Tip #1: Consider your face shape Most face shapes can handle short hair, except round faces. Women with round faces tend to look better with hair cut below the chin. Bobs on a round face tend to look like a helmet. You want to elongate your face and keeping hair a bit longer draws the eye downward.
See best haircuts by face shape
Tip #2: Do you have nice shoulders, jawline and neck? Short hair draws attention to these areas. If you have a short neck, a double chin or wide shoulders, you might consider cutting hair just at or above the collarbone. The long bob trend is hugely popular now and hits right at this perfect point.
Tip #3: Your height matters Super tall women will look like pinheads, or Q-Tips with a super short haircut that hugs the skull. If you are above 5'8" and want to go short, the most flattering look will be at the chin line. Petite women look great in a gamine cut -- a short, layered cut -- because it doesn't overwhelm the body, acording to Allure's August, 2008, issue.
See best hairstyles by body type: tall, short, boyish and round
Tip #4: Are you curly? Think twice Curly hair tends to get pouf-fy when cut short. Some stylists swear curly hair should be cut no shorter than two inches below the chin, but I've seen some gorgeous short styles on curly women. The secret is in the layering. Cutting curly hair is an art, so choose your stylist carefully, lest you leave the salon looking like a poodle.
Get the secrets to styling curly hair
Tip #5: Fine hair looks better shorter Super fine hair goes flat when grown long. If you have fine hair, a short cut will add body, just be careful not to overlayer hair. Keep hair as close to one length as possible. Removing too much bulk is bad for volume.
Tip #6: The Sharpie Tip I got this tip from "Confessions of a Beauty Editor," by Allure's Linda Wells. Take a picture of yourself in front of a dark or light background depending on your hair color (if you're blonde, choose dark, brunette, choose light). Take a Sharpie and "cut off" your hair to see how you'd look shorter. We suggest starting longer then gradually going up so you don't waste your picture.
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