Bad Haircut

Let’s be honest; we’ve all had a bad haircut before. Whether it be the time you and your bestie convinced yourselves you can give each other a “just a trim” (I’m speaking from experience here), or one of those instances where you walk out of the salon with what appears to be the exact opposite of the Hailey Bieber Italian bob reference photo you strategically picked out.

One thing is for sure: no one wants to face a bad haircut, and that’s where we step in! We’ve got your back from advice on how to hide a bad haircut to insider tips on salon refund policies. Not only can we tell you how to avoid getting a bad haircut, but we’ve got it down to a science– check out our 10 Tips for Your Best Hair Results to make sure that next time you leave the salon, it’s with a smile on your face.
Okay, now let’s dive into the nitty gritty of bad haircuts.

First Things First: Damage Control

If you’re reading this, it might *unfortunately* mean that the damage is already done. But fortunately, not all hope is lost! Here’s how to survive the first few days of a bad haircut.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up: Chat With Your Stylist

Leaving the salon without the hair you asked for can be a really frustrating experience. While salons almost never offer refunds, there’s ways for your hair to get the justice it deserves! As long as you call back in an appropriate time frame (typically within 1-2 weeks), salons will pretty much always offer to redo your hair, and you can of course request a different stylist if that makes you more comfortable. Don’t shy away from advocating for yourself at the salon!

2. Curls Are the Cure-all

Too traumatized to go back to the salon and try again? We get it, don’t worry. Take matters into your own trusted hands and start off with adding some curl or waves to your hair. Take your curling iron, Velcro rollers, heck, you can even curl it with a flat iron! Curls can do wonders for a bad haircut– they blur the lines between rigid cuts, mask an unflattering haircut shape with pretty volume and movement, and they’re always gorgeous! A good curl is bound to boost your confidence no matter the case.

3. Transform Your Look With Extensions

Did your trim end up being a chop? It’s okay, it’s nothing that can’t be undone! Thankfully, we live in an era where amazing, natural-looking hair extensions are readily available. You can add some gorgeous layers, you can add an inch, you can even add hair extensions that reach the floor if that’s what your heart desires. Hair extensions are a quick, easy, and beautiful way to cover up a botched haircut, and they’re guaranteed to have you feeling like a million bucks. BTW, one of our fav hair extension girlies is Ayla Blaney– check out her work here!

4. When In Doubt, Accessorize

Okay, so maybe curls aren’t your thing. If so, you can always take the accessory route to divert attention from a bad cut. Headbands, bows, ribbons, etc. are a cute and easy way to make the best of a bad cut or style. If you’re like me and always wear your hair down, try and see the silver lining in a bad haircut: it’s a great time to experiment with some updos! Go for some pigtails, a slick back bun, or even try out different types of braids paired with your favorite headband or bow.

Our experts here at Ververy relate to and understand your pain when it comes to a bad haircut. Our hot tip to you? Get right back in the salon. Communicating your disappointment is important, because they will likely be able to fix your hair. We’re all guilty of spinning towards the mirror and forcing a smile and an “I love it” when in reality, it’s not the haircut we wanted. While you’re in the chair, it’s okay to communicate with your stylist about what you want and what you don’t want. Stick up for yourself, y’all!

Living With a Bad Haircut: What Now?

Best case scenario, you were able to go back and fix what happened. If not, just know you’re not alone! When asked “how long would you be upset about a bad haircut?” the majority of our audience agreed that it would take them about a month to get over it, and nearly 25% answered with “Years– I’m traumatized!”. If this sounds like you, a new stylist might be in the cards. So, enter Ververy! Customers can use our app for free to customize their hair salon and stylist preferences, and we’ll give you your best matches in seconds! Think of us like a dating app for your hair, except your matches won’t ghost you after the first date!

Hot Tip: Seek out all of your options! Talk to a few new stylists about your next steps and go for free consultations to find a great match who will help guide you through this. Even if you're not ready for another haircut yet, find a hairstylist who you feel comfortable with, gives you proper guidance, and answers your most pressing questions, like how long you should wait to get a haircut again, and how to transition the shape into something you like. Taking the time and resources to find a stellar new stylist will give you peace of mind and a solid plan!

Moral of the Story? Own Your Beauty!

It’s important to put everything in perspective, and know that we are often our own toughest critics. Just remember you're still a badass, you've faced harder things, and your hair will regrow faster than you realize, we promise! Keep your head up, and always consult an expert like us gals over here at Ververy first before anyone touches your hair! Psssst-- we recommend cutting specialists such as Gina Clifford and Katy Brown. Check out their profiles along with tons of other talented stylists at Ververy.com or on our app! Wishing you all nothing but good haircuts to come.

Elaina Conant is a UMass Boston alumna, freelance writer, and intern at Ververy.

How to Fix a Bad Haircut