It almost seems like a rite of passage: become a mom; get a bad "mom cut." You know the one — the short hairstyle that's way too short and not flattering for your face shape. The one you got on an "I need a change!" whim.

Hey, we get it. You're suddenly busier than you've ever been, which means zero time to create polished, bombshell waves. So what do you do? You tell your stylist to chop it all off and give you a short cut that's a cinch to wash and go.

The problem is that "wash and wear" short hair can be really tough to pull off, says James Williams, head stylist at Canale Salon in Beverly Hills, Calif. The secret is getting a short hairstyle that works with your hair's natural texture. Guy Riggio, a Los Angeles-based Sally Hershberger stylist agrees, adding it's also important to get a cut that really works with your face shape.

"Shorter cuts are easier to manage if you find the perfect style for your face shape," says Riggio. "And that can take a lot of trial and error." Skip ahead to see the 12 best and worst mom haircuts.

Maybe that's the excuse for Kate Gosselin's reverse mullet, Sharon Osbourne's feathered mess, or Katherine Heigl's granny bob?

Thankfully, some moms have sailed through new mommyhood without getting the prerequisite awful short haircut. Just look at Michelle Williams' youthful pixie, Reese Witherspoon's effortless layers, and Michelle Obama's chic bob. Short hairstyles don't get much better than these.

So, to celebrate Mother's day, we decided to take a fun look back at some of the most famous triumphs and cringe-worthy mishaps in mom-haircut history. Plus, we chatted with Riggio and Williams about each look, so when you fit in a visit to the salon in between play dates and nap time, you will know exactly what to ask for — and what to tell your stylist to never do to you.

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While Kris Jenner's klan of reality star daughters may have perfect, extension-filled hair, Kris has stayed loyal to her boyish, bang-heavy cut for decades. Even though it's not a bad cut, Riggio says, "Kris' bulky bangs would never look pretty unless they're blown out." So when requesting face-framing bangs, make sure to ask your stylist for a style that won't require daily fussing.

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Audrey Hepburn may have made the pixie famous, but Michelle Williams' modern interpretation is a refreshing take on the style. Williams raves that when it comes to cuts, this is as low-maintenance as it gets.

For a cut that requires no heat and little product in between touchups, Williams says to "ask your stylist for a slightly longer version of a pixie with side-swept bangs."

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Although her brood of eight plus her marriage troubles kept her in the spotlight, it's Kate Gosselin's reverse mullet that will live in infamy. The biggest problem with the look? Hairstyles should have one theme, otherwise they look un-coordinated and unbalanced, says Riggio. "The bangs are far too long and the spiky top would need a can of hairspray for hold."

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The First Lady's breezy bob has been a source of inspiration for women across the globe. Her versatile cut has been pulled back in an elegant chignon, worn loose and wavy, or smoothed down extra sleek. "Her look is proof that moms can switch up their style easily if they have a great cut," says Williams.

To mimic Michelle Obama's signature look, Williams says to "ask your stylist for minimal to no layers. And when styling, add volume at the roots first before smoothing out the rest of your hair."

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