Am I too old for long hair?
There comes a time in every woman’s life when she wonders whether she should have herhair cut short because she feels that maybe she is too old for long hair! What I’m about to say may not be what you would expect a hairdresser to say, but of course I am not any ordinary hairdresser ( Lol is the text expression generally used after such a statement) I believe that you should only cut your hair short if it’s really what you want to do. Hair has a very powerful impact on your psyche. Having long hair makes a lot of women feel younger, sexier and more feminine. Our successful hair extension business is testament to that. Hair can be used as a tool of adornment and provocation and as a sign of vitality. Most of us do not consider this as it all takes place at a deeper subconscious level. Vitality is the key, however as if your long hair looks tired, has no style and hangs down like a pair of curtains it can be terribly aging. But longer hair, well-conditioned and styled can be very youthful.
Source: tumblr.com via simon on Pinterest
Same as last time?
Always insist on a consultation when you visit a salon even if you are a regular guest of that particular salon. A Consultation without a gown around you – they need to see who you are, how you are expressing your personality. If its your first time try not to go in work cloths and if you usually wear makeup don’t go bare faced. If your stylist say’s ‘same as last time’ you know it’s time to find a new hairdresser. If one of my guests has her hair in a certain way I may suggest tweaking it and subtly changing it according to fashion, adjusting it to the seasons or adapting to the changes in the contours of her face and body. Your hairdresser should be assertive enough to give advice that is honest rather than passive and complicit enabling you to seek their council on the ‘long – short’ issue with confidence.
Time Warp
One of the biggest mistakes is hanging onto the same haircut for too long. It not only looks like you are in a time warp, but you are hanging onto the past when your body is shouting toeveryone but you to move on.
What I check out, in a consultation:
- Face shape, I discussed in detail last month’s article ‘Fringe benefits’ on how to discover your true face shape and styles to suit.
- Body shape, Yes I do look at your body when you walk to the styling chair and when you are sat down which is why a gown wrapped around you at this stage is a definite no no. Many stylists will judge a good cut by what is on your head while a barber by what’s on the floor but a perfect hair cut should complement your body shape, make you look taller, more petite, narrow or widen your shoulders, reduce your neck length or give you one, balance a big bum or give you curves you never thought you had.
- Profile: Large or small features can be exaggerated or disguised and this is the art of a great cutter
- Head shape: I like to feel your head shape, nothing to do with Cranial therapy, but because everyone’s head is different and is made up of planes or flat spots. Haircutting is about geometry and balance, working with these planes, ensuring the hair length is adjusted accordingly, and perceptually enlarging or reducing the size of your head.
- Lifestyle: Even if you have a very busy lifestyle, we all want the same thing – a hairstyle we can maintain. It is important however for your hairdresser to understand what time you are able to commit to your hair before finalising a design and cutting. The ideal style is low maintenance that can be transformed in those moments when you have a little more ‘me time ‘to create a fashionable flick, hair up or a blown out and curled up number.
Salons can be a daunting environment with a language of their own and characters a plenty from the downright rude to the ridiculous. But generally salons are full of professionals that take their craft very seriously and want to make you happy, so happy that you will tell all your friends.
Best
Simon
