This article was co-authored by Shun Pittman. Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Do you find yourself looking at shorter hairstyles with envy? If so, it may be time to seriously consider getting a cut. But, what if you regret it? Convincing yourself to take the leap into a new hair tomorrow is easier if you do your research, consider your personal needs, and embrace the possibilities inherent with a new, shorter style.
Steps
Finding Positive Examples
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1Consult with a stylist or barber. Schedule a consultation appointment. This is a 30-minute meeting between you and your stylist. You will talk over style options without actually getting your hair cut. This will relieve some of the pressure on you while also giving you a chance to discuss your fears.[1]
- Choose your stylist carefully as they will have a great deal of control over the final product. Look for online reviews and ask for client references, if possible.
- Be honest about your lifestyle, in particular, as some short styles are low maintenance while others require a considerable amount of time. If your stylist asks, “How much time would you like to spend on your hair in the morning?” There is no shame in answering, “Five minutes or less.”
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2Find real-life examples. If your friend has a particularly flattering short haircut that you think would work for you as well, ask to take their head shot. Flip through magazines and clip out images of hair styles that you like and would consider as options. Then, bring all of these images to the salon with you.
- Remember that there are limits as to what a good haircut can achieve. Do not cut out a photo of a celebrity and then expect a salon visit to transform you into that celebrity. Instead, be specific about what you like about a cut. Think, “The layers around her face really flatter her cheekbones.”[2]
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3Model your potential new style. Tie your hair back into a loose pony, adjusting it so that your hair is at your future length. Take a photo of your head from a variety of angles. Ask yourself, “Am I going to look good with this hair?” Continue to make adjustments and take new photos until you are happy with the model hairstyle.
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4Go online for a virtual makeover. Upload a head shot to certain websites, or using particular computer programs, and you can digitally alter your hair in the image. This will allow you to see how a particular cut will look on you in ‘real time.’[3]
Making Small Changes First
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1Cut it a medium length. If your hair is very long, try trimming an inch (or less) off each visit to the salon and scheduling a number of visits close to one another. This will give you time to consider a variety of different lengths and to learn more about various styling options.[4]
- Planning several different cuts will also give you time to see how your hair ‘settles’ after a trim. It usually takes a week to see the true final product as the newly cut strands intermix with the old.[5]
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2Play with styling products. Do you want a textured and choppy feel? Would you prefer a smooth and sleek look? Buy an assortment of products, from straightening gels to lightweight waxes, and try them out, rotating every few days. Ask yourself, “What works with my hair texture now?”[6]
- It is a myth that shorter haircuts require less styling and, therefore, are cheaper. If you want a short cut that requires the very minimal product usage, make sure to express this to your stylist.
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3Look into new accessory choices. Take another glance at your example photos and pay attention to their fashion and jewelry choices. Short hair will show your ears more, so you might want to consider getting your ears pierced. Or, play with the possibility of emphasizing the now-visible length of your neck by wearing high-necked shirts.
- For example, a woman with a new pixie cut might wear an ear cuff (a jeweled piece that borders the outer earlobe). This will create a youthful and edgy look.[7]
Overcoming Your Fears
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1Make a list of the pros and cons. Sit down, take out a pen and paper, and create a t-chart with “pros” on one side and “cons” on the other. Add specific examples to both sides, such as “I like the idea that shorter hair will make me look younger.” Or, “I’m afraid I’ll look bald if it is cut too short.”
- Just the process of writing down your concerns will help you to feel more in control of this process. After all, it is your body and your choice in the end.[8]
- For example, getting regular trims (every six to eight weeks) prevents split ends and breakage that travels up the hair shaft. So, scheduling regular hair appointments (even to just trim a small amount) will see health benefits in the long term.[9]
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2Consider your lifestyle. Ask yourself, “What are my professional obligations regarding appearance?” “How much time do I have to devote to hair care?” “Do I need a cut that can withstand certain athletic activities?” For example, if you are used to wearing a ponytail you may want a cut that will keep hair strands away from your face.[10]
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3Talk to a friend with short hair. Ask them about their routine and what they perceive as the benefits, as opposed to longer hair. Get them to detail their salon experience and how, and why, they made the decision to go short. You could say, “What is the best thing about having short hair?”[11]
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4Experiment with a wig. Purchase a short wig made out of a high quality material (such as human hair) and wear it for a trial period. Don’t just stay indoors-go out on a date or meet friends for drinks wearing your new acquisition. Ask them what they think and pay attention to how you feel with short hair.[12]
- The sensation of wearing a wig will be foreign to you (the ways it acts in wet weather, the feel of the strands, etc.), so try to concentrate primarily on the length and feel of the cut itself. Ask yourself, “Do I prefer this length or a bit longer? Do I think these layers are flattering?”
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5Recall past haircuts. Remember that time that you gave yourself a bob or that really poor-choice perm? Visualize and recount these experiences in as much detail as you can. You made it through these moments, so any decision you make now has to be better, right?
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6Remember that it will grow out again. Remind yourself that this is really only a short-term change. If you dislike the final product, your hair will grow back to its former length and will, quite possibly, be healthier as a result. If it helps, repeat the mantra to yourself, “Change is good.”[13]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I know if I would look good with short hair?Shun PittmanShun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & AuthorTry on some short wigs at a wig shop. If you don't want to buy the wig, take a picture of yourself trying it on so you can get used to how the style looks. -
QuestionHow do I get over my fear of cutting my hair short?Shun PittmanShun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & AuthorTry cutting your hair in stages. For instance, you could opt for a one-length cut, like a bob. You might start with a shoulder-length bob, and then work your way up to a graduated shape near your ears. -
QuestionHow do you get a hairstyle you like?Shun PittmanShun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & AuthorBring pictures with you to your hair consultation. Visuals help your stylist know what you'd like, and also what you'd like to stay away from. For instance, your definition of "short" could be completely different from your stylist's.
References
- ↑ http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a3944/dont-settle-for-a-bad-haircut-79055/
- ↑ http://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/a28818/barber-donts-2014/
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/virtual-hairstyle-makeovers/
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.
- ↑ http://www.allure.com/story/what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-new-haircut
- ↑ http://www.allure.com/gallery/how-to-style-pixie-cut
- ↑ http://www.stylebistro.com/How+to+Match+Your+Earrings+to+Your+Hairstyle/articles/6aLEv0i-fij/For+a+Pixie+Cut
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-creativity-cure/201403/how-making-lists-can-quell-anxiety-and-breed-creativity
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a33448/haircuts-how-often-trim-hair/
- ↑ http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/beauty/hair/styles/hairstyles-and-haircuts-for-short-hair/
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/a46100/short-hair-pixie-cut-invisible/
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.
- ↑ https://locksoflove.org/get-involved/