by Susan Quilty

Created on: May 17, 2009

Maybe your hairstylist wanted to "try something new" or maybe you tried to get creative with the scissors yourself. Whatever happened, you are now staring in the mirror at a bad haircut and wondering what to do.

Bad haircuts are depressing. It can seem to take forever for them to grow out. Yet, when you find yourself with a bad cut, there are many things you can try to make the haircut more bearable.

1. Headbands

Many bad hair cuts, whether on long hair or short, can be disguised with a fashionable headband. Often getting the bad haircut off your face hides wayward layers and gives your face a smooth, simple frame. Headbands also come in many styles and colors to change your look.

Rigid headbands (U-shaped to fit over the head) can be made of metal or plastic. They come in wide or thin varieties and in multiple colors. Rigid headbands may be decorated with any object you can imagine, including a fabric overlay.

Soft headbands form a complete circle of fabric, often with an elastic section to hold the band in place. They can be wide or thin and come in a variety of colors and fabrics. You can use a narrow scarf or ribbon to make your own headband.

Beaded headband wraps are circles of beads that have been strung on elastic and can be stretched to fit in place. They are often made up of multiple strands of beads.

2. Barrettes or Clips

Another way to disguise a bad haircut is to use barrettes or clips to change the shape of the hair line. Small barrettes or decorative clips can be used to hold back small chunks of hair, while large barrettes can hold back half or all of your hair.

When buying barrettes, don't base your decision on the top of the barrette alone. Check the back of the barrette to see what kind of clip is attached to the back. There are many kinds of clips and some will hold less hair than others.

3. Ponytails

If the remaining hair is long enough, ponytails are a great way to disguise a bad haircut. Oddly cut layers disappear and the length of too-short hair is hidden when your hair is gathered into a ponytail.

Ponytails are versatile as well. They can be sporty or sophisticated. For more formal occasions, pull hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck and cover the band with a decorative clip or beaded wrap.

4. Hair Pieces

When your own hair has a bad cut, try disguising it with a faux hair piece. Faux ponytails, clip-in hair sections, or even a full wig can get you through a really bad haircut.

While you probably want to be careful to match hair pieces to your own color, you also have the option of adding some fun, funky colors to your style. Try some colorful clip-ins from HairExtensions.com. They come in fun colors like Bubblegum Pink, Grape Jelly, or Plum Pudding.

5. Hats

Hats are an old standby for bad haircuts. They cover nearly any bad haircut and are easy to throw on in a hurry. When opting for a hat, you don't have to settle for a baseball cap. Casual hats are available in a variety of styles. Ivy and newsboy caps are popular fashions. Bucket hats, cloches, and cowboy hats are also great options.

However you choose to disguise your bad haircut, keep in mind that at some point, nearly everyone has suffered through a bad cut. Remember that your hair will grow back in time.

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