SLASH &BURN
How to fix a disaster of a haircut
Bad haircuts happen to good people. It’s one of those tragic why-me situations that quickly spiral into questioning past karma offences until finally the growing-out stage is complete. We’ve all been there. Luckily, there are actually answers to that question you’ll inevitably ask post-disastrous cut/colour/ill-advised perm, “What do I do now?”
First thing’s first: Don’t hesitate to express your disappointment to the salon; many stylists encourage going back to get the problem redressed. There’s also the option to take matters into your own hands — it’s just about knowing when and how.
Also, a reminder about prevention being the best course. You’ve heard it a thousand times before, but here it is once again: Always bring photos of what you want your hair to look like in order to successfully communicate your desired outcome to your stylist.
We spoke with Jessica Parsons, a Kérastase artist at Hype Hair Studio, and Erin Wilson, a stylist at Pony Salon, both in Vancouver, to create a roadmap for what to do to fix five common issues when disaster strikes.
TOO-SHORT BANGS
When a fringe is too short, there’s not much to do but wait for it to take its sweet time reaching your brows. Until then, you can fake a bit more length by straightening your hair.
“(To get) the most amount of length, your hair has to be as flat as possible,” Parsons says. Use a paddle brush to blow-dry locks flat against your forehead, and avoid unnecessary rounding. Alternatively, hide your bangs entirely by braiding them into the lengths of your hair or pinning them back with bobby pins.
CROOKED BANGS & LOPSIDED LENGTHS
Parsons suggests evening out bangs by point-cutting, a technique that can be achieved by holding scissors vertically and taking itty-bitty snips off the ends for a soft but even result.
If you have a steady hand and sharp scissors, Parsons says it’s also possible to fix asymmetrical front sections yourself. Because wet hair will spring up when it dries, she recommends making these adjustments on dry hair. Start by bringing your hair over your shoulders in two parts. Straighten your posture and begin chopping horizontally.
If the discrepancy is minor, Wilson suggests a styling tweak. “Try curling one side slightly tighter than the other (or) use volumizing products for fine or flat texture” (to give one side more lift).
UNEVENNESS IN BACK
Don’t try to fix unevenness in the back yourself — it won’t end well. If you wanted a straight line or a V-shape, but didn’t get it, you’re going to need to go to the salon. “And do not wait weeks,” says Wilson. “Nine out of 10 times it is a quick adjustment and most salons offer this for free as long as (your desired result) was discussed in the consultation.”
BAD LAYERS OR HEAVINESS
Displeasing layering and weight also require a trip back to the salon. In this case, Parsons advises seeking out a different stylist, one who is experienced in your exact needs. “You might be better suited for someone that specializes in long layers or whatever it may be. The salon you went to originally may even have someone that can help you.”
COLOUR ISSUES
Colour catastrophes happen to everyone. The important part is knowing what to do about it (and speaking up about the mistake if you go back to the same salon). The right shampoo and conditioner can help fix certain disasters, suggests Wilson. For example, a purple conditioner can tone down brassiness. And a clarifying shampoo can help strip out unwanted colour. For balayage that’s too stripey, Wilson advocates going back to a salon and having more colour smudged in to blend the root shade out.