If you’ve ever had a bad haircut you’ll know the shame associated with stepping out for the first time sporting your new look – especially if you’ve taken the plunge with a brave new trend and now you’re not too sure you’ve done the right thing.
I remember getting a haircut when I was 13 – I was going for a stylish chin-length bob, but my hair is the kind that’s prone to frizz and by the time she’d finished it was wonky on one side and had been cut with a razor. She hadn’t taken my natural curls into account, so as soon as it dried I was the none-too-proud owner of an afro. Needless to say, I ran all the way home and refused to leave my bedroom for the rest of the day.
When I eventually I emerged, my mum assured me it didn’t look too bad but I was devastated. I was teased at school for the rest of the week and I was going on holiday that weekend with my parents. Predictably, the girl in the next apartment was around my age with beautiful waist length curls. Sometimes haircuts can be cruel.
Well if you’ve recently taken the plunge, and it’s reassurance you’re after, help could be at hand with a new social networking site for hair called
mopshots.com.
Users can post their new haircuts up on the site and create their very own look book. Each postee includes details of where they got their barnet chopped, so if you like their ‘do’ you can print off their picture and hot foot it over the relevant salon for some of the same.
Mopshots isn't just a place to showcase your fancy new look though. There’s actually a team called The Dictators— a well-informed and beautifully coiffed bunch of 19 ladies and one gent – who review submissions, provide advice and select which shots get featured on the site. So if you weren’t sure about your new 'do before, you’ll be able to gain an honest opinion from people in the know.
If you’re lucky enough to have a fabulous hair, your tresses could make it into the ‘Top Shots’ section, where all the beautiful and popular haircuts live. Each haircut is assigned a popularity rating and people can choose to ‘like’ your hairstyle.
Since my 13-year-old debacle, I’ve been very cautious when it comes to haircuts. And these days with GHDs and serum at the ready, I’m able to keep my locks under control, but I have to admit, I’m dubious about subjecting my next cut to the scrutiny of mopshots. After all, what if the other hairstyles picked on my one? Are you brave enough? Take a look and find out.