Photo Credit: Una Casa En El Arbol

We’ve all seen them: school pictures gone very, very wrong. Kids are inherently adorable, so why all the unfortunate photos? Picture day is a special occasion that calls for a special hairstyle. So we’ve researched the best and the worst hair styling tips and put together this list of do’s and don’ts to give your little one her best shot at her best school photo ever.

• DON’T get a haircut the day before picture day. Ideally, schedule your appointment 1-2 weeks before. Hair will look more natural, and any uneven areas can be corrected in time.

• DON’T try a new hairstyle for picture day. Don’t be tempted to try the latest hairstyles, not even that adorable reverse braid you saw last night on Pinterest. Trying out different hair styles is a good idea, just not before a picture that will last you years.

• DO style your child’s hair in a natural, no-fuss hairdo, a style your child is comfortable wearing. Try to capture their everyday look, so that when you look back in thirty years, it’s a true representation.

• DO shampoo your child’s hair the night before school pictures and use a leave-in conditioner. This will enhance curls, smooth hair, and add body and shine. If hair is dry, flat, or staticky in the morning, spray it with a bit of water and a little more leave-in conditioner. DON’T use large bows or hairclips, which can look awkward in a two-dimensional photo.

• DO use a light styling cream or alcohol-free styling gel in the morning to hold a neat, smooth style without looking stiff or slick. The rule for styling products is the same for school glue: a little dab will do ya!

• DON’T forget that this is a regular school day and not a private studio session. Make your child’s look easy and comfortable, and you’re more likely to end up with a photo everybody likes.

• DO remember to keep a proper perspective. Don’t make any one photo—good or bad—a big deal. After all, it’s what on the inside that matters most. If it’s a good photo, great, and if it’s a bad one, there are always retakes. Wouldn’t it be nice if all of life were this simple?

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