Haircuts and Hairstyles 101: What You Need to Know Before Your Next Salon Visit

The right haircut can slim the face and erase years of aging instantly. But finding a haircut that flatters your face shape and complements your lifestyle is no easy feat.

That's why celebrities and often spend in upwards of $400 or more on signature haircuts and hairstyles.

If you don't have the cash to spend on a pricey haircut, familiarize yourself with hair cutting angles, basic terminology and the fundamentals of hair design.

With a little research and practice, you can either pursue a career as a stylist or successfully trim your own locks in between visits to the salon.

Basic Hairstyle and Haircut Information

basic haircuts and hairstyles

  1. A haircut provides two important functions: It reshapes the hair after new growth and removes split or dead ends. If you want to cut your hair precisely, attempt haircutting after you’ve developed steady hand and months and months of training.
  2. Hair requires frequent trimming and cutting to stay healthy. Since new hair growth is most evident in someone with short hair, a trim every four to six weeks is important. Long hair can be trimmed every 8-10 weeks.

Types of Haircuts

There are four types of haircuts: the 0-degree, 45 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees.

These specific angles are used to create the desired shape of the haircut.

  1. The 0-degree cut is also known as the bob or blunt cut.
  2. The 45-degree haircut features a triangular shape and is also known as the wedge cut.
  3. The 90-degree cut is also known as a layered haircut because it provides movement to the hair – and it is typically the most difficult style for hairstyliststo execute.
  4. The 180-degree haircut, also referred to as the shag, is best suited for people with medium-length or long hair.

best hairstyles for long hair

5 Best Hairstyles and Haircuts

According to Good Housekeeping magazine, the “five guaranteed-to-flatter cuts are the bob, the shag, the pixie, long hair plus bangs, or bangs and long layers.”

  1. The pixie haircut is best for round face shapes that and require volume at the top of the hair to elongate the face shape.
  2. The short bob, however, flatters heart-faces shapes best with hair that bob flatters heart-shaped faces best; the hair is clipped evenly on the sides and nape of the neck.
  3. The shag cut, with wispy pieces and choppy layers, flatters oval and long face shapes faces or women with loose waves and straight hair.
  4. Long hair and bangs are perfect for heart-shaped faces looking to balance a strong chin.
  5. Long, layered hair flatters most face shapes from oval to square. Avoid this hairstyle, however, if your hair is super straight or fine.

how to avoid a bad haircutHow to Avoid a Bad Haircut

To avoid a bad haircut, consider the following: the texture of her hair, the experience of the stylist and the shape of your face.

Remember: your hair texture affects the shape of haircut considerably.

  • If your hair is curly, it should be cut a little longer than the desired length to leave room for springing up once dry. Preferably cutting curly hair dry helps keep the length accurate.
  • If your hair is thick hair cutting methods include methods for cutting thick hair uniform.

A stylist’s knowledge of face shapes and hair types is also an important factor in preventing bad haircut. If you cut your hair at home, consider a simple hairstyle or cutting your bangs light to avoid errors.

Hair Cutting, Coloring and Styling Do's and Don'ts

  • Hair should always be clean and free of styling products before cutting.
  • Blunt and dull scissors or clippers should never be used to cut hair.
  • By investing in quality products and hair cutting tools you can maintain your hair between visits to the salon.
  • Hair requires frequent trimming and cutting to stay healthy.
  • Because new hair growth is more evident on someone with short hair, a trim every four to six weeks is important.
  • Proceed with caution if you're a redhead or a blonde. That's because a burgundy hair color (dark red, red wine color) is typically used to enrich the hair coloring of brunettes and dark-haired beauties. If you want a visible, and not so drastic change in hair color, add this warm and rich shade of mahogany or wine to your fall and winter hair coloring mix.
  • Long hair can be trimmed every 8 to 10 weeks.

To find the perfect haircut – one that complements your lifestyle and flatters your face- requires knowledge of hair maintenance, styling and basic cutting of hair. Use this quick haircut primer before you cut your hair yourself, or make a visit to the salon.

While a great haircut is important, it's the hairstyle itself that can take your tresses from ho-hum to full-on fabulous in an instant.