5 Tips For the Best New Hairstyle

Does your hairstyle date back to the days of the "the Rachel", or worse, "the Dorothy Hamill wedge"? If so, it is definitely time to update your look. But choosing a hairstyle can be harder than matching toenail polish to your favorite flip-flops. If you aren't sure where to begin, review these 5 tips before you say "oh just go ahead and cut it".

1. Know what you want before you go to the salon. It goes without saying that if you don't know what you want your hair to look like, your stylist won't know either. There is nothing a stylist hates more than hearing "I don't know what I want. Just surprise me". You are likely to be surprised, but not in a good way. If you can't describe the style you want, bring a photo with you. Stylists love photos.

2. Don't try to copy a celebrity. The sad truth is, most celebrities could wear almost any hairstyle because they often have the perfect oval face shape. Most of us don't. If you have your heart set on a Brittany Murphy hairstyle, you had better have the heart shaped face that goes with it. It's far better to look like the best version of you, than a second-rate version of Demi Moore.

3. Make sure you can maintain it. Along with their perfect face and hairline, most celebrities also boast an entourage of hairstylists. Unless you have a bevy of stylists at your beck and call, make sure you have the skills and products to style your own hair.

4. Don't follow the trends. Most of us actually have one perfect hairstyle that best suits our face shape, hair texture and hairline. Once you have found yours, stick with it. Ask your stylist for ideas on highlights or low lights, or slight texturing to update your look, but stay away from radical do-overs.

5. Consider high-end cosmetology schools for styling maintenance. A few of the better schools hire very talented and experienced stylists as their instructors. If you live in a city with a Toni & Guy or Paul Mitchell school, you may want to schedule your next appointment with one their students. You can have your initial styling done at one of the expensive salons, but stop in at the school for a quick trim or shape up.

A new hairstyle can be an exciting way to quickly energize your look and your attitude. By following these tips, you'll leave the salon feeling great about your hair and yourself in general.