How to Fix a Bad Haircut, According to the Pros

Get thee some styling product
"The right product—be ita creamor a wave spray—can instantly create texture or a slick look," advises Howard McLaren, co-founder and creative director of R+Co. Use a texturizing product to add fullness (which can help blend in any uneven bits with the rest of your hair) or a gel to hold down or twist back shorter pieces.

And the right tools
"Hot rollers are quick and give shine and movement to longer hair. On shorter hair, break out the blow dryer and curling iron," says McLaren. Uneven layers are especially noticeable on straight strands, and a few bends with an iron can disguise choppy lines. Another trick McLaren swears by: "Wear a beanie while you get ready to smooth down your hair when it’s too puffy."

Embrace accessories
"Headbands are back, ladies! We’ve been seeing them all over the runway and red carpets. Acute headbandcan help distract from a bad haircut while it grows out," saysLacy Redway, celebrity hairstylist and style and trends curator for Nexxus. We’re also fans of a well-placed (and embellished) bobby pin or barrette.

Experiment with new styles
Ever watch those YouTube tutorials of people demonstrating various braids and think, Someday...? Well, now is the perfect time to try your hand at them. As Redway puts it, you have two choices: "You can either decide to cut a substantial amount off to fix the haircut or learn styling techniques until it’s grown to a place where you’re comfortable with fixing it." We vote the latter.

Try a new color
"There’s nothing like a new hair color to take the focus away from a bad haircut," says Redway. Note: We’d recommend a single process shade or less dimensional one (aka fewer highlights) so as not to call attention to the uneven bits you’re trying to hide.