How to Cut Black Short Hair Styles

Cutting African-American hair isn't as simple as just a blunt cut. The hair texture is extremely temperamental, and lifestyle and condition of the strands are also vital components that should be considered. You can cut cut African-American texture hair on your own.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizer Comb Hair-cutting scissors or electric cutter

Instructions

1. Analyze you lifestyle; whatever style you wish to achieve must coordinate with your daily routine. African-American hair can't be washed too often, so whatever style you choose must have that in mind. Will you use heat styling? Will you have time to properly condition the hair if it grows longer? These are all questions you must ask yourself. The shorter the hair, the easier it is to maintain. The longer the hair, the more noticeable it will be when it is dirty or disheveled.

2. Wash the hair a day before cutting, not the same day. Whether you are buzzing or cutting with scissors, the hair must be clean but also dry. African-American hair texture relaxes when it is wet. This is not a good because it will not show the true length of the cut if you plan to wear your hair dry every day.

3. Apply a good moisturizer to the hair shaft and ends before cutting. This is important, as kinky, unmoisturized hair will not cut evenly. This step makes the difference between having an even cut and a shaggy cut that will look messy and cause damage.

4. Comb the hair evenly to prevent snarls, which can hide deep in the hair and distort length while you are cutting. If the scissors or electric cutter encounters a snarl, it can pull the hair and damage it. Split ends are almost a certainty if hair is cut when it's uncombed.

5. Cut the hair evenly. The scissors should be in a straight horizontal line. Angled cutting gives too much volume, a quality not needed for African-American hair, which puffs easily. A straight, even cut will weigh the hair down and encourage healthy growth. Even cropped cuts will benefit from an even trim, as it will prevent snags. Cropped cuts will also need less trimming between cuts, if the initial cut is even. Moisturize the hair daily after cuts.