5 Reasons Your Salon Haircut Turned Out Wrong

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#1 You Did the Wrong Kind of Recon
You can spend hours checking Yelp, but those in-depth reviews about the manners of the receptionist aren't going to show what kind of haircut you'll wind up with. Instead, use social media to inform your decision when trying a new person. "What's great about Instagram is you have everyone's portfolio at your fingertips," says Riawna Capri, Clear Scalp & Hair celebrity stylist and co-owner of L.A.'s Nine Zero One Salon . "You can pick out a picture from their feed and know that you can get that or something close to it."

#2 You Didn't Bring a Picture…
"A lob, a bob, a shattered haircut—all those words can mean one thing to the client and another to the stylist," says Capri. "It's all about photos, so I can see exactly what you want." You don't have to look to celebrities for inspiration either—a photo of you with your best-ever haircut will help a stylist understand what you're requesting. It's equally important that you give your stylist examples of the cuts you don't like, so that she gets a complete idea of your tastes and has the best chance of making you happy.

#3 …Or You Brought the Wrong Kind of Picture
When you're researching possible cuts, look for people who have the same hair texture as you to ensure you're being realistic with your request, says Juan Carlos Maciques, a stylist at New York City's Rita Hazan Salon . Meaning, if your hair is naturally curly, Kim Kardashian probably shouldn't be your reference point.

#4 You Didn't Tell the Stylist About Your Morning Routine -- or Your Lack of Curling Iron Skills
Beachy waves aren't born that way and sleek, glossy lobs don't just happen. "Some haircuts require more effort—and that's when mistakes happen," says stylist Nunzio Saviano, owner of the Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City. Make sure to communicate how capable you are with styling tools and how much time you're willing to spend with them; tell your stylist if you want to get out the door in 15 minutes without plugging anything in, so he can steer you away from a look that requires a blow-dryer, flat iron and an arsenal of products.

#5 You Tried Too Hard to Make It Work
Sometimes it's not you, it's them. If you have to keep repeating your request to skip the straight razor or continue reminding the stylist you said one inch (not three), that's a sign you're in the wrong chair. "When you're going to someone good, you shouldn't need to tell him how to do his job," says Maciques.

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Braid

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"A braid is a great way to elevate your look quickly," says John Frieda international creative consultant Harry Josh. "And it's easy because you don't need product -- the idea is to work off already textured hair, whether it's one day dirty or you're going from the beach to cocktails at sunset and you don't have time to shower." Where you place the braid is up to you: "A center part with a low braid can be chic for a nighttime event," Josh says. "The higher the braid is, the sexier it is, and the stronger the look." Want this style and just washed your hair? Add dry shampoo (such as Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo , $25) on the areas that need a little more hold and oomph.

Textured Ponytail

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Start by misting wet hair with a sea salt spray (try Bumble and bumble Surf Spray , $27). "Scrunch it in and let hair air-dry," says Marcus Francis, Suave Professionals celebrity stylist, who created the look on Hailee Steinfeld here. "Then part it on the side and pull hair back into a low ponytail using your fingers, not a brush." Pinch and pull hair at the crown to add some height and to create an undone effect that matches the ponytail.

Topknot

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Prep damp hair with mousse (try Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Volumizing Souffle Mousse , $5), distributing it evenly with a comb or paddle brush, Francis says. Allow to air-dry. Use your fingers to rake hair into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic. Then twist and wrap hair into a bun, fixing in place with hairpins, not bobby pins. "Hairpins are more forgiving, if you decide you want to readjust your style," Francis notes. "Bobby pins lock in, and it's difficult to take them out without destroying the hairdo."

Rod Set

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To make sure your Solange style holds, apply mousse to towel-dried hair (we like Herbal Essences Set Me Up Mousse , $4), followed by anti-frizz cream (try Redken Outshine 01-Anti Frizz Polishing Milk , $19) from mid-shaft to ends. Then get out the twist-flex rods. "Take sections of hair comparable to the size of the rods you're using," says Lacy Redway, Head & Shoulders celebrity stylist. "For example, 1-inch pieces if your rods are 1 inch in diameter." Wrap hair around the rod in a spiral, put a bit of gel on the ends (try L'Oral Paris Advanced Hairstyle Lock It Extreme Style Gel , $5), then bend the rod into place. Do this all over your hair and then go to sleep, so that hair can dry overnight. "Otherwise, keep your rods in as long as possible to make sure hair gets really dry," Redway says. Take them out, run your fingers through your hair and mist a little shine spray to finish (she suggests Oribe Shine Light Reflecting Spray , $39).

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