Are you getting ready to have a hairstyle for the start of classes? Here are some back to school tips to get your perfect hairstyle.

1. Decide

Before hitting the salon, decide on what hairstyle you want to have.  Having a picture that you can show to your hairdresser before you have a haircut would help a great deal to establish what style you want to achieve.  If you are clueless of what you want, it is always best to ask your hairdressers for some options – again, you have to be open to suggestions given and be ready to commit to it.

2. Speak-up

Be open with your hairdresser and avoid having a haircut which you cannot maintain after you get out of the salon.  If you only spend 5 minutes a day maintaining your hair, relay this to your stylist! Ask for a low-maintenance haircut.

Ask for what you want, telling your hairdresser ‘ikaw na bahala’ is the worst statement you could to your hairstylist.   You have to level your hairdresser’s expectation of what you want to achieve with that of your own. Letting him/her cut away your precious hair at their whim may be good if you already have a long outstanding relationship; otherwise, communication is key to having that perfect hairstyle.

3. Listen

You hairdresser knows what's best for you. After going through steps 1 and 2, your hairdresser may agree or suggest a totally different look. Listen!  Your chosen hairstyle may not suit your hair texture or your facial shape, that ‘Vice Ganda’ trendy haircut may not suit your head shape and hairline, or that ‘Alice’ of Breaking Dawn haircut may need a bit of styling required to achieve that look. Either way, what you want may not always be best for you so listen and be open to suggestions and go back to step 2.

4. Treatment

A new haircut will ALWAYS look good when it is healthy. Ask your hairdresser on what type treatment is best suited for you.  A Keratin Brazilian Blowout will make your hair smooth, healthy, frizz-free, and shiny for at least 12 weeks. Ask your hairstylist about it.

5. Choose your Hairdresser

This goes without saying. Professionally trained, experienced hairdressers cannot be replaced by untrained novice hairstylists.  Try to ask your hairdresser of any training / trend seminar / hair shows that he may have attended recently, because, come on, you always want the BEST for you. New products, techniques and trends come out in the industry at least twice a year – if your hair stylist attended his last seminar 5 years ago, this may be a sign to look for  another one.  Training, experience, portfolio building, hair show updates requires time and monetary commitments for the part of the hairdresser – this would equate to them charging higher; which leads us to our next tip:

6. Invest

As a student who has a tight budget, choosing the right hairstyle, treatment, and hairdresser for you may ultimately save you money in the long run. Having your hair damaged by the wrong treatment,  having it cut the wrong way, or having it colored with the wrong shade would prove to be more costly to repair! As they saying goes ”you get what you pay for."