On average, most people get their hair cut every one to two months. Even if you get the cheapie $15 hair cut, you’re still spending $90 to $180 a year on haircuts. And that doesn’t even include the tip!
A great way to save a little cash is to cut your own hair. If you’ve never tried it before, the idea of cutting your own hair can seem rather daunting. Heck – even if you have tried it, the idea of the next DIY haircut can still make you a little nervous!
You really don’t have to be a rocket scientist or salon guru to cut your own hair. However, it is a pretty easy job to screw up, and walking around with a botched DIY haircut is never fun.
Before you start chopping, here are a few things to keep in mind before you cut your own hair.
1. Hair looks longer when it’s wet.
Most hair is a little stretchier when it’s wet. Therefore, it typically looks longer than it really is, especially if you have long hair that’s heavy when it’s wet. Why is this important? Well, if you cut your own hair when it’s wet, the ends of your hair will actually be a little higher when your hair is dry. So, with that being said…
2. Wetter is better.
Generally speaking, you should cut your own hair when it’s wet, but not soaking wet. The best time to do this is usually after you’ve towel dried your hair a bit after a shower. Keep a small spray bottle full of water and spritz your locks if they begin to dry too quickly.
3. Sharp scissors are a must.
The single most important tool you should have if you cut your own hair is a nice pair of sturdy, sharp scissors. Dull scissors can actually trap hair between the blades and result in a choppy uneven cut, as well as damaged ends. If you can afford it, you may want to spring for a pair of professional hair cutting scissors. Otherwise, a heavy pair of fabric scissors will do the job.
4. Comb out snarls first.
Prep your hair first before you start cutting! Condition your hair and comb out any snarls and tangles. Your hair should be as smooth and flat as possible before you make the first cut.
5. Cut your own hair in sections.
Whatever you do, don’t just start chopping away when you cut your own hair. It’s typically much more difficult to cut through a large chunk of hair than it is to cut through a small lock. If you try to cut through a large lock of hair, you’re likely to end up with crooked ends.
6. Cut the same amount off with each snip.
Draw your index and middle finger down each small section of hair that you’re going to cut. Cut the ends off of each section, but make sure you cut off the same amount of hair each time. Chopping off different lengths will result in an uneven and choppy cut.
7. Take off a little at a time.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when you cut your own hair is that it’s easy to cut off more, but you can never put back the hair that you cut. So, when in doubt, cut off less not more. You can always go back later and take a little more off, but you might end up wearing a hat for a month if you take off too much.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Unless you cut your own hair all the time and you’re a pro at it, there’s never any shame in asking for a little help. In fact, there may be more shame in walking around with an uneven haircut because you tried (and failed) to cut your own hair in the back.
9. Hope for the best…
…but prepare for the worst! Even if you’ve pulled off successful DIY haircuts in the past, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong. Sometimes it can go horribly wrong! Before you cut your own hair, make sure you’re fully prepared and emotionally stable enough to either deal with a botched haircut or spend the money on a stylist to fix a bad hair cut.
10. Hair grows back.
This is my all-time favorite reminder for anyone thinking about a DIY haircut, and something that you must keep in mind when you cut your own hair… It’s just hair – it will grow back. My mama always said that the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is just two weeks. I’m a pretty adventurous person, especially when it comes to my hair, though. Whether you’re just attempting a trim or going for a whole new look, I say go for it! How bad can it be, really? (Famous last words…)
BONUS TIP #11 Take your time!
For obvious reasons, make sure you have at least an hour or two before you attempt to cut your own hair. This was actually the whole reason that I wrote this post – because I’m still recovering from a frightening experience when I cut my own hair when rushed and irritated. Thanks for the comment and reminder, Amanda! 😀
