Forget Trends: Here’s How to Find a Haircut You’ll Actually Love

After more than a decade behind the chair, I can tell you one thing for sure: trends are fun, but they come and go. One season is all about razor-sharp lines, and the next, everyone wants soft, beachy waves. But the clients who are genuinely happy with their hair, month after month, aren’t chasing the latest fad. They’re the ones who find a shape that just works for them. A great haircut isn’t just about what’s in style; it’s about structure, what suits you, and the life you actually lead.

When the seasons change, especially after a long summer of sun and chlorine, it’s natural to feel that itch for something new. Your hair might feel a bit tired and ready for a refresh. This is the perfect time for a change, but it should be a thoughtful one. Honestly, most of the super popular looks you see online are just clever variations of a few classic, foundational cuts. My job is to pull back the curtain on those foundations so you can find a cut that feels like you.

This isn’t about blindly picking a photo. It’s a real conversation about your hair’s texture, your face shape, and how much time you’re willing to spend on it each morning. So let’s talk about the real craft of a great haircut and find your signature style.

The Consultation: The Most Important 15 Minutes of Your Appointment

Before my scissors get anywhere near your head, we need to talk. A thorough consultation is the single biggest difference between a haircut that’s just ‘okay’ and one you absolutely love. It’s a step that gets rushed way too often, but it’s where the real magic begins. Heads up: if you’re seeing a new stylist and they don’t ask you these kinds of questions, that’s a big red flag for me.

Getting to Know Your Hair
First things first, I need to understand your hair’s unique personality. I’ll run my fingers through it to feel its density and texture. Is it fine, medium, or coarse? Fine hair gets weighed down easily, while coarse hair can get bulky if it’s not handled right. Is it straight, wavy, or curly? These types behave in completely different ways. I’m also checking out its porosity—basically, how thirsty it is. Post-summer hair is often super porous and desperate for moisture, which totally affects how it will lay after being cut.

Your Real-Life Routine Matters
Next up, let’s be honest about your lifestyle. Are you a ‘wash and go’ person, or do you genuinely enjoy spending 20 minutes with a blow dryer and a round brush? There’s no right answer, but you have to be truthful. There’s zero point in me giving you a high-maintenance bob that needs daily styling if you don’t have the time or energy for it. Do you work out a lot and need to tie your hair back? These practical details are what determine the lengths and shapes that will work for you, not against you.

Working With Your Face Shape
Okay, let’s talk face shape. While there are no hard-and-fast rules, certain shapes can create balance and highlight your best features. The goal isn’t to hide anything, but to create a beautiful, harmonious frame.

By the way, if you’re wondering what your face shape even is, here’s a fun little trick: Grab an old lipstick or a dry-erase marker, stand in front of your bathroom mirror, and trace the outline of your face. Pull your hair back first! Now step back. Is the shape you drew more round, oval, square, or heart-shaped? This is a fantastic starting point for our conversation. For example, a longer face can be balanced by adding some width with layers or bangs, while a rounder face can be elongated with styles that have a bit of height at the top and less volume on the sides. A good stylist uses these as guidelines, not unbreakable laws.

The Big Question: What Does a Good Haircut Actually Cost?

Let’s just get this out of the way, because it’s what everyone is thinking about. A good haircut is an investment in how you feel every single day. The price can vary wildly based on your location and the stylist’s level of experience. In a major city, you can expect to pay anywhere from $75 for a solid cut at a reliable salon to upwards of $250 or more for a top-tier or specialized stylist. Don’t be shy about asking for a price range when you call to book! A full consultation and cut appointment will usually take between one and two hours, especially if it’s your first time with that stylist.

Oh, and a quick tip: Most of us offer complimentary bang trims between appointments. It takes five minutes and keeps your style looking fresh. This service exists for a reason—please use it!

The Foundation of Form: Understanding Classic Cuts

Most of the hairstyles you admire are built on three pillars: the bob, layers, and bangs. Once you get what they are and how they work, you’ll be so much better at telling your stylist what you really want.

1. The Bob: Precision and Power

The bob is all about its strong perimeter, or baseline. It’s a timeless shape that can be customized in a million ways, but its true identity is in its structure. I’ve cut thousands of them, from sharp, jaw-hugging classics to softer, shoulder-grazing lobs (that’s just a long bob).

The magic of a bob is that it creates an amazing illusion of thickness because all the hair falls to one solid line. This makes it a fantastic choice for anyone with fine hair who wants it to look fuller. But what if you have thick hair? Don’t worry, you’re not left out! This is where we use some professional tricks. Ask your stylist about

Inspiration:

What does my hair truly need before a cut?

Post-summer, hair often sends mixed signals. If it feels brittle, straw-like, and snaps easily when dry, it’s thirsty for moisture. A deep hydrating mask, like the Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense, will restore softness and flexibility, ensuring your new cut hangs beautifully. However, if your hair feels gummy, overly stretchy when wet, and looks limp, it’s likely crying out for protein to rebuild its structure. A targeted treatment like Olaplex No. 3 or Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate will reinforce the hair fiber, giving your stylist a stronger canvas to work with.

The ‘French Bob’ isn’t a trend; it’s a statement of confidence. Its power lies not in a specific length, but in its customisation to the jawline and its effortless, air-dried finish.

This iconic cut proves that the best styles are about enhancing your features, not conforming to a fleeting ideal. It works with your hair’s natural texture, celebrating waves and movement rather than fighting them, embodying the perfect balance between polished and undone.