We’ve all had that experience of being in the hairdresser, holding back tears because that gorgeous haircut you asked to recreate is nowhere to be seen. Instead you have some hideous haircut that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy’s dog, and you have to pay a lot of money for it. It’s hard to know what to say to a hairdresser to get the exact result that you want, so the cycle of terrible haircuts and disappointment goes on.

Fortunately for us, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Ouai haircare Jen Atkin is here to help. Jen goes through each hairstyle you might request of your hairdresser, and tells us in depth how to ask for each one. She strongly suggests talking to your hairstylist about your face shape and your hair type, so that they can honestly tell you what will and won’t suit you. They’ve seen enough hair to be to gauge what looks good on what face shape and what hair type works with which hairstyle.

Follow Jen’s handy guide and you won’t have to come of the hair salon crying ever again.