SHORT  VS. LONG HAIR

                           How To Tell Which One Is For You...

2014 is the year of short. From Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway to Miley Cyrus and Beyonce (all of her 30 seconds of short), cropped hair hasn’t looked so hot since Audrey Hepburn in the 50s or Mia Farrow circa ’77. 

Celebrity hairstylist Daniel Johnson says: “An advantage of having a shorter hairstyle in winter is that it’s a lot easier to keep in good condition and maintain style-wise. Going for a shorter style gets rid of any dead ends and gives your hair a chance to revitalise after all of the damage that the summer sun has caused.” We’re certainly tempted.

“Be warned though, shorter hairstyles require a lot more attention in terms of cutting if you want to keep them looking well-groomed” he says.

That’s not the only consideration - going for the chop is big commitment and there’s a high regret risk factor. How on earth do you know if short will suit you? Daniel have given us his golden rules to help you find a short style to suit YOUR features. Because unfortunately, we don’t all look like Queen Bey, do we?

Choosing a short cut for your face shape
1) If you have a long face, select a hairstyle that will shorten it. To do this, you want to create the illusion of width. If you’re thinking of trying short hairstyles, a chin length bob would work great. Or, if that’s too short, try a cut that ends somewhere between the chin and shoulders.

Alternatively, if you want to keep your hair longer, a tip is to add width through curls and waves. Long hair with a long face can drag it down; however this style looks great and will balance the proportions out.

2) If you have a wide face (round or square shaped), select a hairstyle that will add length to your face. This will balance the proportions by creating the illusion that it is longer and slimmer. If you have a round face, I would try to avoid having short hair and opt for a longer straighter style as this will elongate your face, making it appear slimmer and more in proportion.

However, if you do want a shorter style, avoid the ‘classic bob’ as this could look like you have a helmet on your head. Instead, I would try a long bob. Perhaps a cut that ends one-two inches below the chin. This will elongate your face and draw the eye downwards giving the illusion of a longer face.

3) If you have an angular face (e.g. square or oblong shaped), try opting for a softer haircut. This will soften the edges of your face. It will depend on your overall body type, as you need to balance out the proportions. However, often, angular faces tend to work really well with short hairstyles (such as pixie crops), especially if you have an elegant swan-like neck like Charlize Theron or Emma Watson. So, if you fancy going for a change, why not be brave and experiment with a shorter style?

4) People with perfectly oval shaped faces are lucky. They are lucky as they will suit most styles - short or long.

Fringes on short hair
A fringe is a big statement and you must have the right fringe to suit your facial shape or this could look very wrong! Square, long, oval and round faces, for example, would all need different styled fringes and cuts.

I think short hair with a fringe is a huge no-no! It looks completely wrong and can also make your whole overall look seem wrong. I'd say keep fringes for people with long hair as, with long hair, they work really well, and look stylish and very sleek.

Top tip: Always ask your stylist if the cut you want will suit you. There’s no harm in asking and they will be able to help you find a cut that you like that is also perfect for your face shape.