Your senior photos are a once-in-a-lifetime moment — and your hair plays a big role in how confident and camera-ready you feel. So, when is the best time to schedule that hair appointment before your session?
Let’s break it down with expert tips to help you avoid hair-related regrets and walk into your shoot feeling your absolute best.
The “Sweet Spot” for Haircuts: Not Too Fresh, Not Too Grown Out
A fresh haircut sounds great in theory, but too fresh can be a problem. Haircuts need a few days (sometimes a week) to settle and look their most natural on camera.
Ideal timing: Schedule your haircut 7–10 days before your photo session. This gives any sharp lines time to soften and allows your hair to fall naturally — avoiding that just-cut look that can feel stiff or overly styled.
Thinking About a New Hair Color or Style? Read This First.
“I want to try something new for photos.”
We hear this often — and we get it! Your senior year is a time for self-expression. But jumping into a totally new color or cut right before your session can be risky.
Why? Sometimes bold changes don’t turn out how you imagined, and there may not be time to adjust before your shoot.
Our recommendation:
Try new colors or styles at least 3–4 weeks before your session.
This gives you time to get used to the look — and to fix it if something doesn’t feel right.
Test-drive the style in your everyday life before it shows up in your forever photos.
Horror Stories Avoided by Good Timing
You don’t want to be one of these:
“I got bangs the night before and immediately regretted it.”
“My highlights turned out orange and there was no time to fix them.”
“I thought a trim wouldn’t matter, but it changed how my curls sat — and I hated my photos.”
Avoiding these situations is simple: Plan ahead and play it safe.
What If Your Regular Appointment Falls Right Before the Session?
If your hair appointment is already booked for the day before your session, don’t panic — but you should consider rescheduling.
Give yourself at least 5–7 days of buffer time between your hair appointment and your photo shoot. This gives your hair time to look more natural, and you more time to feel confident in your style.
Growing Your Hair Out? Here’s How to Style Through It
We see a lot of seniors trying to grow out their hair before their session. If you’re in that awkward in-between stage, don’t stress — there are still great options.
Style suggestions for transition phases:
Soft waves add volume and polish
Braids or half-up styles help manage uneven lengths
Strategic trims (not full cuts) can shape your hair while keeping length
Talk to your stylist about your goals — they can help guide the best look for where your hair is now and where it’s going.
Between Appointment and Session: Hair Maintenance Tips
You’ve got your hair looking just right — now keep it that way until your session!
Here’s how:
Avoid heavy products that make hair look greasy or dull
Sleep with a silk pillowcase to prevent frizz or dents
Don’t over-wash — let your hair’s natural texture shine
Do a practice run of your desired style 1–2 days before to work out any kinks
Final Thoughts
Hair might seem like a small detail, but it can make a huge difference in how you feel in front of the camera. A little planning goes a long way in making sure you love how you look.
So whether you’re trying something new, growing it out, or just sticking to your tried-and-true style, give your hair the time it needs to shine. Your future self will thank you.