You can give yourself a confidence boost when you upgrade to a new hairstyle. At the same time, venturing into new territory with your hairstyle can be nerve-wracking. After all, you may take a gamble that doesn’t look the way you expected. Fortunately, with some planning, you can try on a potential haircut before telling your stylist to start cutting.
Stay with us as we explore how you can test a new haircut without regret.
Identify Why You Want a New Haitcut
What are your reasons for seeking a new haircut? Before you head to the salon, determine your goals. Maybe you want something that’s lower maintenance, or perhaps you need a refresh after going through a breakup or prepping for upcoming interviews.
By understanding your goal for a new haircut, you’ll help figure out what type of style you want. For instance, if you’re hoping for a lighter summer look, you might consider a pixie or simple bob. If you want something trendy, you can gather inspiration images of celebrities whose haircuts appeal to your aesthetic preferences.
Factor in Your Type of Hair
Is your hair fine or wispy? Or does it feel coarse? Consider the natural tendencies of your hair as you determine a haircut that suits it. You don’t want to choose a hairstyle that looks better with thick, straight hair when yours is curly. Instead, choose a style that works with your head of hair.
You may need texturizing to thin out especially thick hair, for instance. Curly hair will need special attention to tame rogue curls and create clarity. And fine hair will look better with layers. Don’t choose a style that demands a lot of styling if you’re short on time each day. Make sure you choose a style that’s reasonable to maintain given your current lifestyle.
Find Visual Examples
You’ll help guide your stylist when you can provide pictures of aspirational hairstyles. Even if you’re set on short hair or gentle layers, you can clarify your hopes with some visuals. Choose celebrity pictures from film premieres or quick snapshots you find on Google images. And find different perspectives, too, to show how a cut is shaped in the back or on the sides.
You can merge different pictures, too. If you like the highlights in one picture and the feathered bangs in another, explain your preferences to your stylist. They’ll have the skills to pull everything together into a hairstyle that meets your needs.
Use a Hairstyle Simulator
If you’re eager to avoid taking risks with your hair, turn to a hairstyle simulator. Thanks to tech advances, you can see how any haircut looks on you with AI. All you need is a good headshot you can upload to a simulator. From there, you’ll be able to test out different haircuts to see if they suit your face shape and personal sense of style. Best of all, you won’t need to pay for a haircut until you’re ready. When you’re feeling indecisive, an AI simulator can be a safe way to narrow your options.
Consider Your Face Shape
Whether your hair is curly or fine and straight can make a difference in terms of whether a haircut looks flattering. But the type of hair you have isn’t the only consideration. Look at the shape of your face, too, before heading to the salon.
If you have a square face, you’ll want a cut with softer edges and longer bangs. Heart-shaped faces will need side parts to add balance. And round faces will look better with sharper edges to add definition. If you have an oval face, you’ll have the most flexibility, as many haircuts can look flattering on this face shape.
Get Input from Your Stylist
Remember that your stylist can be a great source of input and ideas for new hairstyles. And remember that you don’t have to make a dramatic transition in one haircut session. You can opt for bangs during one appointment and add layers during the next. Ultimately, you’ll want to talk through your ideas and be transparent about any concerns. Your stylist should be able to help you hone in on a haircut that makes you happy.
Ask about maintenance and costs. You may not want to schedule an appointment each month for reshaping or trims, for instance. And it’s wise to ask how a haircut will grow out if you decide to try something different down the road. Be receptive to input and share any concerns you have.
Choose the Right Haircut
Getting a new haircut should be exciting. And with some proactive efforts, you’ll exit the salon with a flattering new cut that boosts your confidence. Find inspirational pictures and understand how your hair behaves. Try out haircut options with an AI-powered simulator. And, perhaps most importantly, collaborate with your hairdresser to arrive at the right style.