How do you cut hair at home? What tools do you need? What are the best techniques to follow? To find out, read this helpful guide on how to cut hair at home and make your own salon-quality style in the comfort of your own home. You’ll be surprised by how easy it can be with the right know-how!
Always Prepare
Before you start cutting, it’s crucial that you prepare by getting all of your supplies in order. This includes having a mirror on hand and proper lighting so that you can see what you’re doing. The last thing you want is for one of your cut hair trimming tools to accidentally slip and cause an injury or damage. It might seem like common sense, but if there’s one rule with hair cuts, it’s that being prepared is absolutely essential for success.
Know What Kind of Cut You Want
The first step in cutting your own hair is figuring out what kind of cut you want. Ask yourself questions like Do I want to grow my hair out or chop it off? and Do I have time and energy for a DIY haircut? These two things will help you decide what kind of style is best for you. If, for example, your schedule is packed but you’re trying to grow your hair longer, consider booking an appointment with a stylist—he or she can advise you on a good hairstyle that’s likely to grow out well.
Have the Right Tools
The very first thing you need is a good pair of hair-cutting scissors. Be sure they are very sharp and have a nice ergonomic design. This way they will be more comfortable in your hand and easier to use, increasing accuracy when cutting hair. Also make sure they are made out of stainless steel or some other kind of material that doesn’t rust or tarnish easily because you will be using them on wet hair. By taking proper care of your scissors, you can ensure that your cuts will look professional even if you are only doing it in your own home.
Trim First, Cut Later
You might want to start by trimming your hair before you attempt a full haircut. Especially if you’re new to cutting your own locks. You can also use clippers on dry hair in order to get rid of any bulk, ensuring that when you finally take out those shears and scissors, you won’t be hacking into a mess of knots. You should also brush out your hair before attempting any kind of styling; otherwise, it will just end up flying every which way once you start cutting. A boar bristle brush is best for getting rid of tangles and distributing natural oils down shafts. Oiling your scalp and hair can keep your strands from drying out during a trim or full-on haircut, too.
Understand How to Use a Comb
A comb is not just for style; it also can be used to remove knots and tangles from hair. In fact, using a fine-toothed comb on wet hair is often better than your hands when it comes to removing knots because your fingers tend to be rougher on sensitive skin. When cutting your own hair, always remember: start with clean, dry hair; you want as few tangles as possible when you cut. The easiest way to avoid getting knots in long hair is by simply combing your long tresses before you begin cutting. Use a pocket mirror so that you can see what’s in front of and behind where you are cutting.
Practice Makes Perfect
Before you can even think about cutting your own hair, it’s important to know how a haircut should look. If you’re still in school, ask a friend if you can practice on them. If not, go find a photo of your desired cut and see if there are any professional videos online (for example, YouTube is full of these). Once you have an idea of what a great haircut looks like, try taking your own spin with clippers.