How to Cut Your Own Hair

While it may be more reliable to head to your favorite salon, cutting your hair at home can save money and allow you to experiment with daring new looks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A pair of sharp scissors, preferably salon scissors (can be found at most beauty supply stores)
• Towel or drop cloth
• Spray bottle of water

1. Start with freshly washed, damp hair. If your hair is dry, spritz with water until damp. Comb out.
2. Start with a plan. What do you want to do--cut off two inches or drastically change your whole look?
3. Pull a small section of hair straight in your hand. Place your fingers where you would like to cut. Only cut about a half inch at a time.
4. After each snip, stop and re-examine progress. Let hair fall straight. Is it even?
5. Cut one side and then the other, rather than alternating--that often leads to cutting off more than desired. Instead, cut one side to desired length, and then match on other side.
6. To cut layers, cut sections of hair to different lengths, making each cut on a sharp angle.
7. Try to pull as much hair to the front to cut, but if you must cut the back, go slowly, use two mirrors (facing each other) and examine progress after each cut.

Tips & Warnings

• Relax! It's just hair. No matter what you do, it can be fixed in some way. If not, it will grow back!
• Go slowly and do not be nervous. Anxiety will increase your chance of making a mistake.
• If you find yourself continuing to try to even out sides, STOP! You will soon cut off more hair than you desired. Stop, take a deep breath, and reassess. Your hair does not have to be EXACTLY even.