Cutting Your Hair at Home: What Should You Note?

Often, people are intimidated by the thought of cutting their hair, and that’s understandable. Unless you’re an experienced hairdresser, you’re prone to making mistakes like creating uneven lengths and, even worse, accidentally shaving your head.

However, with a few simple steps, you can cut and style your hair at home without any fuss (and probably save some money in the process.

Step 1. Get Your Supplies

For this process, you will need a comb, scissors, and a mirror. When it comes to your comb, it is best to use a metal comb or one that does not have any fine teeth. Fine-toothed combs are more likely to snag your hair and create uneven lengths.

Invest in the best hair cutting scissors as well. Those kitchen and fabric scissors won’t cut it (no pun intended) since they’ll probably leave your hair looking less than ideal. They don’t provide excellent grip, and they’re more challenging to maneuver, especially when you want to layer your hair.

As for your mirrors, you need to make sure that they are large enough to see your head. A handheld mirror will also do the trick, but if it’s too small, it may leave you with shorter strands on one side of your head than the other.

As an option, have a friend or a family member help you. If you have someone willing to assist you, it makes the process easier. Your helper can hold larger mirrors or even help with cutting your hair in hard-to-reach places if needed.

Step 2. Section Off Your Hair

Before cutting, section your hair to make the task easier or more manageable. You can also assess your progress as you go. You can section your hair in different ways. If you have long, thick hair, it’s best to divide your hair into three or four sections so that you have an area for each length.

For shorter hair, you may need to section your hair in just one or two pieces. If you would rather not cut through the bulk of your hair, try creating a few separate ponytails and then cutting them into even pieces after you finish. To hold your hair sections, you can use hair clips, rubber bands, or simple fabric elastics. Check the best shear and scissor sets.

Step 3. Start Cutting

Once you have your hair sectioned off, begin cutting your hair slowly and carefully. Be sure to follow the natural line of your strands as best as possible. Cut your hair in layers so that you don’t have to work on one chunk of hair for too long. If you need to cut an entire section, start with the longest layer first and then work your way down to the shortest.

If you’re done cutting but still have random pieces sticking out or uneven layers, you can use a razor. For this process, you should use a straight-edge razor or an electric shaver that has not been used before. Avoid using the same blade for multiple passes since it is more likely to cause nicks and could end up damaging your hair overall.

If you’re not confident to go all out with your hair-cutting task, begin with trimming. This option is less intimidating and takes a lot of the pressure off. It involves simply going over your hair a few times with the scissors to even out any uneven lengths.

Don’t rush this step! Take your time in cutting your hair in sections. When necessary, pause and rest, especially when you feel hand fatigue and wrist pain.

Step 4. Finish Up by Styling Your Hair

Once you have the bulk of your hair chopped up, it’s time to style. You can use a flat iron if you prefer tame strands or a curling iron if you want more volume and movement in your locks. To keep your cut even, always comb or brush your hair out before you set it with heat. Then, when you’re finished styling, run through your locks with a wide-toothed comb to straighten any areas that may be sticking up.

You can also use an anti-frizz serum to keep your hair from getting frizzy and unruly. Apply the product to your hands and run them through damp hair before styling it. This step is especially important for curly or wavy hair since you’ll be fighting against the natural curl or wave in your strands.

It takes a lot of guts to cut your hair. After all, strands don’t grow overnight. If you make a mistake, you will deal with the consequences for months. But with these steps, you can go into the hair-cutting experience with confidence.