How to Cut Bangs for the First Time

Bangs can change your hairstyle almost instantly.

Cutting hair requires both skill and practice. One way to keep hair trimmed is to cut your own bangs. Though you can always pop in to your stylist for a bang trim, sometimes given for free between appointments, you may want to give it a go yourself. Even if you have never had bangs, creating bangs can be done with a steady hand and a little practice.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp, hair-cutting scissors
• Wall mirror
• Handheld mirror
• Comb
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Hair dryer
• Hair clips
• Photograph with all hair pulled back off face

Instructions

1. Make sure you want bangs. Know that bangs are not flattering to every facial shape. Use a photo of yourself with your hair pulled off your face. Using either a computer editing program or a magic marker in a color close to your own hair color, draw bangs on the picture of you. See if you like the way bangs change your look. To do this test without using a picture, take the front portion of your hair, and using a hair clip -- create bangs by clipping the hair up to the length of bangs.

2. Wash and dry your hair. Have clean hair before cutting your bangs. Separate hair and pull back hair that is not going to be cut. Secure the rest of your hair with clips or bands to keep it out of your way. Leave the section of hair you will be cutting to bangs.

3. Dip a comb in water and comb out the hair. Stand in front of a well-lit mirror. Using a steady hand, trim your hair to create bangs. Know that you can always cut more hair to make the bangs shorter, but you cannot undo cutting off too much hair. Use your dominant hand and cut bangs, starting at one side and continuing on to the other. Cut straight across to create a blunt bang and use an angled cut to create sweeping bangs.

4. Dry your hair to see if you like the length of your bangs. Know that hair shrinks as it dries, so check the length before cutting more hair off. Repeat the wetting, combing and trimming process if you want your new bangs to be shorter. If you have wavy or curly hair, your bangs will shrink more than if you have straight hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your bangs trimmed to maintain your haircut.

• Practice cutting bangs on someone else or on a mannequin if you have never cut hair before.

• Do not cut your own hair if you are unsteady or are too frightened to use scissors on your own hair.

References

• Marie Claire Magazine: How to Trim Your Own Bangs
• New York Magazine: Erin Fetherston Cuts Her Own Bangs
• Good Housekeeping Magazine: The Five Best Haircuts of All Time