How realistic are you about your hair?

Girl who is in shock when seeing her new short haircut — Photo: Luis Molinero/Shutterstock

The reason why salon customers become dissatisfied with their stylist usually falls into two categories. 1) The client has unrealistic expectations about what their hair will and won’t do. 2) The stylist has limited ability or training, or doesn’t educate the client.

It never ceases to amaze me how clients will choose a style that does not reflect what their hair will actually do. The first step in making sure that expectations do not lead to disappointment is to take a close look in the mirror. Here are some steps to take when doing so.

A) Look in your eyes. Don’t look at the skin texture or any slight disappointing facial features or shapes. Look deep into the eyes and note the color. That color is a spectrum of what balances your skin tones. Golds, reds, yellows, blues... Whatever the spectrum, those are the tones that need to be in your hair either naturally or applied. The choices of those colors will brighten your skin and facial features to work together.

B) Now pull your visual back a bit and note the reality of your hair texture. Is it coarse, fine, thick, thin, curly, straight, or a combination? Does it work with your personality? Is it overstressed by your trying to make it what it isn't, or is it compatible with your attitude and the way that you carry yourself?

Being honest with the way that you look is essential for avoiding frustration. If your color or texture isn't working for you, then you have probably chosen someone else's hairstyle that doesn't fit your personality or lifestyle.

There are many stylists to choose from that can either help you to see the reality of your hair and how it adds to your lifestyle or how it has created a monster that has to be tamed every day or you won't step outside your door.

Young woman who is happy with her new short hair — Photo: Dean Drobot/Canva

A stylist’s ability is either forced or natural. A forced ability is someone who has not learned the structure of basics with hair. This means that they do not have a comprehension of balance, weight, growth pattern, texture or density and color. Note, I did not mention facial shape. That is an extinct approach of determining the shape of a style.

I always try to bring attention to the eyes because they are the windows to one's true beauty. It could be just one of these that is missing or sometimes all six. Missing just one of these important components can take a hairstyle from expectation to disappointment.

Maybe you found a stylist that you heard is great. You decide to set up a consultation. This is the time for the stylist to show off, to win you over with their personality and expertise. Put them to the test by asking them to explain how they see all six facets of your hair. This is to say that you have a realistic summation of your attributes and challenges. If any of those facets do not calculate into reality then most likely neither will the hairstyle.

Now that you see the reality of your hair, you can choose the best style and stylist for your hair. Have a style that requires time or a style that you can blow and go. Either way, balance, weight, growth pattern, texture, or density, and color will all work together to make your style complete.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

The right hairstyle for your lifestyle

How to choose a new hair salon