It's not easy letting go of the familiar things you love -- and for women, that goes double for hairstyles. If you've ever worked the same cut and color for years, you know it's not easy to say those four little words to a stylist: "I want something different." But Caitlin, 25, was ready for a change. For more than a decade, she's had the same straight and long, natural-blonde style, and Caitlin wanted to dive into a new look.

Living in La La Land makes it super easy to lose track of the time. The year-round forecast is "70 and sunny," meaning there are no seasons. Add in unlimited access to some of the best beaches and the characteristic carefree and casual vibes, and it's almost impossible to notice where summer ends and fall begins.

After a tumultuous year of both DIY and salon color disasters, Emily was ready for a professional to take on her over-dyed hair.

What's a girl to do with long, naturally thick and wavy hair and zero experience in styling it? She wears it in the same ponytail. For years.

What happens when a girl with natural, rich chestnut hair spends a few months under the California summer sun? She winds up with a seriously sun-bleached and slightly frazzled head of hair. Claire needed to get a fresh, clean cut and style before she headed back to school in the fall. "I spent almost every weekend on the beach and it definitely took a toll on my hair," said Claire, 20. "The beachy look worked for the summer, but I'm headed back to school and I'll be going on job interviews soon, so I needed a more professional look."