10 of the best tried-and-tested products to power through your 'grow-out phase'
Whether you're smoothing edges, defining roots, or embracing natural transitions, these tools are your hair’s best companions.
We’ve all made at least one bold—or questionably risky—hairstyle choice. Whether we blame it on Mercury being somewhere it shouldn't be, or the urge to channel someone we’ve formed a parasocial relationship with on TikTok, it’s practically a rite of passage for anyone craving a change.
There's that rush of serotonin when you book the appointment. Then comes the mix of excitement and nerves as you head there, clutching a Pinterest mood board you’ve probably spent way too long curating, ready to pitch your grand vision to your hairdresser.
Often, the risk pays off with a style change that can transform our entire look. With style icons like Taylor Russell, Taylor Hill, Florence Pugh, and Zoë Kravitz embracing the adored new-gen pixie cut, it’s no wonder we’re all booking appointments and diving in headfirst (pun intended), ready to try something bold and switch things up.
As a veteran of drastic hair choices—think micro bangs, bleached buzz cuts, and Katy Perry California Gurls blue shags—I’m no stranger to the exhilarating rollercoaster of identity-changing hairstyles. And I absolutely love it. However, it’s worth noting that it’s all fun and games until you wake up to find blue hair dye on everything you own—your clothes, towels, pillows, and even your furniture. It’s never a good sign when people can pinpoint your location based on the patches of blue dye trail you’ve left behind.
It’s moments like this—or when my micro bangs become an exhausting high-maintenance situation—that I start craving a reset or a return to ground zero. At this stage, I have to brace myself for the unavoidable: awkward grow-out phase. Having been affectionately referred to as sporting a "LEGO head of hair" during this time, I can confidently say that navigating this transitional period before getting back to my next hair chapter is no walk in the park.
The first time I made a drastic hair change and wanted to go 'à la natural,' my solution was to find at least four slightly different yet almost identical caps to wear on rotation for months.
The second time around, my impatience during the awkward grow out phase got so bad that it led me to abandon my caps and panic-book a consultation for hair extensions, only to be quoted thousands of dollars. Unsurprisingly, I quickly returned to my reliable cap solution.
Finally, the boldest option was starting from ground zero with a buzz cut—the ultimate challenge. While the idea was risky, my goal was to grow back my natural hair after years of bleach, blunt cuts, and every style I could think of. Before heading to my appointment for the big buzz, I promised myself I’d ditch the caps and discover great products to reset my hair, all while finding creative ways to enjoy the journey as my hair made its comeback.
Whether it’s healing bleach damage, taming micro bangs, or managing the unpredictable wildness of mid-growth hair after a buzz cut, these are my tried-and-tested products for having fun, promoting hair growth, and navigating the grow-out phase. And since I’m not one to play gatekeeper, I’ll share a secret superpower product that turbocharged my hair growth, perfect for a ridiculously impatient person like me.
Body Mass - KEVIN.MURPHY
If you’ve reached a point in your hair journey where you’re grappling with bleach blindness, regretting a bob that’s too short, or, in my case, desperately trying to grow out micro bangs, the first step is to invest in a reliable leave-in treatment. KEVIN.MURPHY’s Body. Mass, designed for all hair textures, features a unique cocktail blend of eyelash-thickening technology, tripeptides, plant extracts, and oleanolic acid. If you're thinking, what does that even mean? It means that when you apply this treatment, it actively works to thicken your hair, prevent breakage, and, most importantly, promote extended growth phases. With minimal effort on your part and maximum results, the treatment does all the work for you.
Tail Comb C3 - Mason Pearson
If there’s one thing I’ve learned during the grow-out phase post-buzz cut, it’s that while the right products for hair growth are crucial, having the right tools to style your hair on those inevitable "bad hair" days is just as important. The tool I relied on most while growing out my hair was a tail comb. Whether I was creating cute finger waves, perfecting a middle part, or experimenting with unique styles I found on TikTok, a tail comb became my best friend—especially on those particularly challenging “LEGO-like” hair days. For brushing, the most durable option is a Mason Pearson brush. Although it’s definitely an investment, this hand-crafted product from Switzerland is made from strong materials designed to withstand daily use, making it a worthwhile addition to your styling toolkit.
Styling Concrete - Le Labo
When growing out my hair, I found that my Hispanic-Irish texture often wanted to fight back against my styling efforts. From this, a strong-hold pomade that wouldn’t damage my hair was crucial for taming my locks and experimenting with fun styles, working in equal measure with a tail comb. Le Labo’s Styling Concrete is specifically formulated to keep stubborn and unruly hair in place. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it also includes linseed oil to nourish your hair and jojoba oil for a hint of shine. Its easy-to-mould formula can be applied to both dry and wet hair, providing a non-greasy finish while still being STRONG, making it a foolproof styling product. The best part? It has a scent reminiscent of their beloved Santal 33.
G.TOX Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo - GOOP
If you’re aiming for hair growth, it’s essential to focus on the root cause (sorry, I had to). Scalp health is crucial for allowing your hair to grow, as scalp buildup—composed of dead skin cells, oils, or even products—can lead to imbalances and inflammation that affect your hair’s thickness and growth. One of my favourite scalp scrubs is the G.TOX Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo by GOOP. Designed as a two-in-one product, it treats both the scalp and hair with a formula that purifies, detoxifies, and exfoliates the scalp using mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt. After the salt has worked its magic, the scrub nourishes your hair with cold-pressed moringa oil and pure, unfiltered rosehip oil, packed with three essential fatty acids: omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. The result? Fresh, shiny hair.
Microfiber Hair Towel - Act+Acre
If you’re investing a significant amount into great products for optimal hair growth results, something that often flies under the radar is the external factors that come into contact with your hair. You might not think your hair towel plays a role in this journey, but it actually does. If you’re growing fine or brittle, bleached hair, the right hair towel can make a difference. Certain towels create friction that weakens hair, leading to breakage and thinning. Choose a gentle towel to protect those precious strands. When I was recovering my hair after my bright blue shag, I purchased the Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel. It helped reduce excess friction and damage to my healing hair while preventing frizz with my Hispanic-Irish texture. The best part? As someone who's often impatient, it’s designed to dry hair 50% faster while improving long-term hair health.
Gabi Hair Clip Set - Justine Clenquet
In the pursuit of ditching the caps while my buzz cut was growing out, I made it my mission to find cute hair accessories so I could enjoy my hair without hiding under hats. The key is in the inspiration. Think of the fun hair moments from the '90s—girls who knew how to get inventive with their accessories’, with Drew Barrymore as one of my favourites. From hair daisies to headbands and sheer bobbles, the options are endless. Bonus points if you can find a way to coordinate your hair clips with your lip colour, just like Barrymore did. Some of my favourites come from Justine Clenquet, designed and handmade in France. Her hair accessories blend styles with a fresh twist on classic pieces. In particular, the Gabi Hair Clip Set, crafted from brass dipped in palladium and adorned with crystal pearls. OBSESSED.
Silk Pillowcase - Hommey
In the quest for healthy hair, it’s important to consider another area where your strands spend a lot of time—your pillow. Surprisingly, despite their growing popularity, many people still don’t know the benefits of a silk pillowcase. From reducing acne and preventing wrinkles to addressing my biggest concern—bed hair—silk pillowcases are a must-have. Hommey’s Silk Pillowcase, made from 100% mulberry silk, has become a favourite of mine. It creates less friction than coarser fabrics, which are more likely to snag hair. This reduced friction can result in less tangling, frizziness, and breakage. Additionally, because silk isn’t as porous as cotton or linen, it helps your hair retain moisture while you sleep. Plus, Hommey’s designs are ridiculously cute.
Crystal Jade Soothing Comb - Abyssian
Self-care and hair care can be incredibly relaxing. Taking the time to look after yourself is, and always will be, essential—regardless of your hair. On high-stress days, I often choose a massage to relieve tension, and this product amplifies the benefits for hair growth. I frequently use the Crystal Jade Soothing Comb by Abyssian to massage hair oil into my scalp. Not only does this Jade tool increase blood flow and circulation to the scalp to promote hair growth, but scalp massagers like the one from Abyssian also help hair products, such as oils, penetrate deeper into the scalp. Plus, it provides stress relief and headache relief—a double win in my books.
Açaí Style Refresher - Ceremonia
Naturally, my hair is very curly, but bleach damage and various styling choices have disrupted my natural curl pattern. When I decided to get the buzz cut, I saw it as an opportunity to grow back my natural hair and restore its curls. There’s definitely an art to styling curly hair, but on days when I didn’t want to slick my growing hair back, I had fun leaning into what my hair wanted to do. My favourite product for adding extra lift to my natural texture is the Açaí Style Refresher by Ceremonia. Not only does it smell incredible, but it also helps revive my hair between washes. With avocado oil, it works to reduce breakage, and thanks to the powerful antioxidants from superfruit açaí and aloe vera, it instantly adds shine to my hair without weighing it down.
Hair Growth Oil - Hinu
It’s not ideal to play favourites in an article like this, but if you’re in desperate need of immediate results and feeling like there is no end to the grow-out period, this product truly saved my hair from the depths of despair (or, more likely, saved me). The secret to my rapid hair growth came from Hinu, a brand born and raised in Aotearoa. It's one of those products that gives you anxiety about sharing because you fear it will sell out if too many people know about it.
Specifically titled the Hair Growth Oil, I use it as an overnight treatment or an hour before washing, and it truly delivers on its promises. This magic in a bottle smells divine and offers an impressive array of hair benefits: the aloe vera extract repairs the scalp, the argan oil adds shine, the rosemary oil prevents hair loss and promotes growth, and the camellia oil moisturises and softens. The peppermint oil improves circulation, the grape seed extract protects against heat, the almond oil moisturises, the bhringraj leaf extract enhances thickness and lustre, the green tea extract stimulates growth, and the avocado oil moisturises and protects. Without a doubt, this formulation helped restore my hair's integrity from root to tip.
Words — Holly Villagra
