You have ideas about haircuts you admire — but what type of haircut will actually look good on you and work with your lifestyle?
“I always ask first, ‘How do you take care of your hair at home?’” says Tara Vargo, stylist and manager of Stella & Shay Beauty Bar in Lakewood. She wants to know your full routine.
The next step: Ditch the Pinterest board. Those styles have been styled. “Don’t expect a style you see in a picture to be low-maintenance because those photos are set up, photoshopped or filtered,” she says.
The best hairstyle for you is one that suits your face shape and features, accommodates your lifestyle and is realistic for you to maintain. Here’s how to walk through the selection process with your stylist.
About Face
A long face needs a hairstyle that adds volume on the sides. A round face or wide jaw can use a lengthening ‘do to create balance. If you want to de-emphasize a facial features, choose a haircut that frames your face with soft layers and avoid the hard lines of a one-length cut. “If you diffuse lines with angling along the cheek or jawbone, it will draw the eye to those areas,” Vargo explains.
An easy-care cut that looks good on most everyone is the lob. This textured, layered, face-framing bob can involve full or side bangs, as well. “The length can go anywhere from the collarbone to mid-chest,” Vargo says.
Real-Life Maintenance
“Take into consideration your home life, your work life — if you have young children, how much time can you spend styling your hair? If you’re a nurse and you wear a ponytail every day, you don’t want short layers that causes hair to fall out and become a nuisance,” Vargo says.
Also, how often can you get to the salon for a cut or color? A bob can require maintenance every six weeks, while a more “organic cut” with layers can give you more time between salon visits.
Tools that Work
Professional products that “multi-task” can free up at-home styling time, Vargo says. “Follow the care recommendations of your stylist,” she adds, relating that the shampoo, conditioner and styling aids you use do make a difference. “You are spending good money on a cut and color, so you don’t want to use stuff at home that is not professional product.”
18255 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-777-0345, stellaandshay.com
