Want to know how to get a better haircut?

In the salon, a term I hear often is, "I don’t know what I'm looking for." In the vast world of micro trends, it can be difficult to find a picture that matches the one you have in mind. The internet is inundated with images and that can make it feel like an intimidating place to find the right image for your next haircut or colour.
The right reference image can lead you to the hair of your dreams without having to say a word. At times, verbal descriptions between client and stylist can get lost in translation. 'Warm,' can take on many definitions and everything is subjective. This is where your reference image can eliminate confusion. That said, how does one find the right image?

The extensive, frustrating search is over. Here's how to search like a pro.

When you look at Hailey Bieber's iconic shoulder length bob, it's hard not to notice how well it sits. An aura of effortlessness adds to its appeal and charm. The reason for this comes down to one specific factor. The haircut sits on harmony with her hair texture. The hair has not been dramatically tampered
with in order to suit the haircut. Somebody with much thicker strands would naturally see different results after receiving the same cut.

This not to say that thick strands can't suit a shoulder length bob, the result would just look a little different. Familiarise yourself with the density of your hair, is it fine or thick? How does it tend to fall, flat or with natural volume? What is its natural texture or how do you prefer to wear most days? Straight, wavy, curly or coily? You don’t need to do a thorough, scientific analysis, you just a general sense. From there, look for images within the same family. Not identical, just close enough.

The endless search for the perfect hair inspiration can feel as hopeless as doom swiping on a dating app. Hours or even days could pass before stumbling upon something that’s worth your interest. This is where getting specific with your searches can be a game changer. Take a moment to think about what it
is you want? What does your heart most desire? Are you in search of something sleek? Perhaps shaggy and textured? Warm? Cool?

It's key words such as these that will narrow down your searches. A simple 'blonde' search is tossed into the abyss of micro trends, will get lost amongst all the Scandi blondes of search engines. The more specific the language, the better your results.

Zoe Kravitz's pixie cut in her iconic portrayal of Catwoman became a pivotal moment in my decision making to cut all my hair off. There's no denying that her flawless skin and perfect, prominent cheekbones played a huge part. I was infatuated with the details, its choppy texture, it deep hue
paired with its tight silhouette. These were the elements I emphasised during the consultation before chopping it all off.
When you've found the inspiration, it's important to ask yourself, what is it that I'm drawn to? Is it the haircut itself? The colour? The way it's styled? Or perhaps it's the lighting and overall aesthetic? Sometimes the image isn't about the hair at all, if you bring that into the salon without breaking it down, you may be setting both yourself and your hairdresser up for confusion.

Through the careful construction of many a mood board, I've learned a thing or two about creating a narrative through images. When using Pinterest, specific searches create useful launch pads, from that point, you can click on images that are vaguely close to what you're after. The image may not be exact or close enough to be pinned, yet you'll be met with an influx of images that resemble the one you've clicked on. Repeat this step until you have found the right inspiration.

For example, I built the mood board above around a trend called Cloud Curls. A specialized, niche way to wear curls. The finish is soft, natural and relaxed in appearance. I used the search 'natural curls' as my starting point. The results gave me a mix of ultra defined and less defined curls, I steered clear of
anything defined. I was careful to only click on curls that were a little fluffy and lived in, this lead me to the niche finish I was looking for. The board is full of different colours and textures but they possess a similar vibe. Mood boards can also be used to build a Frankenstein collage of different looks. You may love the bangs in one image, the length and layers of another. This still forms a narrative, just in another way.