While the wrong hairstyle can date you, age you, and give people the wrong impression of who you are, the right hairstyle can highlight all of your best features, inside and out, and give you self-confidence and satisfaction. Finding the right hairstyle for who you are does take a little effort, but the results will be worth it in the end. A few key ideas will help you decide which haircut is right for you and how to achieve the perfect style for your lifestyle.

Mirror, Mirror…

The first step in finding the best haircut for you is to take a good look at your face in the mirror. What shape is it? If you’re having a hard time determining this, pull your hair back and trace the outline of your face on the mirror with lipstick. Now step back and take a look. Is your face more round or more square? Is it long and narrow or heart-shaped with a broad forehead and narrow chin? Because different haircuts flatter different faces determining the basic shape of your face will go a long way in helping you pick the perfect cut. Something else to consider: do you have any facial features that you’d like to minimize? Any features that you’d like to draw attention to? The right haircut can help downplay your round cheeks or prominent nose and focus the attention instead on your full lips or sparkling baby blues. Don’t be afraid to jot down some ideas on what you’d like a haircut to accomplish for you.

Who Are You?

Before you take the plunge with a new ‘do, you need to evaluate your lifestyle. How much time are you willing to commit to styling every morning? Are you comfortable spending half an hour in front of the mirror with a blow dryer or are you the wash and wear type who styles her hair in the car on the way to work? How much money are you willing to spend on haircuts and styling products every month? Do you find self-maintenance a relaxing part of your day or a burden to avoid? What words would you use to describe your personality? Are you spunky and spontaneous or classy and elegant? Write down some ideas of how you would like a haircut to make you feel. Hairstyles are the perfect medium for self-expression. Don’t miss this opportunity to tell the world who you are.