Hassle-free Haircuts for Busy Moms

By Nicole Pearl Kaplan for Life & Beauty Weekly

These days, everyone seems to be looking to celebrities for hairstyle cues and new ideas for cuts. The problem is that those hairstyles don’t always translate from Hollywood to hometown. Many of today’s stars have an army of beauty experts to primp and pin every strand, but you have five minutes to run a brush through your hair before you’re running out the front door.

Instead of Hollywood hair, what you need is a haircut that fits your life.

“Even if you don’t have a lot of time, you can still look and feel sexy,” says Greg May, owner and creative director of Greg May Hair Architects, who has been featured in Canadian Living, Fashion and Elle Canada. “It’s about movement and texture. The key is internal movement and dimension. A messy shag is nice too, as long as it doesn’t look like you’ve tried too hard.”

Look below for your hair type and find out which cut matches your hair texture—and more importantly, your life.

If Your Hair Is Straight and …

• Long: Get a cut that is all the same length at the bottom except for a few shorter layers in front to frame your face. When you let hair air-dry—the fastest and most common option for busy moms—the blunt ends ensure hair dries straight, smooth and neat. The shorter pieces around your face, which should fall at eye and cheek level, frame the face and soften the look, says May. “It also adds movement and interest.” (By contrast, many layers all over can look choppy if you don’t use a flat iron or blow-dryer.)
• Short: A chin-length bob that’s stacked at the nape of your neck is great for easy maintenance, says May. “Although I rarely would leave it just one length,” he adds. “Even a little slicing or texturizing goes a long way to give some movement, and keeps you away from the ‘Soccer Mom’ look.” The stacking adds natural thickness that you’d otherwise only achieve from a blow-dryer and brush. And because of the shape, hair falls perfectly into place as it air-dries. That frees you up to focus on family activities more important than styling, like packing lunches, carpooling and getting to work on time.

Quick style tip: Daily shampooing prevents oily and limp hair. But if you’re pressed for time, use a dry shampoo instead. Spray or sprinkle the formula on roots, then massage with your fingertips. Ingredients such as cornstarch absorb the oil and thicken strands.

If Your Hair Has Loose Waves and Is …

• Long: The best cut for wavy hair falls below your shoulders and has several layers cut throughout. “Versatility is the key here, as well as knowing where to relieve the weight,” says May. These shorter pieces are lightweight, which encourages your wavy texture and adds natural body when you let hair air-dry. (If your strands are all one long length, the weight could relax waves and leave hair looking limp.)
• Short: A layered bob that’s slightly longer than chin length is key for convenience, says May. “Make sure that the layers shape the head appropriately so that it doesn’t add width where you don’t want it,” he warns. “Usually square layers with internal texture works well. Think Meg Ryan circa 1995.”

Quick style tip: To ensure the wavy style holds all day, rub a quarter-sized dollop of gel between your palms, then finger-comb through damp strands and let hair air-dry.

If Your Hair Has Tight Curls and Is …

• Long: Your hair’s smartest cut falls slightly past your shoulders and has a few long layers mixed in, says May. “Either flat or inverted and extended layers work well,” he adds. “Too much layering and you will lose versatility; the curls will become tight. Keep in mind the hair will shrink when dry.” A small amount of layers, which should be only 1 to 2 inches shorter than the longest pieces, give hair bounce but also retain enough weight to provide poof control. Unless you plan to shape and style curls daily, more dramatic or varied layers could leave hair frizzy on top and thin on the bottom.
• Short: A sassy pixie cut is the ultimate time-saver for your hair type and length. “When you cut tight curls short and layer them, you actually create a very textured look,” says May. “Just look at Halle Berry.” Also, because dealing with frizz eats up time, this cute, super-short cut will be a boon for your busy schedule.

Quick style tip: For long hair, smoothing mousse helps define curls. Scrunch it into wet strands, then air-dry. The less you fuss with your curls, the better they’ll look, says May. For the pixie, rub a dab of styling paste between hands and use your fingers to quickly shape and place various pieces. It will give hair structure and definition.

If Your Hair Is Coarse and …

• Long: Braids and locks do away with frizz and require little daily maintenance beyond moisturizing your scalp and hair with an oil or cream. If you want hair that’s long and straight but hate the flat-ironing and blow-drying that go with it. In-salon keratin treatments can be a fix. “But do your homework when it comes to deciding if you want to go this route,” says May. “Many keratin products have been taken off the market for being toxic. I generally stick to wearable treatments that contain keratin or oils such as argan oil which will get absorbed into the hair, repairing it and speeding up drying time by 40 to 60 percent.”
• Short: A long, layered bob that hits at the centre of your neck and has long, sideswept bangs is the cut for your hair. The length adds weight to prevent poofiness, and the layers and bangs give hair shape. Be sure, however, to get a trim every four to six weeks. Naturally dry, coarse hair is prone to split ends. If strands are not snipped, splits can work their way up, leading to breakage and frizz.

Quick style tip: Every two weeks, give hair an at-home hot oil treatment to soften strands and fight frizz. Look for products that contain natural moisturizers like olive oil and vitamin E. Leave on for 30 to 45 minutes, even if the directions recommend less time. “This will give optimum absorption into the hair shaft,” says May.

Nicole Pearl Kaplan is a freelance beauty writer and the founder of TheBeautyGirl.com. She has written for online publications and magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Self, Marie Claire and In Style and has been a staff editor at Shop Etc., Us Weekly and Golf for Women.