month 4–5
3. The Middle Part (Curtain Bangs)
When the fringe gets too long to wear forward, the most natural solution is to part it down the middle. This highly-requested 90s revival style frames the face beautifully and keeps the hair out of your direct line of sight. It relies on the hair's natural weight to hold it to the sides.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"I'm transitioning to a middle part. Lightly layer the front so it sweeps to the sides gracefully. Clean up the neckline so it doesn't look like a mullet."
Month 6–7
4. The Classic Flow (Push-Back)
This is the turning point. The hair is finally heavy enough to sit backward without fighting you. The Flow (or Bro Flow) is effortless, athletic, and universally attractive. It requires almost no product—just push it back when it's damp and let it air dry into its natural shape.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"I've achieved the flow. Just use thinning shears to remove some internal weight so it flows backward easier, and trim a quarter-inch off the back so it sits cleanly on my neck."
Stage 3: Nearing the Finish Line (Months 8 to 12)
You have made it past the hardest parts. The hair is now officially "medium-long." The challenge here is maintaining a professional appearance at the office while dealing with a significant amount of volume.
Month 8–9
5. The Tapered Slick Back
When the volume gets overwhelming, pomade is the answer. By slicking the hair straight back, you instantly look refined and formal. Keeping a very low taper at the sideburns and nape prevents the style from looking like an unruly mane, making it perfect for corporate environments.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"I wear it slicked back. Keep all the length on top and sides, but give me a sharp, low taper on the sideburns and the back of the neck to keep the perimeter looking groomed."
Month 10–11
6. The Ear-Tuck Style
A major milestone in hair growth is when the sides are finally long enough to securely tuck behind your ears. This instantly cleans up your silhouette, sharpening your jawline and cheekbones while showing off the impressive length you've achieved. It's the ultimate casual-cool aesthetic.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"Just dusting the ends today. I want to make sure the sides remain long enough to tuck behind my ears. Please point-cut the ends so they don't look blunt or feminine."
Month 12+
7. The Layered Shag (Wolf Cut)
You made it. You now have long hair. Instead of just letting it hang down flat and lifeless, ask your barber to cut long layers into it. This creates the 'Shag' or modern 'Wolf Cut', adding massive volume, movement, and a rockstar edge to your newly grown mane. You can officially throw away the hair ties.
✂️ What to tell your barber:
"I want a modern shag. Keep the overall length, but cut face-framing layers into the front and heavily layer the back so it has movement and doesn't sit like a heavy curtain."
Frequently Asked Questions
A common myth is that you should completely avoid the barber. In reality, you should visit every 6 to 8 weeks for a "maintenance trim." Tell your barber you are growing it out; they will only trim the split ends and clean up the neckline. This prevents the hair from breaking off and keeps you looking presentable.
During the awkward stage, your hair isn't actually long enough for a proper bun. Forcing it into a tight, tiny knot pulls violently on your hair follicles. Over time, this constant tension causes Traction Alopecia—literally permanently pulling your hairline backward.
Hair grows at an average of half an inch per month. While no product magically speeds this up, keeping the scalp healthy is crucial. Use a sulfate-free shampoo, massage your scalp to increase blood flow, and consider a biotin supplement to ensure the new hair grows in strong and thick.
