Shear Up!

Tired of your long hair? Getting sick of wearing down, up, this way and that? How about a hair cut? How about going short? Take these tips into consideration before your next trip to the salon.

Strong features: a shorter style will soften a sharp jaw line.
Narrow face: a mid-length mane with layers is ideal.
Heart-shaped face: Try bangs snipped straight across the forehead
Round face: Keep hair one length or layered to avoid the chubby-cheek look. Make sure the strands at the back are longer in the front.
Square jaw line: Avoid bangs that are cut straight across your forehead; the square shape will box in your face.

Here are some of the praises and bonuses of short hair. If these don't have you heading for your stylist, nothing will. Short cuts say you are self-assured and willing to take on challenges. It also suggests confidence and being in control. Short hair can be sexy and feminine. Keeping layers soft rather than severe will keep it flirty. When hair is kept short, it looks thicker and glossier. It's a good choice for thin hair. Short hair is the easiest to manage. Finger tousle with gel coated fingers and you are good to go. Shorter styles tend to make you look younger.

Five tips for your short, sensational mane:
1. Give your hair plenty of texture with waxes and pastes; try a funky chunky modern look.
2. Careful with the conditioner! If your hair is very dry, dab conditioner just on the ends. Getting it on the scalp can cause the hair to look greasy. If your hair isn't dry, skip it altogether.
3. Suds on a daily basis. Natural scalp oils accumulate more noticeably on short hair than on longer hair.
4. Go Big! Volume is a great styling choice for short hair to make an impact. If your hair is fine, spritz a volumizer onto the roots of damp hair before blow drying.
5. Be meticulous about trims. Shorter styles require more upkeep to keep their shape. Get locks trimmed every 4-6 weeks.

Myth Busters:
Myth: Short hair grows faster. Not True. Cutting your hair has nothing to do with how fast it grows. Well trimmed hair does look better though. Myth: Short manes aren't feminine. Not True: All it takes to make a short mane feminine and sexy is in the styling. Try a sexy bed-head look by tousling or incorporating soft curls into your locks. Myth: You won't get split ends with short hair. Not true: No matter what length your locks are they can develop splits if you don't keep up with regular trims and conditioning. Myth: You can't use extensions on short hair. Not true: As long as you have 3-5 inches of hair to work with, you can have extensions. Short hair shouldn't be a prelude to summer, the fall and winter are a great time to get a crop cut. If you miss your tresses, have a few extension put in or get some of the new clip ons. You'll get so 'attached' to your short hair, you may never go back to long!

- Annette Gunnels Garkowski

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