3 Simple Cut & Color Tips For a Fall Hair Refresh

Rita Hazan and Juan Carlos Maciques have been coloring and cutting my hair (respectively) for the past 10 years. To me, having a relationship with your stylists is important—it's how you build trust. Since I know Rita and Juan Carlos so well, I feel comfortable letting them take the lead, which means I don't have to think as much every time I come to the salon. Thanks to these two hair geniuses I definitely have a "signature look" we use as a baseline, but I trust them to keep my classic sensibilities up-to-date and current. Below are my trade secrets for getting the best cut and color every time.

1. Remember that short hair can be more work than long hair.

When it comes to cut, it's important to know what works for you and your hair. Short hair can be a lot more work that short hair. Long hair lets you be a chameleon—it can do so much. I'm always coveting short haircuts (like pixies and bobs), but at the end of the day I know that my long layers are more versatile for my lifestyle.

2. Establish a baseline look that can evolve seasonally.

Rita keeps my classic baseline look (medium brown with highlights) with each visit, which is that signature look I mentioned above. We decided a long time ago that I would maintain this look but stay open to updates and refreshers each season—like adding more depth in the winter and lighter highlights in the summer.

3. Be mindful of your texture.

As much as I hate to admit it, my texture has been changing with the arrival of a few greys of late. That means my texture is slightly more frizzy and coarse, and requires maintenance with different products than I was using before.