Looking good feels awesome. We don’t know about you, but we feel fresh, fine, and confident when we look good. A new hairdo or outfit can do wonders for your self-esteem. But unfortunately, we can’t always control how our hair will look. If you don’t have a trusted stylist whom you’ve been going to for years (or sometimes literal decades!), it can be tough to build that relationship from scratch.
No matter who your stylist is, what you—the client—must bring to the table is good communication. The best thing you can do is help them understand what it is that you want, and they can then give you their professional opinion.
The fact of the matter is that unless your hairstylist has known you for years or can literally read minds, there will probably be a disconnect between a few things. Namely, between what you want, what they think you want, and what they can realistically achieve with their skills.
So, the more detailed you are about the hairdo you want, the better for you and them. Don’t just describe what you want, but actually show your stylist or barber photos of the hairstyle you want to rock!
These professionals are working with something incredibly visual, and your words might not always be enough to get your ideas through. What’s more, words can be misinterpreted. Photos, meanwhile, are very clear.
“Start with showing the length you want, and find pictures of looks you could see yourself loving. Don't be afraid to be detailed and specific—hair stylists won't be offended, and actually prefer it,” Southern Living suggests.
However, you can’t ignore the fact that not every stylist will be able to turn your vision into reality. The fact is that some professionals, though they earn a living, do not have the skills for every single hairdo project. A humble, grounded pro will let you know what they are comfortable doing and what is beyond their skills. Meanwhile, someone with an out-of-control ego or something to prove might take on a task beyond their league.
Furthermore, a real pro knows which hairstyles work with which hair types and face shapes. You might have a fantastic idea for something really awesome, but it might not be the best look for you. Sure, the client is always right, but genuinely good stylists will offer their professional opinions about what you might want to consider doing. You can stick to your original vision and ignore their advice, but sometimes, the right thing to do is to amend your idea for something that’s more personalized.
“Photos work better than words, but you must be considerate of your own natural texture, thickness, and styling habits. These will affect how closely your stylist is able to match the photos, so aim to bring something realistic while still aspirational. When in doubt, you can ask your stylist to recommend specific tweaks to your inspiration that will suit your hair type better,” Southern Living writes.
You have to be honest with yourself about your own skills, too.
The Fade Club warns that you probably don’t want to do your own fade at home, as it is a technical style that is hard to master. And online tutorials won’t give you the skills that take a long time—sometimes literal years—to hone. The last thing you want is for your “cost-saving experiment” to end up in an “emergency barbershop visit to fix it.”
Meanwhile, the hair salon stresses that nobody should blindly copy haircuts they see online. You have to consider whether the cut suits your face shape.
“A haircut that looks great on someone with a chiseled jawline and high cheekbones might not have the same impact on a round or oblong face. Your face shape influences how your haircut frames your features. Not taking this into account can throw off the balance of your look, making your face appear too long, too wide, or even asymmetrical.”
Other things to keep in mind include getting regular haircuts to maintain your dashing good looks, using the right hair products, and actually washing your hair before your appointment at the hair salon. Furthermore, you have to choose the right stylist or barber for your hair type.
“Not every barber has experience with every hair type or style. Curly, textured, straight, fine, or thick hair all require different techniques and tools. Some barbers specialize in fades and modern styles, while others excel in classic scissor cuts. Going to a barber who isn’t experienced with your hair type can lead to uneven results, poor shaping, or cuts that don’t suit your natural growth pattern,” The Fade Club suggests.
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