No More Bad Haircuts

Common Haircut Mistakes

It's too short, too choppy, too off balance, all too wrong, and you're too unhappy for words. It's a style emergency, a shock to our beauty sensibilities. It's a bad haircut. All you want, besides to turn back the clock, is better hair -- fast!

Most bad haircuts are the result of styles cut in disproportion to the shape of the head and contrary to hair texture. Here, the most common mishaps I see:

• Pineapple -- The top is cut too short in relation to the rest of the hair.
• Mop Top -- The top layers are left too long.
• Hockey Player -- The hair in the back is too long for the sides.
• Shred Head -- Hair is unevenly layered.
• Mamie Eisenhower -- Bangs are cut too short.
• Symmetrically Challenged -- One side is longer than the other.

How to Avoid a Bad Haircut

Follow these tips to keep hair disasters at bay:

• Frequent only the stylist whom you trust and with whose work you are familiar. Don't try a hairdresser on a whim. Go with someone recommended.
• No matter what your relationship with your stylist, always have a thorough discussion first to ensure you are both clear on your desired results -- before the scissors touch your hair.
• Be sure your pre-cut consultation includes a discussion of what you like and don't like about your present cut. If you are visiting a stylist for the first time, show pictures of yourself in past styles. Do bring photos of models and celebrities whose hairstyles you like. They will help communicate your personal style and what you envision for your hair.
• Your first cut with your new stylist should be a subtle one. If you're satisfied with it and the way it grows out, go for a more dramatic style.

How to Spot a Winner

A good haircut has correct proportions, as well as hair that looks and acts great. The cut should be manageable and grow out effortlessly, looking its best even when you're due for a trim.

Also, you should be able to discern the shape of a cut, and hair should look appealing in its natural state, before it is styled.

Remember, dissatisfaction with a haircut may be more of a problem with the styling than with the actual cut. If you are unable to re-create the look you had in the salon, schedule a follow-up how-to lesson with your stylist.

To learn more about Mark Garrison and his New York City salon, go to Markgarrisonsalon.com.