Should You Get a Haircut?

Hair length is one of those societal preferences that varies over time-in the 1970's, long hair and facial hair was very much in vogue, in the 1980's frizzy and "perm" hair was considered fashionable (see: Madonna), but by the late 1990's a more clean and short approach was considered stylish (many "boy bands" had short haircuts; see Justin Timberlake around this time period for an example).

So, should you keep your hair long or short? There are a lot of different factors to take into account, and not all of them have to do with what's in vogue. Sometimes, a person just looks better with long hair-for someone else, however, a short crew cut may be precisely the fashion statement to set you apart from everyone else.

Pragmatic considerations are also there: with short hair, there is less maintenance and you won't always have to even comb your hair or blowdry it before going to work.

Your head shape is also important-sometimes, a person with a "small" head feels more comfortable with a large, full-bodied hairstyle. This makes the person's head appear larger, and also serves to diminish facial features. Conversely, a short haircut makes a "large" head appear more normal sized and also brings the focus to key facial features such as your eye brows, nose, and lips.

Also, there may be work considerations: if you are a polished corporate lawyer, growing long hair and a beard "Moses style" may not be the best decision-whereas if you are a biblical scholar, it may be exactly the right decision. Soldiers, for example, are required to keep short haircuts for a variety of reasons. Rockstars, on the other hand, like to keep hair long because it shows they don't have to fit into any sort of societal or career mold. Long hair also "sexualizes" the person, making him or her appear exotic to others-and more intriguing on a magazine cover.

So before you get a haircut, think twice: do you want to put some time into a fabulous long hair statement, or is your fast-paced lifestyle perfectly matched to a low-maintenance crew cut? Also consult with friends and your significant other as they may have valuable input-a certified hairstylist can also provide you with good feedback. Especially at high-end hair salons like Aveda or Regis, many of the stylists have years of experience and can help you figure out which approach will accent your facial features and overall "look" the best. Happy cutting!