This summer, my boredom and laziness showed up because I found myself wearing it in a pony tail or up in one of those donut/top knot-wirey-mesh-things due to the fact that my hair down made me hot and dewy. My part time job does not require fancy hair, so I haven’t been able to bring myself to put the time in for a job that is so casual. In the past when I worked in a salon, ponytails were discouraged because they don’t exactly require much creativity. Some women look fantastic in them, but for me, they have been used for exercise or housecleaning. But here I was, doing the very thing I don’t like. Enough is enough. That’s when I realized it was time to either muster up the energy to style it in new ways or get a haircut that is cute, flattering, and suits my lifestyle.
Over the years, I have changed my hair color to dark, but eventually went back to blonde. As a licensed hairstylist, I have been pretty boring and unadventurous. No pink hair during beauty school or broken hair due to over-bleaching. I also have enjoyed seeing jewelry and scarves on people with shorter hair. I was now intrigued with the fun-factor. No wonder I don’t think to wear my scarves when my hair is down. Too Hot! Silly stuff like this was adding up and moving me in a new direction. And what about all of the new infinity scarves I’ve been making? Gotta wear them, right?
You probably take more chances with your hair than I do, which means that you are better with the thinking that ‘hair grows’ and nothing has to be permanent. That being said, not every haircut is a winner or that more questions could be asked so that you are thrilled with the next cut and style.
Are you ready for a change, or just thinking about it? Here are some things I can share that may help:
1.) Keep looking around to decide what you like and don’t like in a haircut/style. Use magazines, people-watching, internet photos to help narrow the choices. Maybe there are aspects of a cut and style you have had in the past that worked. Live with the idea and see if you keep going back to a particular style. Make a checklist and compile pictures. Here is an example of my list.
-Shorter than the shoulders. Check.
-Volume on top. Check
-Styling options; Curly or straight. Check.
-Flattering to head shape, features. Check.
2.) Don’t be shy. Compliment someone you see who’s hair you admire and ask for their stylist’s name and salon. Most will take this as a compliment. This word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to feel comfortable about getting a new resource. Make sure to get their first name to use as a referral when you make your appointment. The stylist will be thrilled the referral got you to their chair.
(FYI–My stylist is a great friend and former co-worker).
3.) Compare your hair type and texture (fine, course, curly, wavy, straight, etc.) to the styles you like. If there are no similarities, it may not be realistic, will be a struggle and won’t be satisfying. The best haircut compliments your hair type. Accept any cowlicks and recognize hair growth direction. Ultimately, considering these certainties will make for a lower maintenance style.
-Fine hair, but volumizing mousse and a blow dryer has worked before to provide volume. Check.
-No known cowlicks or hair direction issues, but be careful to use a mirror to check back views before leaving the house! Check.
4.) Be honest about the time you are willing to put into maintaining the new style. Wouldn’t it me nice to jump out of bed and have your hair look fantastic? Maybe men get to do this, but there are few women who can pull this off successfully. If you are one of those, good for you! I know I am a futz-er with my hair; some are NOT. Either they don’t don’t know how or don’t care enough to put the time in. This is why these questions are even more important to ask. Are you willing to get it cut every 6 weeks? How about color retouches every 3-4 weeks? How about the cost? Does it suit your lifestyle?
-Shorter hair requires more frequent cuts. I’m okay with it. Check.
-I can afford the color maintenance, both time and money. Check.
-Less hair = quicker drying time = faster out the door. Check.
5.) Are you ready for the backlash? Change is difficult for many and the loved-ones may not be ready for a big one. Are you confident and self-assured to take the plunge and withstand the disapproval, should there be any? Compliments are great, but ultimately, you have to be happy with all of the above considerations and ready to present yourself every day as your best self. If a new haircut gets you there, then great. If not, wait. It isn’t the right time. When the time is right, you will know.
-Am I still liking the idea of a new cut days after considering it? Yes. Check.
-Have I wavered? No. Check.
-Will my friends/family/employer still have me around? Hope so. Check.
Oh, and by the way, I DO NOT push the theory that when you turn a certain age, you must cut your hair to be ‘age appropriate’. In fact, I hate that. If long hair is well maintained and flattering on you, go for it. I just turned 50 and I may grow my hair long again, but only if I am willing to put the time and energy to have it look it’s best.
My philosophy is to put a little time in to look your best more often than not because it feels better, and has multiple pay-offs. You may not like that appearances matter so much, but they do. Studies show that we are all guilty, to some degree, of making snap assumptions about others due to their presentation….but that is for another post.
