4 questions you have to ask your stylist before you get a drastic haircut

Haircuts have the potential to be life-changing, but if you don’t like like your newest cut, it can be just as heartbreaking. Usually, this regret comes from the hairstyle looking completely different once you’ve stepped out of the salon, and a far cry from the photo you originally showed up with. “Clients often ask for a makeover or a very different hairstyle when they come in for a consultation, but they’re not really ready to go out of their comfort zone,” says Kanta Motwani, celebrity hairstylist, founder, Kromakay Salons and Academy.

“You also need to be realistic when you are gunning for a look that is very different to your existing style,” she adds. For example, it’s not advisable to go for a sleek, straight-edged bob if you’ve had your hair cut into layers the last time you visited the salon. Plus, you should make sure that the style you’re looking towards actually works for you. “In the case of a fringe, I like my clients to first try a clip-on to see how it sits on their head and how comfortable they feel,” explains Motwani.

To prevent any possible meltdowns and post-haircut freak outs, we put together all the questions you should be asking your stylist before getting your next haircut. Scroll ahead for all the details.

“Will I need to change my hairstyling routine?”

Whether you let your hair air dry, simply tie it up in a ponytail or painstakingly blow it out every time you wash, your styling routine is specific to your current hair cut and style. “A good stylist will always tell you what you need to do to maintain your look, whether it’s a regular blow-dry or just scrunching your ends upwards with your hands,” says Motwani. “You should also know how much time and effort you will require to style your hair on a daily basis, so you can gauge if you really have the time to commit to a particular hairstyle. You can always ask your stylist to give you tips or even do a few sessions with them to learn how to set your hair at home,” she explains.

“Will I need to change my products?”

Some hairstyles are fuss-free and require nothing more than a rinse and repeat, but other sleeker styles (like a bob, pixie or fringe) require a change in styling products and tools. “Different styles demand different products, so it’s recommended that you ask your stylist about the products you will need to style your hair. It’s best to spend time with your stylist, and never hurry,” says Motwani.

“How often will I need to cut my hair?”

“The thumb rule to maintain your look is to get a trim every eight to 10 weeks for long hair, if you want to maintain your style,” says Motwani. A fringe requires a trim every three weeks if you don’t plan to grow it out. For shorter hair, you will need a trim every six to eight weeks. “If your hair looks unmanageable, it means you have kept it too long and should go in for a cut. Every hairstyle looks its best at a certain length, and trimming will help boost your hair growth too,” says Motwani.

“Will it affect my hair colour?”

Motwani says, “Colour styles such as balayage are very common today. People often show me images of coloured hairstyles, and expect theirs to turn out exactly the same. They’ll even try to mix and match different styles. But you need to visualise the hairstyle clearly [to imagine how it would look on you]. You can always colour your hair after your haircut, to ensure that the lighter ends are of the right length,” she concludes.

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