Honest Hair Advice from Constanze Nunes, Owner of Snippets Hair
“Tell me all about your hair.”
That is probably the first thing I ask every new client who sits in my chair.
Some people are surprised by the question. They expect me to ask what haircut they want or what colour they’re thinking about. But before I even pick up my scissors, I want to understand their hair story.
Have they always struggled with fine hair?
Do they have naturally curly hair that seems impossible to control?
Are they a busy mum who simply wants to wash and go?
Or do they enjoy spending twenty minutes styling their hair every morning?
After many years as a hairdresser, I’ve learnt that choosing the right hairstyle has very little to do with fashion and everything to do with finding a style that suits your face, your hair, and your lifestyle.
A great haircut shouldn’t only look beautiful when you leave the salon. It should still make you feel confident weeks later when you’re styling it at home.
There isn’t one perfect haircut
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:
“What hairstyle suits me?”
The honest answer is that there isn’t just one.
As hairdressers, we look at several things before making a recommendation:
- Your face shape.
- Your hair texture.
- The density of your hair.
- Whether your hair is straight, wavy or curly.
- Your daily routine.
- How much time you’re willing to spend styling it.
Every one of those factors matters.
Understanding face shape
Face shape is one of the first things I assess during a consultation. It gives me a guide, but it is never the only factor.
Oval face shape
An oval face shape is generally the most balanced.
If your cheekbones are slightly wider than your forehead and jawline, you probably have an oval face.
The wonderful thing about this face shape is that most hairstyles work beautifully. Whether you love a pixie cut, a classic bob, long layers or shoulder-length hair, you have plenty of options.
Of course, your hair texture still needs to be taken into account, but an oval face shape gives us a lot of flexibility.
Triangle face shape
With a triangle face shape, the jawline is wider than the forehead.
The aim is to create balance by adding fullness around the top and sides while avoiding extra width around the jaw.
A wolf cut or longer layered hairstyle often works beautifully because it creates softness and movement while drawing attention upwards.
Inverted triangle face shape
An inverted triangle is the opposite.
Here, the forehead is wider, while the chin is narrower.
This is often a wonderful face shape for a bob because the fullness around the jawline creates visual balance and softness.
Square face shape
Square face shapes are very common.
The forehead, cheekbones and jawline are similar in width, giving the face a strong, defined appearance.
Many people with square face shapes don’t realise why certain haircuts have never felt quite right.
For example, a chin-length bob can emphasise the squareness of the jaw. Heavy, blunt fringes may also make the face appear wider.
Instead, I often recommend longer styles, soft layers and movement around the face to create a more balanced look.
But face shape is only half the story
This is where hairdressing becomes interesting.
You can have the “perfect” face shape for a hairstyle but not the right hair texture.
I often see clients with an oval face shape who would love long flowing hair, but their hair is extremely fine.
If we insist on keeping it long, it may simply look flat and lifeless.
In that case, a shorter style might actually make the hair appear thicker and healthier.
Healthy hair always looks more beautiful than damaged hair that is too long.
In our salon we often say:
Healthy hair first.
A consultation I will never forget
Not long ago, a lovely client came into the salon carrying a photograph from social media.
The hairstyle was a beautifully cut short layered bob on someone with very fine, straight hair.
My client had long, thick, naturally curly hair with plenty of volume.
She smiled and said,
“I’d love my hair to look like this.”
I asked her one simple question.
“How much time do you spend styling your hair each morning?”
She laughed.
“None. I’m a busy mum. I don’t blow-dry my hair.”
At that moment, I knew copying the photograph would only disappoint her.
I explained that I could certainly create the haircut, but she would need to straighten and style it every morning because her natural hair behaved completely differently from the hair in the picture.
She looked relieved.
Then she told me something I’ll never forget.
“Another hairdresser gave me exactly this haircut once before… and it was a disaster.”
That conversation wasn’t about saying no.
It was about finding a hairstyle that suited her hair, her lifestyle and her expectations.
That’s what a consultation is really about.
Pinterest is wonderful… but it’s only the beginning
I actually love it when clients bring inspiration photographs.
They help me understand the feeling you’re trying to achieve.
Maybe you love the softness.
Maybe you like the fringe.
Maybe it’s the colour.
Maybe it’s simply the confidence the person in the photograph seems to have.
But I don’t copy photographs.
I interpret them.
Together we create a hairstyle that gives you the same feeling while working with the hair you actually have.
We are not magicians…
One thing I wish every client understood is this:
Hairdressers don’t create hair.
We work with the hair sitting in front of us.
As I often explain to my clients:
“With my scissors, I can cut hair in layers or I can cut it straight. I can’t magically create thick hair, natural curls or instant volume.”
That doesn’t mean beautiful hair isn’t possible.
It simply means beautiful hair starts with realistic expectations and an honest consultation.
My advice
If you’re thinking about changing your hairstyle, don’t start by asking:
“What’s fashionable?”
Ask instead:
- What suits my face?
- What suits my hair texture?
- How much time do I realistically have each morning?
- Am I prepared to style my hair?
The answers to those questions are far more important than the latest trend.
Constanze’s Tip
There is a hairdresser for everyone.
The best hairdresser isn’t the one who copies a picture perfectly.
It’s the one who listens carefully, explains honestly and creates a hairstyle that suits you—your face, your hair and your lifestyle.
THAT’S HOW A GOOD HAIRCUT BEGINS ….
Article by Constanze Nunes
Owner of Snippets Hair
Cell: 0832889123