How to Disguise a Bad Haircut - Ask the Editor!

by Laura Kenney (Subscribe to Laura Kenney's posts)
Posted Feb 24th 2010 at 12:05AM

Emily Blunt The Wolfman Feathered Headband

Photo: Getty Images

Q: I got a terrible haircut. How long will it take to grow out and what can I do in the meantime to disguise it?

A: It's hard to say exactly how long it will take to grow out -- that really depends on the length and any layers that were added. Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from two to four months.

But before you head into hair hibernation, know that there a few things you can do to get through the grow out. The first is bobby pins. They easily tuck into the hair to help camouflage unwanted bangs and uneven layers.

Headbands also work in the same way, elegantly disguising uneven layers, lengths, and bangs.

You can also try switching your part, especially if the cut left one side of the hair longer than the other.

Another option? Pulling it back into a ponytail. We've got plenty of expert options in the gallery, below.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=653338&pid=653337&uts=1265648631

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Hair Basics: Ponytails

The Wrapped Pony
It's that easy! You can dress this sleek ponytail up or down.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Hair Basics: Ponytails 101

Need a go-to ponytail for day, night, or the office? Danielle Caputo, celebrity hairstylist, shows us three glam styles you can do at home.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Style One: The Wrapped Pony
Part hair on either side, using the iris of your eye as your guide to where it should go.

Tip: Use the edge of a comb to ensure a straight line.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Pull Back
Pull hair directly back to the center of the head: "Brushing hair directly back off the face complements everyone's face shape," says Danielle. Secure the ponytail with an elastic.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Perfect Your Pony
Get rid of any fly-aways by spraying hair with a light hairspray and gently smoothing through fine-tooth comb.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Wrap the Elastic
"When you finish the ponytail, it looks more polished to cover the elastic with your own hair," suggests Danielle. Take a small piece at the bottom of your ponytail.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

The Vanishing Act
Wrap the strand of hair all the way around the elastic several times until you have about an inch left.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Secure with a Pin
Tuck the end of the strand underneath your ponytail and secure with a bobby pin or straight pin.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

The Wrapped Pony
It's that easy! You can dress this sleek ponytail up or down.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Style Two: The Twisted Pony
Start by gathering the hair low at the nape of the neck.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Secure Hair
Secure it with an elastic, then gently pull the elastic down a bit to leave a few inches of space above.

Peter Buckingham for AOL

Read All Comments

Filed under: Cuts & Style, Hair
Tags: ask-the-editor, bad hair cut, BadHairCut, Hair Basics, HairBasics, headband

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

READER COMMENTS

(9)Add A Comment

Lori, 2-27-2010, 6:32PM

AOL?? Why do you allow people to comment on a regular basis when it's really a solicitation?? UNREAL!

Reply »

Tim, 2-27-2010, 6:50PM

Lori.. Im thinking they pay to have the free pass.

Reply »

Cj, 2-27-2010, 7:25PM

If your hair is straight, try curling it and vice versa. Sometimes that can hide a bad cut indefinitely!

Reply »

Ellen, 2-27-2010, 10:37PM

Stupid, rediculous, waste of time. Moronic.

Reply »

June Hultman, 2-27-2010, 11:41PM

Number one who cares what u do for a living? u will never find someone who truly loves u for being u! try saying what kind of a person u are (kind,senitive mean!) what u enjoy doing! etc... get the drift? saying your a doctor sure alot might reply But... will she be the true one? Im shocked u do not know this yourself! Good luck! What do u think?

Reply »

Tammy, 2-28-2010, 4:12PM

And if those ideas fail. A last resort may be to buy a wig. I have seen some really nice looking ones and at affordable prices that can help through the grow out. You can get catalogs or check on line.

Reply »

hanna, 2-28-2010, 10:39PM

How about if your cut is longer on one side than the other go the hell back to the hair stylist and get them to fix it. DUH

Reply »

Never go to a hair dresser, 3-01-2010, 7:07PM

When you do get this reaaly bad hair cut and believe me I have gotten many. Is it right to pay for the bad cut? Most salons charge anywhere from $40 to $70. That is a lot of mony. For that buck the hair cut should be perfect. By the way the best hair cut I got was from a lady who did not do hair anymore because it did not pay a lot of money. As always the owners gets the buck not the talent. What a shame. I still have my hair cut by her but it is in her basement and I pay cash and pay much less that at a the salon. The salon's loss is my gain.

Reply »

Dee, 2-28-2010, 5:09PM

To those of you who are yelling at those "people" who are posting ads on here... you need to know that they are conmputer-generated ads. There is no actual person posting these things.Your words are falling on deaf ears.

Reply »

ADD A COMMENT