Fashion + Beauty

Friday, November 20, 2009

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How to Avoid a Bad Haircut

Over on Lemondrop, Brooke Van Poppelen wondered if karma played a role in her hairdresser getting hit by a car (okay, tapped by a car) shortly after giving her a bad haircut. Brooke was almost pleased by this, and asked, "Am I the worst person ever?"

Erm, let us get back to you on that. What we can tell you all is that bad cuts are avoidable. Here's what stylist Edward Tricomi of the Warren-Tricomi salon in New York City told us about getting the right cut. Study up, and you won't leave the salon hoping a Chrysler sloppily pulls out of a parking lot when your stylist runs to get his or her third Starbucks.

The 10 Biggest Short Hair Mistakes

1. Act it out. "Avoid talking in terms of inches. Measurements might be scientific, but they're subjective when no one is pulling out a ruler. If you have hair to your collarbone and want it cut to shoulder length, pull your hair up to that exact point."

2. Show more than tell. "Stylists are visual people. Showing a photo or a magazine picture of the look you want is practically foolproof. This is especially crucial when dealing with color, since requesting 'light' streaks could mean you want them lightly placed or bright and pale."

3. Be honest. "Like a doctor who needs to know your medical history to treat you properly, stylists need to know your daily grooming habits to determine the best cut and color. So when asked if you blow-dry every day, tell the truth. The cut you want may be high maintenance, and you won't get the same effect if you air-dry."

4. Cut your losses before your hair.
"If you can't come to an agreement or if you're not comfortable with your stylist's suggestions, tell him politely that you're not ready to make a change, and then seek a second opinion. As in every type of relationship, some stylists and clients just rub each other the wrong way."

5. Pay attention in the chair. "It is not the time to flip through a magazine, make calls on your cell, or slip into a catnap. While your stylist is working, watch in the mirror, and don't be afraid to ask questions or make suggestions."

The 13 Hottest Haircuts to Get Right Now

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Comments 1-10 of 167
  • Future Pet Vet's Avatar
    Posted by Future Pet Vet Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:14pm PST

    These sound like good tips. I don't get my hair cut though.

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  • miyat's Avatar
    Posted by miyat Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:17pm PST

    great ideas , hope i can read more tips from u guys,,it really helps,,thanks and more power

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  • ohgoditskatrina's Avatar
    Posted by ohgoditskatrina Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:23pm PST

    I saw a mishap concerning number 3. This should tell you how extremely important it is to be completely honest with your stylist...

    Once a few years ago, I was getting my haircut and watching this older woman interact with her stylist. The woman was getting a perm and the stylist asked if her hair was dyed. The woman, being obviously embarrassed of having grey hair, told her that it was her natural hair color. The stylist didn't believe her and said, "You're sure there's no dye in your hair?". Again, the woman tells her "no". Once the perming process started, it didn't take long for her hair to start falling out. The woman started screaming and berating the stylist. Finally the stylist got so angry that she yelled, "WELL, IF YOU HAD TOLD ME THAT YOUR HAIR WAS DYED THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED."

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  • Diann S's Avatar
    Posted by Diann S Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:50pm PST

    my stylists turns me away from the mirror -__- but now when i ask for cuts im usually ready to loose at least three inches aka everything i have grown form the last visit

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  • M M's Avatar
    Posted by M M Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:53pm PST

    Still the stylist's fault to a degree. When asking questions and having doubts, they need to say why it's important to tell the truth. If she had said, "Well, if you did use hair dye your hair will fall out when I perm it." I'm sure that would have made a world of difference in honesty.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:55pm PST

    My comment to this is, go to my barber in San Jose. Her name is Latisha Williams, I guarantee you, will not be disatisfied with your cut. Go to myspace and look her up. she can cut you up any style you like and you'll like it.

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  • Lord's Avatar
    Posted by Lord Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:05pm PST

    what about guys?!

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  • Sherbear's Avatar
    Posted by Sherbear Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:23pm PST

    I like the idea of taking a picture with you. Like you said, a stylist understands visual presentations. I tell my boyfriend to take a picture of himself when he is happy with the haircut he has. Then take that with him the next time. He usually gets a different stylist every time he goes anyway.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:57pm PST

    always remember that not everhaircut you see in a book will look good on you. I am a hairstylist and i have the issue of letting some people know that they might not look like Angelina Jolie. Best to find pics of the same texture and hair type that you have. That helps the hairstylist. I am very efficent when doing a consult and normally cut little less and then see if they really want to take the full amount off. works 99% of the time, and then you can feel better when we dont cut too much.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:02pm PST

    The difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about 2 weeks.

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