Free Virtual Makeover: How to Use Your Picture

Using an online free virtual makeover tool can be very beneficial when you're choosing a very different hairstyle from your current one but not all of these free virtual makeover tools are created equal. More specifically, you are going to want to find one that allows you to upload and use a picture of yourself so you can get a really good idea of how this new hairstyle will look on you.



Once you've done that you'll need a proper picture of yourself to use. The best pictures to use for your free virtual makeover are ones in which your hair is all off your face and flat against your head, either in a pony tail with no bangs if you have long hair or wet and sleeked all back for short hair. The photo should also be one in which you are facing the camera straight on and there is nothing obstructing your face in any way. If you don't have a picture like this for your free virtual makeover have a friend take one with a digital camera and upload it to your computer. The correct type of picture is going to make shopping for your new hairstyle much easier and more accurate.

Virtual Makeover

A virtual makeover can be an excellent first step when choosing a different hairstyle for you. These can be done either online or some salons offer this service to their clients via an in house computer program.

Online: Simply type in “virtual makeover” and take advantage of one of the websites that offer this online service. When using a virtual makeover tool try to find one that allows you to upload your own photo so that you can see exactly what the various hairstyles will look like on you and not some model.

At the Salon: If you do some phoning around you may be able to find a salon near you that offers this service. For a virtual makeover you'll make an appointment and, with your stylist, receive a high tech consultation in which your picture is uploaded into their computer software.

From their your picture will be able to “try on” various hairstyles to see if they compliment your face shape and what the final result will look like even before a single snip is taken.

These virtual makeovers can also change your hair color and let you see what a particular color will look like on you.

Choosing Hairstyle Pictures

When deciding which hairstyle pictures to show your stylist there are a few rules of the road to keep in mind.



First, make sure the hairstyle pictures you select really show off the hairstyle. A professional or paparazzi shot of a celebrity that is clear, in-focus, in color, large enough to see the hairstyle detail is ideal. Choose hairstyle pictures where the person is posing, such as a feature in a magazine or on a red carpet, and where the entire head of hair is shown up close.



Also make sure the hairstyle pictures are in color. While this is usually the case it is worth noting that a clipping from a newspaper may seem to show off a hairstyle well in your eyes but stylists prefer to see a hairstyle in all its glory which includes its color. You just never know when a good hairstyle could have been made fabulous if only your stylist had known about those chunky blonde highlights in the front.

Celebrity Hairstyles: Put Beach Waves in your Hair

Have you ever wondered how to get those perfect “just back from the beach” waves like Jennifer Aniston's hairstyle or Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson's hairstyles? Well, the secret to those celebrity hairstyles is in the salt. It may sound strange but spritzing your hair with a mixture of water and sea salt will bring out its natural wave.

For best results just spray on and scrunch hair. The scrunching will set the wave and letting your hair air dry will help ensure your waves don't turn to frizz. When hair is dry you can spray with a very light hold finishing spray to help keep your new waves but go lightly. This celebrity hairstyle is all about sun and sand, not stiff and sticky.

Ashlee Simpson's Hairstyles: The Straight Bob

Many celebrity hairstyles are getting shorter for Spring and Ashlee Simpson's hairstyle is no exception. This sexy style works well for fine and straight hair but can also be adapted for thicker hair with extra layering around the bottom.

Ashlee Simpson's hairstyle is cut to just below the chin with layering at the ends and around the face. The bangs are cut with a straight razor to get that uneven look.

Style using hair pomade on towel dried hair and blow dry using a brush for a very smooth look or your fingers for a slightly more tousled style. The key to Ashlee Simpson's hairstyle is the long, uneven bang so play that up. After styling apply a tiny amount of the pomade to your fingers and separate bangs into defined, chunky sections.

Keeping up with Jennifer Aniston's Hairstyles

Since her first debut on the popular sitcom “Friends” Jennifer Aniston's hairstyles have been sought after and copied by thousands of woman. Always the trendsetter, Jennifer Aniston's hairstyles have gone from the shorter, heavily layered look to a longer, more maintenance free style.

To achieve Jennifer Aniston's straight and sleek hairstyle start by using silicone based styling product on damp hair. The silicone will not only prevent fly away hairs and give a healthy shine to the hair but the silicone will actually provide a thin layer of protection to the hair shaft while heat is applied during styling.

Using a flat brush, preferably one with a metal base which will help smooth the hair, blow dry small sections of hair from the root to the ends pointing your blow dryer's nozzle down as you go. To ensure an extra sleek look like Jennifer Aniston's hairstyle use a ceramic flat iron to quickly go over dried hair and smooth out any remaining waves. If hair looks a little dull after styling apply a spray on hair shiner to bring out the gloss in your hair.