Perhaps the most important trait to ascertain, your hair texture plays a large part in determining the best length for you. For those with fine hair, your strands can keep weighed down and flat if you keep it long. However, if you keep it short, it allows your stylist to add strategic layers to give hair more volume.

As for those with thick and coarse hair, the texture might work against you if you cut it short as it can become even more prone to frizziness.

There’s nothing that can make you look more unkempt than a head of dull hair with dry and split ends. The logic is simple: if your ends are dry and wiry, it’s best to snip them off and go for a shorter look so your hair seems healthier.

Also, avoid styles that are uniform in length if your hair isn’t in tip top condition. Instead, opt for styles that are layered so your hair looks textured rather than frazzled.

The same rules apply to short hair because it’s all about how your face is framed, rather than the length of your hair. For example, those with an angular jawline should avoid bob styles that end at the chin as it can accentuate the strong angles of your face.

And if you have a round face, you should opt for side-swept bangs and wispy ends when considering a pixie cut so that your features are balanced out.

Maintenance is another key factor you should check in with your stylist when contemplating going short. Short pixie crops usually require trims every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the shape so if you’re not about to commit to monthly visits to your stylist, it’s perhaps not a good idea to go as short.

On the other hand, you do not need to get trims as frequently for bobs and lobs as these styles hold their shape much better even when they get longer so you can probably get away with a trim every 8 to 12 weeks.

While a bob can be just wash-and-go, a bit of styling is necessary if you’re sporting a pixie cut. So even though your hair air dries in 15 minutes or less, you might need to consider styling time, especially if you’re always in a rush in the mornings.

Text: Joyce Cheo