Blast Off Boring Hair Woes

Introduction

Like a itch that you can't scratch, boring hair blues start slowly and accelerate causing daily distress until you have dealt the pesky problem a major blow. (Photo Toni & Guy - Kim Martin - All rights reserved)

Hair boredom tends to strike most often during the changing of the seasons or right before or after major life events. Back to school hair blues are common along with new job hair jitters. Prospective brides often work hard to grow out their locks for their big walk down the aisle only to get the new style itchies shortly after the honeymoon. Brand new moms often feel a new image will solidify their new role while newly divorced people often gravitate to a brand new color or edgy styling technique.

Haste Makes Waste

If you are in the white hot throes of a change-your-style-woes, you probably don't want to hear that it is best to chill way down and carefully evaluate your new style options. Dig out the reasons for your current do challenges and determine if you are really primed for a brand new hair look or just have a mood that will pass.

Remember that if you are getting married in the near future, altering your look right before your wedding could be unwise. The same is true to do a presto-chango look to meet the future in-laws, show up for the first day at school or shoot a music video. Any major hair changes should be planned as far in the future as possible with a key life event is on the horizon.

Cooling Off Periods May Save Your Locks

Whether you have been loving your sleek shiny bob or growing your luscious long locks for many years give yourself a cooling off period of at least two weeks before you take drastic strand actions ranging from a super chop to a new purple hue. (Photo - L'Oreal Professional - all rights reserved).

If you absolutely must make a change to ease your itchiness, consider having a minor hair trim, adding temporary or demi-permanent colors or investing in a clip-on ponytail, braids or other hair pieces that will give you an instant new look that is completely reversible.

Avoid anything that will be irreversible such as permanent at-home color experiments or other chemicals treatments that can last a painfully long time.

If you have long lovely locks, try new styles to achieve a new look without reaching for the scissors. Spring for a few bucks to have your hair braided in a new way or invest in the hot new rope braiders from Conair. Play with a few temporary highlights around your face.

Try different chignons or invest in some beautiful new hair jewelry that will instantly jazz up your style without losing an inch.

Minor Adjustments Achieve Major Results

If you try clipping on a new ponytail or adding a new style of braids and still feel the need to make a major change, consider some last hair saving tips.

1. Add new bangs.

2. Modify existing bangs. Make them wispier or allow them to grow in thicker. Have them razored or spike them gently. Play with the texture.

3. Create a new zig zag part or move your existing part to a different location on your scalp.

4. Add highlights or lowlights to the hair around your face to achieve an altered look.

5. Alter the texture. Add 2 strand rope accent braids, do some crimping, try a new braiding tool.

6. Keep your length but add some layers for instant movement and flow.

7. Play with new products. Nothing blasts boredom faster than a new shampoo, deep conditioner or hot new styling wax.

8. Create new strong lines by slicking all or part of your hair back with serum. Finish with spray.

9. Apply mousse to damp hair and then play with using large Velcro rollers to achieve new volume.

10. Have some feathered layers added to give your hair new movement.

11. Maximize texture with paste or wax.

12. Experiment with different types of styling tools from a small round brush to a paddle brush to get different movement and hair flow.

Do Some Soul Searching

Before you take the plunge and splurge on a new hairstyle consider all the ramifications that a new style may incur including:

1. Does the new style add or detract from current hair care upkeep costs?

Remember that adding highlights or color to your hair can bring an entirely new level of care commitment including utilizing anti-fade product lines and religiously showing up for touch-ups.

Would there be an initial or ongoing investment in a complete new range of styling products including shampoo, conditioners, styling and hot tools? While this may be ultimately a good thing, think about all the ramifications to your time and pocketbook.

2. Would new or more expensive hair care products (hot tools, color maintenance products, rollers, styling products, etc.,) be required?

Would there be an initial or ongoing investment in a complete new range of styling products including shampoo, conditioners, styling and hot tools?

3. How often does the new style require trips back to the salon? If you get a short choppy or razored style that grows out quickly, you might find yourself back hanging with your stylist every month rather than every 8-10 weeks with longer styles. New color or highlights may also require regular professional upkeep assistance.

If you don't have time to redo your roots every 3-4 weeks, you may want to select a hair color shade that is only 1-3 shades lighter than your natural color. The closer you go to your natural hair color, the less your roots will show as they grow out. When your roots are less obvious, your hair color will last longer before you have to touch up your roots. Always select the type of coloring product that is easiest for you to maintain.

4. Does the new style offer you a diverse range of styling options. many people opt for a hot new chop only to discover that they have limited dress-up options. The same challenges may apply if perms or relaxers are applied. New and potentially painful styling curves may result from a new style selection. If you are used to easily styling your hair into a long time standby, you may be shocked to find how much work a new style can bring. This is especially true if you take a major swing from long to short locks or alter the textures in a dramatic way. Perms may be just as challenging to style as newly relaxed locks.

5. How would a new style affect your current work or personal relationships?

Keep in mind that in some cases professional peers or loved ones may be traumatized by your new style selections. Although it is your hair and your right to wear it as you see fit, you may want to consider how your new look might impact the important people in your life that you cherish.

Consult Before You Leap

If you are itching for a big hair change, followed the suggestions above and still want to take the plunge, then do it wisely. Pay a stylist for a "consultation only" to discuss your itch for a new look. Be sure to clarify that you want to pay to consult on a style and do not want to book a cut or treatment during the consultation. (Photo of Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey, Deborah Chiel)

If you have naturally curly, wavy or hair that requires expert cutting knowledge, make sure that you seek out a specialist that can help you achieve a new style wisely.

Visit with the stylist and take a trusted friend to get a second opinion. Ask the friend to stop you if you decide to spontaneously go for a new look at the time of the consultation. This may be an action you live to regret.

Allow at least 48 hours to lapse from the time you have your consultation until you go back for the cut or new styling session. Be sure to take a trusted friend for the big hair change so that they can keep an eye on the procedure and warn you if the process is going awry. Although it doesn't happen often, some stylists may misunderstand your true desires and cut too much. A friend who is standing by can watch and help mediate the ultimate look. (Photo above of Curly: Everything You Need to Know to Love and Care for Your Curly, Kinky, Wavy, or Frizzy Hair by Ouidad)

Do your research before you go for your new style. Both before and after the consultation, look through Web galleries for new style ideas or buy hair magazines. Take photos of your desired styles to your hair care professional and get their feedback on how well your dream style can work with your hair texture and type. Remember that stylists are visual and work best from photos and examples.

Deal With It

Although there is an exception to every rule, if you have carefully planned the selection and execution of your new style, you should have few surprises from your new look.

If for some reason your best laid plans went awry, take action. A new style that looks great in the salon may not translate well to your own styling expertise. If you find that you can't do anything with your new look or your hair doesn't seem to hang the way you think it should, call your stylist and go back for an "adjustment". Don't wait. Timing is everything.

Ask your stylist to teach you how to care for a brand new look. Solicit product suggestions and styling tips. Watch closely to see how your stylist achieves the final look. Take notes if you think you might need to remember certain techniques.

Finally, enjoy your new style and be happy that you have put an end to your boring hair blahs.

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

Other Notes Of Interest

Many of the products mentioned in this article can be found in the HairBoutique.com Marketplace. Please stop by and shop with us for a complete line of Conair, Phytothrathrie, Mine, Viviscal, Kusco Murphy, Burts Bees and many other fine brands.