SIGN #1 Your hair has no volume. The top is flat, the sides are bulky, and it no longer frames your features. “If your hair just sits there, even after you’ve blown it dry, set it, or curled it, at the very least it’s time to get a trim,” says Mark Garrison of the eponymous New York City salon.

SIGN #2 Your high school friends assure you that “you haven’t changed a bit!” Guess what? It’s probably time to do just that, says Sam Brocato of the hair-care company Brocato America (find his products at Real Salon Products). Start getting inspired by collecting images of cuts you’d consider. Revisit them weekly until you can picture living with one of them. Next, schedule an appointment.

SIGN #3 Your highlights are more noticeable than your base color. This is an indication that your highlights have become too heavy. The fix? Consider a single process to cover the streaks and lay off new highlights for at the least three months. (Don’t worry, some of the lighter bits will naturally show through, giving you a subtler, sun-kissed effect.)

SIGN #4 You’re not receiving compliments on your hair anymore. One simple tweak sure to garner attention is to set your strands in hot rollers. Of all the heat-styling tools, they produce the most softest, sexiest waves.

SIGN #5 Your hair and skin tone match. If your tress and skin tones have become too close, you could benefit from lowlights. Add deeper, warmer streaks using peroxide and ammonia-free color to give your look loads of dimension without damaging your hair.

SIGN #6 Your clothes have evolved; your hair hasn’t. According to Brocato, altering your clothing style is the perfect excuse to update your ‘do. This way, your new look will work from head to toe - literally. For example, if you’ve recently lost weight and are finally sporting all those curve-hugging clothes previously relegated to the back of your closet, you might want to get a sleeker, more face-flattering hair cut.

SIGN #7 Two words: Brillo pad. Lopping off significant length may be the only way to eliminate dryness. But in the meantime, switch to a cream-based styler to add moisture to your hair, which will render it more supple and less apt to break.

SIGN #8 You pull your hair into a ponytail all the time. Add some bangs or layers to give your locks some shape - that way, you’ll be more apt to wear them down.

SIGN #9 You spend more than 20 minutes styling your hair. If it takes this long, your cut is clearly not making the most of your texture. A fast fix: Get your stylist to create ‘dos that work with your curls (like long layers) or that boost your lank locks (like a blunt bob).

SIGN #10 Your stylist could cut your hair with his/her eyes closed. Sounds like someone’s in a rut (not just you). Seek out fresh eyes/scissors.

The easiest way to keep current? Start with a more versatile cut, then alter your texture and color as often as you like!

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