Animal Crossing: New Horizons is not just a game; it's a beautiful escape into a world filled with charm, creativity, and community. One of the many ways players express themselves in this delightful universe is through customizing their character’s appearance, and perhaps the most notable feature is the ability to change hair. Whether you want to sport a vibrant new hairstyle or go for a classic look, changing hair in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a straightforward process, though it comes with a few nuances.
In this detailed guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about changing hair in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, from the initial customization options available to you, to unlocking new hairstyles and ensuring your character looks exactly the way you envision.
Understanding the Character Customization Options
When you first start your journey in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you’re presented with a robust character customization screen. This screen allows you to tweak various aspects of your character, including skin tone, eye shape, and—most importantly for our discussion—hairstyle.
Initial Customization Setup
At the beginning of the game, you can select your character's gender and pick a hair type that aligns with your vision. While the initial choices are relatively limited, the game significantly expands these options as you progress. Here’s what you need to know:
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Gender Selection: While the game allows you to pick a gender at the start, it does not limit your choices for hairstyles based on this selection. Players can mix and match styles that may traditionally be associated with either gender.
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Initial Hairstyles: You’re given a selection of basic hairstyles from the get-go. These are simple yet charming, offering a glimpse into the various styles that can be further unlocked in the game.
Visiting the Able Sisters' Shop
Once you’ve set up your character and started your island adventure, you’ll soon want to explore more complex hairstyles. This is where the Able Sisters' shop comes into play.
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Location: The Able Sisters’ shop is a tailor shop run by Mabel, Sable, and Label. Here, players can purchase clothing, accessories, and even more hairstyles.
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Unlocking Hairstyles: As you spend time on your island, new hairstyles can be unlocked by interacting with the Able Sisters. This can be done by purchasing clothing and accessories, engaging with the sisters, and progressing through the game.
Unlocking New Hairstyles
To keep things fresh and exciting, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers various ways to unlock new hairstyles. Here are some key strategies:
Visiting Kicks
Kicks is a new character introduced in the game, who, besides selling shoes, sometimes sells hairstyles. He can be found at the plaza on specific days, making it essential to pay him regular visits.
Seasonal Events and Updates
Seasonal events, like Halloween or New Year’s, often introduce new hairstyles. Staying up to date with the game’s seasonal content and participating in these events will expand your hair options significantly.
Using Nook Miles
As players progress, they earn Nook Miles, a currency that can be spent on various items and experiences. Some Nook Miles items may include special hairstyles or hair colors.
Changing Your Hair at the Barber Shop
One of the most exciting additions to Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the option to change hairstyles mid-game. This is where the barber shop, run by Harvey’s friends, comes into play.
Unlocking the Barber Shop
To get access to the barber shop, you first need to reach a certain level of game progression:
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Build Your Campsite: Make sure you have your campsite set up.
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Invite Villagers: Invite several villagers to your island.
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Visit Harv’s Island: You need to complete the questline involving Harv’s Island to access the barber shop.
Types of Hairstyles Available
The barber shop offers a diverse array of hairstyles, from long and flowing locks to edgy cuts. Here are a few examples of the styles you may encounter:
- Classic Bob: A timeless style that works well with various outfits.
- Ponytail: Perfect for a sporty look.
- Curly Locks: Adds a playful vibe to your character.
Once inside the shop, you’ll be presented with the latest hairstyle options. It’s important to browse through all available styles and select one that resonates with your aesthetic.
Changing Hair Color
Besides changing hairstyles, players can also modify their hair color in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This feature allows for an even deeper customization level, as you can opt for bold colors like bright pink or subtle shades such as ash blonde.
Accessing Hair Color Options
Much like hairstyles, hair colors are accessible through the barber shop. You can change your hair color by following these steps:
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Enter the Barber Shop: Navigate to the shop when it’s open.
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Choose Hair Color: Select the option to change hair color instead of hairstyle.
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Select Your Shade: Browse through the available color palette and select your desired hue.
Changing your hair color can dramatically change your character's appearance, making it a fun way to express your style or match the season.
Special Hairstyles and Collaborations
One of the most exciting aspects of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is its commitment to offering unique hairstyles through collaborations and events.
Collaborative Events
The game frequently collaborates with real-world brands and events, introducing unique hairstyles that players can adopt. For instance, Halloween events may bring in spooky styles, while summer festivals might introduce beachy waves or fun braids.
Iconic Looks from Pop Culture
From time to time, Animal Crossing releases hairstyles inspired by popular culture icons. Participating in these limited-time events not only gives your character a trendy look but also connects your gaming experience with current trends and fandoms.
Customizing Hair with Patterns and Accessories
Customization goes beyond just hairstyles and colors; players can also accessorize their hair to give it a personal touch.
Hair Accessories
In addition to changing hairstyles, players can equip hair accessories such as bows, hats, and headbands. These accessories can be purchased from the Able Sisters' shop, or crafted through DIY recipes.
Custom Patterns
Players can also design custom patterns to wear as hair accessories or headbands, allowing for a unique, personalized style that reflects your creativity. Custom patterns can be created using the game’s built-in design editor or downloaded from player-created sources online.
Tips for Hair Customization
Navigating the world of hair customization in Animal Crossing: New Horizons can be a delightful journey, but here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of it:
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Experiment Frequently: Don’t shy away from trying different hairstyles and colors. You can always change it back, and experimenting might lead to discovering a look you love!
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Incorporate Seasonal Themes: Changing hairstyles in conjunction with seasonal events or holidays can add a fun twist to your character’s look.
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Create a Lookbook: Take screenshots of your character in various hairstyles and outfits to keep a record of what you loved. This can help inspire future changes.
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Stay Updated: Follow community discussions or game news for updates on new hairstyles and limited-time events, ensuring that you’re always in the loop.
Conclusion
Changing hair in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is more than just a cosmetic alteration; it’s an opportunity to express yourself within the game’s charming world. With various methods to unlock new hairstyles and colors, as well as the ability to accessorize your look, players can continually reinvent their character's style. Whether you’re aiming for a classic chic look or a vibrant, playful aesthetic, the freedom to change hair in Animal Crossing allows you to showcase your creativity and personality uniquely.
Happy styling, and may your island be as beautiful as your character!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I unlock more hairstyles in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
- New hairstyles can be unlocked by visiting the Able Sisters' shop regularly, participating in seasonal events, or purchasing certain items using Nook Miles.
2. Can I change my hair color at any time?
- Yes, you can change your hair color at any time by visiting the barber shop after you have unlocked it through Harv’s Island.
3. Are there any limited-time hairstyles in the game?
- Yes, seasonal events and collaborations often introduce limited-time hairstyles that you can only obtain during specific periods.
4. Can I create custom hairstyles or patterns?
- While you cannot create custom hairstyles directly, you can design custom patterns that can be used as accessories or headbands to complement your hair.
5. Do hairstyles change based on gender selection?
- No, hairstyles in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are not restricted by the gender selected during character creation; players can choose any hairstyle they prefer.