If you are like me, you have spent YEARS tending to your hair.  You have bought expensive products, and all sorts of styling tools trying to manage your locks and keep them healthy.  Your hair is part of your identity, it reflects who you are.  And we all want the ability to be able to present the best version of ourselves to the world.  Then one day...

You get a wild hair (pun intended) and decide on the spur of the moment that you need a new style.  Your regular stylist is booked (because they know how to cut hair and are in high demand) so you decide to give a new person a shot.  They work at a fancy salon, and they trimmed your hair once and did a good job, so why not show them a picture of the new style you want and let them go for it?  Be BOLD!

STOP, STOP, STOP.  Oh, the agony of regret!  

I recently had this scenario happen.  My hair was almost to my mid back (curly--not stretched).  As stated above, I had tended to it for YEARS.  Cared for it like a baby bird.  Then I decided I wanted some angled layers at the bottom.  I had a picture and everything.  How could this go wrong, I asked?  I'll tell you how!  Not every stylist has the skill of being able to cut naturally curly hair.  There is a lot that goes into it. Understanding that curls shrink, for one.  

I went for it!  And I was devastated when I got home.   I only get my hair trimmed about once every 3-6 months, and usually take an inch off.  So I told her to take off an inch and angle my layers at the bottom (like in the picture).  I have no idea where the disconnect was.  Now my hair is shoulder length and shorter in the back than around my face.  I can't even accept a compliment now.  I tell them I am recovering from a bad haircut.  I can barely put it in a ponytail, forget about the bun I used to rock!

So here are a few tips:

1)  When you find a good stylist, stick with them

2)  Avoid flights of fancy and unknown "stylists"

3)  If you move to a new area, or maybe your stylist has retired, reach out on social media, friends, etc and make sure the new person you go to knows what they're doing

4)  Be very clear about what you want and what will and won't work for you

5)  Remember bangs seem like a good idea...at the time (so do highlights)

6)  Lastly, remember that time heals all wounds.  Your hair will grow out.  It might take months or years, but it will grow.  So be patient.  And you can always cover it up with a satin lined cap:)