Did You Just Get a Bad Haircut? Here’s How the Experts Recommend Dealing With It

14 Easy Ways to Deal With a Bad Haircut

1. Take Some Time

Give things a little bit of time so you don’t do anything drastic and end up with a worse haircut. It’s just hair, at the end of the day. As New York City–based master barber and barbershop owner Fellipe Cardoso reminds us, “First, take a breath. Hair grows. Most bad cuts feel worse because of the shock, not the actual result.” He continues, “Give yourself a day or two before making any big decisions, and remember: confidence isn’t about the haircut—it’s how you carry it. Even a style you didn’t ask for can be owned with the right energy and a little creativity.” Draw yourself a bath with some soothing bath salts, pop on a relaxing eye mask (like the ETTITUDE Bamboo Lyocell & Lavender Eye Pillow), and unwind. You can deal with your bad hair day after a good night’s sleep.

2. Work With Your Hairstylist

Should you feel like you just can’t wait, talk to your stylist right away. “If your bad cut was from a trusted stylist, perhaps consult with them and see if there are any adjustments that could be made,” says hairstylist Jo Marie, who is the owner and operator of Portal Hair and Reiki Studio in Los Angeles, CA. “If the issue with the cut is the overall shape or something needs blending, I would recommend getting another haircut right away.” And you’ll only know this if you talk to your stylist about how you feel, even if it is uncomfortable.

3. Wash Your Hair

One of the best things you can do for yourself after receiving a terrible haircut is to wash your hair. Even Marie agrees, sharing, “Try washing and styling the way you normally would at home. Sometimes what we actually don’t like about the cut is the way the hair was styled after.” Take a cleansing shower with the LUXE & WILLOW Shower Relaxation Kit, then get to work styling your hair as you normally would. TikTok tutorials definitely come in handy if you have a cut that’s very different from your normal style.

4. Change Up Your Part

Sometimes the solution is as simple as changing your part—yes, really. “Switching your hair part can completely shift how a cut lays and distract from problem areas,” Cardoso tells us. With help from the T3 Detail Set, you can try out any hair part, whether it be on short hair or long hair. You may find a part that takes your worst haircut to a good haircut in no time.

5. Play With Texture

Don’t be afraid to experiment with products you otherwise wouldn’t with your new haircut, especially if you’re not a fan of it. Celebrity hairstylist Cheryl Bergamy-Rosa recommends a “texturizing spray to add volume and masks choppy areas.” The LIVING PROOF Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray can help you create a voluminous, lived-in look while hiding any mistakes you don’t want others to see. Cardoso is also a fan of texturizing products, noting, “Volume, texture, or hold can change everything. A sea salt scrub like the SLICK GORILLA Hair and Scalp Scrub is great to exfoliate the scalp and add grip pre-style, especially if your hair is falling flat.”

6. Sport a Different Hairstyle

Along the lines of playing with texture, try out a new hair look. If you usually wear your hair straight, try some waves or curls—and vice versa. Bergamy-Rosa says adding curls, waves, and volume will help "disguise harsh lines” in your new cut. The ARIA BEAUTY Pop N Lock - Curling Iron & Straightener Set features a curling iron and a flat iron to help you create any hairstyle you desire. The founder of CONTENTS HAIR CARE recommends adding braids or twists for textured hair types to disguise awkward lengths. We’re currently obsessed with these braided hairstyles. There are, of course, so many other styles to try—so try to have fun during this awkward phase of your cut (easier said than done, we know!).

7. Go Full Buzzcut or Pixie Cut

Is your haircut really that bad that you’d rather start from scratch? What’s stopping you? As Cardoso reminds us, “If not now, when? Completely buzzing off your hair is a great way to start fresh.” Embracing this short haircut can help you see yourself in an entirely new light. Don’t forget, there are so many ways to style short hair, whether you go full buzz or opt for a pixie.

8. Try a New Hair Color

Maybe cutting all your hair off isn’t for you, but what about a new hair color? “Try a bold color or gloss treatment,” says Bergamy-Rosa. “This can shift the attention from the shape to the shine or hue.” Because who will have time to notice if your layers are slightly off if you go from dark tresses to a much lighter color? Exactly—no one. We recommend making an appointment with a hairdresser before dyeing your hair at home, but if you know what you’re doing, the BLEACH LONDON Tangerine Dream Super Cool Colour and ARCTIC FOX Hair Color are great at-home options to DIY a brand-new hue. Even something as simple as giving yourself sun-kissed highlights with help from the IGK HAIR AMARO Ombre Highlight Spray can turn a bad haircut into your best haircut.

9. Use Hair Accessories

Hats, hair clips, headbands—all are great options for covering up a bad haircut while you let it grow out. Cardoso says there’s no shame in hiding your hair with a hat or beanie for a few days. And Bergamy-Rose suggests you use “satin headbands, claw clips, oversized scrunchies, and statement pins, because they’re functional and fashionable.”

10. Opt for Clip-In Extensions or a Wig

If your short haircut was too short, you can always use clip-in extensions to add length and volume as needed. INH HAIR offers a variety of extensions that work for everyone and seamlessly blend into any cut or color. If you’re really trying to hide your hair, you can also opt for a wig. Visiting a wig expert can help you find the right wig for the look you’re hoping to achieve. Plus, they’ll be able to share tips and tricks on styling the wig and how to maintain it.

11. Speed Up the Hair Growth Process

“You can speed up hair growth through practices such as hair oiling and scalp massage,” says Marie, who recommends investing in stimulating hair oil and a gua sha for your scalp. Marie offers reiki scalp facials at her salon, though you can also practice hair oiling at home. To start, grab a hair growth oil of your choice (we like the KARMA BEAUTY Multi Peptide Hair Serum) and part your hair. Apply a few drops of oil to your hairline and temples, then massage it in. Use the COCUS POCUS Scalp/Meridian Comb to stimulate circulation and better distribute the product. Leave it in for a minimum of 30 minutes (we recommend leaving it in overnight when possible), then rinse thoroughly with a hair growth shampoo and conditioner duo.

12. Switch Up Your Entire Style

This new cut can unlock a whole new you, but only if you allow it. Maybe what you really need to make the haircut work is a new wardrobe. Bergamy-Rosa seems to think so, noting, “Changing your makeup or wardrobe with a fierce cat eye or edgy outfit can make the haircut feel like a fashion choice.” Cardoso agrees, saying to “switch up your style and discover something new.” Don’t be afraid to try something you haven’t yet.

13. Embrace the Awkwardness

Yes, a bad haircut is frustrating, but you can make the experience less agonizing by embracing the awkwardness of it all. “Embrace the grow-out phase,” Cardoso shares. “Use this time to start planning your next look.”

14. Remember to Get a Consultation Next Time

Speaking of your next look, Marie says the best way to avoid a bad haircut in the first place is by going in for a consultation. “The consultation is almost more important than the haircut itself. I recommend that everyone have an idea of what they want first, and then find a stylist whose visual portfolio reflects that. From there, when you meet the stylist, the consultation should have a collaborative and trusting spirit. Red flags that the cut may go wrong are: impulsive decision making, inattentiveness, or distrust—on both sides!” Be mindful of these things ahead of your next cut so you don’t have to experience a bad haircut ever again.