Tress to impress: what’s the best hair length for you?

A woman in a blue dress is standing with her eyes closed.

 Before you visit your hairdresser, how many times do you ask yourself what hair length you should go for? It’s the age-old dilemma: should you  go for a short hairstyle  , or grow it out? It’s the million-dollar question. Hairdressers play a crucial role in helping clients discover the best hair length to suit their individual features, lifestyle, and preferences. 
 

At Friends + Co, our team of professionals is dedicated to providing our clients with  the best hair care services in Christchurch  . Our experienced hairdressers help clients explore different hair lengths while being honest about what is achievable and will work best for you. We take time to understand the past hairstyles you have liked or disliked, your hair styling habits and preferences, and future hair goals so your  hair helps you feel confident  and happy, not just for the day of your appointment, but for the long term. 


Here’s how we do it:


Face shape analysis

  • A fundamental factor in determining the most flattering style for you is the shape of your face. Face shape analysis is an incredibly powerful technique to help your hairdresser better understand the proportions of your features and identify which face shape you are. The principal shapes include round, square, oval and heart shape and each has corresponding hairstyles to complement them:
    Round faces:  hair styles that add height and length to the face, such as longer layers or shoulder-length cuts with volume at the crown.

  • Square faces:  soft, layered cuts that fall below the chin soften strong jawlines. Medium lengths with waves or curls are also flattering.

  • Oval faces: most lengths work well with oval faces, but medium cuts with soft layers highlight balanced features.

  • Heart-shaped faces: hair styles that add width at the chin balance a wider forehead and narrow chin, such as a lob (long bob) with layers.


A woman is touching her long brown hair with her hand.

Hair texture and type


Hair characteristics are passed down through the generations, so whether hair texture is straight, wavy, or curly; or you have a hair type of fine, medium, or coarse, it’s all down to genetics and ethnicity. Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and conditions like thyroid disorders also impact hair texture and type too. Understanding a client's natural hair texture and type is essential to identify the best hair length.


Fine hair: our Christchurch hairdressers may suggest shorter to medium lengths with layers to add volume and prevent the hair from looking flat.


Thick hair: medium to long lengths with layers help manage volume and avoid a bulky appearance.


Curly hair:  medium lengths often work best, as they allow the curls to form naturally without becoming too heavy or too short, which can lead to frizz. If you have curly hair, book a consultation and appointment with Corkin and Friends’ specialist curly hairdresser to reinvigorate your curls .


Lifestyle considerations

Aside from looking fantastic, the best length of hair needs to be practical for your lifestyle. People lead busy lives, so it’s crucial you have a hairstyle that fits in with your lifestyle and the time you can commit to hair care and maintenance. Clients who prefer minimal grooming and styling time may find shorter or medium lengths more suitable, but for those who enjoy spending time on their hair and experimenting with different styles may prefer longer hair that offers more versatility for styling.


Whether you’re looking for a new style, expert colouring, or a special occasion updo, we are here to make you look and feel your best. Visit Friends + Co to discover why we are considered the best hairdressers in Christchurch. To make an appointment in our Christchurch city hair salon, click
here  or call 03 371 9297 .

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