How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home
So you’re itching to cut your hair because it has been months since you’ve last visited a salon. You see split ends, uncontrollable frizz, overgrown bangs, and unflattering layers mocking you every time you’re in front of the vanity. With quarantine protocols still observed in many public spaces, learning to handle your tresses with a pair of scissors is a viable solution.
If this is the first time you’re considering taking on this daunting endeavor, there are several things to consider before starting greatly. First, consider your hair type. Do you have straight hair or wavy and curly hair? You will need to use different techniques and tools to create desirable results. Consider this article as a guide to cutting your hair at home.
Consider If Your Hair Is Damaged
One of the main reasons most of us go to salons is to ask for professionals’ service. Hairdressers and barbers are trained in the art of cutting, treating, coloring, and sometimes even saving hair. If your locks are in great need of some TLC, assess first just how damaged it is before making any changes to it by yourself.
Split ends are among the most common of hair woes. They happen when the ends of the hair become dry and brittle, causing the strand to “split” and resemble an unraveled rope. The main causes for split ends are extreme weather conditions, too much heat from hair tools, or harsh chemicals like hair dye and bleach.
Regular trims are necessary to help avoid hair damages like split ends and brittle hair. However, if you feel your hair can still manage for a while, it is always advisable to wait until an appointment with a hairdresser can be arranged. Otherwise, proceed as planned to cut your hair.
Invest in Hair Treatments
If your problem is managing damaged or dry hair, perhaps the right products can help until a salon visit is doable. In general, healthy hair is nourished by keeping it hydrated and clean. There are many hair care products out there that can give moisture and retain it for some time.
You don’t need to break the bank for them either. Look out for more natural ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals. For starters, try using paraben-free and silicone-free shampoo and conditioner. Incorporate deep conditioners into your routine at least once a week. Use leave-in serums and oils to help keep the scalp healthy.
Have the Right Tools on Hand for When to Cut Your Own Hair
For the unfamiliar, scissors of any kind pretty much serve the same purpose, which is to cut. It would be sensible to think that your good old kitchen scissors will do a fine job just as stationary scissors or shearing ones would. You might want to think again as cutting with the wrong pair could end up in a disaster for your tresses.
Low-quality cutting tools could leave the layers uneven. It could pull the hair, and you may end up cutting more than you intend to. Instead, it would be ideal to buy a new one that is made of good quality. There are also many beauty shops, physical stores, and online ones that sell shears made for hair cutting. Remember, the sharper the scissors, the smoother it will cut.
Washing Your Hair
Many stylists prefer to work with wet hair when clients go in for a haircut. Some say this is because wet hair behaves better, with the strands clumping together for faster cutting and styling. It is also better to incorporate products on wet or dry locks. Moreover, washing the hair before cutting it is also to make sure it is clean and ready for styling.
However, many hairdressers prefer this method. It is not a requirement. You can opt to skip the washing and cut your hair while dry. If you have curls or coils, you might want to consider washing, or at least wetting, to detangle them first. In any case, if you are going to cut it dry, start by styling it the way you would on a normal day to serve as your guide.
Start With Minor, Small Cuts
Unless you are feeling particularly adventurous, it is best to start with small snips instead of grabbing a fistful of your hair and going to town on it with the shears. Work in small sections by dividing your hair and start with small trims while working your way up. Do not immediately cut to the length you want but instead, make keep snipping to make sure everything looks even.
Take out an inch or two for every trim while spreading the hair as thinly as possible between your fingers or a fine single-toothed comb. Start with the front section of the hair as well.
The back part may prove challenging, so be sure to have a large enough mirror to see clearly while you are cutting. Alligator clips or even just the normal hair clips should help keep any stray strands away from your face and scissors.
Pay Attention to the Details: The Direction of Scissors and Amount of Hair
The direction of your cutting tool will also make a difference. You may have noticed hairdressers lightly snipping away with their shears at certain angles. This is to help with the layering as well as make sure the lengths are even throughout. No worries if you can’t master this technique, you can just make do with the basics.
After dividing your hair into sections and making even tinier sections ready for cutting, pull the strands straight upwards. Place the scissors parallel to the hair peeking in between your fingers comb and try to snip vertically instead of straight across. This is called the point-cutting technique and will help you even out the hair length.
Find Tutorial Videos for Visual Learners
After reading through this guide, if you are still anxious about cutting your hair, online DIY tutorials are your best friends. There are thousands of videos that will guide you step-by-step throughout the whole process. Just be sure to find tutorials that are a close match to your hair type or to the cut you want to achieve.
Many hairdressers have websites or blogs where they share professional advice for free. Those with wavy or curly hair may want to research more about the appropriate methods for their hair types.
One possible useful source is the Curly Girl Method. It is an online community of women with different hair types and textures that combine science and experience when recommending hair products, hair cuts, and hair practices to each other.
Be Extra Careful With Bangs
Not everyone wants bangs, but most of us have certainly been brave enough to try it at least once. If you want to maintain yours or try a new style, cutting them would take a bit of extensive research and careful consideration. Many viral videos of DIY bangs have gone wrong, and you probably don’t want to be added to that list.
Try sectioning your hair in a triangle at the forefront of your hairline. Use the same techniques listed above, wherein you cut in small sections using the point-cutting method. You can also use your eyebrows as a marking point for average length bangs. If you have a hard time picturing this process, try to look up video or picture by picture tutorials.
Final Thoughts On Cutting Your Own Hair
In this new normal, many of us are expected to learn new skills to adapt. Learning how to cut your hair in the safety of your home can either be a daunting challenge or a relaxing novelty. Your hair is your crowning glory, and taking care of it is your responsibility. Keeping healthy hair will not only make you look good but feel good as well.
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