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.

Find a ‘Do

This next step requires you to become hair-aware. Look at the people around you. Do any of their haircuts catch your eye? Don’t be afraid to grab a stranger and ask her where she got her fabulous bangs. She’ll be flattered! Find friends who have good taste and ask them what haircuts they would give you if they could. Keep your eyes open for haircuts you like as you flip through catalogs and magazines. You might want to invest in one of the many hairstyle magazines specifically designed to help readers pick a new style. Don’t forget to be open-minded! Although you’ve worn your hair halfway down your back since the seventh grade, a shorter, choppy new style may be just what you need to bring you into the twenty-first century. At the same time, you may not want to go for too drastic of a change right away. If you’re planning on going from very long to very short hair you may want to do it slowly, over the course of several cuts. By lopping off only a little at a time you give yourself time to adjust to the idea of short hair and see if you really like it.

The Right Stylist

Finding the right stylist takes a little more effort than just opening the phone book, but putting your mane in the hands of a Michelangelo is worth it in the end. Here again, asking around is a great way to get recommendations. Find out who your friends and coworkers go to when they want a new coif. What do they like about their stylist? How much does a haircut usually cost them and where is the salon located? You might want to drop by salons near your home and ask if the stylists will give a free consultation before you make an appointment. Ask if a salon specializes in a certain type of haircut or style. Would they consider themselves to be modern or classic in their attitude toward style? Edgy or conservative? Asking the right questions beforehand can save you from a lot of frustration afterward.

The Mane Event

You’ve finally found the haircut of your dreams and the right person to make it happen. Before your stylist takes that first snip, make sure that he or she understands exactly what you want. Show your stylist a picture and describe in detail what you’re after, including how much time and money you’re willing to devote to the haircut and what adjectives describe the look you want. Have your stylist repeat back to you what you’ve just said to make sure the two of you are on the same page. As your stylist is cutting, ask what techniques he or she is using and take note of what he or she is doing. Note which styling tools and products your stylist uses, and don’t be afraid to ask him or her to show you again how to style the haircut. Knowing how to style your hair at home is as important as finding the right cut. If you’re pleased with the outcome of your appointment, be sure to tip your stylist well and make the appointment for your next trim before you leave.

Finding the perfect hairstyle for your looks and your life is as simple as knowing what you want and how to get it. While finding the right haircut and the right stylist may take some effort at first, the increased confidence you’ll feel because you know you’re looking your best will be worth it in the end.