How to Cope with a Bad Haircut

How to grow out the haircut from hell

If you were cursed with a bad haircut that brings tears to your eyes every time you look in the mirror, try to pull yourself together. Most of us have had to cope with botched bangs or sloppy layers at some point or another, usually at the mercy of a scissor-happy stylist who thinks s/he knows best. Pick the wrong hair stylist (someone who doesn't share your definition for the term "half an inch") and, in one swift motion, you're living a bad hair year. The good news is that time heals all haircuts and there are ways to cope until it grows out. Try on your dream hairstyle in our virtual hairstyle studio.

Hide a bad haircut by wearing a hat—it’ll hide a multitude of sins (i.e. uneven layers or too-short bangs). Selecting one is a matter of mood: Try a cowboy style, lowered at the front to cast a flirty shadow on your face; flaunt your sporty side with a baseball cap; channel your your inner bohemian in a cotton head wrap that cascades down your back; or go all-out mysterious in a wide-brimmed hat with oversized sunglasses. It's really a matter of attitude. Act like you meant to have an uneven bob and you could start the next trend among your friends.

Add back the length that was so wrongfully stolen from you with a hairpiece. Especially helpful are wefts, which are temporary and do not required heat or glue. Voila! You're good as new. Almost. In some cases, a little experimental styling is all you need to bring your self-confidence back. A texturizing cream can add volume and make a bad haircut more manageable. Making baby snips to the ends of your bangs (pointing the scissors at a 45 degree angle) can make them appear less blunt and lift some of the weight off your face. Bangs with lightweight ends are easier to brush to the side.

Don't be shy about letting the rest of womankind know about the stylist who gave you the nightmare haircut. Consider yourself a hero when you save others grief, especially if your stylist did not listen, was overbearing or pushy, or made you cry. Ugh, that's the worst. Group hug. --Stephanie Simons