The biggest trap in getting a haircut is going to the salon without a decision. You might have an idea, perhaps a couple of images you’ve saved, but not a clear plan. When you talk to the stylist, you are trying to describe something you’re not fully committed to.
Here’s where the confusion arises. The stylist gets a different idea in their head, they make adjustments on the fly, and you end up with something unexpected. You should decide on a haircut before you go to the stylist, not while you’re there. If you know what you want and what works for you, the experience is simple.
This article is about how to make that decision before you go to the salon, so you don’t have to make any decisions at the last minute or give vague instructions.
People often assume the stylist knows best. A stylist can help, but they still need your input. If you don’t provide specific details, you will end up with a variable result. Vague statements like “just a trim” or “something different” won’t help.
The other problem is over-reliance on images. An image gives you an idea of the shape, but not the texture, the growth pattern, or how it will work with your facial structure.
If you don’t know what you want before you book in, your haircut is reactive, not proactive.
Decide what you want before you get to the cuts.
Ask yourself: Do I want it to look neat or lived in? Do I want something dramatic or more subtle? Do I want something distinctive or unpretentious?
These decisions guide everything else. And once you have an end goal, you are no longer deciding which option you want but rather how you want it.
Length is one of the biggest decisions to make in advance. It can’t be undone straight away.
Think about: how short are you willing to go, if you want to maintain some length, and how it will look and feel after a month or so.
Don’t get carried away on a whim. If you’re not sure, make gradual changes rather than a drastic change you might later regret. Just knowing what length you want takes away much of the unknown.
Cut your hair to complement its natural tendencies.
Pay attention to: how it behaves when it’s untouched, if it holds a style well or not, and any curl or direction.
If you have naturally flat hair, you will need to put in some work if you want a style that requires a lot of volume. If it’s naturally voluminous, it may be more difficult to hold in a blunt shape. The best haircut is one that suits your hair’s natural tendencies.
All haircuts require some amount of upkeep. Some need daily styling and maintenance, others are more low-maintenance.
Be realistic about your routine: Are you prepared to blow-dry? Or are you looking for an easy-to-maintain style? How often are you willing to get it cut?
Picking a style that fits your lifestyle avoids disappointment. If you can’t put in the time, you’ll soon grow tired of it.
The Hairporium AI Stylist considers your face shape, hair type and lifestyle to recommend the right style before you visit the salon. Free, no account needed.
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References can be a useful resource, but only if you do it right. Rather than providing a photo and saying “here’s exactly what I want”, explain what you love about it: the length, the shape, the overall feel.
This enables your stylist to guide you toward a style that works for you, rather than repeating something that may not suit you. References are just starting points.
Knowing what not to do is also part of making the right choice.
Don’t make decisions in a rush. Don’t go for a trendy style. Don’t leave too much to interpretation.
Confusion leads to error. The more specific you are, the easier it will be.
After you make the decision, you need to communicate it.
Be clear about: how much length do you want to remove, how you want the overall shape to look, and how do you normally wear it.
This allows your stylist to get a full picture of what you want. Consultations should be brief but informative.
Haircuts change over time. It needs to grow, and its day-to-day behavior is as important as its appearance.
Before choosing, consider: how it will look after a few days, how it will grow out over time, and if you will need to regularly fix and adjust.
Something that looks great on day 1 but not day 2 is not a good choice.
The key to a good haircut is the decision-making before you walk in the door.
If you know what you want, it’s an easy decision. You’re not making a decision — you’re approving it. This eliminates uncertainty, facilitates communication, and ensures a consistent outcome. You know it will be right; you don’t hope for it.
Choosing a haircut is not something to be left to chance. It’s about deciding before you get to the chair. Know who you are, what you like, what your hair can do, and how that style will work for you.
You don’t have to make too many adjustments; you’re less likely to be unhappy, and you get a haircut that works for you in the first place. That’s the difference between guessing and deciding.
The Hairporium AI Stylist analyses your face shape, hair type, lifestyle and maintenance preferences to recommend the right haircut before you visit the salon. Free, no account needed.
Start your free hair consultation →
