If you ever think of cutting your hair on your own, you should probably look up a few tips for cutting your own hair. Well, a DIY haircut is certainly a risky business but it could really help you save a lot while getting to experiment as much as you want to and ladies who have been doing their own hair for a while say it’s actually pretty simple once you get used to it. So here are a few basic tips for cutting your own hair:
1. Practice
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You know what they say – practice makes it perfect! So, before you decide to cut your own hair, try doing your own bangs or trims for a while! It’s not as radical as going for an entire cut but it will help you get to know your hair better and give you that much needed experience! Also, the best thing to do is look up a few tips for cutting your own hair!
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Starting with small adjustments can build your confidence. Experiment with simple styles like cleaning up split ends or shaping around your face. Remember, mistakes can happen even in salons, so don't be too hard on yourself if your first attempts aren't flawless. Remember to use the right tools – invest in a pair of sharp, professional hairdressing scissors to avoid jagged cuts. Kitchen or craft scissors just won't do the trick and can lead to split ends and more damage. Keep your hand steady and go slowly; it's not a race, and precision matters!
2. Ask for Help
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If this is the first time that you're cutting your own hair, ask someone to be there with you. Maybe they don't need to do it for you or actually help you, but it's always good to have a second opinion. Having someone there will be helpful because they can let you know if you're messing up. They can let you know if you're not doing an even job and in the end they can tell you how you did.
3. Gear up
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If you’re planning to reduce your living costs by learning how to cut your own hair you should definitely invest in a few must-have tools such as professional scissors and a comb. Now, you may think that is completely unneeded but, believe me, this professional tools won’t only make the process much easier and hassle free but prevent hair damage as well. This especially goes for scissors because pro tools deliver clean cuts, can’t go blunt and won’t make your hair split.
4. Sharp Scissors
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Make sure the scissors you invest in are sharp! If you use dull scissors you could cause more harm than good and nobody wants that. You could end up giving yourself split ends, which kind of defeats the purpose of cutting your own hair. The professionals suggest using fabric scissors if you can't get a hold of professional scissors.
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5. Prep Your Hair
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Proper prepping is a crucial step of every good DIY haircut so wash your hair, condition and detangle well before you start cutting! Comb your hair straight then section off the top part and use hair clips to secure it up and out of the way. Do the same with side parts as well as all other sections until all you can focus on is the very bottom layer of your hair. Comb again, chop to the length you want then start releasing the sections you’ve clipped up one by one repeating the process after you’ve done with each section.
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6. Chop
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And we’ve finally came to the good part which is, of course, the actual cutting! Now, when you cut your own hair there are a few things you must have in mind. First and the foremost – remember that hair stretches when wet and will appear longer than it actually is which means that you must be very careful not to chop it shorter than you want. Okay? Well, it’s time to start cutting then! Use two fingers to take a small section of your hair, slide your fingers down and cut the ends off. Move on to the next section and repeat, making sure that you cut off the same length every time. The section you’re cutting can’t be tangled or twisted – it must lay perfectly flat between your fingers.
7. Don't Cut Too Much
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Make sure when cutting your hair, don't cut too much off at once. The professionals suggest that you cut off only 1/2 and inch of hair at a time. This is to prevent yourself from cutting off too much hair at once and being unhappy with your cut. Most of the time if you're cutting your own hair, it's just for a trim so that's why this is an important rule. If you are trying to cut off a lot of hair, then maybe you don't have to follow this rule, but be careful!
8. Wet, Wet, Wet
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In order to achieve a perfect DIY haircut, you’ll need to make sure your hair is wet all the time. Don’t allow it to dry as it will be much more difficult to cut properly and may even result in a uneven cut you won’t be happy with. Simply fill a spray bottle with a mixture of water and conditioner (or just water) and spritz a half-dry section before cutting it to the length you want.
9. Soften Your Ends
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After you know you're happy with the length you've cut your hair to, there's another step to this process. When you're done, put your hair into a scrunchie and push it down to the ends of your hair. Be careful with this part! Only do this if you're comfortable because you'll be cutting your hair vertically. Using only the tips of your scissors, cut the very ends of your hair vertically so that the cut isn't so blunt.
10. Inspect
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All done? It’s time to inspect your cut and make sure every section is perfect! Use a small, hand-held mirror to get a clear view of the back while combing your hair down, then left and right to detect any strands that may be sticking out. Now do the same to the front of your hair and sides.
11. Take It Easy
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A professional stylist can cut a perfect hairstyle in under ten minutes and, as impressive as that is, it definitely falls under the category of «do not try this at home» things you don’t want to experiment with when you decide to cut your own hair. Take it slow, be precise, give every section attention it deserves and never chop your hair in a hurry.
Have you ever tried to cut your own hair and are there any other hair tips you’d like to share? I’m really thinking about cutting a few extra layers on top!
This article was written in collaboration with editor Lydia Sheehan.
Comments
Alison: I cut my own fringe, but have trouble getting it even - now I know to cut it when it´s wet!
Anonymous: I always cut my own hair - layers and all. Every time I get someone else to do it I'm so disappointed! I pull the hair out straight (level to the floor) or up higher if I want shorter layers. Takes practice, just start practicing longer than you actually want your cut to be, then if you are uneven or mess up, you can even it out without cutting it way too short. Same with others, when I go to the Salon they can't even tell that I did it myself! I also get the husband to check the back and make him cut a tiny bit if it's uneven.
Rebecca: Tip from a hairdresser. Don't cut your own hair. Don't cut layers. I would never do it on my own hair if I wanted it to look at all straight or even. You'll end up ruining your hair. Trust me. I've had girls come in and there's not much u can do to save it because sometimes it's beyond the point of saving .... Length wise.
Sheila: I'm 53 and about 30 years ago I went into a salon looking for a basic short cut and came out looking like a poodle...and that was after telling the stylist twice that it was not what I asked for and that I was not happy with it. I went straight home, fixed it myself and no one but me has touched my hair since. My hair is very fine and limp, so I keep it pretty short, depending on the time and energy I have to cut it. I've been disabled for the past 20 years, so I have to wait for a good day when I can stand in front of the mirror for 20 minutes, and I have to make sure I get it done within that length of time, so I have developed my own very simply routine. First, I comb my hair forward from the back of the crown and cut the front at the top of my eyebrows. Then I simply run my fingers through it and, using the already-cut portion as a guide and working my way from front to back, I hold the hair straight out from my head and cut it all the same length. I can generally do that by feel...for example, pulling my fingers through it until the already-cut hair falls. That way, when it falls down, it creates an overall layered effect and gives me the body I need. Once that is done, I comb the back straight down and make sure that it is even. The rest is always pretty even but if it's not perfect, I really don't care because it's close enough that you can't tell once it's styled. There have been a few times that I've screwed up and cut one spot shorter than I intended which meant that I had to cut it all shorter than I wanted, but I've always gotten compliments and no one believes me when I tell them I cut it myself. Bottom line, if I screw up myself, then I have no one but myself to blame. And by the way, for those of you who wear your hair short and shave the back of your neck, try a depilatory instead. You will be amazed at the difference....fast, easy, no cuts and no rashes. Just make sure you pin the back of your hair up tightly and don't get it above your hairline, and don't leave it on too long. The brand I use works in 3 minutes, so I usually cut my hair, pin it up, put on the depilatory, jump in the shower and wipe it off.
Matilda: I've been cutting my own hair for years. But I do go the salon for a good style cut once every six months to keep everything even and straight. If you've got good lines to follow then your at home cut will always look perfect.
do: In my opinion, this article does have a few good points, but one thing everyone should keep in mind is DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR HAIR. Sure, these might be some helpful guidelines, but when it comes down to it, every woman's hair is different. This article says to cut it when wet, but my hair(from experience) is that it is cut better when dry, but my best friend swears with her hair it is better when it's wet. You just got to practice practice practice and cutting your own hair at home will be a breeze.
Alexis: I have curly hair and the best way to cut mine I've found is to straighten it. Separate it into 2 sections (low very even pig tails) and then snip the amount off that I want. It comes out even and that way I know for sure how much I'm taking off instead of waiting to see what happens when it shrinks up (from a wet cut).
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