Whenever you leave the salon with a haircut that you love, it gives you a sense of renewed confidence. The cosmetologist doesn’t just pick up a pair of scissors and start cutting, there is an art and science to giving the ideal haircut for each client. The professional hairstylist takes several factors into consideration when creating a unique haircut for their clients. Though there are limitless options when giving a haircut, the four biggest factors that determine what hair style will work for you are: hair type and texture, face shape, trends, and personal style.
Hair Type and Texture
Understanding your client’s hair type and texture is an important part of planning their next haircut. Analyzing their hair type will help you make good hairstyling recommendations and approach their haircut in a practical manner. Here are the four basic hair types.
1. Straight Hair: No natural curl, the hair can be fine to coarse thickness. No significant waves, often lacks volume, and hat styled curls don’t hold well. Hair styles that emphasize length work well, shorter haircuts can work when framing the face. Layering is more of a challenge to create volume.
2. Wavy Hair: Typically has gentle S-shaped waves, and can range from slightly wavy/mostly straight to almost curly waves. Hair styles that enhance the natural waves can create a cohesive look. Can hold heat styled curls well. Layered cuts also work well with wavy hair.
3. Curly Hair: Characterized by natural curls with well-defined patterns. These can be S-shaped curls to tight curls. Haircuts that use layering work well with curly hair. Curly hair has lots of volume and needs hydration to prevent frizz.
4. Coily Hair: Ranges from tight S-curls to Z-curls. Requires lots of conditioning and moisturizing in everyday maintenance. Haircuts that add definition, such as tapered cuts or precision-layered cuts are often used. Braids and woven hair extensions can also be used to create unique looks.
Each of the hair types also have sub-types, (a, b, and c) which run from fine to coarse hair thickness and texture, for a total of twelve specific hair types. Coarse hair tends to be more prone to frizz than thin hair. You can read more about hair types in this article.
Face Shape
Choosing the perfect hairstyle is more than picking out a trending style. Your face shape determines the degree of compatibility of any given hairstyle. Different hairstyles work better with specific face shapes. How your haircut frames and accentuates your face and calls attention to certain facial features.
Oval Face: Due to its balanced proportions, an oval-shaped face is well suited for a wide variety of hair styles. Framing the face works well with many different types of haircuts. Layering can add depth, volume, and dimension. Avoid covering the face with bangs and accentuate the symmetrical facial proportions.
Round Face: To add the illusion of length to a round face, use soft layers, volume at the crown, angled cuts, and long side-swept bangs. This will add more definition and make your facial features more proportionate.
Square Face: With a square face, the idea is to soften the jawline and bring balance to the facial features. Hairstyles with soft, rounded edges can help soften the strong jawline. Side-swept bangs or long layers can help bring proportion to the face.
Heart-Shaped Face: This face shape is characterized by a narrow chin and wider forehead. To balance this, focus on hairstyles that add volume at the chin and soft layers that highlight the cheekbones. This will make the face appear more proportioned.
Diamond-Shaped Face: This face type benefits from adding width to the temples and chin, while minimizing volume at the cheekbones. Hairstyles like a chin-length bob, side-parted styles, and haircuts with long layers can help balance proportions and dimensions.
Elongated Face: To create the appearance of a shorter face and create better proportions, use haircuts that add width, such as shoulder-length styles, curtain bangs, or soft waves.
A savvy cosmetologist can analyze the shape and symmetry of your face and make haircut recommendations that can balance out your facial proportions. The type of haircut; length of hair; and use of layering, bangs, and volume can make your haircut look phenomenal and highlight your facial features.
Hairstyling Trends
Every year has different hairstyling trends, though some are classics that stand the test of time. Layered cuts, curtain bangs, bob cuts, pixie cuts, long layers, and modern shag cuts are still versatile. You can accentuate and balance the facial structure of each client using your haircutting expertise, and still make them look extremely stylish.
Personal Style
Besides the proportions, balancing, and hair textures, the client’s personal style has a lot to do with what haircut will fit them best. Their haircut is an expression of their personality, and the hairstyles they choose are a big part of their identity. The hairdressing pro can listen to what the client wants and create a style that makes them look fabulous without sacrificing self-expression.
Communication
One important part of being a professional hair stylist is communicating with your clients and finding out what they really want. By listening to their ideas and vision, you can recommend hair styles that will accentuate their natural features and make them look their best. You can help them have a positive, transformative experience that leaves them feeling confident.
Learn the Art of Cosmetology at Campus Sacramento
If you’re excited to begin your career as a hair stylist or cosmetologist, Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento has a world-class Cosmetology program to teach you the skills you need to succeed. You’ll learn about hair styling, skin care, nail care, and cosmetology from some of the best professionals in the industry. There are day and night classes for your convenience, and financial aid is available for qualifying students. For more information on start dates or program details, contact our Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.