by Mel R

Created on: March 03, 2009

When you needed a change your short hair really did the trick. Now it's time for a different look. Maybe you would like a bit of a mane to toss around, but the thought of growing your hair out isn't appealing. You dread the months of barrettes, hairpins, and super duper control products needed just to make your hair look presentable. It's almost enough to make you give up and just tell your stylist to keep it short.

It doesn't have to be that way. There are strategies you can employ to make the grow out process easy and even fun.

Look at growing your hair out as a journey, you will get there, but you're going to have to make some stops along the way. The trick is making those stops as simple, fun, and fashionable as possible. You need to plan your journey.

Start at the beginning. Take a good look at your hair. Compare your present style with the look that you want. Look at the differences and similarities. Is the front similar? How about the back? Try to target the areas that will require more growth, and the ares that you can leave alone. If your new style has bangs, and you don't, there is no reason not to have them cut now.

Now go to your computer and type "hairstyles" into your favorite search engine. You'll find a heap of websites that have pictures of hairstyles of every length and style. First find some styles that are close to your present length and save some that you like. Move on through lengths between what you have now and what you want. Print a few of your favorites. Lay the pics out and see if you can find a path to the hairstyle you want.

Make an appointment with your hairstylist and bring your pictures along. Talk with your stylist about your goal and show him or her the pictures. Don't worry that they will be offended because you desire a change. A good stylist will welcome this chance to work with you using their skills and creativity. The more information you can give you stylist the better. Keep in mind words like "longer","curlier", or "straighter",are subjective, they may mean something different to you than your stylist. A picture can be worth athousand words.

Come up with a plan with your stylist. They may have suggestions beyond the ideas that you have brought. You stylist knows what works best with your hair type. Keep an open mind, and let them know very specifically what you do and don't like about their suggestions. They do understand that growing out a hairstyle is difficult, they've been through it many times themselves, and want to make the process as painless as possible and help you reach your goal. With a bit of professinal help, you can look neat and well done thoughout the process.

Now enjoy the looks that you've come up with on your way to your new hairstyle. You may come up with a look that you've never considered that works well for you. There is nothing wrong with stopping there, at least for a while, with your plan you can always move on.

Learn more about this author, Mel R.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.