As you know, I am not a professional hair stylist, although I would have enjoyed it, helping people look amazing. Anyhow, with my experience in the modelling industry, doing makeovers, photoshoots and teaching self improvement classes, I am able to recognize when it is time to make a hair change.
To start, on that note, hair requires constant change. Hair should always be moving, transforming, changing and evolving. Why? Because people are always changing, hair styles are changing, trends are changing, techniques, colours and products are changing, evolving and improving. Therefore, we should always be moving along with it.
So with that said, this is a good time to take a fresh look in the mirror and consider where you are with your hair. Importantly, you will need to be open to change. Even a small change can bring incredible results.
Please know that with this post (and all of my posts) is to encourage change, self improvement and build your self confidence. I sincerely want you to look your absolute very best. Why wouldn’t I? I say this because I have experienced some resistance and sensitivities with women about their hair, makeup etc. when I was teaching self improvement classes. Women would pay to come to class to learn self improvement, however, what I found, is that they were resistant to change. This didn’t quite make sense to me. Why pay for a self improvement class if you want to keep your hair, makeup etc. exactly as it is?
For example, I remember one lady in my class that either did not wear makeup or very little. Side note, everyone looks better with makeup. Maybe that is an idea for another post! Anyway, I digress. In the makeup class, I did her makeup in a very natural, fresh way, and she looked so pretty… and she didn’t like it. She was very vocal about that. I believe that because she was so used to seeing herself in a certain way, looking different was ‘wrong’ to her. She was so used to looking at herself with practically zero makeup, that anything more than practically zero makeup was too much makeup. Even though she looked so good, she couldn’t see what I saw. My point is, it is important to look at yourself with a new set of eyes, be open to consider a change and something different, as different can be better.
So here are some hair thoughts to consider…
We get stuck in hair ruts. When women have the wrong hairstyle or colour, I believe it is because of being stuck in a hair rut. Getting stuck in a hair rut can typically occur if you go to the same hairstylist year after year. So, if you haven’t changed your hair stylist in the last five years, I would highly recommend you do so. Go to a brand new stylist and ask THEM what they would recommend for you, your hair, your colouring, your face shape etc. Of course book a consultation first and then decide if you feel comfortable with and trust the stylist.
I want to take a moment to say that if your current stylist or a new stylist has recommended a change to your hair, really listen to what they are saying to understand ‘why’ they are recommending whatever it is. There must be a reason. Be open. I doubt they are recommending a change to make you look worse right? They may see something you don’t see because when we see ourselves every day, it can be hard sometimes to recognize when it’s time for a change. Remember, this is their job, they are trained in their field, they have more experience, knowledge and expertise than you do.
I will also say that hairstylists can get stuck in a hair rut. If your hairstylist is not actively training, studying, learning, improving their craft, keeping current, up to date and are passionate, that is a concern for you. It is also a concern if you ask for the same haircut or colour over and over and the hairstylist obliges without providing new ideas or recommendations for you to consider, maybe so they don’t loose you as a client? That is not looking out for your best interest.
To help jump start your hair journey, I have put together a list of questions to ask yourself. If you answer yes to one (or more) of these questions, perhaps consider the benefits of a hair update.
| Question to ask yourself | Considerations | Solution | |
| #1 | Do you always tuck your hair behind your ears? | Always wearing your hair tucked behind your ears, is not a ‘hair style’. I know saying this may be sensitive because I see a lot of women that wear their hair this way. This tends to lean to appear more girly than sophisticated or elegant. Please know that if you have the right hair cut for your hair, you should not have to tuck it behind your ears. So if you do, this is a sign that your style isn’t right for your hair texture, length or lifestyle. | Try layers around your face or long side-swept bangs or a shorter hair style. If you want to keep length, the goal is that you want your hair to fall softly and loosely down the sides of your face without the requirement to tuck. |
| #2 | Are you always putting your hair in a ponytail (other than as a vocational requirement)? | Similar to #1, always wearing your hair in a ponytail is not a ‘hair style’. This is a sign that you either 1: do not have the lifestyle where you can wear your hair down or 2. you actually don’t like the way you look with your hair down. With respect to 1: your lifestyle does not allow the time to spend to style your hair. With respect to 2: your face shape may be a factor as to why you subconsciously do not feel you look quite right when your hair is down. | Try a shorter hair style or go for layers if you want to keep it longer so your hair is not so heavy. I had a friend that always and everywhere wore her hair in a hair comb clip-thing. I believe she subconsciously did this because it actually suited her face shape better when her hair was off her face and she should have had short hair. |
| #3 | Are you afraid of layers? | I think there is a ‘layer fear’ out there that it will be hard to grow out if you layer it and don’t like it. Why would you not like it and why would you need to grow it out? | I believe that most women look better with layers. Layers around the face provide a soft look that is flattering (see pic below). Also layering everywhere, if done right, does not have to be obvious you have layers, yet your hair will lay and flow better and can be useful for styling time. |
| #4 | Do you have a hair style without considering your face shape and/or neck? | You may have or want a particular hair style, however, it may not be the best choice for your face shape. Your neck also plays a factor and should be a consideration in your hair style. | Choose a style that highlights your best features (your eyes, nose, high cheekbones, jawline) and minimizes features you may want to conceal. If you have a longer or wider neck, wearing your hair past your shoulders is more flattering than above your shoulders (as this will accentuate the neck) |
| #5 | Are your bangs cut straight across and do not blend with the rest of your hair? | Straight across bangs with longer hair straight down the sides (and often is tucked behind the ears) is a common style I see women wearing and leans toward girly; it is not modern, can date you and your look and is not flattering. | Straight across bangs can work if you are younger (under 30) and have a hip, funky style you can pull off. Otherwise, it is more flattering and feminine to have bangs that are softer, longer layers or side-swept; in addition, the bangs should be cut to nicely blend with the rest of your hair (see pic below). |
| #6 | Is your hair colour too many shades lighter or darker than your natural colour? | Your skin tone, eyebrows and natural hair colour you were born with all work together nicely. If you go too many shades lighter or darker than your natural hair colour, it will work against your skin tone, eyebrows and is setting you off-course (your eyebrows will tell the story). Too dark or too blonde in either direction can wash you out, be aging and not the most flattering. | Avoid a one colour tonal hair colour. Dimension is the key to achieve the most flattering. Move closer to your natural colour and add highlights or lowlights, this is flattering on every one. Instead of jet black, opt for dark brown. Blonde is beautiful, ensure it is more ash blonde or whiter blonde (see pic below). Yellow blonde is not flattering on any skin tone. Google Nicole Kidman, she has had one-tone too light blonde and yellow blonde …why this colour? |
#7 | Have you had the same exact hair style or colour for more than 5 years ? | It would be unusual that the same colour and/or hair style will work as well now as it did 5 years ago. Unfortunately, you are in a hair rut. | See a new stylist and ask their opinion. If you are afraid of a major change, take baby steps. Even small changes can give you an updated look and an instant lift. |
#8 | Is your hair a colour not a real colour? | If you are young and going for pink, blue, purple or other hip colour, I love that look, so wish I could do that! Otherwise, whether the colour is done by an inexperienced stylist or an at home colour kit, you can end up with a strange colour that is not in the realm of a natural ‘real’ hair colour. What I mean by ‘real’ hair colour is colour that someone would actually have naturally. | Go to an experienced stylist that can give you a beautiful colour with highlights or lowlights. The goal is to have a rich beautiful colour that is shiny and healthy, rather than a dull, unnatural colour (see pic below) |
Karen’s tip: I see many women with the back of their hair cut straight across and I am puzzled why stylists cut it this way. Hair does not grow that way naturally. I would like you to consider growing or cutting your hair in a U shape or a soft V shape. I think this is a very soft, natural and feminine look.
Final Thoughts
Not many more thoughts! This was kind of long, thank you for your hanging with me to the end 🙂 I sincerely hope you found this helpful and that it perhaps will motivate you to start your own hair journey. If you have thought about making a change for a while and were afraid to take a leap of faith, now is the perfect time! Why not? What is the downside? It would be amazing if you try something new and you absolutely love it! If so, please let me know!
All the best and until next time…
