If there has been one positive from the pandemic, it’s that a lot of us have become more self-sufficient than we were before. Sure, it was super annoying when so many places closed, but looking on the bright side, it actually provided a great opportunity for us to better ourselves.
We learned new skills, honed some forgotten ones, and took up regular hobbies. Many of us even attempted to cut our own hair, and some were better than others at it!
While there have been some haircut disasters, many folks got the hang of it and may never return to the pros! If you’re in this group or you want to be, check out our awesome guide of tips and tricks for giving yourself a trim at home.
1. Start with the right scissors
Actually, don’t start with scissors at all. What you need are hair-cutting shears. While the scissors you use for everyday cutting could be used to cut your hair, they shouldn’t be.
For one thing, they’re not sharp enough, and that can cause crooked lines. They’ll also fray your ends.
Shears, on the other hand, are designed specifically for hair. Says hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons: “The reason that stylists use shears versus the ones sitting in your junk drawer at home is because the sharp, precise blades allow you to be much more exact and make it easier to get clean lines and edges.”
2. Wash and dry your hair before cutting
When you go to the salon, the first thing the stylist does is wash your hair, right? Then he or she cuts it wet.
While this is pretty standard, you should probably cut yours dry. Why? Because the professionals are trained to cut it that way.
If you do want to cut it wet, says Fitzsimmons, “…make sure you’re comfortable versus just trying to remember what your stylist does.”
However you do it, shampooing beforehand is essential. Dirty or oily hair clings together, which can make things uneven when cutting.
3. Don’t cut too much
You can always cut more. Let’s repeat that: You can always cut more. Once your hair is gone, you’ll be waiting a while for it to come back, and if you’ve made a terrible mistake, you and a hat might have to become unexpected best friends for a while.
That’s why you should always start small. Hairstylist Justine Marjan says to work in little sections, starting in the front. This will let you “see where the hair will land, then use that piece as a guide for the rest of the hair.”
And, here’s a very important thing to remember: If you do cut your hair wet, it will look shorter when it’s dry.
4. Be careful how you cut
Once you’re ready to actually start cutting, there are a few techniques you can use. One involves your fingers. Put your non-cutting hand on your cutting hand and then pull the hair up through your fingers. This will allow you to keep it even. Then, with the shears parallel to the hair, cut vertically instead of horizontally. “Point the scissors upwards and lightly open and close scissors on the ends of the hair,” Marjan says. “This is a point-cutting technique that gives a more diffused finish on the ends.”
Another option is to use a tool to keep your hair totally even. CreaClip helps give you the perfect trim every time. It comes with a built-in level and works on any type of hair. It also includes step-by-step tutorial videos from professional stylists. It’s as easy to use as sliding the adjustable tool down to where you want to cut and cutting neatly across it.
5. Tread lightly with your bangs
Sure, giving your bangs a tiny trim may not seem that tricky, but if you’re attempting something brand new, you could be playing with fire.
Luckily, using CreaClip will give you a perfectly even cut no matter how you want to style your bangs. Its flexible design adjusts to your unique hair type and works on long hair and layers.
Have you cut your own hair during the pandemic?
Have you cut your own hair?
If you’ve cut your own hair during the pandemic, how did it go? Was it a success or something you’d rather not discuss? Are there other things you started doing over the last couple of years that you previously only went to a professional for?
Let us know in the comment section and share this article with some scissor-happy friends and family!
In the late 1950’s I was a student living on a grant. There was no way I could afford a professional hair cut, so I cut it myself. Six years later, qualified and earning money at last, I could well afford a visit to a hairdresser, but guess what. I had become so good at doing it myself that I just carried on. However, now in my 80’s, I have arthritic shoulders, so am at last having professional hair cuts, in spite of the pandemic!