Your hairstyle can have a small or large impact on your look. Either way, it’s part of the picture because you are part of your outfit. Your ‘do has to work for your style, your hair type, and your environment. Most importantly, you have to be able to maintain the look from day to day and over time. I discuss how a new client feels about their current hairstyle in our first meeting. Hair, foundation garments, and eyewear are dealt with before I review their closets.
If you don’t have a ‘do that you’re happy with, you might find it useful to work through this checklist as a starting point. It will pinpoint the areas of concern and get you on a path to finding solutions for them.
The Hairstylist
It’s hard to find a hairstylist that works for you, but they are worth the expense when you do. I’ve found that stylists are best when they specialize in a particular look like curly hair, long hair, straight hair, fine hair, edgy hair, or short hair. Find the stylist that specializes in your type of hair and desired style.
Getting your hair to where you want it is teamwork. Establish a free flow of communication with the stylist and keep telling them how you feel. Make sure they understand your wants and needs, and listen to their expert advise.
Get the colour and cut done by the same stylist for the best results because the colour sets the foundation for the cut and vice versa.
Don’t feel trapped by a stylist. If they aren’t giving you what you want — find another one. You shouldn’t feel bad or disloyal about trying to find a better hairstylist because it’s your right to be completely satisfied with a service.
The Style & Length
It’s extremely important to find a hairstyle that works with your type of hair and face shape. A competent stylist should be able to help you with that, or ask a few style-savvy friends. Don’t wish for a hairstyle that doesn’t work with the texture of your hair or shape of your face, because it leads to frustration. If you have wavy curls, make them part of the style. Naturally stick straight hair is equally lovely when it’s cut really well. If you look best with short hair, keep it that way. If long locks bring out your facial features, stick to longer styles. Shorter is not always better — not at all. And a little length in just the right places can make all the difference.
Think about how your hairstyle works with your lifestyle and climate. It might be easier to keep it a certain length so that you can tie it back when you work out, or when the weather makes it frizz out of control.
The Colour
Creating a lighter coloured look is NOT your only option. Going darker, richer or redder can be the better solution. Rainbow hair is daring and super fun. Or leave off the colour and go beautifully grey.
The Condition
Hair, like skin, looks best when it’s shiny, clean and healthy. Make sure you’re using gentle products that retain the natural oils and gloss of your hair. Wash your hair frequently if you use styling product and/or work out daily. Cut your hair shorter if it’s damaged and start again with a new head of healthy hair
The Maintenance
There is no point in opting for a hairstyle that you cannot maintain yourself from day to day. You have to be able to style it so that it looks fab, and be willing to expend the time, energy and expense to keep it that way. In my experience, few people want high-maintenance hair. That’s why it’s important to pick a style that works with the texture of your hair, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Be sure to leave the salon understanding how to style your hair so that you can create the look on your own. A competent stylist will show you what to do and send you home with the right tools and products.
The Feeling
Just as I encourage you to asses how you feel in an outfit, assess how you FEEL about your hairstyle. Does it contribute to your overall look the way you want it to? With style, length and colour you can control the level of drama you want to create with your hair. The more extreme the cut, length and colour, the higher the drama. Some people like to sport dramatic hair and tone down their ensembles. Some prefer to make a statement with their clothing while toning down the drama of their hair. And some prefer to make a statement with both their ensemble and their hair. It’s a personal preference.
And last, two important points:
- Don’t be afraid to change things up. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Hair grows back, and changing the colour is easy. Sometimes all you need is two weeks for the style to settle and become a look you are comfortable with.
- Ask for hair help and guidance whenever you need it. Our forum offers supportive hair suggestions. Chances are high that you’ll find someone in our community who had similar hair challenges and can help you right away. Also, don’t be shy to chat to your hairstylist about your hair challenges. Book a separate styling appointment to learn to style your hair as well as they can do it.
My late Mum told me that I looked best with short hair, which is why it’s been chin length or shorter most of my life. The texture of my hair is fine and wispy, which is why it’s best suited to short styles. I don’t have the volume to sport long hair, so it’s just as well that I have no desire to grow it back.
I’m a natural blonde but have the front highlighted white blonde to add texture and depth to the style. I like to keep the back darker to create a retro ‘80s vibe. I wash and style it with product daily and have my hair cut every six weeks. It’s fairly dramatic because it’s short, but I do want to keep the vibe SOFT. That’s why I’ve resisted the occasional urge to sport more hard edged disconnected looks and blue streaks.
I’m fortunate to have found an extremely competent hairstylist who specializes in short hair. Her service is expensive, but I get exactly what I want because we have an excellent working relationship. Here’s a little trip down memory lane with my own assortment of short blonde hairstyles.
