You may wonder what’s the difference between an avant-garde haircut and a tacky one. After all, they both should stand out and have some unusual touch to them. But according to Giuliano Dore, the cofounder of Get Groomed, whom Bored Panda contacted some time ago, it all comes down to the focus on details and the key idea behind the haircut.

“You would think that haircuts like the bowl cut are never gonna be trendy. Wrong. It’s happening and thanks to extremely talented hairstylists, we see a lot of hipsters rocking a very fashionable bowl. It’s all about pattern, symmetry, and (sometimes) controlled asymmetry. If I see patchy haircuts, holes or broken hairlines, I am gonna assume the worst," he told us.

But we have to admit that on some occasions, we cannot blame anything else for a bad haircut but ourselves. Yep, we’re talking about you, pandemic hair! If you also like to save money and cut your hair at home, you may want to go with a safe option, Giuliano argues. All those crazy haircuts are better left for professionals.

For example, “same-level buzz cuts are a safe choice. Home is not the place for challenging haircuts. For example, attempting a 0 to 2 high skin fade by yourself is not gonna work. Even professional barbers don’t do it themselves. I know this because they book each other on our app," Giuliano said. He also suggested avoiding sharp tools like razor blades, and while cutting your hair at home, clippers are your best friends.

Another good way to make sure you won't end up in this list of haircut fails is to speak up with your stylist before AND during a haircut. It’s crazy how much miscommunication happens simply because we don’t utter our thoughts, doubts and fears. Also, if you feel like your stylist is doing something you’re not comfortable with, it’s better to address it as soon as possible.

Think of politely saying something like, "I don't think I want all those layers. Can you please soften them so they’re not so noticeable?" Also, try giving a more detailed explanation including how much length to take off and pointing to places where you want layers or fades. And… let them know what you don’t like! This can make a huge difference in saving your hair from a bad haircut in the first place.

However, sometimes it’s simply too late. You walk out of the salon and realize this is it, that’s how you're gonna look for months. Which is not exactly true. Right after a haircut, your hair may indeed look very unusual, because the cuticles have been exposed and they need time to settle. The final look may only appear after a couple of days, and up to three shampoos later that week, so patience is key.