Coco Chanel was right when she said, "A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life." So when the fate of your future is in a person's hands they better do a damn good job. Hair stylists who take the time to understand your hair, its texture, thickness, natural color and level of curl, are hard to impossible to find. But who knows your hair and all of its weird quirks better than the person who has been acquainted with it since birth? No one. So sometimes it's worth the risk to take the shears and dyes into your own hands and go on a hair adventure.
First, do your research. You wouldn't try to fix your car with a check engine light on it unless you knew basic mechanics, right? At least I would hope so. YouTube and Google will point you in the best direction. Find picture of what you want your hair to look like, then find tutorials on girls with similar hair as you. Most likely they will list the products they used to give you an idea what brands are popular. On a similar note know some basic terms of what you want. Do you want an ombré or a balayage or a mix of both? What color tone will match well with your skin tone? Are you looking for a permanent dye, a stain, or a semi permanent color? It may seem a little overwhelming at first but with some time and research you'll gain some knowledge about what style you are truly after and how best to achieve it.
Second, figure out whether you are personally capable of executing all the steps necessary to getting what you want and aren't afraid to make some mistakes on the way. If you quivered on the mention of mistakes and possible hair fails, I would suggest sticking with a professional to do your hair. Or at least have one on speed-dial to schedule a fast appointment to fix what mess you may create. If you are trimming your hair to a shorter length with a few layers, it's totally possible to do at home and come out flawless. If you're aiming towards a more involved style with multiple layers, you may want to consult a professional. Also be reasonable about your expectations. Don't expect your hair to go from Gothic black to sunny Californian blonde in one day. Your hair is pretty resilient and strong, but it can't withstand world war three level chemical warfare all at once.
So since you've stuck with this article this far, I'm assuming you have decided to try changing your hair up on your own. Congrats! You will soon be a part of a mad scientist club called people who dye/cut their hair at home even though they may not completely know what they are doing. If you are dying your hair, test strips are your best friend. If you're embarking on a hair cutting adventure then chopping off a little at a time will help you ease into the length that you want. Never dive in head first and say "F*** it".
Now you’ve changed your hair. How’s it feel? Different? Right? Like the universe has aligned and you are becoming the person you truly need to be? I hope so. The journey of independence from hair salons doesn’t end here. Maintain your look with small adjustments and proper care. Make sure you are using the right shampoo and conditioner, be careful when using heating products and be creative. Touch ups don’t always have to be back to the original look you started with. Cut it shorter, dye it darker, highlight accent pieces, or create a new look the world has never seen before. Most importantly, have fun and stay inspired.
