Going to hair salons regularly for your trim might not make for a drastic appearance change, but it can make a dent in your wallet. During the time of quarantine, DIY haircuts have become more essential than ever. Not only are they easy to customize and budget-friendly, but you can constantly try new styles without being worried about the wrong chop.
- Equip yourself with the right tools
Make sure you’re equipped with perfectly sharp hair scissors to avoid dreaded split ends. A fine-tooth comb and a hand held mirror are also important so that you can smooth and check in regularly from all angles. Keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby, which will keep hair damp and make it easier to cut. If you’re looking to layer or remove weight, texturizing scissors can be helpful. Short hair might require clippers.
2. To wet cut or dry cut, that is the question
You may have heard of some salons encouraging dry cuts, and that’s because wet cutting isn’t conducive with all hair types. If you have straight hair, wet cutting it will work best to ensure evenness. But due to shrinkage, if you have very wavy or curly hair, it might be better to cut it dry so that you can see the natural curl pattern with more clarity.
3. Don’t go too short
Always leave a little bit of room. If you cut it exactly and end up not liking it, there’s not exactly anywhere to go from there. Leave a little leeway from your ideal length, especially if you’re cutting wet because hair often looks shorter when it is dry. For DIY haircuts or salon cuts, this is the best way to ensure that you’re getting the result you really want, even when leaving room for mistakes.
4. Separate into sections
The way that your haircutter normally divides your hair into sections might look like sorcery, but it’s quite easy to learn and is essential to any haircut. Doing sections allows you to focus on small pieces as a time, and helps you make the cut more symmetrical. When making them, be sure that the opposite sides are the same length. From there, you can create just a few sections or tons – whatever makes it easier for you.
5. Lighten with vertical cuts
Cut on an angle, or vertically to ensure your hair has some flow to it and moves with lightness. Heaviness often occurs when too many horizontal cuts are made, which gives a blocky aesthetic. To up your layering game, or make a look more soft, do this by combing small sections with your comb and cutting snippets in an upwards direction.
6. The perfect layers
Something called the “unicorn ponytail method” will help you complete the ultimate DIY layers. Simply gather a high ponytail towards from of your forehead, holding it out parallel and trim on an angle with longer hair in the back. It’ll give you softer shorter layers around the face, offering that cascading shape.
7. Cut bangs dry
A lot of people need to trim their bangs to avoid looking like a shaggy caveman. We suggest cutting them dry, since too-short bangs are not anything that someone wants to end up with when their salon isn’t open for an emergency fix-up. Cut bangs in small sections rather than a singular horizontal cut, which adds movement naturally.
8. Call or text your hairdresser
Most hairdressers have a lot more spare time nowadays, so don’t feel scared to reach out to your local hairdresser for some cutting tips if you’re at all unsure. These stylists prefer talking their clients through a potential DIY cut rather than repairing a monstrous disaster months later.
9. Getting that root touch-up right
Many people will be trying to cover up their roots – the fastest tell-tale sign that you need a salon trip ASAP. Apply your die with a special root comb applicator bottle, and comb gently through hair. Be sure to massage color into roots for evenness, and you can put Vaseline around your hairline to prevent any dye from bleeding. Opt for a mousse or foam formula which is much simpler to apply with a lower chance to patchiness.
10. Blow drying must-know
Before you use your paddle or round brush to assist your blow dry, first dry hair until its at least 75% dry.. Then, create sections and begin drying lower layers with a brush, adding heat to help maintain the shape. In terms of direction, go back and forth from corner to corner. Make sure to add a nozzle or diffuser so that your hair doesn’t get too hot.