12 Tips to Consider Before Getting A New Hairstyle
Are you looking for a new hairstyle?
If so, before you head off to the hairdressers with a vision in mind or clutching a picture of the new hairstyle you want, take a few moments, think about the new look you are going for. Maybe you haven’t got a vision in mind but want a new hairstyle for a fresh start in your life.
Ask yourself a few questions to make your decision easier. Click on a question below for our advice:
What style do you want and will it suit you?
Will my lifestyle suit my hairstyle?
Is my hair long enough for the hairstyle I want? Should I get hair extensions?
Would a fringe suit me?
Should I go short?
Do I need layers?
How do I make the most of my curls?
What skin tone do I have?
How do I get a natural looking hair colour?
Can I have a bright flash of colour or try something different?
What brush will I need to maintain my hairstyle?
What hairstyle suits the shape of my face?
A new hairstyle can make you look and feel great. It's good to start with an idea of what you want and then have a consultation with your hairdresser. The longer and more indepth your consultation the more likely you'll be happy with the outcome.
Maintaining your hairstyle is the key to looking and feeling great, so make sure you choose a hairstyle to suit your lifestyle as well as your budget.
That’s it, you’ve got all the answers you need to achieve your new hairstyle.
1 - What new hairstyle do you want and will it suit you?
We all have someone whose hairstyle we admire. Whether it be a friend, relative, work colleague or celebrity. It might even be someone you happen to walk past in the street and suddenly think “I really like her hairstyle”.
Ladies, we really have to stop and ask ourselves, is this hairstyle really what I want? Will it suit me? As we eagerly rush of to the hairdressers with a picture or image of what we want in our head, we need to be realistic. Hairdressers cannot work miracles and we do not want to leave the hairdressers feeling disappointed.
The best way to avoid any disappointment is to book a long consultation with your stylist.
Tell your stylist:
What new hairstyle you are thinking of going for (this is when you pull out the picture from your hand bag). Why you want this new hairstyle, whether it’s because you want something completely different or you saw a lady with this hairstyle and it really suited her.
What hair texture you have, if you don’t know then a good stylist should be able to tell you!
What difficulties you have maintaining your hair e.g is it dry or very thin.
What kind of lifestyle you have e.g gym bunny or a full time mum with three kids.
Don’t forget to mention whether you wear glasses, this can alter the style that suits you.
Based upon the above information, the stylist should be able to advise whether the style you want will suit you, your hair texture and lifestyle.
2 - Will my lifestyle suit my new hairstyle?
Ok so you have a picture in your mind of what new hairstyle you would like to go for. It’s both funky and glam. It signals a new you in a new phase of your life.
The question you then really need to ask is whether or not this new hairstyle is practical for your lifestyle. I know...a boring question but a very practical one that will save you a lot of time, money and effort.
As much as we would like to spend time looking good and pampering our selves, the truth is at certain times in our life we just can’t do it. This doesn’t mean we can’t look good we just need a hairstyle to suit our lifestyle.
Have a look at your lifestyle and decide how much time/money you can really dedicate to your hair. You really don’t need to spend hours or charge your credit card to look good!
Have a look at the following types of lifestyle and this might help you decide:
Gym Fanatic - you like to go to the gym or play sport a minimum of two to three times a week. You need a hairstyle that is practical, effortless and low maintenance. You don’t have time to waste in your busy training schedule but you still want a fresh looking hairstyle.
Yummy Mummy – you are a Mum who wants to look good but spend most of your time running around after the kids. You need a hairstyle that is simple but makes you look and feel great. You don’t mind regular hair appointments but nothing too high maintenance.
Corporate Chic - you want to a style that looks professional but with a feminine touch. You don’t mind regular appointments to the hairdresser to maintain your look. You also want a hairstyle that you can glam up at the weekends so that you can really let your hair down.
Girl About Town – it’s all about getting dressed up, going out and having the latest hairstyle. You don’t mind weekly visits to the hairdressers or dramatic colours as you will make the time to maintain it. You like spending a lot of time and effort on your style.
These are complete generalisations! Ladies we might even fit into every category at some point in our life. Just remember a new hairstyle can make a difference to how we feel, so simply adapt your hairstyle to suit your lifestyle.
3 - Is my hair long enough for the hairstyle I want? Should I get hair extensions?
You have to be realistic when deciding your new hairstyle. You want the experience to leave you feeling good not disappointed.
The quality of hair extensions is so good these days that it can be hard to tell who is wearing them or not. Even to achieve a slick but full bob may require hair extensions. If your hair is fine to medium in texture or you’ve recently had it cut you might not be able to achieve the desired hairstyle without hair extensions.
Should you get hair extensions or not?
The cost of getting hair extensions ranges from 50, to 100’s to 1000’s of pounds, dollars or whatever your local currency might be. Hair extensions are all about care and maintenance. You need to take time to look after them.
Here a few simple things to consider when thinking about getting hair extensions.
- Hair extensions are very good for thickening up very fine hair.
- Quality hair and unique, gentle bond extensions can add volume and shine in just a couple of hours.
- If you look after your hair extensions they can be used time and time again, making them good value for money.
- If you do not maintain hair extensions it can be like pouring money down the drain, depending on how much you paid for them in the first place.
4 - Would a fringe suit me?
A fringe can change your look without dramatically changing the rest of your hair. Make it quirky, trendy, bold or subtle – lots of choice!
There is a fringe to suit all face shapes and hair types.
Square or round face – Avoid a straight thick fringe if you have a square or round face – a softer fringe that sweeps to the side would be better.
Large Forehead – A fringe can help to hide a large forehead.
Blunt Fringe – If you want to stand out from the crowd and go for a blunt fringe. The stylist would need to cut from the top of your crown for extra oomph.
5 - Should I go short?
The decision to go for a short hairstyle should not be taken lightly. Short hairstyles can be a dramatic change and there are a few things to consider:
Short hair is great if you have small features as it can really make them stand out.
It particularly suits those with oval, heart and round faces.
It saves on hours of styling. However, black/african hair may still require styling as black/african hair does not fall into place as easily as other hair textures. Consequently, you may still need to style your hair and require frequent trimming.
Don’t forget that a dramatic change in hairstyle might also require a change in makeup and wardrobe. This is something that is not normally considered until afterwards.
6 - Do I need layers?
If you have any issues with your hair then layers can help. Ask your hairdresser if you are not sure whether layers would suit you.
3 key benefits of layers are:
Layers are a good way to add volume and movement to fine hair.
Layers are a great way to frame round, long or angular faces making them more feminine.
Layers can also be used to thin out thicker hair making it easier to style.
7 - How do I make the most of my curls?
Curly hair is fabulous but can be hard to maintain.
It is important to find a stylist who knows how to cut curly hair as it can be tricky.
You should ask your hairdresser to overestimate your length when it is dry (wet hair is heavy and appears much longer). Dry curly hair will spring back into a shorter style once cut, you might not want.
8 - What skin tone do I have?
If you are considering changing the colour of your hair, you really need to consider your skin tone.
You can tell your skin tone by the colours that suit you best. Whether you suit cool colours (blue and purple) or warm colours (red and orange).
The colours that suit you best should form the base of any hair shade you decide on.
You may find the following link useful:
Determine your skin tone - Simple way to figure out skin tone
9 - How do I get a natural looking hair colour?
The secret to natural looking hair colour is to make any changes subtly.
It is often best to dye your hair only three shades away from your natural colour.
Highlights should look sunkissed and lowlights should add depth and texture.
10 - Can I have a bright flash of colour or try something wacky?
If your hair is dark and you want a bold, bright flash of colour that contrasts with your original shade, you’ll need to bleach the hair section first.
When the base colour is light enough, your new, bold shade will be much more vibrant and potentially last longer.
If you’ve seen a new trendy hairstyle that you want to go for whether it is a vibrant colour or dramatic hair cut.
Don’t forget that a radical change can mean new make-up and a new wardrobe, so it’s not a decision to take lightly.
11 - What brush will I need to maintain my hairstyle?
Paddle Brush
Great for smoothing long hairstyle. They work best with mid length to long hair but also work well on thick short hairstyles.
Vent Brush
The holes in the base, or barrel, of a vent brush let air from your dryer circulate around the brush and hair, speeding up drying time and building volume.
Radial/Round Brush
To blowdry short hair, use a small, round brush on damp hair to reach the root. For mid-length to long locks, use a larger round brush.
Classic Brush
Pronounces, separated quills hold the hair steady as you blowdry and also provide a thorough brushing for hair that is dry and static.
Cushion Brush
The padded surface of a cushion brush helps minimise static and keeps the hair follicle for a sleek finish.
12 - What hairstyle suits the shape of my face?
Take a look at our article on what hairstyles suit the shape of your face. It gives a guide on how to determine your face shape, but more importantly how to choose the right hair style for your face shape... read more
