The right haircut can slim your face, flatter your features and make you look 10 years younger. The wrong one can shatter your confidence in a single snip. How can you avoid the too-short bob, the impossible-to-style shag and other shear horrors?Hollywood ’s hottest hairdressers reveal the seven questions you should ask to guarantee a great cut every time. Plus: The words that should never cross your lips when you’re sitting in the stylist’s chair…
1. Will it look good on me?
When Keira Knightley traded in her long locks for a short shag, she catapulted into a new category of chic – and women around the country dashed to salons to copy her ’do. After all, who doesn’t want to look like a star? “Even celebrities bring in pictures of other celebrities,” says stylist Robert Hallowell, who has worked with stars like Geena Davis and Lucy Liu. (Check out his hair-care line, prawduct®, atwww.thekitchenbeautician.com).
But what looks great on a glossy magazine cover may not flatter you. “A haircut needs to complement your face shape, bone structure and even the way you carry yourself,” says stylist Adir Abergel, who has worked with Madonna and Jessica Biel. His salon, Hair by Adir, can be reached at 310.397.0397.
1. Will it look good on me?
When Keira Knightley traded in her long locks for a short shag, she catapulted into a new category of chic – and women around the country dashed to salons to copy her ’do. After all, who doesn’t want to look like a star? “Even celebrities bring in pictures of other celebrities,” says stylist Robert Hallowell, who has worked with stars like Geena Davis and Lucy Liu. (Check out his hair-care line, prawduct®, atwww.thekitchenbeautician.com).
But what looks great on a glossy magazine cover may not flatter you. “A haircut needs to complement your face shape, bone structure and even the way you carry yourself,” says stylist Adir Abergel, who has worked with Madonna and Jessica Biel. His salon, Hair by Adir, can be reached at 310.397.0397.
Knightley’s particular cut works best on slimmer face shapes, but that didn’t dissuade round-faced gals from trying it. “Women see a celebrity’s hairstyle and they want to relate, even if it doesn’t work on them,” says Abergel. A haircut should flatter your best assets while downplaying your least favorite features.
If the look you crave isn’t ideal for you, a good stylist can incorporate certain elements of the cut, tailoring a modified style to your face. “I always believe in customizing the haircut to fit the client,” says hair stylist Kim Kimble.
2. What are your credentials?
All hairdressers should have a state certificate showing completion of cosmetology school. To go above and beyond, they can earn advanced training certificates, which show they’ve taken continuing education classes throughout the year, explains Kimble. Even hair guru Hallowell recently returned to the classroom to enhance his skills. Taking continuing education courses shows a stylist is serious about the craft, he says.
One crucial credential can’t be proved with any certificate – a satisfied clientele. Clients often refer friends to their stylists when they’re complimented on their hair, says Kimble. If you spy a woman with a great ’do, “literally stop her and ask who does her hair,” suggests Abergel. He also recommends reading objective reviews of salons and stylists in beauty magazines like Allure.
If the look you crave isn’t ideal for you, a good stylist can incorporate certain elements of the cut, tailoring a modified style to your face. “I always believe in customizing the haircut to fit the client,” says hair stylist Kim Kimble.
2. What are your credentials?
All hairdressers should have a state certificate showing completion of cosmetology school. To go above and beyond, they can earn advanced training certificates, which show they’ve taken continuing education classes throughout the year, explains Kimble. Even hair guru Hallowell recently returned to the classroom to enhance his skills. Taking continuing education courses shows a stylist is serious about the craft, he says.
One crucial credential can’t be proved with any certificate – a satisfied clientele. Clients often refer friends to their stylists when they’re complimented on their hair, says Kimble. If you spy a woman with a great ’do, “literally stop her and ask who does her hair,” suggests Abergel. He also recommends reading objective reviews of salons and stylists in beauty magazines like Allure.
3. Is it a hard style to maintain?
That layered bob might look great when an expert styles it. But if your styling prowess is limited and your new look requires a two-hour wrestling match with a blow dryer every morning, you’ll have wasted your money.
Whether you’re a mom on the go or a beauty junkie willing to devote hours to your tresses, “tell your stylist how much time you’re willing to put into the styling,” Abergel suggests. You can also ask for a versatile cut – one that looks stunning when vamped up with a curling iron but that will also look good when you can only manage a quick shampoo.
4. How do I style it?
Ask your hair guru for a hands-on styling lesson before you leave the salon. Stylists can see angles of your locks that you can’t. “I’ve had clients who think they’re blow-drying their hair but are really hitting the plant behind them,” says Hallowell.
When considering a new style, always keep your hair’s texture in mind. If you want a haircut that looks best styled straight and you have curly hair, be prepared to use a flat iron every day, says Hallowell. Ask your stylist to show you how.
Another do-it-yourself tip: “If you want to look great, learn how to use a round brush and a blow-dryer,” Abergel advises.
That layered bob might look great when an expert styles it. But if your styling prowess is limited and your new look requires a two-hour wrestling match with a blow dryer every morning, you’ll have wasted your money.
Whether you’re a mom on the go or a beauty junkie willing to devote hours to your tresses, “tell your stylist how much time you’re willing to put into the styling,” Abergel suggests. You can also ask for a versatile cut – one that looks stunning when vamped up with a curling iron but that will also look good when you can only manage a quick shampoo.
4. How do I style it?
Ask your hair guru for a hands-on styling lesson before you leave the salon. Stylists can see angles of your locks that you can’t. “I’ve had clients who think they’re blow-drying their hair but are really hitting the plant behind them,” says Hallowell.
When considering a new style, always keep your hair’s texture in mind. If you want a haircut that looks best styled straight and you have curly hair, be prepared to use a flat iron every day, says Hallowell. Ask your stylist to show you how.
Another do-it-yourself tip: “If you want to look great, learn how to use a round brush and a blow-dryer,” Abergel advises.
5. How short will it really be?
Why do women who request one to two inches off the bottom end up with a chin-length disaster? “Part of the problem is that ‘one to two inches’ means something different to different people,” says Abergel. His advice? “Show your stylist how much you want taken off on a ruler – it will show you’re serious about not losing the length.” Hallowell also recommends that you physically take your finger and show the stylist where you want your hair to hit: I want the shortest layer to hit here, no higher than my collarbone.
“Emphasize this is the final look you want when it’s dry,” he says. After all, curly hair that falls to mid-back when wet could be chin-length once dry. Arrive at the salon with your hair in its natural state, advises Abergel. That way your stylist can see the movement and natural wave.
If your stylist starts hacking away, stick up for yourself. Tell him or her to stop before it’s too late. “In the end, you’re the one who has to live with your hair, not your stylist," says Abergel.
6. Do I have to buy the products?
Be wary of the product pusher who insists you purchase every can of hairspray or tube of gel used during the appointment. “You can definitely achieve [a salon] look at home without your stylist’s products,” says Abergel.
Although he’s a fan of Frederic Fekkai’s line, Abergel doesn’t pressure his clients to buy it. “Women know their own hair better than anyone. They know what brands work for them,” he says.
Why do women who request one to two inches off the bottom end up with a chin-length disaster? “Part of the problem is that ‘one to two inches’ means something different to different people,” says Abergel. His advice? “Show your stylist how much you want taken off on a ruler – it will show you’re serious about not losing the length.” Hallowell also recommends that you physically take your finger and show the stylist where you want your hair to hit: I want the shortest layer to hit here, no higher than my collarbone.
“Emphasize this is the final look you want when it’s dry,” he says. After all, curly hair that falls to mid-back when wet could be chin-length once dry. Arrive at the salon with your hair in its natural state, advises Abergel. That way your stylist can see the movement and natural wave.
If your stylist starts hacking away, stick up for yourself. Tell him or her to stop before it’s too late. “In the end, you’re the one who has to live with your hair, not your stylist," says Abergel.
6. Do I have to buy the products?
Be wary of the product pusher who insists you purchase every can of hairspray or tube of gel used during the appointment. “You can definitely achieve [a salon] look at home without your stylist’s products,” says Abergel.
Although he’s a fan of Frederic Fekkai’s line, Abergel doesn’t pressure his clients to buy it. “Women know their own hair better than anyone. They know what brands work for them,” he says.
7. What’s included in the price?
This situation is all too common: After a cut, the stylist will casually ask if you want a blow-dry. Thinking it’s part of the service, you say yes, only to be surprised with a $20 styling charge.
Most stylists aren’t trying to trick you, but to be safe, “get everything clear in the beginning,” says Kimble. For example, does the price of the haircut include a consultation, shampoo and/or conditioner, scalp massage, and styling lesson? And during your cut, pay attention. If your stylist starts blow-drying or curling your hair and you’re not sure if the service is included, ask.
Never Say This
The words that will seal your fate in the salon? “Cut it however you want.” Giving your stylist free rein to play Edward Scissorhands can end in disaster.
“The number one mistake women make when they get their hair cut is having no idea what they want,” says Hallowell. Do your homework beforehand by scouting out looks in beauty magazines. Even if you can’t find your perfect cut, you’ll see aspects of different styles that you like. Share them with your stylist.
Also, come clean about your past: “Communicate which hairstyles have worked for you and which ones haven’t,” says Abergel.
This situation is all too common: After a cut, the stylist will casually ask if you want a blow-dry. Thinking it’s part of the service, you say yes, only to be surprised with a $20 styling charge.
Most stylists aren’t trying to trick you, but to be safe, “get everything clear in the beginning,” says Kimble. For example, does the price of the haircut include a consultation, shampoo and/or conditioner, scalp massage, and styling lesson? And during your cut, pay attention. If your stylist starts blow-drying or curling your hair and you’re not sure if the service is included, ask.
Never Say This
The words that will seal your fate in the salon? “Cut it however you want.” Giving your stylist free rein to play Edward Scissorhands can end in disaster.
“The number one mistake women make when they get their hair cut is having no idea what they want,” says Hallowell. Do your homework beforehand by scouting out looks in beauty magazines. Even if you can’t find your perfect cut, you’ll see aspects of different styles that you like. Share them with your stylist.
Also, come clean about your past: “Communicate which hairstyles have worked for you and which ones haven’t,” says Abergel.
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