10 Amazing Ways To Do A Hair Makeover & Signs You Need One

Most romcoms have that scene where the main character, generally a socially inept nerd, transforms into a stunning creation of beauty. It usually requires makeup and a hair makeover. If you have the makeup set but need help with the hair part, we have your back! It is surprising how important hair is to most of our big moments in life. We make drastic hair changes when we go through breakups, job changes, and other life-changing events. From when we were teenagers, we wanted to be badass and get those red or pink hair highlights. But instead of waiting for the next big thing in your life, how about you take a plunge and get a hair makeover for yourself? Because it is never a bad time to get a hair makeover! Keep reading to learn about when your hair needs to get a makeover and how to go about it!

Before You Get Started

• A hair makeover comes with the need to customize your hair care routine to maintain your makeover.
• If you are going for a drastic makeover, make sure you take help from a skilled professional.
• Bangs are serious business. Go to a stylist to get them done if you have no experience cutting them yourself.
• Chemical processes that change hair texture requires intensive hair care and special products. Research or discuss them with your stylist.

Signs That You Need To Go For A Hair Makeover

• You can’t remember the last time you had a haircut: A lot of people (including me) go months upon months without getting a haircut and, thus, get stuck sporting the same old hair look for the longest time. So, if you can’t remember the last time you had a haircut or the last time you went to a new hairdresser and requested a new style, then you really need to consider getting a hair makeover.

• You do the same hairstyle Every. Single. Day.Yes, the joy of finding a hairstyle that works perfectly with your hair takes less than 2 minutes to do and can be reasonably sported every single day is incomparable. But sporting the same bun or ponytail (or whatever style you sport) every single day can make you look…well, boring. There! I said it! So, it’s time to get out of the rut and try out something new with your hair.

• Your hair color has seen better days: Your hair tends to look dull and lifeless if you go too long without changing up its cut and style. So, when your hair has lost its shine and you start using words like ‘mousy’ and ‘limp’ to describe it, it’s time for you to make an appointment with a hair colorist.

• Any hairstyling attempts end up with you in tears: I know how heartbreaking it can be when you’ve spent hours looking for the perfect hairstyle tutorial on YouTube only to realize that you can’t get it to look right even after several attempts. This simply means that your current haircut is not working well with the texture of your hair and it’s time to consider changing things up a bit.

• You’re going through a tough time in your life: Be it a new job, a breakup, or moving to a new city – the best way to welcome a new chapter in your life and start afresh is to go for a dramatic hair makeover. Not only does this mark a new change in your appearance, it also works to boost your self-esteem and lift your spirits.

Quick Tip

Instead of tying a bun or a ponytail or leaving your hair open, you can experiment with many other everyday hairstyles with the help of creative braids.

1. Mood Board: The very first thing you need to decide is whether you want to change your cut, your color, or both. Then comes the fun part! Browse through Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration for styles that you can see yourself sporting. You can look at celebrities whose hair you love and look up hashtags of the styles you want to try out to explore your options. Megan Senner, a licensed professional hair expert with 10 years of experience, adds, “When making your mood board make sure you are searching for people that match your skin tone and have a similar face shape to get the best style that works with your characteristics.” An important thing to keep in mind here though is to be realistic about what kind of cuts and colors will work with your natural hair texture, type, and color. So, make sure you collect a variety of pictures as options to show to your stylist.

2. Pick A Hair Stylist: To get the hair of your dreams, it is crucial that you pick a hair stylist that you trust and know can help your vision become a reality. Ask your family members/friends whose hair you love which stylist they go to. Yelp reviews are also a great way to find out how certain stylists work and how much they charge. You could also check out the Instagram pages of hair salons in your city to see what kind of work they do. I suggest you really take time to zero down on a good hair stylist as they have the power to make or break your hair makeover.

Quick Tip

Enhance your look by trying out crochet braids. They don’t interfere with natural edges and add some volume.

The Many Ways That You Can Get A Hair Makeover

• Hair Styling Tools

You don’t always need a drastic change to get a hair makeover. You can opt for subtle tweaks to keep changing your daily look. You can go for a voluminous blowout or get a curling iron to try out different types of curls, like beachy waves, voluminous curls, or tight ringlets. Alternatively, if you have curly hair, straighten it out to play around with a sleek look. If you would rather not damage your hair with regular heat styling, you can try out heatless methods (like jumbo rollers or braiding your hair overnight) to change your hair look.

• Braids And Hairstyles

You will be amazed at how easy it is to style your hair in tons of different ways once you learn a few braiding or pinning techniques. Practice French braiding, Dutch braiding, hair rolling, and hair twisting techniques to improve your hair styling skills. Once you have them down pat, you can play around with tons of updos, half updos, and hair accent looks.

• Go Short

People may gasp and people may stare. This is exactly why chopping off your tresses is the most drastic way to go for a hair makeover. If you’ve had long hair your whole life, chances are that the ends have started to dry up, developed split ends, and look lifeless. Therefore, cutting them off and going for a short haircut will not only make you look edgy, but also help you grow out healthier hair.

When it comes to styling your short hair, the possibilities are endless. You could go in for an adorable short bob or give in to your dauntless desires and go for a bold pixie cut. Getting an undercut is also a kickass way to look like a punk rock diva. But, if a more mature and professional style is what you’re going for, then a long angled bob will suit you perfectly. Just make sure that you discuss at length all your options and pick a style that will work well with your face shape and texture.

• Go Long

Gone are the days when you had to actually grow your hair out to get long hair. God bless the inventor of hair extensions because getting long hair has never been easier. Hair extensions work like magic in giving you the hair that you desire and make you look oh-so-feminine. If you want more of a long term style, you could go in for permanent hair extensions with real human hair that will last you a couple of months. But, if you would like to sport long hair just on a few special occasions, you can get your hands on temporary clip-in extensions that you can install yourself.

One thing you need to seriously consider if you do go in for permanent hair weaves (that can stay in your hair from anywhere between 6 weeks to 3 months) is that they’ll require a specific hair care routine provided to you by your stylist that you’ll need to follow carefully.

• Color

Changing your hair color is, by far, the best way to transform your hair completely. You can go a million different directions with the hair color of your choice and still not exhaust all your options. All you will need to keep in mind is that the color you choose goes well with your natural hair color, skin tone, and the color of your eyes.

For just a subtle tint of a fun color in your dark hair, you can go for a deep burgundy or auburn shade that may not look like much indoors but bursts to life when you step out into the sun. If depth and dimension are what you’re going for, then bright highlights, subtle lowlights, or dramatic all-over balayage coloring techniques will fulfill your needs perfectly. You could also go totally funky and cool by going for an ombre in a bright and fun color like pink, green, or blue!

• Bangs

The easiest way to give yourself a hair makeover without compromising on the length or color of your hair is to get some bangs cut into it. Bangs (or ‘fringe’, as they are also known) can frame your face beautifully and add a youthful vibe to your whole appearance. While straight cut blunt bangs are the epitome of Parisian chic, side swept bangs will make you like the pretty girl-next-door.

• Layers

If you’re a curly haired girl like me and are befuddled over why your curls have no definition and look like a blob around your head, then you need to get your hair cut in layers. The staggered pattern in which layers are cut helps the curls unfurl in all their glory and look super defined. Even straight hair looks healthier and more voluminous when you get it cut in layers. The bottom line is that no matter what the texture of your hair, it will be elevated to another level of gorgeousness with a layered cut.

• Texture

Tired of your straight hair that can never hold a curl for more than half an hour? Or bored of your same old curly curls? Whichever may be your case, it’s time you went in for a texture makeover. Permanent hair straightening is a great option for someone who has grown up with a full head of curls and is tired of spending time, money, and effort into maintaining them. This chemical treatment will give your hair a super smooth and poker straight texture that will last for about a year.

Whoever told you perms are a thing of the past was dreadfully wrong. Perms are a great way to get the curly hair that you’ve always dreamt of. Perming your hair will not only give a fun twist to your hair look, it will also take people in your life completely by surprise. You could experiment with the kind of curls you get as well! You could go for tightly wound corkscrew curls or loose beachy waves, depending on what you think will suit your personal style.

• Protective Styling

All my kinky haired ladies, listen up! When it comes to hair makeovers, you have a world of protective styles to choose from that can transform your look completely. If you would like to work with just your natural hair, then cornrows braided in a gorgeously intricate pattern will work brilliantly for you. But if you are willing to experiment with some extensions, then you can go choose from anything between badass box braids to cute crochet braids to beautiful bantu knots. The beauty of these protective styles is that you can change them out every few weeks and have the added bonus of protecting the health of your natural hair. You can also get your protective style done up in whacky colored hair extensions to match your mood!

Infographic: Essential Hair Makeover Tools & Equipment

With so many hair makeover tutorials and guides available on the internet, you can learn how to style your hair or give yourself a complete makeover by yourself. You just need the necessary tools to practice and perfect your skills.

Check out the infographic below for a list of the basic tools you need for a hair makeover.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I choose the right hair color for my skin tone?

If you have a cool skin tone, go for cool undertones like ash blondes, cool browns, or cool reds. Those with a warm skin tone can opt for golden blondes, warm browns, caramel highlights, or coppery reds. If you are still unsure, consult a professional to choose the right hair color for you.

What are the pros and cons of getting a hair perm?

While perms add volume, body, and texture to your hair, the chemicals used in the perming process can damage hair, limit styling options, and require additional maintenance.

What are the different types of hair extensions and which one is best for me?

The most popular types of hair extensions are clip-in, tape-in, sew-in, fusion, and micro-link extensions. Consult a professional hairstylist to determine which type of hair extension works best for you and to ensure that the process is done safely and effectively.

What are the hair care tips for maintaining a new hair makeover?

Using the right products, avoiding the excessive use of heat styling tools and chemicals, getting regular trims, and being gentle on your hair help keep your hair healthy and beautiful. Also, use moisturizing and deep conditioning hair masks at least once a week to maintain the natural shine of your tresses.

How often should you trim your hair?

Trimming your hair regularly plays a vital role in maintaining its health and appearance. Generally, experts recommend getting a trim every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent split ends and keep your hair looking fresh. However, the frequency can vary depending on individual hair types, length, your hair care routine. and the existing level of hair damage. If you notice split ends or your hair feels unruly between trims, consider scheduling a trim sooner to maintain its health. If you have longer hair, it may require less frequent trims compared to shorter styles. Additionally, using quality hair care products and minimizing heat styling can also extend the time between trims.

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Megan SennerLicensed Hairstylist

 

Megan Senner is a professional hairstylist who has spent the last 10 years doing hair with some of the biggest bands in the world, including 30 Seconds to Mars, Misterwives, Vinyl Theatre, and Smallpools. She is obsessed with hair color, trending hairstyles, and all things fashion. She specializes in all areas of hair color and is good at helping her...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Asmita DeAssociate Editor

Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor. Her adeptness in refining content, ensuring clarity, and preserving the essence of the written word has consistently contributed to enhance the quality of published...more

Bhumika DagaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Bhumika is a content writer with 2.5 years of expertise in crafting articles across diverse genres. She graduated from the University of Delhi and completed her post-graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi. Her commitment to her craft is evident through her pursuit of certification courses in various styles of writing to continuously enhance her skills. As a skilled...more