The right hair cut can mean the difference between hours spent coercing every strand of your wayward hair into place or a style that falls perfectly into place with little prompting on your part. That is why it is so important to make sure that you have the perfect hair cut for your type and texture of hair.

For most people, finding the right hair cut is not possible by simply looking through a few hair cutting books and picking out their favorite styles. The truth is that hair cuts featured in the top style magazines and style books have been chosen specifically for each model that sports them. Each hair cut and style has been formulated to compliment the model's bone structure, coloring and hair texture. That is why they look so great.

It would be foolish to think that a straight, textured cut would be possible to achieve on a client with naturally curly hair. And trying to put excessive layering on a client with thin and limp hair would result in a disastrous hair cutting experience. So, what can you do to make sure that you always get a great hair cut?

The first step to great hair cuts is finding the right stylist. Once you find a stylist with a proven record and one with whom you are comfortable, take some time to talk about what you want out of your hair cut. Ask for cuts and styles that will compliment and work with your texture of hair, not go against it. For example: If your hair is wavy, you can not expect to achieve a sleek straight style in minutes. Nor can you expect to achieve a bouffant style on fine, limp hair in a matter of minutes.

Pay attention to how your stylist communicates with you. A good stylist will be honest with you and tell you if a cut that you really want is a bad idea. On the other hand, the same stylist can use their unique hair cutting skills to adapt popular styles to suit your individual hair characteristics and craft your locks into the best hair cut you've ever had.

Along with your stylist, browse through hair cutting and style books and discuss different hair cuts that caught your eye. Try to look for models with hair similar to yours. It is also very important to pay attention to face shape. So, choose models with bone structures similar to yours also.

What to do when a good hair cut goes bad

Sometimes, even people who have done all of their homework get bad hair cuts. Maybe they've chosen a stylist with an approach to hair cutting that is not ideal for their hair type. Or maybe they've insisted on a hair cut that does nothing to flatter their features. Or worse yet, maybe they've gotten a botched hair cut from an inexperienced stylist. No matter what the reason a bad hair cut is not the end of the world. There are things that you can do to make the recovery from a bad hair cut less painful.

While it may seem strange, the first thing you need to do after receiving a bad hair cut is to go and get another one. Find a stylist who can smooth out the rough edges and carve your locks into a style that is more suited to you and more suited to the growing-out phase.

Do not stop at additional hair cutting, ask your stylist to help you find the right products to keep your tresses under control while they are recovering. Yes, it is frustrating, but in a few weeks you probably will not mind your new hair cut. You may even grow to like it.