“Out with the old” is a key Chinese New Year tradition. Cutting your hair is believed to clear bad luck from the previous year and refresh your energy for the next 12 months.
Whether you are celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse (starting February 17) or not, a new hairstyle is a powerful reset. It can instantly lift your mood and make you feel like a new person. But, you do not always need to do something drastic. A small tweak can be all it takes to make a big difference.
My hairdresser, Michael Charalambous, understood this instantly. I knew I needed a change, but didn’t know what. Before I could speak, he suggested going from a chin-length bob to a jaw-length cut.
The result was amazing. My hair looked thicker, was easier to manage, and I felt edgier and more sassy. A jaw-length cut frames the face and highlights bone structure, drawing attention upward to the eyes. Sharp, intentional lines create a bold, striking look.
Last year, Michael changed my parting from side to middle and added a full fringe. With grey hair, a centre parting balances the face and colour. A deep side parting can highlight uneven thickness. Bangs can hide forehead lines and create symmetry, giving a lifted appearance. They can also make you look years younger – and cheaper than Botox!
Side fringes can be beautiful. But depending on the angle and length, they may draw attention to lines or sagging eyelids.
“Movement and shine are signs of youthful hair,” says Michael. Sometimes a new blow-dry technique or a better conditioner can feel like a whole new haircut.
By Daralyn Danns
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