How to Grow Out a Tapered TWA

This past spring I jumped on the Tapered TWA wagon and I absolutely loved it. Actually my hair went through several different styles until I finally decided that I was just going to grow it out. I had my then hair stylist cut it into a nice shaped tapered twa and for some silly reason I thought the grow out process would be easy. Of course, I completely forgot about that whole “awkward length” phase where your hair is too short for one style but way to long for another. So, how exactly do you grow out a tapered cut and keep your sanity?  Here are some things I’ve learned about growing out your tapered haircut.

1. Patience is a Virtue
Now I’ve never been hype to the whole pill popping hair growing fade. I honestly feel like if you take a regular multivitamin, eat somewhat healthy and take care of your hair then it will grow. Plus I don’t believe in my face breaking out or joining a monthly subscription in order for mine to grow. Just like growing out your hair from a serious big chop growth, takes time. The best thing to do is to embrace this phase and find out which products and which styles work best for you. The Tapered TWA can be manipulated and styled in the fiercest of ways until it gets past  awkward phase.

2. Find a Hair Mentor.
When I say, find a hair mentor I absolutely do not mean to go out there and find a girl with long luscious locks down her back. What I mean is find another naturalista on the same journey as yourself. Find out what she does to style her hair and how she’s dealing with the transition. One of my favorite naturalistas is AskPRoy. From her, I’ve adopted the “side part” which helps give my grown out tapered cut some life.

3. Invest in a Protective Style
I’ve recently learned how to do my crochet braids thanks to YouTube University. Protective Styles are a great option that allow you to grow out a hairstyle without the stress and daily maintenance. When I was transitioning back to being a natural, I constantly kept my hair weaved up with some expensive hair from Indique. I still have the hair, but I don’t want to go through the process of having to flat iron my hair in order for it to blend. So, I’ve turned to braids, which I’ve done on my own. Learning how to do your protective style can save you tons of money, and it also allows you to opportunity to take care of your hair while growing it out.

Wigs are also a great option as a protective style. They also allow you to rock a new style almost daily. My favorite wigs are ones that are long and have bangs so that I don’t have to worry about gluing down a lace front or anything.

 

How are you dealing with your Tapered TWA grow out journey? If you have any tips or tricks just leave them in the comments!

*Update* I’ve been slowly growing out my tapered fro so that the top and sides will begin to fall over into a layered cut. Check out how I’m keeping it styled in this Quick & Easy Wash N Go Tutorial.