In my life I've had countless makeovers. I grew up in a small African country (Malawi) and there weren't any hairstylists who could cut my hair. Therefore I would wait until we visited South Africa, and have my hair cut by a professional. Or I would force my mom to cut my hair (sorry mom, I only now realize what I did to you).

With every makeover I found there are certain stages, they are as follows:

#1: Seeing the style

Every makeover starts with this step. It may be that you see the style the first time fall in love immediately, or that you see it, and it grows on you. Perhaps your favorite celebrity recently cut her hair like that, or it just became the newest trend in town. Either way, you are hooked.

#2: Research time

This stage's time frame is different for every style, it can take anything between 1 day and a year, it really depends on the type of person you are. Prepare to pin 40 different variations of the style on Pinterest, with you falling more and more in love every time you pin it.

#3: Doubt

"Will this really look good on me?"

"What if it makes me look weird?"

"Do only I like this idea?"

These are questions you will ask yourself over and over, and you will never know until you actually try it.

Which brings us to the next stage:

#4: Booking the appointment

You are ready to try it, you've built up enough courage, and it's time to commit. You may tell other people of your plans, or keep it a surprise (I'm a big fan of the surprise).

#5: Pre-Cut Jitters

Last minute doubts creep in and you wonder if you have time to chicken out. The door seems far away, and suddenly you find yourself at the shampoo bowl.

#6: The moment of terror

It's too late now. Your hair is in the hands of your stylist. The next few minutes will determine how self-confident you will be for the next few months.

#7 Deciding how you feel about your new hair

"I love it!"

"I hate it!"

The initial shock of a new look is too much for some people to process right after the cut. Some will love it immediately, some will have mixed feelings, and some will hate it. However you feel about your new look, you are stuck with it for a while.

If you do hate your new style, give it at least a week, wear it with different partings, up or down. If you still don't like it go back to your stylist and have them advise you on what to do (or dread growing it out).