There are plenty of universal girl experiences, but is anything worse than falling in love with someone else’s haircut…only to realize (far too late) that it’s *not* for you? Take it from me. My attempt at an Anna Wintour-esque bob with blunt bangs was a hard no (and there’s photographic evidence to back it up).
But here’s the good news: You can make smarter decisions when it comes to a snip, especially when you’re trying out trends. The ’do that’s meant for you? It goes like this…
Find your face shape
Look in the mirror and trace the outline of your face with a dry-erase marker, says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante. See a square or rectangle? Snag a style that softens the edges around your forehead and jaw (like a wavy shag with wispy fringe).
Round faces look great with longer lengths that help draw the eye down (try a shoulder-grazing bob). Heart-shaped sweeties may want to minimize width at the top and add movement at the chin (think blunt bangs and wavy layers). Oval? You can do anything—waves, full fringe, bobs.
Embrace your texture
Think about how your hair air-dries: Is it straight, wavy, curly or coily? “Your texture sets the tone,” explains hairstylist Laura Polko. “Straight hair works well with blunt cuts, while layers bring out the natural movement of wavy hair. Curly hair thrives with shape and structure.”
Keep it real
Before your stylist even picks up the scissors, be sure to ask questions like, “How often will I need trims?” and “What styling tools/products will I need for this cut?” Take those effortless waves that give every cool girl lob its lush look:
You’ll be setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier to achieve them (and becoming besties with your flat and curling irons). And if you can’t see yourself making frequent trips to the salon? Pixies and bangs might not be the call.
Get a cut above
Now that you’ve settled on your dream cut, bust out some inspo photos to confirm that you and your stylist are on the same page (this is definitely not the time for any confusion—the definition of “long layers” can vary wildly). Then, sit back and get ready to bask in the compliments, babe.
The hair you’re about to see everywhere
The perfect visual representation of what you’ll as your stylist for? Convenient!
Italian lob
Works best for: Oval, square and heart-shaped faces. Straight or wavy hair.
Ask your stylist for: Shoulder-length hair with subtle layers to give you extra body.
Pretty pixie
Works best for: Round and square faces. All types of hair.
Ask your stylist for: A cropped pixie with texture and movement.
Round, full curls
Works best for: All face shapes. Curly or coily hair.
Ask your stylist for: A rounded shape that adds volume and fullness. They may adjust the length or layers depending on the thickness of your hair.
Extra-long beachy waves
Works best for: All face shapes. Straight and wavy hair (if you have fine hair, you may need hot tools to achieve this texture).
Ask your stylist for: Extra-long layers with soft movement throughout.
Blunt bob
Works best for: All face shapes. Straight and wavy hair.
Ask your stylist for: A blunt cut tailored to your face shape—and ask what length is most flattering.
Flippy bixie
Works best for: Oval, square and heart-shaped faces. Straight, wavy and curly hair.
Ask your stylist for: A textured cut with a mix of bob and pixie elements.
Full at the bottom
Works best for: All face shapes. Coily hair.
Ask your stylist for: Texture throughout without losing thickness at the bottom.
Face-framing layers
Works best for: Literally everyone.
Ask your stylist for: Long layers with curtain bangs.
Follow us on IG @girlslife for more inspo for your next hair appointment!
Searching for more hair inspo? We’ve got it here:
✨ Everything you need to know about hair gloss
✨ Hair perfumes that actually last all day (and make you smell amazing)
✨ This is how to get your shiniest, healthiest hair ever
