Your Best Cut Yet

How to pick your perfect style

Step 1 Assess your hair 

Firstly Think about what has worked for you before as well as what you really would like to change about your current hairstyle.

Your Natural Texture Each texture lends itself to a certain length and style. From this perspective you will ultimately select a style that will work for the natural texture of your hair – whether straight, wavy or curly.

Condition The condition of your hair and scalp will make a difference as to how well-groomed and healthy (looking) your style is at the end of the day.

-If you have dry/damaged or fine/fragile hair, remember that you will need to think twice about a style that will require regular blow-drying and flat-ironing.

-If you have dandruff, remember that dandruff shampoos tend to strip the hair colour.

-If you have colour-treated hair, remember that you need to use a shampoo that will preserve the colour and not be too harsh. Colour-treated hair is never the same condition as your natural hair and should be treated with special care.

-If you have curly hair, remember that curly hair naturally requires more moisture and easily looses moisture due to its curved shape.

-If you have an oily scalp, remember that you will need a style that is easy to work with if you have to wash it every day.

Length Some face shapes suit short hair, others medium hair with layers, others suit long hair better and others are lucky enough to suit a variety of lengths. The best length for you, right now, will depend on the type of hair your have, it's current length, it's condition and your face-shape. Remember that nobody is going to measure the length of your hair with a tape measure – it's not a competition – but people will notice the overall impression that it makes. If your hair is long and in poor condition it won't make a good impression. Rather make the most of the length that you have and make sure that your hair is healthy and well cut

You might also need to change the length of your hair if you gain or lose weight. A well-proportioned haircut can make a huge difference to balancing a change in your overall look.

Other Considerations to Keep in Mind Choosing a style often relies on other factors that aren't directly about your hair, such as your occupation, age, personal style, fashions and the time that you will have available for styling.

Step 2 Find inspiration

Okay so now comes the fun part! Now you can start looking for styles!

The Internet A site like www.prohaircut.com can give you a lot of ideas. On this website you can search for the name of a celebrity and it will display a few pictures for that person. The different sections also make it easier to search for styles that suit your requirements.

Magazines Ok so there are a lot of celebs these days and some magazines are all about the gossip – They are also all about the latest pictures of celebs and hold a treasure of up-to-date ideas. Think Heat and People magazine.

TV shows & bands The actors in shows, and musicians in live bands, need to have a consistantly good and cutting edge image. You can get a lot of ideas from your favourite entertainers - and don't forget the local guys!

Friends & Strangers When on the look-out for ideas from those around you, always bear in mind your specific requirements. When you find someone who has a style that could work for you, your best bet is to take a pic so you don't forget and you can show your stylist. It might also help to find out where they had their hair done too!

Step 3 Have the hair conversation

By now you've got lots of ideas in your head and you're not 100% sure which one is best and which ones will actually suit you.

A second opinion Ask a close friend what they think of the styles you're looking at and maybe you'll get some suggestions you hadn't thought of. Friends can tell you the truth when you really need it and they're also the ones who'll boost your confidence when you're feeling unsure.

Speak to the bf/gf/husband/wife Before going for the chop it might be worthwhile discussing it with the person who cares the most :)

Relying on trusted expertise Whether you go to a recommended stylist or your regular stylist, please, oh please, don't just go to anyone who cuts hair. Remember it's better to take a calculated risk, than a shot in the dark ;)

Step 4 Visit the experts

Now you're ready for the big step. You've got ideas in your head, you've got a second opinion and you're ready for your hair appointment.

Face shape Now is your opportunity to have a look at your face shape with your stylist and find out how we can adapt a style that you like to fit in with your requirements.

Should I get a fringe? A fringe can actually make a huge difference to your style without changing your length. Most people suit a fringe of some sort because it can soften the features and frame the face. That doesn't mean that every fringe will suit you - you will have to bear in mind your hair type when having a fringe cut.

Hair colour One of the finishing touches to choosing a great style will be your choice of colour. A hair colour that doesn't suit you will spoil the effect of your amazing new cut so make sure to choose wisely, and even experiement with creative colour in your hair to enhance your overall look.

Sit right Finally, help your stylist by keeping a good posture and having your feet steady on the ground while you're having your hair cut.

Step 5 Perfect your Style

Take Note Watch your stylist when they style your hair and ask them how to achieve a professional finish. You'll also want to learn about how to best care for the condition of your hair, because well-conditioned hair is the best-looking hair.

Hair products Ask your stylist for recommendations on the best haircare products to achieve your desired look. Alternatively, ask your friends with great hair what they are using. Haircare can be a very personal thing - sometimes we like a product for a simple reason like it's smell, it's texture or it's price.

With the current wave of the green revolution it's hard to understand why companies would still test their products on animals, but it's still happening. On the other hand, there are many products that are good for you and good for the environment but you have to look out for them.

Experiment Ah, fun or frustration? With a great cut and great haircare products, you should find it much easier to style your hair, and possibly feel inspired to try new things you wouldn't have done before. If you struggle at all with your new style, something is wrong and it's best to chat with your stylist about anything that bothers you so it can be corrected as soon as possible.

Maintain To keep looking top-class, a rule of thumb is that men need to have their hair cut every 4 - 6 weeks and women generally need a trim every 6 – 8 weeks. This will ensure that your hair stays looking neat and well-groomed and free of dry, split ends. If you're wanting to grow your hair longer, you need to discuss with your stylist how long you can space your cuts out without getting the awkward grown-out look or compromising on your hair's condition.

I hope you're feeling better prepared now for getting your best cut, and inspired to make the most of what you've got. Here's to good hair days! x