A potential client was showing me their ideas for a style they were 

considering and I realized that not a lot of people ever think “how important is your hairline?”  Often we get in trouble as hairstylists because we don’t vocalize potential styling problems to clients as we are so used to camouflaging these issues!

If you research it, you will find there are many hairlines, e.g. triangular, round, square, widow’s peak etc.

that are influenced by genetics, age or hair loss.   The question “how important is your hairline” will normally not come up until there is a new hair trend or you got bored and wanted a change.  Suddenly, your cowlick, widow’s peak or M-shaped hairline is a problem.  

People try to fix these issues by forcing the hair into shape or using products to cement them in place. 

What this does, and certainly it helps you get the look you want, is cause far reaching consequences in the future.  I would be super rich if I got a penny for every time someone said “when I was young I had so much hair….”  Well, that was then, what happened?  They tell you how they used to iron it on the ironing board, always part it straight down the middle or make their edges extra straight so it wouldn’t curl up!  Today, we have to add extensions or use gel and/or spray to hold them in place.

If you find a look you want, please consider:

• Will your hairline do it easily or will you have to choose another style or consider extensions?  We come across this a lot when braiding because some of the styles require a full hairline to nail the look.
• Does the model in your inspo picture have a hairline similar to yours?  For example, if that person has a square hairline, and yours grows more to the middle, the hair will not fall the same. 
• Most hairlines go with face shapes, which often affects the final look e.g. for dreads/locs to fall a certain way or thick bangs etc.  but the hair along the hairline is sparse.  The dread/loc will eventually thin out and require regular repair.  The bangs will not be full.  One option is to bring hair from the back for cover.   
• Sometimes hairlines change with age and products used.  Nowadays, making sure you cleanse your hairline to avoid buildup has become very important with the new technology in product manufacturing.  A lot of products are wax based which sometimes make them difficult to clean.

How important is your hairline? That day when you  are inspired to change your look and you realize your hair won’t do it without some work.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.