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From long to short hair - making the transition easy

What to think about when changing from a long to a short hairstyle

Author: Cory Willins November 23 2006

The decision to go from long to short hair is sometimes done with a lot of thought and sometimes done on a whim. Whatever the reason, it is important to prepare for some transitioning, and to make the correct decisions with regards to your new style. Often a drastically short cut will be too short, and then you will have to wait for your hair to grow out again. To avoid this problem there are a few simple points to consider before going for the cut.

One option is to go to a medium length haircut before deciding to go any shorter. This allows you the chance to get used to shorter and shorter styles, without cutting too short the first time. Often women or men find out that medium length is just what they really wanted - long enough to pull back yet short enough to wear down and in a casual style if they want. For women that are used to the multitude of different looks and styles that can be accomplished with long or medium hair, they may find the shorter style to be a bit restrictive, whereas the medium length still gives lots of options.

If your best feature is your long hair, and that is what you feel good about and have other people recognize you by, is cutting your hair really right for you? The shorter style will be very drastic, and it may attract lots of positive or negative attention. Gradually going shorter will eliminate a lot of the stress of a cut, and allow people to get used to your new style. In addition, wearing your hair up or back for a while before the cut will help you decide if short is the look you are going for, as well as help your coworkers, family and friends adjust.

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Short hair doesn’t have to mean just one style. By learning how to work with short hair you can have several different styles from casual to elegant. Try using some of the new hair fibers, muds, crèmes and other styling products to create new looks with your style. If you are unsure of how to start, try talking to your stylist and having him or her show you a few quick styles.

Your facial shape will also have a big impact on what length of hair looks best. For long faces, short hair can actually square out the face and lessen the appearance of length. Squarer shaped faces are softened and rounded with layering at the sides, but will appear more squarely shaped with the very short cuts. Bobs and blunt cuts look great on oval shaped faces, and depending on the length of the cut, different features can be accentuated. For example, if you wish to draw attention away from your cheeks try keeping the hair longer at the sides of the head, and more textured through the bang area. A professional stylist will be able to advise you on a cut that will suit your features.

Getting a short cut can help you get in style, change your traditional look, or even just do something new. To avoid any regrets, try going shorter in stages, rather than all at once. If you are not sure what you will look like with a shorter style, you can try on wigs that will help you “see" yourself with short hair, or else keep your hair pinned up or pulled back to get used to the idea. If you are getting a short cut just because it looks cute on a friend or a movie star, you may want to reconsider. If you are cutting your hair for you, and you feel that it will suit your face and busy lifestyle, then short is definitely an option.

About the Author

Cory Willins writes articles for the Beauty Biz on beauty, fashion, diet and fitness.

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