The Ten-Question Checklist to Run Before You Change Your Hairstyle

A big haircut is easy to start and slow to undo. These ten questions take about fifteen minutes and filter out most "why did I do that" moments.

#1. Is this a mood or a plan?

If the urge arrived after a bad week, wait seven days. If it is still there, continue.

#2. Can I describe the cut without a photo?

Length, shape, fringe or no fringe, texture. If you cannot, you are not ready to book.

#3. Have I seen it on my own face?

Celebrity photos hide the difference between their hair and yours. Try the style on your own photo first. A tool such as the Style Look Lab hairstyle try-on generates previews from your photo, and the first look is free without an account.

#4. Does it suit my hair, not just my face?

Face shape sets some limits, but texture and density decide more. Fine straight hair will not hold a thick blunt line the way coarse hair does. The face shape haircut finder filters ideas by length and texture.

#5. What is the daily time cost?

Be honest. Count the minutes you would actually spend, not the minutes the stylist suggests.

#6. What is the maintenance schedule?

Sharp shapes such as blunt bobs and fades need trims every four to six weeks. Soft layers forgive longer gaps.

#7. What is the grow-out path?

If you hate it, how many months back to the current length? Bangs take roughly two to three months to become a tuckable length; a bob to shoulder length takes much longer.

#8. Is color involved?

Color and cut interact. Do the cut first if you are unsure about both, and only add color after you have lived with the shape.

#9. Do I have an event soon?

Weddings, photos and interviews are bad times for big experiments. Aim for at least two weeks between a new cut and an important date, so the shape settles.

#10. Have I picked the right person?

Look at the stylist's recent work on hair like yours. Ask about their consultation, and bring a written brief with your priorities.