This post has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
It’s not unreasonable to hope that when you’re getting a new haircut, it’s one that flatters your features and helps you to look your best while giving your confidence a well-deserved boost. Getting a great haircut can not only function as a form of self-expression, but it can also work to hide signs of aging and allow you to feel great as you grow older.
That said, just as a great cut can help to enhance your look, there are also certain cuts that may highlight features you wish to hide and may not be best suited for your hair texture or face shape. We checked in with Bob Siebert, Director of Education at ALOXXI to understand the hallmarks of an unflattering cut so you can continue to get the best cut for your features at any age.
Take Your Style And Face Shape Into Account
First and foremost, Siebert notes that there is no singular cut that should be avoided at any age. Everything comes down to the shape of your face and your unique features, as well as the texture of your hair, so all of these factors must be taken into account before deciding on your next big cut. "As aging and the aging of hair is very individual, this needs to be taken into consideration when looking at appropriate haircuts," notes Siebert. "It all depends on the texture, color desire, and volume of the individual’s natural hair."
With this in mind, choosing a cut that does not fit within your personality or style may look less flattering than others, as confidence is often the largest determining factor for how well someone pulls off a cut. "Strong geometric and asymmetrical would be reserved for the women with strong and vivacious personalities," explains Siebert. "These types of cuts can really make a statement on the right person." For those with fine or average hair texture, Siebert suggests sticking to a bob or lob look to help give more volume to your locks and enhance the shape of your hair.
It would be great for there to be a one-size-fits-all answer for which cuts to avoid as you grow older, but knowing your features and checking with a stylist to hear their professional advice will be your best bet for avoiding a haircut that won’t do you justice. "A haircut that is unflattering is generally a shape and/or length that is not appropriate to the face shape or hair texture," warns Siebert. "Each individual will want to accentuate or hide something different with their haircut." Knowing the features you wish to highlight and those you wish to hide are therefore essential for determining the best cut for your face.
If you're insecure about forehead wrinkles, layers that frame that area may not be best, so keeping these things in mind can make all the difference when choosing a cut you’ll feel your best in. "A haircut really needs to be tailored towards the individual client’s face shape, hair texture, and their ability and desire to style their hair," concludes Siebert.
READ MORE:
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