Hairstyles for the Coastal Grandmother

First of all, our hair is the single most important factor in looking and feeling good! Our hair should be our crowning glory.

It can take some time to find the right stylist and then to give him or her the chance to learn our hair, our personality and our lifestyle.” After all, we have a more critical relationship with our hairdresser than with our gynecologist!” If you feel you have good rapport with a stylist, stick with them until they get to know you and your wants and needs. And, of course, you want a stylist who listens to you. After all, the foundation of a good style is a good cut.

Hairstylists Are Not Mindreaders

Yes, a good stylist should have competent training and experience behind them. They should be constantly taking courses to keep up to date on new and innovative styles and products, but, they are not mind readers! You need to be able to communicate to them what you envision for your hairstyle. Having a photo to show your stylist is a great start. Many times they can advise you on whether a style will work with your hair texture, face shape and lifestyle.

I have had the best luck with getting recommendations from friends and family in finding a good stylist. I am not opposed to going up to a stranger whose hair I really like and asking who cuts their hair. It is a compliment to that person, and they are usually quite willing to accommodate you with contact information for their stylist. I have had this happen to me enough times to know it works.

And, while we are on this topic, my hairdresser has confided to me that she has had women come in who want their hair cut like mine, but they are not willing to spend the money on the styling products they need or to spend the time necessary to style it. My hair is naturally wavy and somewhat curly, but I wear a sleek, smooth style, and that means I have to use products to make it smoother, dry it straight and then flat iron it. That takes time and effort. If you aren’t willing or don’t have the time to spend on a certain style, you would be better off considering a style more suited to your lifestyle. This is where personal style can help you also. If you are a Classic Sporty/Natural and choose a “dramatic” hairstyle, you will be frustrated and disappointed because it will not come naturally to you to spend that kind of time and effort on your hair, plus, it is “just not you”!

To Color or Not to Color

To color or not to color. This generally comes down to personal preference. What I have found with my clients is that if you do choose to color your hair, it will always be more flattering to stay somewhat in the shade range of your own natural color. For example, if your hair was a dark brown when you reached maturity, I would recommend a softer, somewhat lighter shade of brown as you age. If a Summer or Winter colors their hair red, it does not go with their skin tone, and consequently, their own colors will not flatter them as much. “Summer” is the only season that frosts well. Springs and Autumns can highlight as it generally comes out golden, and can give them a lift to their complexion.

The Seven Face Shapes

Oval - Can wear most any hairstyle, however, if you have irregular features or your face is mature, you will benefit from styles that are softened around the face.

Oblong or Rectangle - Your goal here is to give width and minimize length. You want to keep hair full at the sides and use minimum height. A side part usually works best unless you wear bangs to reduce the length of the face.

Round - The round face needs to create the illusion of length or height to diminish the moon shape. A side part should be a diagonal line toward the crown. Height is needed at the crown with fullness above the ears. You can dip the hair onto the cheeks to minimize the width of the face.

Square - This face shape needs added height to achieve a more oval illusion. Asymmetrical lines work best and keeping fullness away from the jaw line. A layered style works well. It is best not to expose the entire forehead or wear a low side part.

Pear or Triangle - For this face shape, wispy bangs work well with a flare toward each side. To soften a wide jaw, keep hair close to the cheek line partly covering the ears.

Heart or Inverted Triangle - What you should try to achieve is symmetry between a broad forehead and narrow chin. A soft, feminine look works best. The hair can be worn long, loose, and full to the shoulder which adds width to the jawline.

Diamond - You will need to broaden the forehead and jaw areas to balance the cheek. Feathered bangs across the forehead will provide width, keeping the hair full at the temples but close at the cheek line. You can actually wear your hair long or short, you would just need to keep the fullness around your jawline if your hair is worn long.

If you are not sure of your face shape, your hairdresser should be able to help you with this. It is generally part of their training.

The Coastal Grandmother hair can be short, long or in between. It just needs to be healthy, clean and moveable. No set and sprayed down hairstyles! After all, the Coastal Grandmother spends time out doors and at the beach, so hairstyles need to withstand a gentle breeze and just fall back into place. Bucket hats (i.e. Diane Keaton), straw hats and visors can help if it is actually windy.

A Coastal Grandmother Makeover

Theresa is an adorable “gamin” with a round face. She needed height in the crown and fullness above the ears to maximize her face shape. Cutting her hair in layers gave her the look of having much more hair.