5 Hairstyles That Look Amazing in Photos but Are a Nightmare to Maintain

Even the trendiest haircut might be your worst nightmare if you don’t know how to maintain it.

Some haircuts are just a feast for the eyes – they captivate us with flattering shapes and defined lines that go straight to our Pinterest board for future inspo. But just like it always happens in any hair adventure story, even the most beautiful crop can turn into a pumpkin when the clock strikes midnight, and you have no idea how to keep its shape without regular salon visits.

We asked the leading hair experts to name the most high-maintenance haircuts and their more manageable alternatives to give you a bombshell look both in pictures and in real life. Check them out!

1. Short Pixie

The hair specialist Charles Junior Louw explains that while a short pixie haircut is generally quick to style, it still needs to get fixed every 4-6 weeks depending on your desired length and hair growth rate.

When going shorter, you must be ready that your locks will grow fast around the ears and the back, and you’ll just hate it (trust us!). Those strands need to be cleaned up all the time to keep the shape and enjoy the bold hairstyle.

Alternative: To rock your pixie without regular trims, opt for a longer version of this trendy crop. A bixie is a great way to sport a cool look and space out salon visits.

@nooa_hj

2. Sharp Bob

“Precision, mid-length haircuts like graduated bobs, inverted bobs, or straight, sharp bobs can be tricky,” says educator and award-winning hair transformation specialist Vanessa Koeb. The hardest part is maintaining the sleek look and defined angles of the crop.

You’ll need special hair products to tame the frizz and flat iron to achieve a polished finish. Otherwise, all you get is a fluffy mess and unruly locks.

Alternative: A textured or long bob can be a better option, as it creates a more natural, undone look and is easier to manage.

@alisonallvess

3. Pompadour

For Sébastien Martel, professional barber and SENS Academy founder, a pompadour is a type of hairstyle that always requires upkeep. Its signature high volume won’t pop up on its own, so you do need special styling skills to add some magic to your tresses. If that’s too much for your haircare routine, a pomp is a no-no.

Alternative: Try out a slicked-back style on towel-dried hair by adding either a sea salt which will provide a natural-looking appeal, or a shiny wax for a smooth effect.

@georges_barbering

4. Curtain Bangs

Let’s be honest – bangs are not for everyone. As Vanessa Koeb puts it, “Haircuts with framing elements, like fringes, demand extra time and effort to style.” And it’s not only that you need to style them every day (or they will just fall flat), it’s the technique you must use to flaunt the immaculate fringe hairstyle.

Take, for instance, trendy curtain bangs. To get a face-framing look, you’ll have to master a blow-drying technique with a round brush or style the front sections with a flat iron.

Alternative: A side-swept fringe looks just as chic but requires less effort to maintain and grows out more gracefully.

@hirohair

5. Wolf Cut

The most recognizable feature of a wolf cut is its shaggy texture and short layers around the front. While those elements are set to create a lived-in, casual feel and lots of movement throughout the length, they often need products like mousse or texturizing spray to keep the shape and volume going.

Charles Junior Louw is sure that the crop can be challenging for clients to manage without advanced styling skills. If that’s your case, you might want to try something different.

Alternative: A softly layered, slightly uneven style provides a similar vibe but with much more flexibility and lower upkeep.

@lizzhouser

Switching to a new haircut is always exciting. But, sometimes, the result is not what you expected. In this case, the best strategy is to choose the right crop that corresponds to your expectations and is consistent with your styling routine. Our Virtual Hairstyle Simulator is here to help you with that!

Featured images via @freepik and @pinterest