As How To Hair Girl recommends, if you’re a beginner it’s probably best to start with a basic ponytail cut. While you may need a qualified hairdresser to give you a brand new style, this simple technique is perfect if you just want to keep your long hair under control.
Step One: Get your tools together
You need professional standard scissors, mirrors, clips and combs. Note the word professional! Old, blunt scissors won’t cut the mustard. You need a pair that are easy to handle and will deliver nice, clean cuts. Think of it as an investment. You’ll save a lot of money on haircuts in the future and this is virtually a one-time expense.
Step Two: Prepare yourself…
Before you begin, make sure your hair is washed, conditioned and untangled. If you choose to cut your hair while it’s wet, that’s fine. But… don’t go too crazy! Combed wet hair is deceivingly long, so make sure you accommodate for a little shrinkage. If you choose to cut dry hair, straighten it beforehand to make it easier to handle.
Step Three: Section off your hair
Starting at the back, split your hair into sections. Clip two thirds of your hair on the top, leaving the remaining third free. Bring your hair to the front so you can see what you’re doing in the mirror.
Step Four: Start chopping!
The longer your hair, the safer you are. Make small cuts first – you can always go shorter later. Cut as straight as possible. When you move on to the adjacent section, compare the length to ensure you’re making an even cut.
Step Five: Make a reverse ponytail and continue
Brush forward the remaining two thirds of your hair into a reverse ponytail and cut your hair straight across. The more you cut off, the more extreme your layers will be. Once again, start small, cutting one inch at a time.
Step Six: Inspect and repeat (if necessary!)
Use mirrors to check the front and back of your hair. Look out for any uneven cuts, and then trim down the excess accordingly. If you want to go shorter, repeat the entire process starting from step three.
Cutting your own hair takes practice. You must be willing to make mistakes – and pay the price with your self confidence! But, with enough determination, eventually you’ll get it exactly how you want it. Hairdressing is an art. It would be insulting to disrespect the profession by saying, “anyone can do it.” But it is a trainable skill. If you enjoy cutting your own hair, perhaps you’d enjoy cutting someone else’s. If you want to become a hairdresser, most apprenticeship programs take around 18 months to complete and will leave you fully qualified to pursue a new career. Cutting your own hair will help you develop confidence and manual dexterity; and best of all, you won’t have to worry about unhappy customers while you’re training! By learning how to cut hair, it’s a financially beneficial as you can work as a mobile hairdresser and build a strong word of mouth presence as well! Featured photo credit: Unsplash via unsplash.com
