How to make a bad haircut come good

How to make a bad haircut come good

Been a victim of a terrible haircut? Here's how to face a random cut with confidence

You blink and the hairstylist has his way. If you're not one of those who keeps their eyes wide open, or who likes to experiment with their tresses, a haircut gone wrong can spell terrible blues. The fact that hair grows back can be the only solace to Rapunzel's broken heart. But until then, here's how to live with bad haircuts.

Cut too short 
There is nothing that riles a woman more than a two-inch hair trim increased to four, or a bob cut reduced to a crew cut. Relax. Don't pull out the tissue box as yet.

On an average, hair grows back at ¼- to ½-inch a month. To give impetus to the growth, chomp on walnuts and almonds which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (hair regenerator) and zinc (hair loss prevention). Drink lots of water and follow a diet rich in green leafy veggies and lentils. You can also speed things up by relying on granny's good-old advice and devotedly applying hair oil. Hair, as they say, is just dead protein, so protein treatments can help strengthen your locks. Moisture treatments also encourage healthier hair, and, therefore, fastergrowing hair. A good herbal or coconut hair oil serves all these functions well. It also leaves your hair with good lustre and shine.

Limit the damage 
Trying to set right a bad haircut is like flogging a dead horse. So don't try to flatten those thick waves to make yours look longer or get a fringe when the hair that was supposed to reach the neck barely touches the ears. Cut back on your heated styling tool usage, and, when you have to flatten or curl, use a heat protector first. Also, avoid those 101 dubious hair products that promise to grow your hair in 15 days. How long it takes to grow out a bad haircut has a lot to do with how well you treat those tresses.

Learn to accessorise 
So you have terribly thick hair and your hairdresser has decided to give you bangs that resemble Shah Rukh Khan's 1990s look. Help hide the layers by using headbands, bobby pins, barrettes and other fun hair fashion to disguise your bad haircut. And play around with it: Change your parting. Try adding a cute little braid (with the hair pinned, of course). Use a mild hair spray to increase the volume and add some waves. Wearing pretty earrings or a chunky neck piece that goes with your outfit also distracts the attention from your hair.

Avoid washing often 
Oiling your hair four times a month is enough to give the roots much needed nourishment. So don't go mental and pour a bottle every third day. Neither would we advise you to shampoo it often. Most shampoos, irrespective of whatever claims they may make, contain strong chemicals that can really damage the hair. Too many shampoo sessions can strip your hair of healthy oils, causing it to dry out and break. This is certainly not what you are looking for when patiently trying to grow out a bad haircut.

Talk to your stylist 
Tell your stylist how you're feeling and that you are not happy with your haircut. Ask him or her if there is anything that can be done to help minimise the fallout. Your stylist wants you to come back — a happy client returns. Then, if you decide to stick with your stylist, go in for regular trims — stretching them out every eight to 12 weeks is fine to get rid of any split ends
.