Tress to impress: what’s the best hair length for you?

A woman in a blue dress is standing with her eyes closed.

 Before you visit your hairdresser, how many times do you ask yourself what hair length you should go for? It’s the age-old dilemma: should you  go for a short hairstyle  , or grow it out? It’s the million-dollar question. Hairdressers play a crucial role in helping clients discover the best hair length to suit their individual features, lifestyle, and preferences. 
 

At Friends + Co, our team of professionals is dedicated to providing our clients with  the best hair care services in Christchurch  . Our experienced hairdressers help clients explore different hair lengths while being honest about what is achievable and will work best for you. We take time to understand the past hairstyles you have liked or disliked, your hair styling habits and preferences, and future hair goals so your  hair helps you feel confident  and happy, not just for the day of your appointment, but for the long term. 


Here’s how we do it:


Face shape analysis

  • A fundamental factor in determining the most flattering style for you is the shape of your face. Face shape analysis is an incredibly powerful technique to help your hairdresser better understand the proportions of your features and identify which face shape you are. The principal shapes include round, square, oval and heart shape and each has corresponding hairstyles to complement them:
    Round faces:  hair styles that add height and length to the face, such as longer layers or shoulder-length cuts with volume at the crown.

  • Square faces:  soft, layered cuts that fall below the chin soften strong jawlines. Medium lengths with waves or curls are also flattering.

  • Oval faces: most lengths work well with oval faces, but medium cuts with soft layers highlight balanced features.

  • Heart-shaped faces: hair styles that add width at the chin balance a wider forehead and narrow chin, such as a lob (long bob) with layers.


A woman is touching her long brown hair with her hand.

Hair texture and type


Hair characteristics are passed down through the generations, so whether hair texture is straight, wavy, or curly; or you have a hair type of fine, medium, or coarse, it’s all down to genetics and ethnicity. Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and conditions like thyroid disorders also impact hair texture and type too. Understanding a client's natural hair texture and type is essential to identify the best hair length.


Fine hair: our Christchurch hairdressers may suggest shorter to medium lengths with layers to add volume and prevent the hair from looking flat.


Thick hair: medium to long lengths with layers help manage volume and avoid a bulky appearance.


Curly hair:  medium lengths often work best, as they allow the curls to form naturally without becoming too heavy or too short, which can lead to frizz. If you have curly hair, book a consultation and appointment with Corkin and Friends’ specialist curly hairdresser to reinvigorate your curls .


Lifestyle considerations

Aside from looking fantastic, the best length of hair needs to be practical for your lifestyle. People lead busy lives, so it’s crucial you have a hairstyle that fits in with your lifestyle and the time you can commit to hair care and maintenance. Clients who prefer minimal grooming and styling time may find shorter or medium lengths more suitable, but for those who enjoy spending time on their hair and experimenting with different styles may prefer longer hair that offers more versatility for styling.


Whether you’re looking for a new style, expert colouring, or a special occasion updo, we are here to make you look and feel your best. Visit Friends + Co to discover why we are considered the best hairdressers in Christchurch. To make an appointment in our Christchurch city hair salon, click
here  or call 03 371 9297 .

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A woman with long curly hair is looking down on a pink background.
31 March 2025
An appointment at Friends and Co hair salon in Christchurch is more than simply having a haircut. Having time out of a busy schedule to sit and be still is wonderfully beneficial for the soul, but it’s that feeling our customers experience when they leave the salon that is pure magic: that fresh, just-styled feeling that makes our clients feel so good and walk with a spring in their step. While we can’t bottle those feelings, what we can do is give you tips on how to keep your hair looking and feeling its best between visits, so you can feel fabulous each and everyday. So, whether you've had a balayage refresh, a shampoo and blow-dry in Christchurch city centre, or a well needed trim, maintaining salon-quality hair between visits is the next best thing to bottling the feel-good factor of a visit to the salon. Stroke of genius: tangle less, shine more Aside from detangling knots, using the right brush for your hair type and regularly brushing your hair is so important for hair health – the benefits far exceeding those of expensive hair products and treatments. Regular brushing is essential for maintaining healthy, shiny hair. It distributes natural oils, reducing frizz and breakage while keeping hair hydrated. Brushing also removes dead skin and product buildup, champion for promoting a healthier scalp. By stimulating circulation, it encourages hair growth and scalp nourishment. Wash with care, don’t despair Over washing your hair strips it of its precious natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. It’s important to find the balance between hair hygiene and over washing. Your hair will give you signs it is being washed too much: Hair colour fades – every time you shampoo the colour fades and becomes less vibrant. Changes in texture – curls may lose definition or become frizzy , your once soft hair feels coarser and drier. More split ends – hair is vulnerable when it’s wet, so the more time it spends in a weakened state, the greater the risk of breakage and split ends. Loss of shine – natural hair oils are responsible for that gorgeous sheen of healthy hair, over washing causes hair to look lacklustre. How often you should wash your hair is open to debate, it depends on your skin and hair type, hairstyle and lifestyle. Typically, once or twice a week is sufficient, but ask your hairstylist next time you visit our Christchurch city hair salon for the best bespoke hair advice. Shampoo wisely, condition kindly Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equal, and choosing the right ones for your hair type makes a big difference. The best shampoo will cleanse gently while addressing specific concerns like dryness, oiliness, or colour maintenance. Using the wrong formula, such as an ultra-moisturising shampoo on fine hair or a clarifying shampoo too often, can throw your hair off balance. A good conditioner is essential for keeping hair smooth and manageable – it is the guardian of your hair and helps prevent dryness and split ends. The best hair conditioner for you depends on what you are trying to achieve – do you want smoother slicker hair, more volume or curl definition? Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner ensures your hair stays clean, nourished, and healthy while helping maintain the shape and integrity of your style between salon visits. These tips are simple, but often overlooked when it comes to hair health – the crucial ingredient for maintaining salon-fresh hair between appointments. At Friends and Co we pride ourselves on helping our clients look fabulous and feeling wonderful for the long term, not just when you visit out hair salon. Booking a consultation has never been easier with our online convenient hairdresser book online system or call 03 371 9297 .
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