Hair Cuts

Hair Cuts: Tips

Hair cuts are a fact of life. Even if you are growing your hair out, you still need to get those ends trimmed every six weeks or so. While trims are easy to do, getting an entire new style is not as simple. Whether going from short to long or choosing a cut that looks good as you grow out your hair, knowing what you want is a good place to start. Try these tips to find a new ‘do that is best for you.

• Find a photograph of a cut that you like. This advice is frequently given for a reason—it works. While the style may have to be modified somewhat to fit your texture or face shape, it helps to show the stylist what you are looking for in a cut.
• Look at old photographs of yourself. What worked? What didn’t? Just because a cut is trendy at the time does not mean it is the best cut for you. Many women find a cut works well for themselves. Then they update it slightly depending on the current style by doing things like adding wispy bangs or flipping the ends up.
• Work with your natural hair. Even if you love to straighten your hair and have the time, your cut should still look good even if you let it go curly. Similarly, if your hair is stick-straight no matter what, a style that requires hot rollers or other curl-inducing products may not be worth the maintenance.

Face Shape

Knowing your face shape can help eliminate styles that do not work and add new styles to your list of possibilities. Not sure of your face shape? Look in a mirror and draw around your face with a light lipstick. Most people’s faces will gravitate towards one of five shapes.

• Oval: Oval face shapes can pull off most cuts. Long layers near cheekbones, lips or chin will emphasize those features. To keep face from looking too elongated, avoid short layers at the top of the head and blunt cuts if hair is curly—this can result in a triangle-shaped ‘do.
• Round: Most styles below the chin, with short layers on top to lengthen the face look good. Blunt cuts will emphasize roundness.
• Long: Adding bangs can create more width in the face. Curls and waves are also good for adding width. Avoid short layers at the top, or very long or very short cuts, which only calls attention to facial length.
• Heart: Sideswept bangs or bangs reaching the brow line can highlight the eyes instead of the strong chin. Long layers look nice, but avoid a choppy style.
• Square: Textured styles downplay the angles in the face. One-length bobs and blunt bangs can make face look even more square.

When looking for photographs, try to find styles on people whose facial shape matches your own.

To check out styles, visit Matrix.com. Additionally, you can upload a photo of yourself to try on a style to see how it would look on you. Some celebrity sites to visit include Beautyriot.com or Beautifulhairstyles.com.

Hair Cuts for Men

Men’s hair cuts are usually shorter than women’s, but not always. Longer lengths go in and out of style, especially depending on where you live. Most men’s short cuts are done with clippers. Some clipper styles to try include:

• Butch: Uniform length all over, usually shorter than ½ inch.
• Flat-Top: Hair at the top of the head is cut so that it is flat when standing vertically. Tapered sides and back is common.
• Caesar: Around a 1 inch uniform cut with a longer length near the forehead. The bangs are usually straight, and can be combed down or spiked up with gel.
• Collegiate: Tapered the shortest in the back, with length gaining as you moved up and around to the front of the head.

Many men’s cuts that are not done with clippers often take on a short side and back, while allowing enough length on top to part and comb the hair over.

Whether you want a short or a long style, layers, bobs, or bangs, knowing what types of hair cuts will work for you is the key to creating a great look with the least amount of hassle.