Hairdos — and hair don'ts

It's too short. It's not short enough. The layers are all wrong. Did I ask for bangs?

If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind after visiting the salon, you've experienced the struggle that many women face: trying to find the perfect haircut.

We asked three stylists in the Wichita, Kan., area for their tips on how to avoid a disaster and find a great cut that fits your style and needs.

Have realistic expectations. Whether you request a style from a magazine photo or describe a celebrity's coveted locks to your stylist, chances are your hair won't turn out exactly the same way.

"Your hair type could be totally different from the person in the picture," said Britani Elliott, a stylist at Elements. "You might not have the right face shape for a particular cut."

Mylinda Junkermeier at Cost Cutters says an experienced stylist will help you determine whether a certain cut will look flattering on you.

Ask around. If you're not sure which salon to go to, ask friends, family and co-workers where they go — especially those who have a haircut that you admire.

"Ask them how long they've been going there and if they're happy," said Junkermeier. "Ask if their stylist listens to what they want."

Poetry Loggins of Queen Salon agrees that word of mouth works.

"If you see someone else's work, you know what they're capable of," she said.

Take it easy. When you're considering a major change, whether it's a cut or color, it's a good idea to schedule a consultation first. Most salons offer this service for free, so ask about it before making an appointment for the cut.

"I like to discuss how long a person wants to spend styling their hair and how much effort they want to put into a style," said Elliott.

"A lot of pregnant women come in with long hair and want it all chopped off," she said. "That can come as a big shock if they haven't thought about it enough."

Junkermeier recommends taking gradual steps.

"Making a huge change all at once can be scary, and you shouldn't do it on a whim," she said. "If I sense someone is nervous about getting a totally different style, I'll suggest making the change over three or four appointments rather than doing it all at one time."

Picture it. A good rule of thumb for helping your stylist figure out what you want is to bring in several photos.

"Cut out pictures from magazines and look on the Internet for ideas," said Junkermeier. "Pictures really help, because a stylist can go over what you like about each style and implement several different aspects into a cut you'll love."

Loggins says looking at photos helps create an understanding.

"A picture gives you a map, something to go off of," she said. "It's a good way to make sure they know what they're getting before the haircut."

Get comfortable. Enjoying your time at the salon can be just as important as how you feel about your haircut. If you're not comfortable in the salon, you may not feel great about the style you get there.

"You want to be able to feel open to talk to your stylist and say what you want," said Loggins.

"You shouldn't feel put-out when you visit a salon," said Elliott. "A friendly atmosphere and staff that get along with each other helps you enjoy your experience."

Extra tips:

• Beware the pink hair? Nope. Just because your stylist has a funky style doesn't mean you'll end up with something wild. Their personal style won't be reflected in your haircut — unless you want it to be.

• Give it time. Don't walk into a salon right before closing time and expect success. Allow plenty of time to discuss what you want.

• Get the whole story. Ask lots of questions about how to take care of your new 'do. Figure out what products and tools you'll need to achieve the look at home.

• Step outside the box. Don't be afraid to try a new stylist if you feel your cut is in a rut. Sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need.

• Hair care, not day care. Leave the kids at home. Use your trip to the salon as time to relax and unwind. You and your stylist also will be able to focus on giving you the style you want, rather than keeping the kids in line.