How to Get the Haircut You Want from Your Stylist

Most women have had a horrible experience at the salon, expecting to strut out feeling like a million bucks, only to walk out fighting back the tears. Here's a guide on how to get the haircut and style you want without any frustration and tears.

1. Think it Over

If you're thinking about undergoing a hair change that entails a new cut, color, or any other chemical process than give yourself at least a week to really think about your decision. If you find that it was just a passing fancy that you had after seeing a woman with a cute pixie, than you might want to think further on it, if however you've been picturing yourself with the new style and you feel like you're ready for a change than go for it.

2. Prepare in Advance

After you have an idea of what you want to look for head for your drugstore and pick up a couple of fashion magazines. Search for pictures of people who have the specific cut and style you want. While it is necessary to look for pictures of people who have the style you desire, it's also of equal importance to search for people who have similar face shapes, features, skin tones, hair texture and coloring when you're considering a cut and color.

If you can't find a picture of exactly the same style you want, find one that's as close as possible, you can explain the details when you're with your stylist. But when it comes to color find exactly what you want, because color is more abstract and every person interprets it differently. So even though you ask your stylist for cappuccino highlights you might wind up with a shade two shades lighter or darker than what you expected, so err on the side of caution.

All of these pictures should be taken with you to the salon, as well as pictures of a couple of other options that you're willing to try, just in case your stylist still doesn't think that your first pick will look stellar on you.

3. Consult With The Stylist Beforehand

If you're using a new stylist for any service especially a drastic one, make sure to always take advantage of the consultation process, even if some salon's charge for them. It's the only time that you both can really communicate with each other before they get their hands on you

Whether you're consulting with a new stylist or your old one, it's important for you to get across as best you can exactly what style, cut, and color you're going for. If you're trying to achieve a certain look and you want to become sexier, modern, or more casual then also tell them that. Also make sure to express your lifestyle and ask whether or not they believe the style and maintenance of it is going to fit in with it.

Throughout the consultation your stylist should be responsive and receptive to your questions and should be giving you his/her honest opinions on whether the style is going to flatter you and giving you suggestions. They should also give you a realistic idea about what you're going to be able to expect after taking into consideration your individual traits, hair texture and health.

If you feel like the stylist is doubtful about whether he/she can give you what you want, but isn't really coming up with other options than you might want to reconsider the style or the stylist. But if you feel like the stylist is trying to rush through the consultation or doesn't want to answer your questions out of arrogance than you might want to walk away, because this stylist probably won't be taking your needs and desires into consideration and will do what he/she wants to your hair. So if you feel uncomfortable with them, don't hesitate to politely decline the service and walk away. Even if you feel bad about it at the time or waste a few bucks, just remember how worse you'd feel if you went ahead with the service and had to wear a hat until your hair grew out.