Have you ever gone to the salon with your dream haircut in mind, only to turn around for the big reveal and be disappointed when you catch your reflection in the mirror? We’ve been there—everyone has a bad haircut story, trust us. That’s why, before hopping into your stylist’s chair at the salon, it’s always a good idea to ask yourself a few simple questions that can help you decide on your new cut. Whether you’re considering a short hairstyle, a medium cut, or a long one, or deciding between the latest hairstyle trend and something traditional, make sure to ask yourself these questions before you start chopping your locks.
#1 “AM I CUTTING MY HAIR FOR THE RIGHT REASONS?”
If other people’s opinions, a recent breakup, or your favorite celebrity’s new ‘do is swaying you to get a little scissor happy, consider holding out for a while to think about whether or not you really want to get a new haircut. When you make an impulse decision, you may end up regretting getting that haircut. Long story short: Make sure you want whatever haircut you’re thinking of getting because it flatters your face and your personal style. As a general rule of thumb, once you have a new haircut or new hairstyle idea in your mind, hold onto it for a couple of weeks. If you still want to try it out after a bit of time has passed, go for it!
#2 “DOES THIS HAIRCUT FIT MY FACE SHAPE?
You already know that you should think about your sense of style—as well as your skin tone—when coloring your hair or deciding on a makeup look. When it comes to getting a new haircut, it’s your face shape that you really need to take into account. That’s because depending on the way your hair is cut, certain facial features could end up looking more prominent—and if you choose a cut that’s not the most complementary to your face shape, you might end up highlighting features you’d rather not.
#3 “DOES THIS HAIRCUT FIT INTO MY LIFESTYLE?”
Before you get a new cut, you should also think about how much maintenance this style will require. What’s most important is to find a haircut that will fit into your lifestyle! If you’re a low-key kind of gal, for example, then a super-short pixie cut might not be the right haircut for you, since you’ll have to get trims often. Or, if you never use heat tools, you might want a haircut that’s more low-maintenance and necessitates minimal styling.
#4: “AM I ABLE TO DONATE WHAT I CUT OFF?”
If you’re trying to decide whether or not to make a big chop, one of the best ways to help make up your mind is to find out if you’ll be able to donate your locks. A new haircut + contributing to a good cause? Yes, please!
#5: “HAVE I TRIED THIS CUT ON FOR SIZE?”
An easy way to see what a new haircut will look like on—without doing anything drastic just yet—is to download a virtual makeover app where you can upload your picture and try on different styles. Gotta love technology these days!
