Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
If you have ever had long hair or haven‘t changed your hairstyle in a hot minute, you might agree that it can become a security blanket, so it‘s often very hard to make that step and spice up things a bit. On the other hand, once you do it, it can be an immediate confidence boost. It‘s probably the main reason why people tend to experiment with their hair after major life changes.
Changing your hairstyle can elevate your looks to another level, but it has to be done by a professional hand—otherwise, it might go really wrong. Just think of all the quarantine hair fails we've seen or even experienced in the past few months of insanity. If you missed them, check out some of the most ridiculous and hilarious fails here and here. A carefully chosen hairstyle and color can complement your skin tone, face shape, and highlight your best features. The artists you‘ll see here definitely know what they are doing.
Scroll down to see some of the best transformations by the world‘s most talented hairstylists. Some of the before-and-afters might blow your mind―it’s amazing how a proper hairstyle can completely change the way a person looks! And feel free to take one look as inspiration next time you go to a salon!
More info: Instagram | Instagram | oneshot.behindthechair.com | Facebook | twitter.com | youtube.com
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
These amazing transformations are brought to you by #ONESHOT Hair Awards held by Behind The Chair―the largest community in the world for salon professionals to explore education possibilities and draw inspiration. The annual contest has received over 1,000,000 entries in different categories in only 5 years. There are two overall categories hairstylists can submit to: “Big Shot“ for pictures shot in a professional studio setting and “Hot Shot,” which celebrates real and raw hairstyles done behind the chair. To bring it down to Earth, in this post, we have compiled a list of raw before and after pics of contest winners and finalists across the years. These transformations show the hottest hairstyles and color trends that hairstylists masterfully transfer to clients' hair.
Most of us dream of that perfect hairstyle that will turn heads, and it shows. The competition has 118k followers on Instagram while Behind The Chair has 1.7M. Though not everyone is brave enough to rock edgy haircuts and vibrant colors, these accounts throw out so much content every day that anyone can find something they fancy and would find suitable for day-to-day life. Or maybe even inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and try something out of the box? Anyway, if we can take one lesson from the #ONESHOT awards, it would definitely be to put down the kitchen scissors when you are tempted to chop off your heavy locks and look for a professional who will take good care of you.
#5
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
She looks great, but why change her fabulous hair color? Now burdened with frequent and expensive appointments.
A new hairstyle is not only about aesthetics, it’s usually way beyond that―a way of finding self-love and needed confidence. Experimenting with your hair can help you express yourself and it can actually be a lot of fun. But the most important part―it grows back! This is why we love sharing inspiring before and after photos of hair transformations. Find more posts with epic hair makeovers you should look at here, here, here, and here.
#7
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
That looks really smart. This is proving over and over that long stringy straight hair looks good on NO ONE.
#12
#14
Gipsy Kings fan 4 years ago
Brilliant color, but it would require constant upkeep. If her hair was bleached and the color added, it's so unhealthy for the hair to keep using strong bleach on dark hair. She had BEAUTIFUL black hair that complemented her dark brown eyes and ivory skin. All she needed was a trim to give her hair more of a style.
Cristina S. 4 years ago (edited)
As someone who has had their hair like this for the better part of two years, I politely disagree. I have similar natural dark hair. My stylist bleached it all originally and applied the multicolor. It doesn’t require *constant* upkeep, it just depends upon how often you wash your hair. I’ll wash with a color safe shampoo for about 2-3 weeks then do a touch up at home with color depositing shampoo/conditioner or use a bit of Manic Panic (depending on the colors I need). A few weeks before my next stylist visit I just let the color wash out as fully as I can using normal shampoo. I also use a coconut oil spray on a daily basis. I go to my stylist every 3 months where she only bleaches my roots and uses a bleach-free color correct on the rest—if I’m changing colors. She will trim it, and also use deep conditioning treatments on my hair. My husband loves it BTW.
Load More Replies...
Paul Jordan 4 years ago
Whoa. Not really a fan of colour, but this I'll make an exception for. Fantabulous. Mucho.
Steve Cruz 4 years ago
That color took a lot of lifting -- you can't dye dark brown hair magenta. Sadly, that kind of processing will shed the color, and washings/sun exposure take their toll quickly. I frequently see men and women with once-vivid color that has faded and are dull.
Lucy Gray Baird🐦🐍 4 years ago
I liked it before just a little better. It abvsly got longer and I think extensions might be a bit much work. But just all preferences
Todd Hollfelder 4 years ago
There has to be some weaves involved here. Look at the thickness and length of the before picture.
Johanne Trudeau 4 years ago
Would love to have that much hair to be able to do such things with it...
Garth Robinson 4 years ago
Hmm, do her armpit hair bright yellow, then send her off to the gym.... set the place on fire babe !!!
#21
#27
🍿WhErE iS mY pOpCoRn🍿 4 years ago
I love the after look but I personally think she looks older than in the before
#29
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
Really stunning- I love all the vibrant and contrasting colours. (Unicorn hair must be an absolute nightmare to maintain though. Do the colours start to bleed together after a while?)
Add New Image
What do you think ?
bryguy 4 years ago
Each of these people have had extensive makeup work done for their post-haircut photo. I would say this thread is for total make-overs, not just a haircut
KoalaOfDragons 4 years ago
And photoshop. Let's not forget lots and lots of photoshop
Load More Replies...
Ben Smith 4 years ago
Hairstyles.....plus professional makeup, lighting and photography. There is quite a bit more than hair going on here.
BorPand8 4 years ago
@meepmeep I don't think you can. We just have to downvote it into oblivion, I guess. I looked at it's profile, too, and there doesn't seem to be any way to report the profile either.
Load More Replies...
Diana Warburton 4 years ago
I love how in the new pictures everyone has on full makeup and their hair is pushed forward for fullness
Anica Cvetkovic 4 years ago
Too much photoshop in the after photos. No need for that. They are all beautiful already.
Katherine Boag 4 years ago
Some pretty drastic changes in hairstyle, sure, but sometimes they seem determined to take the worst 'before' shot possible. Bad lighting, frowning/sad, hair covering face...
Cat 4 years ago
I appreciate a good haircut and I appreciate more of a haircut that doesn't require the maintenance only a diva can afford
Helen Haley 4 years ago
Maintenance or 45 minutes to fix your hair in the morning.
Load More Replies...
ShareMusic 4 years ago
I'd be much more impressed if the make-up, outfit, background and pose were identical and only the hair changed.
Debra Klein 4 years ago
agree with most comments......definitely much more that simple haircuts transforming these people......most of the haircuts are very flattering though and a change for the better.
Patti Vance 4 years ago
i cut my butt length hair 40 yrs ago right after i had my son because of his taking his tiny little fists and pulling on it. have had it short for a long time. with covid lockdown i took the plunge and literally shaved it to 3/4 in all over with my now 40 yr old son cleaning up the neck and ear areas. what was a desperate act because of the hair bothering me resulted in my actually liking the freedom of this. still, i miss having a 'style' sometimes. however, not sure if i will grow it out now.
Mimi777 4 years ago
I’m kinda in the same boat my hair is nearly to my butt and it’s thin I really want to cut it to my shoulders! And less hair for my 2 year old to pull lol I think I will make the plunge next week.
Load More Replies...
Patricia MčCutcheon 1 year ago
Are you people seriously taking away the work and talent that went into the hair styles? Stfu
Miche Beaudoin 2 years ago
If you look at a lot of the pictures the color of the eyes don't match the before and after, and I agree with bryguy it actually looks like total make-overs
Bill Guevremont 3 years ago
This is way more about the pound of makeup applied and less about the hair. In a lot of cases some really beautiful hair was cut, just for a change, thumbs down.
Karolína T. 4 years ago
Mhm, sometimes I watch spot like "Vidal Sassoon Metamorphosis". Who has long hair, then cut it, who short, then give extensions, who has curly, iron flat, who straight, then make vawy. And give tons of make-up and professionality. Thanks, these women can look beautiful, but... dont touch my hair!
Ileana Sky Aviles 4 years ago
Meanwhile covid has brought me to YouTube for DIY cut and color with disastrous results. On the bright side, no one gets to see it!
Judy Windham Saunders 4 years ago
Is gray hair a thing now? It adds 10 years to every of those who did it. Not a fan.
Ladislav Pollo 4 years ago
Barber: ,,I dont know man, I will just shorten them..." Most of them are just uninspired...
bryguy 4 years ago
Each of these people have had extensive makeup work done for their post-haircut photo. I would say this thread is for total make-overs, not just a haircut
KoalaOfDragons 4 years ago
And photoshop. Let's not forget lots and lots of photoshop
Load More Replies... Ben Smith 4 years ago
Hairstyles.....plus professional makeup, lighting and photography. There is quite a bit more than hair going on here.
BorPand8 4 years ago
@meepmeep I don't think you can. We just have to downvote it into oblivion, I guess. I looked at it's profile, too, and there doesn't seem to be any way to report the profile either.
Load More Replies... Diana Warburton 4 years ago
I love how in the new pictures everyone has on full makeup and their hair is pushed forward for fullness
Anica Cvetkovic 4 years ago
Too much photoshop in the after photos. No need for that. They are all beautiful already.
Katherine Boag 4 years ago
Some pretty drastic changes in hairstyle, sure, but sometimes they seem determined to take the worst 'before' shot possible. Bad lighting, frowning/sad, hair covering face...
Cat 4 years ago
I appreciate a good haircut and I appreciate more of a haircut that doesn't require the maintenance only a diva can afford
Helen Haley 4 years ago
Maintenance or 45 minutes to fix your hair in the morning.
Load More Replies... ShareMusic 4 years ago
I'd be much more impressed if the make-up, outfit, background and pose were identical and only the hair changed.
Debra Klein 4 years ago
agree with most comments......definitely much more that simple haircuts transforming these people......most of the haircuts are very flattering though and a change for the better.
Patti Vance 4 years ago
i cut my butt length hair 40 yrs ago right after i had my son because of his taking his tiny little fists and pulling on it. have had it short for a long time. with covid lockdown i took the plunge and literally shaved it to 3/4 in all over with my now 40 yr old son cleaning up the neck and ear areas. what was a desperate act because of the hair bothering me resulted in my actually liking the freedom of this. still, i miss having a 'style' sometimes. however, not sure if i will grow it out now.
Mimi777 4 years ago
I’m kinda in the same boat my hair is nearly to my butt and it’s thin I really want to cut it to my shoulders! And less hair for my 2 year old to pull lol I think I will make the plunge next week.
Load More Replies... Patricia MčCutcheon 1 year ago
Are you people seriously taking away the work and talent that went into the hair styles? Stfu
Miche Beaudoin 2 years ago
If you look at a lot of the pictures the color of the eyes don't match the before and after, and I agree with bryguy it actually looks like total make-overs
Bill Guevremont 3 years ago
This is way more about the pound of makeup applied and less about the hair. In a lot of cases some really beautiful hair was cut, just for a change, thumbs down.
Karolína T. 4 years ago
Mhm, sometimes I watch spot like "Vidal Sassoon Metamorphosis". Who has long hair, then cut it, who short, then give extensions, who has curly, iron flat, who straight, then make vawy. And give tons of make-up and professionality. Thanks, these women can look beautiful, but... dont touch my hair!
Ileana Sky Aviles 4 years ago
Meanwhile covid has brought me to YouTube for DIY cut and color with disastrous results. On the bright side, no one gets to see it!
Judy Windham Saunders 4 years ago
Is gray hair a thing now? It adds 10 years to every of those who did it. Not a fan.
Ladislav Pollo 4 years ago
Barber: ,,I dont know man, I will just shorten them..." Most of them are just uninspired...
You May Like Look At What New York Looked Like 3 Decades Ago (30 Photos) 30 People Draw Their Dreams And Others Offer Their Explanations
Indrė Lukošiūtė
Akvile Petraityte 🇺🇦
Related on Bored Panda
