FAB OR NOT? What makes a great haircut?

Billy Lowe styles the Shanghai Ladies for a Hennessey Liquors special event.

Over the years, I've heard so many clients say different things when describing what they are looking for.

• I WANT A GREAT HAIRCUT.
• LOOK AT THIS PICTURE, I WANT MY HAIR LIKE THIS.
• I WANT TO LOOK LIKE HEATHER LOCKLEAR

Great. Let's get started. I have 3 questions for you.

1. How much time do you have in the morning?
2. What do you do for a living, in your spare time, etc?
3. Did you know that magazine photo you're looking at is 5 hour hair prep and hundreds of photos just to get that one perfect shot?

Finding a style that's right for you is so much more than face shape or looking at photos. It's really understanding what you're willing to commit to, how much time you have, and a true understanding of your lifestyle. I can give an A-line bob to every client that walks in the door if they want, but if they don't know how to recreate the style at home, or if they simply don't take the time to do so, they'll become frustrated with the cut, they won't keep the style up, and they simply won't look and feel their best on a day to day basis.

When I first meet with a client my first question is "What do you do for a living?" Not that I care about their profession, but it helps me understand their needs. If a mother has 3 children and a full time job, I know that a cut and style needs to suit her lifestyle on a daily basis and not one that requires hot rollers every day. So here are a few tips for you in finding that perfect style.

1. Identify how much time you really have to work with and how much you're ready to commit to.
2. Ask your hairstylist to prescribe the same products and tools that he/she uses so you can re-create the look at home for yourself
3. Be realistic about cuts and shapes. It's true that some cuts aren't right for everyone.
4. Notice people in a restaurant, or a mall, or social outings and if you see someone's haircut that you like, feel free to ask them how it works for them, and whether or not it's easy to manage.

I hope these tips help you on your journey in beauty. Thanks for reading, and here's to your perfect cut & style.