How To Get A Perfect Haircut: Tips For Women

Ladies, let's face it - a bad hair day means that the entire day is just going to be miserable. We would just be better off crawling back into bed or maybe hopping back in the shower to start our hairstyling from scratch. The basis for ensuring that you enjoy good hair days is to take the necessary steps to get a good haircut. Below are some tips to help you get the perfect 'do.

1. Think about what you want/need your hair to do. If you're a mom to 3 young kids, you probably don't have a ton of time to upkeep your hair, so you have to take that into consideration. If you have never had short hair and are petrified at the thought of showing off your neck with a pixie cut, then definitely keep that in mind. Think about how comfortable you are with change, how comfortable you are with styling products and tools.

2. Research. Look at hairstyle magazines. Look at pictures of celebrities. Take notice of hairstyles you see while you're out and about. Having an actual picture in hand for a stylist to look at is very helpful.

3. Get to know your face shape and your hair type. Pull all of your hair back and look at your face. What shape is your face -- oval, square, round, heart? The different shapes can make particular hairstyles work or fail. Then play with your hair and try to ascertain if it's fine, normal, or thick. Also, is it straight, wavy or curly? Do you have minimal hair or tons of it? All of these things can factor into the success of a hairstyle.

4. Find a good salon and stylist -- This can be tricky, but it can be done. When you see a lady who has a cute hairstyle, ask her where she goes and who she sees. Also, look at hair magazines. Many of them feature pictures of hairstyles from salons across the country. There might be one from your area featured. If your community has a "style" magazine, check out their features and lists of "best of the area". Their rankings of the top salons in the city might be a good guide for you.

5. The other thing that is crucial is to set up an initial consultation with the stylist. This is where you go in and just talk - no cutting or coloring allowed on this visit! Show the stylist pictures that you have gathered of hairstyles that you like. Let him/her play with your hair a little to get a feel for your hair's texture, volume, etc. (Also, is their evaluation matching up with what you discovered when you evaluated your own hair?) Describe your lifestyle and what you want/need your hair to do. See if your personality "jives" the stylist's personality. The consultation should take 5 to 15 minutes and then you can go home and think about your experience in the salon.

6. Book the appointment. If you are pleased with the consultation, then book the appointment. When setting up your appointment, pick a time when you will be relaxed and not rushed. A hair appointment should be a time for pampering, not for stressing and freaking out. Also, inquire about the fees/prices for the services that you want to have done. (Don't forget that many salons charge extra for blow dry and style after a cut.)

7. Appointment day tips - show up a few minutes early with your picture(s) in hand. Make sure to review what you discussed during the consultation. Pay attention to what the stylist is doing. If you don't feel comfortable with something, SPEAK UP! It's your hair - so don't be timid. When the appointment is done - remember to tip the stylist. Also, if you are very pleased, be sure to tell the stylist that you will be recommending him/her to all of your friends.

Good luck!