Eight simple rules for learning how to get the hair you want

Learn

If you keep doing what you have been doing, you’ll get the same result. So, if you don’t like the way you blow-dry/pin/curl your hair, learn a new, better way to do it.

Practice

Ask your stylist to clearly explain to you, step-by-step, what they are doing with your hair next time you have an appointment. Then try to recreate it at home soon, before you’ve forgotten the pro tips.

Observe

Watch what other stylists are doing for other clients, and what products they’re using.

Protect

If using heated styling tools at home (and this includes your basic home hairdryer), always use heat protectant spray, regardless of how “good for your hair” you may be told the tool might be.

Beware

Like any other style advice, don’t ‘debut’ a new hairdo ten minutes before the taxi is due.

Try

Experiment with temporary transformations, like clip-in hair pieces, wash-out colour, or braids.

Experiment

Try everything once. If you don’t like it, move on. Except perming – don’t do that.

Backstage photography by Jason Lloyd Evans. This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of IMAGE Magazine.