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5 Steps To Fix A bad Haircut

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While there is nothing wrong with being upset and angry about a bad haircut or hairstyle, the way that you react to the situation can sometimes make it worse. To ensure that you get the outcome and results that you deserve, take a look at our guide for what to do about your reaction to a bad hairstyle.

Here are some recommended steps that you should explore if you ever receive a bad haircut:

1. Don’t Take Action Against the Stylist/Salon Involved in the Heat of the Moment

Okay, you’ve just had your new hairstyle and you absolutely hate it. What went wrong? What don’t you like about it? Is your hair damaged and feels like it’s ready to break off? Unless your hair is in a damaged state, there are definitely some steps that you can consider taking before resorting to what I would consider to be the last resort, litigation.

  • Give yourself some time to get used to the new hairstyle
  • Try styling your hair more towards how you are used to having it. Little styling adjustments sometimes make all the difference
  • Get another opinion from your partner/family or friends. Sometimes some reassurance can make you feel better
  • Call up the salon that you went to and ask to speak with the stylist that did your hair. Explain to them as clearly as possible what you dislike and then ask what options are available for you to change it
  • If you find that speaking with your stylist has not helped, ask to speak with the manager or owner. As a paying client you are entitled to receive a level of service and satisfaction
  • If speaking with the owner fails, then go to another salon for advice

Most Salons want to help you out

If you are invited back to the salon you should go in. Unless you have been injured/assaulted or badly offended, it makes more sense to go to where the problem was created in the first place. They have the best chance of correcting whatever was done wrong the 1st time around.

It’s a pretty good bet that they won’t be happy that you’re upset and unsatisfied with your hairstyle and will want to listen or try to help you. What if they cut your hair too short you might ask? Of course it’s not possible to bring that length back instantly, but your hairdresser might still salvage it by styling your hair better.

Reaching out to the salon or its manager is the better course of action for another good reason. If the stylist needs further training and guidance by the manager then it would definitely help future customers from facing any difficulty like you did. Moreover, the stylist might get some needed training that will even benefit the salon in the long run, given the fact that almost all the businesses in the country and all over the world – big or small are struggling to keep afloat due to the pandemic.

2. Don’t Think That Hiding Is Your Only Option!

If you have paid for a hairstyle service you are entitled to the following:

  • What you have asked and settled for
  • Professional hair care and advice
  • Customer service
  • A relaxing enjoyable experience
  • To be happy with your new haircut

So, if you are not happy with your new hairstyle you need to discuss this with your stylist. Only if you let them know can they possibly help you. All too often, clients get a new hairstyle and are too afraid to complain or go back to their stylist fearing that they might trouble them. What about you? Is it okay that you are upset and plan to stay that way for quite some time? No, it does not make sense for two main reasons:

  • You may be able to change your hairstyle to what you are more comfortable with.
  • You need to give your stylist the opportunity to get it right. They probably would not have the slightest idea that you are unhappy until they see that you have not returned.

You don’t have to feel bad, be frightened or be aggressive and rude to get your point across. Hiding away will not fix the problem. You need to be positive about this, take action and get it fixed.

What to Do

If you are unhappy with a new hairstyle, call up the salon and speak with your hairstylist. Don’t just accept that it cannot be changed or altered in some way. Don’t be frightened to give your hairstylist the first opportunity to make it right. Hiding away will not make it better and is not the answer.

3. Give Yourself Some Time Before Deciding to Fix It/Change It Immediately

It’s only natural to be disappointed if your new hairstyle is not what you had hoped for. First of all, remember to give yourself some time to get used to the new look before moving forward to your next option too fast! As with any change in your life, all new hairstyles will take a little bit of time to sink in and feel okay to you. The amount of time it takes to adjust is different for everybody and depends on some of the following factors:

How big the hairstyle change is

For example, going from long hair to short or from blonde to dark, subtle to bright are all opposites and contrasting and will take you longer to adjust to and visually accept as being connected and a part of you.

How you are feeling emotionally on that day

If you are stressed, rushed or have had an altercation with someone earlier, then chances are that your new hairstyle could look much worse than it actually is. Remember, negative thoughts or dialogue can distort your perception of reality.

Negative comments from other people

Negative comments and remarks from other people cannot only be upsetting, but be more damaging to you on a subconscious level than you would believe. The human brain has an amazing ability to select and zoom in on what it wants to hear. When Aunty Mary tells you that your new hairstyle is different or asks what have you done to yourself? Her words can have a long lasting effect on you.

If you were already frightened to change your hairstyle and subconsciously resisted it, telling yourself why it wouldn’t be good to change, then Aunty Mary’s words have just hit a home run big time by confirming and justifying to you all of your negative thoughts.

You should instead ask yourself what other agendas people have when offering their opinions. Is it simply that they do not have the fashion sense or the courage to do what you have just done? That’s the most likely reason!

After allowing yourself a good night’s sleep or preferably a few days to get used to your new hairstyle, the chances are that you will feel differently about the whole thing. If not, then it’s time to explore your other options.

You should contact the very person that was responsible for your new hairstyle, your stylist. Try and be as clear and specific as possible about how you feel about the hairstyle. Tell them what you don’t like and for what reason. Don’t be frightened that you may upset them; you won’t if you are not rude and too personal. Avoid saying things such as you ruined my hair or you made a mistake, etc. Instead say how you feel about your hairstyle and why you don’t like it.

It’s better to keep your relationship with them amicable because once they do fix your hairstyle you will almost surely feel guilty of being rude to them. Also, hair stylists (not all!) tend to take things very personally when things go wrong. Being a perfectionist is not only a part of their training, but their very being!

If you feel that talking to your stylist has not helped, speak with the manager or owner. If that also fails, then reach out to a different salon for suggestions. Remember, advice should be given to you for free. You should call up another salon that you know through friends or word of mouth is reputable, and then make an appointment for some advice and options.

What to Do

Being disappointed with a new hairstyle is natural if things are not what you expected them to be. However, you really first need to give yourself some time for adjusting and getting used to your new hairstyle, and then you should do something about it. See your original stylist first, if that doesn’t work then it’s time to see a new hair care professional.

4. Let the New Style Sink in Before Re-evaluating

As with any change in your life, all new hairstyles will take a little bit of time to sink in and feel okay to you. It’s good to see that you understand that with time you could see the new hairstyle change differently. The amount of time it takes to adjust is different for everyone.

What to Do

You are correct and on the ball to allow yourself a few days to get used to your new hairstyle before deciding that you really hate it and want to change it. This approach is sensible.

5. Let the New Hairstyle Grow Out and Get Over the Situation

Now if this does not happen to you then you are actually worse off than before you started. You should make a point of speaking with your stylist at your earliest convenience to discuss what can be done to change your result.

What to Do

Even If you have received a bad hairstyle, you are entitled to get what you have paid for and set out to achieve – a new hairstyle that will make you feel wonderful. Don’t settle for anything less!

Parting Words

Bad experiences are a part of life and it can often feel like the end of the world especially when it comes to your hair. Your reaction to the bad haircut can amplify the negative emotions that you feel with the haircut.

Give our 5 step process to salvage a bad haircut a go and if your experience isn’t as you expected, having positive thoughts that your bad haircut is only temporary can help.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, check out ‘Damaged Hair | How to care for it‘, where we outline what could be damaging your hair and give you advice on how to care for your hair.

Images are sourced from Shutterstock.

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    FRequently Asked Questions

    Women Hair Advice

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    many miracle treatments are on the market that claim to have properties that will seal your split ends, however I am here to tell you that they are of a cosmetic nature only, filling the hair with silicones mostly to make it look and feel better. While some of these products will indeed help protect the hair from the elements, the split end needs to be amputated, cut off and removed as the best cause of action.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Yes, if you don’t cut off, remove the split ends they will travel up the hair shaft and cause more damage due to how the inside layer (the cortex) is exposed to all elements and the sun. Cutting split ends seals the hair, and is actually the best way to get longer hair because as it grows it won’t break off.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Naturally coarse wiry hair is what many people are born with unless you have damaged your hair from overusing chemicals, heat appliances, or the environment.

    The hair can feel dry because of how the cuticle sticks out at 45 degree angles, and also because of this, it is easy for coarse curly hair to actually dry out.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Curly hair that is coarse needs to be carefully cut all starting with a plan based around the type of curl, length of the hair, and then a person’s face shape, lifestyle, home hair care options, and available time.

    Some great haircuts for curly hair include

    • Short shaped afros
    • Short layer cuts
    • Undercuts
    • Medium layered Bobs
    • Layered Lobs
    • Long layer cuts
    • Curly curtain bangs
    • Side swept bangs
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    The best haircuts for coarse wavy hair vary depending on the length of the hair, and some of these include;

    • Short Crops
    • Short Pixie cuts
    • Short layer cuts
    • Medium Lobs and Shags (avoid razor cutting)
    • Medium layered Bobs
    • Long layered hairstyles
    • Wavy Curtain Bangs
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Great haircuts for straight coarse hair include some of the following

    • Short crops
    • Pixie cuts
    • Layer Cuts
    • Razor cut Shags
    • Graduated Bobs
    • Layered Lobs
    • Classic long stacked layer cuts
    • Choppy cuts
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Getting the best haircut for coarse hair depends on the texture and condition of the hair. Further to this, the best haircut for coarse hair also depends on a person’s face shape, personality, lifestyle, and other important factors.

    The best haircut for coarse hair is one that helps keep it in shape without too much work or effort.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    There are many hairstyles that work perfectly for fine hair types, making the hair looker thicker, more solid, even without any body and these include:

    • Short Precision Bob Cuts
    • Wedge Cuts, or Pixie Bobs as they are also known.
    • Angled Bobs
    • Geometric Bobs
    • Bob Cuts with bangs
    • Mid length bangs
    • Blunt cuts
    • Deep side part
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    If you have fine hair you should avoid some of the following things:

    • Using shampoos and conditioners that have too much moisture in them as this will make your fine hair flat and dull.
    • Don’t overuse hair color and chemicals as this will damage your hair
    • Only use heat styling aids occasionally on your fine hair otherwise this will lead to damage.
    • If you have straight fine hair, avoid getting layers particularly if your hair is medium or long.
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Straight hair can be cut in many ways, using a variety of haircutting techniques such as blunt cutting, sliced edges, chipping, razor cutting, layering, tapering, and much more, all on short, medium, and long hair lengths.

    Straight hair is easy to work with, but consideration must be given to how it falls naturally, working with the amount of hair, all against a person face shape, lifestyle, and personality

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Curly hair comes in 3 ranges that include

    1. Loose curls
    2. Tight curls
    3. Coily curls
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    The answer to this often-asked question is that

    • Long curly hair tends to behave better due to how gravity weighs it down, making it tame and looking amazing, however it does take more work to keep it healthy and looking great
    • Short curly hair can look incredible when the right haircut has been created on the right face shape, personality, and that considers a person’s lifestyle factors. Short curly hair is also easy to style and maintain.
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    Layer cuts on curly hair are great at defining curls, allowing movement and bounce from eliminating weight. Layering curly hair is definitely good, and all about adding shape to create a hairstyle that will suit the individual.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    There a number of ways to make straight hair change to curly or wavy, however they can be grouped into two categories.

    1. Non-Permanent, using thermal appliances such as hot irons, curling tongs, hot rollers, or curling the hair when it’s wet on round shapes (rollers overnight) will change the texture of hair when it dries. These new curls on your once straight hair will only last until moisture gets inside your hair shaft and is why you are told to stay away from humidity when you have your hair curled. The change in your straight hair to curls is on the Hydrogen bonds only (outside) and so not permanent.
    2. Permanent, using chemicals that go into your hair and rearrange the sulphur bonds, known as perming. Straight hair is stretched and moulded around a roller, chemically altered, and then set in place in new formations or curves, round shapes that we know as curls. This can be made straight again by using chemicals to drag the hair straight again, however moisture or simply washing your hair will not make permed curly hair straight on its own.
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    The thing about bangs is most people have tried them at least once in their lifetime and have either had a great experience or a really bad one.

    What’s important to remember about bangs is that they do have an effect on hairstyles and other important elements such as;

    • Straight across bangs halve the vertical length in a person face shape, thus they suit people with oblong, diamond, or narrow face types.
    • Curtain bangs with a middle part actually add length to face shapes, suiting round and wide faces best.
    • Side swept angled bangs are great on angular face shape such as square and broader jawbones.
    • Straight across bangs draw attention to the eyes.
    • Bangs are an easy way to do something different without having a complete full makeover.
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    The short answer is NO. The longer answer is no don’t razor cut wavy or curly hair unless you are wanting it to frizz, look wiry, like it has split ends. The reason is that razor cutting slices hair on an angle, and also removes only some (not all) of the hair, and when hair is wavy or curly and razor cut, the shorter pieces with less weight spring up between longer pieces making a bushy, frizzy effect.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    It is a good idea to get your hair trimmed by your hairdresser every 4-6 weeks.

    Regular trims ensure that;

    • The shape of your haircut will be maintained easily
    • Any damaged or split ends can be cut off, visit by visit so that they don’t creep further up the hair shaft.
    • You will be able to style your hair far more easily
    • It’s an opportunity to treat yourself on a more regular basis.
    Category: Women Hair Advice

    There was a time not so long ago that every young lady (sorry guys no disrespect) was told to brush their hair 100 times in the morning and another 100 times at night with a good natural bristle brush.

    This was very important for long hair types as it ensured that

    • Any knots or tangles where brushed out
    • That sebum from the scalp was distributed to the mid length and ends, protecting the hair with natural oils.
    • The brushing on the scalp created good circulation to the follicle to help with better hair growth.

    The art of brushing hair was sadly lost back in the eighties and nineties when perms and brushing were not a good match.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    This answer depends on your lifestyle, hairs length, and hair type.

    For example, if you live a sporty lifestyle you will need to shampoo your hair every single day and so will need to consider a hairstyle and home haircare regime that will help facilitate this.

    On the other hand, if you work inside out of the elements, have normal to dry hair and scalp on short hair, you should only be shampooing it 2-3 times per week.

    Category: Women Hair Advice

    There is no right or wrong answer here, fine hair can look amazing short with stylish one length looks and bangs, but it can also look great when it’s straight and all the one length, precision cut. Wavy and curly fine hair types can also look great short or long.

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