I always toy around with doing something new to my hair. Lately it seems that when I get the itch though, I just end up getting some bangs added because if worse comes to worse you can hide that shit. Finally I asked my hairdresser to take my waist long extensions to chest length and I absolutely loved it. So if you’re thinking about making a big hair change, here are some tips and tricks to consider. That way you won’t come flying home from your hairdressers in tears.

Cut

Try It Out Before

Here’s the thing. You can’t go from long layers to a pixie cut without being jolted. Don’t do that to your hairdresser. That’s just rude. You’re going to end up crying even if they gave you the hottest cut around. It’s too much to take in all at once. So take your ass somewhere that sells wigs and try, try, try. Try shorter styles, styles with bangs and styles without. See what suits you the most. Then take some reference pictures to show your stylist. Try to stick to wigs that have the same texture as your natural hair though. If your hair is stick straight there’s no point in trying on wigs that are full of natural curls. That’s not going to happen for you sweetie. Unless you’re willing to spend an hour doing it every day or are going to slide in for a perm (don’t).

Take A Picture

When I’m considering doing anything to my hair, I take in one billion reference photos. That way she can reference length and color easily. This is still tricky. Just because you took in a photo of Kate Hudson and you leave the salon with her hair, does not mean you will be leaving with her face. Just putting that out there. Once again be honest with yourself about what your hair naturally does. Just because you took in a picture of Jessica Rabbit doesn’t mean that you won’t wander out of there looking like carrot top. Try to stick to celebs or models that have the same natural hair texture as you.

Get Taught

I’m bad for this one. “Give me bangs!” And then they never get done because I can’t style them worth a shit. If you’re going to jump into a shorter new hairstyle, then you have to be taught how to do it so that it actually looks like what you want. This is not a hairstylists job. They can’t read your mind. If this is what you want them to do, then ask. They want you to leave their salon happy, not eating a pint of ice cream while wailing.

Pick Up The Right Tools

I’m guilty of this one also. I was just speaking to a friend last night who’s a hairdresser and I wanted her to style my bangs because they never turn out for me. “All we need is a blow dryer” she replied. Yup, that’s why they never turn out. I don’t fucking own a hair dryer and have had bangs about thirty times. So……..great. Find out what they used to style your hair. All the way down to a list of product. Different hairstyles will be easier to style with different things. Don’t just fire some mousse in there and hope for the best.

Color

Wash Up

Maybe a cut isn’t your thing and you’re thinking about trying a color instead. If you’re going in for a color, then wash hair the night before. Not the morning of. If you’re going to get a pound of bleach dropped on your head, then try to do a couple intensive conditioning treatments over the week before you go. You don’t want to end up frying your hair for a color you don’t even know you’ll like yet.

Don’t Go In Pretending

If you normally don’t wear flaming red lipstick, don’t wear it to the salon that day. Try to keep your makeup looking like it usually does. You start pulling out fancy tricks and the less you’re going to look like yourself. This is just going to confuse the stylist in which color will be the best for you. You want to give them a clear image of how you normally look and what shade is going to look the best with your skin tone. If you never spray tan and are usually pale, then don’t crank it up to a tropics tan that week. Don’t make your stylist hate you.

I’m Going To Say It One More Time…Take Photos

Just like when choosing a cut, take reference photos for your color as well. There are just too many tones to contend with. If you don’t know much about hair then are you really going to be able to explain to your stylist that you like a cooler tone over a warm one? The answer is no. You’re probably going to end up with something you saw looking completely different in your head.

Be Realistic

If you’re nervous about dying your hair, then stick to something that’s a couple of shades up or down on the color chart from what you’re already sporting. If you go in with blonde hair that you’ve had since birth and choose to dye it black, an anxiety attack is going to ensue. That’s a pretty big change. If you’re wanting to go darker, maybe try some lowlights or just have the underneath dyed a darker natural color. If you want lighter, highlights are always a great way to start. No one said you have to pull the trigger and have a huge change in one afternoon. You can always ease your way into it. If you like it, you can always make the decision to go all the way at your next appointment.

Know What Flatters You

Try to have a good understanding of your skin tone. If you prefer gold on your skin you have a warm skin tone. If you prefer silver you’re more of a cool skin tone. Warm is more honeys and richer browns where as cool is based with ash a lot of the time. Even if you can just steer your stylist to “I prefer warmer tones” it will make a world of difference. If you’re not a wild gal and you’re already nervous about getting three highlights, don’t slap any purple in there for “fun”. You’re not going to find it fun at all. You’re going to be fucking mad that you allowed someone to put purple on your head. Remember that the harsher the tone, the more it can age you and actually come off as more unflattering. White or black hair are both very hard for people to pull off. Only a lucky few can do it. If that’s something that you’re worried about, then stick to a more natural tone. Chances are you will leave happier.

At the end of the day hair is hair. You don’t have to take it that seriously. If you don’t like your cut you can grow it out and use extensions in the meantime. If your color doesn’t come out, you can always have it fixed. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Even if its just adding some highlights around your face, it doesn’t have to be drastic for you to feel good about the change. And if you’re that worried about it just do what I do and ask “what are you doing?”, “what’s happening now?”, “why are you doing that?”, “this is going to turn out how I want, right?” The whole time. I know my stylist loves it when I do that so why wouldn’t yours? Lol. Change can be good. Don’t be afraid of it.

xo Stephanie