What to Do If You Hate Your New Haircut

It’s the worst-case scenario we all know too well: after heading into a hair salon armed with plenty of haircut inspiration from Instagram, you sit through an appointment. Finally, the stylist spins your swivel chair around so that you can see your new look in the mirror, and . . . you hate it. Trust us: we’ve all been there.

The good news is that you don’t (and shouldn’t) have to pretend to love your hair when you don’t. In need of some emergency assistance? No matter the specific haircut conundrum you may be facing — be it bangs that don’t look right to you or layers you hate — we found a few ways you can turn that zero haircut into a hero. The first step? Take a deep breath. . .

Problem: You Cut Your Hair Too Short Right Before a Big Event

Unfortunately, no matter what the internet tells you, no magic DIY mask will give you longer hair after just one application. “There’s nothing you can do to speed up hair growth — period. All human hair grows at a rate of half an inch each month,” Rachel Nazarian, MD, F.A.A.D., dermatologist at New York City’s Schweiger Dermatology Group, previously told PS.

That said, there is one thing that will immediately lengthen your hair: extensions. Though pricey, these can come in handy if you got a shorter-than-ideal cut right before a big event. “If it’s a devastating circumstance — like, if you’re getting married next week — invest in hair extensions,” Devin Toth, a hairstylist at New York City’s Salon SCK, says.

Problem: You Have Curly Hair and Cut It Too Short

TLDR: Bust out the flatiron. “If you make your hairpin straight, you’ll add a few more inches of length to your curls,” Toth says.

Problem: Your Hair Is Too Short, and It Looks Damaged

If you came out of your cut with a too-short look and a side of fried hair, Toth recommends investing in a deep conditioner. (We love the Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask ($39).) Also, go easy on the blowouts. “You want to avoid adding more heat damage with hair styling tools,” he says.

Problem: You Got Bangs, and They’re Too Blunt

If you want to give your baby bangs a more grown-up spin, redirect your hairstylist. Toth says, “Ask your stylist to point cut into your bangs, so things appear soft and more natural.” This means that they’ll snip with the scissors facing up, which works to give your ends more texture.

Problem: You Got Bangs in the Summer . . . and It’s Too Dang Hot

Sweaty, limp bangs just aren’t a good look. If, despite your valiant attempts, none of your bang-salvaging efforts are working, Toth recommends hiding them with some good old-fashioned styling.

“Twist or braid them out of the way, then pin into place,” he says. The best part about this technique is that it puts you in control of your bad fringe. “If you do it loosely, it gives a swooping effect.” A bonus? The pro says, “this technique works well when you’re out during the hot, humid summer” to keep things un-matted.

Problem: You Hate Your Bangs, So You’re Just Going to Give Up on Them

This might be a solution in itself, according to Toth. “Sometimes, if you overstyle your bangs, it looks a little forced. Bangs look better when you just let them be.” Ditch the pomade, and let your hair fall naturally.

Problem: You Got Layers You Regret

Need to get rid of layers, and need to get rid of them now? It’s easier than you think — if you’re willing to give up some length. According to Toth, “You can eliminate all of your layers by bringing the bottom of your haircut all the way up to your shortest layer.”

Problem: You Got Layers You Regret but Don’t Want to Cut Any Shorter

Highlights act like bright neon signs that scream, “Look at my layers!” If you want to turn that off, Toth says you can switch up your color. “You can camouflage layers by adding a darker hair color,” he says. “With light hair, you can see the details of everything; with dark hair, you only see the silhouette.”

Problem: You Got Layers, and You Hate How They Flip Out

If you want your layers to look more Alexa Chung than Rachel Green, hit the tips with a flat iron or smooth down with some product. As Toth says, “If you’re trying to hide your layers, I wouldn’t style them so that the ends flip out and upward.” The pro recommends dabbing a bit of styling cream on the ends to sleek everything down.

Alaina Demopoulos is a former junior staff writer for PS Beauty.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.