Awkward Stage Hair Men: How to Get Through It
The awkward stage hair men go through usually hits around months 2 to 6 of growing out, when your hair is too long to look like a short cut and too short to tuck, sweep or tie. You get through it with three things: regular cleanup cuts on the sides and neckline, a few styles that work at each length, and patience. Most guys who quit, quit here. Don't.
If you're stuck in the grow-out and can't tell if it looks intentional or just messy, Glowmaxx scores your hair and grooming from one selfie and tells you which to fix first. Start my glow-up
What the awkward stage is (and how long it lasts)
Awkward stage meaning: the in-between phase of growing out short hair (like a fade or crop) into longer hair (like a flow, curtains or shoulder length) where nothing sits right. Hair sticks out over your ears, flips at the neck and gets puffy on the sides.
How long does the awkward stage last? It depends on your starting length and how long you want to go, but for most guys going from a fade to a flow, the worst of it is roughly months 2 to 6. Hair grows at different speeds for different people, so treat any timeline as a rough guide, not a deadline.
On Reddit, the awkward phase hair men threads (r/FierceFlow is the big one) are full of guys posting week-by-week pics. The common thread: the ones who made it kept the sides tidy and stopped checking the mirror every hour.
Month-by-month grow-out timeline
Here's a rough growing out hair men timeline, starting from a short fade:
| Stage | What it looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Month 0 to 1 | Basically your old cut, fuzzy | Nothing. Let it grow. |
| Month 1 to 2 | Sides puff, fade is gone | First cleanup: neckline and around ears only |
| Month 2 to 3 | Top is fringe length, sides stick out | Push top forward or to the side; product |
| Month 3 to 4 | Peak awkward. Hair flips out over ears | Cleanup cut, headband or hat days, middle part attempt |
| Month 4 to 6 | Can start tucking behind ears | Curtains, slicked back, early flow |
| Month 6+ | Flow territory | Mostly maintenance trims |
Awkward stage growing hair men: the real rule
Don't let a barber "even it out." That phrase can undo months. Every cut during a grow-out should be a cleanup, not a reshape.
Styles that work at each length
Hairstyles for growing out hair men, by stage.
Short-medium (1 to 3 months): fringe and messy
- Push the top forward into a textured fringe. See how to style a fringe male.
- Or go messy with a little clay.
- Keep it matte. Shine makes in-between hair look greasy.
Medium (3 to 4 months): the worst bit
Awkward stage hairstyles men actually use here:
- Middle part attempt. Even if it falls apart, it starts training the part. Blow-dry each side away from the center.
- Slicked back with a medium-hold product. Hides the flicky sides.
- Headband or hat. Seriously. It's not cheating.
Medium-long (4 to 6 months): curtains and early flow
- Curtains: middle part, each side tucked back.
- Behind-the-ears flow: push it all back, tuck the sides.
- How to grow a flow: blow-dry it back and slightly out, light product only.
Awkward stage hair male curly
Curly hair grows "up" before it grows "down," so the awkward stage can look puffier. Upside: curls hide uneven lengths. Keep it moisturized, define curls with cream or gel, and get the shape trimmed so it stays round, not triangle-shaped.
Awkward stage wavy hair men
Waves are honestly the easiest. Scrunch in mousse or gel and let it dry. The wave hides the flicks. Our gel vs mousse for wavy hair guide helps you pick a product.
Awkward stage long hair men
Even past six months, the ends can flip and the back can be longer than the front. A light trim to "take the back up to match the sides" can make it look like a style instead of a grow-out.
The worst part of the awkward stage is that you can't trust your own eyes. Some days it looks fine, some days it looks like a helmet, and you're never sure if it's actually getting better. Glowmaxx scores your hair out of 10 from a selfie, and only the numbers stay on your timeline, so you can track the grow-out honestly instead of reacting to one bad mirror day. Start my glow-up
Cleanup cuts to ask for
A cleanup cut men should ask for, word for word:
"I'm growing it out. Please don't take any length off the top. Just clean up the neckline and around the ears, and take a little weight out of the sides if they're puffing out."
Other things to ask:
- "Square or tapered neckline?" Tapered usually grows out more naturally.
- "Can you take the bulk out of the sides without shortening them?" Thick hair especially puffs out.
- "Can you make the back match the sides?" Stops the accidental mullet.
Every 6 to 10 weeks is a common rhythm for cleanups during a grow-out.
Hats, headbands and products
- Hats: beanies, caps, bucket hats. Perfect for the worst weeks. Just don't wear one 24/7 if you're sweaty; give your scalp a break.
- Headband for men long hair: thin black elastic or a sports headband pushes the top back cleanly. Works for gym, sport, and honestly everyday at 4 to 6 months.
- Products:
- Matte clay or paste for 1 to 3 months
- Light cream or sea salt spray for 3 to 6 months
- Leave-in conditioner once it's long enough to feel dry at the ends
Looking good in photos meanwhile
This is the bit nobody talks about. Grad pics, birthdays, prom, uni socials, family events. You don't want photo evidence of month three.
Tips for awkward stage photos:
- Fix the light first. Face a window. Overhead light makes in-between hair look flatter and shinier.
- Do the hair 10 minutes before, not at 7 a.m. for an evening event.
- Slick it back or tuck it for formal photos. It hides uneven bits.
- Hat on for casual pics. No one questions a hat.
- Keep everything else sharp: eyebrows tidy, skin clean, clothes that fit. When the hair is mid, grooming carries.
Awkward stage tips to not quit
- Take a photo on the 1st of every month. Compare months, not days.
- Mute "should I just cut it" thoughts for two weeks at a time.
- Find someone on Reddit or TikTok with similar hair who made it through.
Track the grow-out without guessing
The awkward stage is easier when you can see progress. Glowmaxx scores your hair and grooming, plus skin, posture and angle, and light and fit, out of 10 from one selfie, gives you three moves for today on your lowest one, and its day-one vs today before-and-after card shows how far you've come.
FAQ
How long does the awkward stage hair last for men?
For guys growing out from a short fade, the most awkward stretch is commonly somewhere around months 2 to 6. Everyone's hair grows at its own pace, so your timeline might be a bit shorter or longer.
How do you grow out your hair as a man without it looking bad?
Get cleanup cuts on the neckline and around the ears without taking length from the top. Use simple styles for each length, and keep your grooming sharp so the rest of your look carries it.
What hairstyles work for the awkward phase for men?
A textured fringe or messy top early on, a slick-back or middle part at the peak awkward length, and curtains or a tucked flow from about four months. Hats and headbands are fair game on bad days.
What do I tell my barber when growing out my hair?
Say you're growing it out and want no length off the top, just a cleanup of the neckline and around the ears. Ask them to take weight out of the sides if they puff.