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When to Sport Short

"Short hair is not for everyone, so take the time to clarify expectations, as well as styling habits and lifestyle, before going in for the chop," says Carrin Caracciolo from New York's Di Rosa Haircare. "Guests will no longer be able to rely on a bun or ponytail and it definitely takes more time to style short hair, and that just might not fit into everyone's schedule," she adds. Having an extensive consultation to clarify expectations is crucial. Here's a quick guide to going short.

Trust - Even if a guest marches in and demands a short look, it's up to you to figure out if they are really ready for it because if they aren't, it's on you. Ask many, many questions and be a good listener.

Face Shape - The length must flatter the face and accentuate the best features. There are many variations on short, so make sure you choose the right one for the guest.

Styling - Take extra time to teach her how to style the new look, from blow drying techniques to using the proper brush and styling products…otherwise the style will not look good and the client will get frustrated. Showing multiple ways to style the look is even better.

"The above look was done on a day Di Rosa Haircare calls 'Transformation Tuesday' - what a great way to market the fact that you are creating new and fresh looks every Tuesday," say Patrick McIvor, Artistic & TechniCulture Director for Goldwell and KMS California.

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