How to Cut Your Hair at Home

Life can become so hectic that making time to visit the salon for your haircut falls by the wayside – this can be especially problematic if dead ends need trimming. Home haircutting can be done at your convenience using the proper tools and techniques. Furthermore, knowing which style best fits you is also crucial.

Make Sure You Have Sharp Scissors

Many individuals end up with an uneven and damaged cut at-home haircutting sessions due to using blunt scissors. Regular scissors have dull blades that crush, tug, and pull your locks instead of cutting cleanly, while hair shears have ultra-sharp edges that easily pass through your waves with little or no damage done to them at all.

The ideal hair scissors you can purchase are made of high-grade metal like Japanese steel and typically feature bevel blades designed to give precise control when cutting bangs. Some even come equipped with a swivel thumb ring for easier holding and use; you may even come across shears equipped with offset handles to reduce strain on the thumb and fingers when cutting hair.

Testing the sharpness of shears is accessible by placing a piece of one-ply facial tissue between their blades. If they effortlessly slice through it, your shears are likely sharp enough. Just be careful, as even high-quality shears may become blunt over time.

To keep your shears in top form, use a microfiber towel soaked with coconut oil and apply some every few uses. This will prevent dull or rusty edges and extend their lifespan; additionally, there are models designed not to require sharpening, which may save time and money in the long run.

If you want the best from your hair care routine, investing in professional shears is essential for creating clean cuts at home and prolonging the time between salon visits.

Health offers tips and techniques for getting the most out of at-home trims.

Prepare Your Hair

Any professional hairstylist will tell you that significant cuts and drastic changes should be left to professionals. Still, for trims and layer additions, cutting your hair at home with the appropriate tools and technique is possible.

Start by gathering tools for cutting hair: scissors, fine-tooth comb, clips, and bobbles (for pinning pieces up as you work), as well as water spray to keep hair damp while you work.

If you prefer wet cutting your hair, shampoo it first before washing away any extra water before beginning. If dry-cutting your locks instead, comb out and straighten as much of it as possible before cutting with a straightener for best results.

Once your hair is ready to be cut, sit comfortably in a chair and position a mirror behind you so you can see what you are doing. Divide your locks into eight sections: bangs, top-front (left and right), back-front (left and right), nape of the neck, and one section for trimming at the nape of the neck.

Start at the back nape of your neck, using your desired length as a guide, and begin cutting that section to length. Move on to other areas, making sure each is even before continuing. Comb through each one for evenness before finishing, trimming any uneven pieces that protrude. Finally, trim off any rough bits sticking out if necessary.

Once finished, comb out your hair before looking in the mirror again. If you are satisfied with your new haircut, go to the world knowing you look your best! If not, now may be an opportune time to visit a hairdresser – you won’t be sorry!

Get a Good Mirror

Invest in a practical mirror if you plan on giving yourself a home haircut. A large vanity mirror with clear front-and-back views of your head is ideal, though alternative solutions, such as hand mirrors placed near large mirrors, may work just as well. Lighting also plays an integral part; poor illumination could result in mistakes while cutting your hair at home. Choose an area with plenty of natural light whenever possible, as this will enable precision when cutting hair at home.

Once you understand the basics of haircutting, it becomes much simpler to perform your trims. Just be careful to cut the right amount of time and make any significant errors!

Get Some Help

When cutting your hair at home, it can be helpful to have someone guide you through the process to minimize errors and stress levels. A second pair of eyes can help avoid miscuts while making it an overall less stressful experience.

As part of your haircutting preparations, it’s also a good idea to have extra hair clips and ties handy should you pin back any of your locks while cutting them. This will prevent it from getting matted in the back, which could happen without proper attention being paid while cutting. In addition, make sure that you regularly clean your scissors, mirror, and cape to preserve their quality for as long as possible while protecting against germs.

Be prepared to put in some practice. While you might not get it perfect on your first attempt, with time, you will improve. An excellent way to see what works and doesn’t is to practice on friends’ or family members’ hair; once you have established the fundamentals, doing your hair at home should become much more straightforward.

As when cutting any hair yourself patience is of the utmost importance when cutting hair yourself. Rushing can lead to mistakes that result in an uneven cut; additionally, comb through each small section after trimming and use a mirror to check any areas that need additional trim.

Begin by brushing through and detangling your hair thoroughly. Next, gather all your locks into a high ponytail tied with an elastic band just above where your layers should start.