With the growing amount of cuts and color trends on the hair scene, it can be difficult to confidently choose what’s right for your new look. We talked with Massato, L'Oréal Professionnel and Shu Uemura Art of Hair brand ambassador. His blooming presence in Paris and Tokyo has made him globally reputable.
Here are his three most important points to consider when changing your hair.
Account for your face shape.
In order to get the most out of your haircut, the pros advise you to adapt it to your face shape.
“You have to think about the desired effect to choose a haircut,” he says. “Short hair gives the impression of a smaller head and opens up the face. Long hair, on the other hand, tends to lengthen the face. A long cut generally gives off a more chic and classic vibe, while a pixie cut adds a modern touch to your look.”
In order to identify your face shape, think of your hair stylist is your best resource. However, if you want to go into your appointment with a head start, Massato suggests getting a feel for your face shape by yourself.
“It is easy to identify the shape of your face yourself. Simply pull your hair back if it is long, and observe features such as forehead height, jaw width, cheek curvature, and so on,” he says.
Cut your hair according to its texture.
Since different hair types mean different textures, there isn’t one single way to execute any type of haircut. For example, your stylist will not cut curly hair in the same way as straight hair.
“It is possible to give shape to any hairstyle, regardless of hair texture,” Massato says. “But all hair types present a different challenge. An experienced hairdresser is recommended for cuts on curly hair, for example, because the length of the coils must be approached differently.”
In the case of curly hair, more careful snipping is needed as opposed to cutting a long bob on straight hair. Ask your expert stylist how they can best tailor the cutting process for your hair type.
Put your own spin on your hair.
Start a dialogue with your stylist about how you want to express your personality. That way, they can integrate personalized characteristics that meet your expectations.
“If [clients] are looking for a trendy effect, they also want to feel like themselves—which is why ideally a cut should be both on-trend and customized,” Massato explains. “As professionals, we try to adapt fashion to everyone.”
Feel more prepared for your next salon consultation? That’s a good sign.
