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.