With hair salons closed due to the pandemic, staying groomed doesn't have to wait. Here's how to safely trim your own hair using professional techniques I've honed over years of DIY cuts for my family.
Hairdressers are shuttered amid COVID-19, and budgets are tight for many. Cutting your own hair isn't as daunting as it seems—if you follow proven rules. As someone who's trimmed family hair for years in Suriname and the Netherlands, I can vouch: it's doable with the right approach.
Proceed only if confident; otherwise, wait for a pro. Rushing can lead to uneven results. I've successfully layered my own long hair after watching tutorials, and family members always thought it was salon-done.
For complex styles like short pixies or color changes, visit a salon when possible. But for bangs, split ends, sides, or men's fades, DIY works well with these tips.
Never use kitchen scissors—they blunt and split ends, worsening damage. I learned this early: only sharp hairdressing shears create clean cuts.
Invest in professional hairdressing scissors (or clippers for short hair), a fine-tooth comb, large mirror, shoulder towel, and bright lighting. For long hair, enlist help. Poor light spells disaster—no quick salon fix during lockdowns.
Salons wet hair for precision, but DIY on dry hair. It shows natural fall, preventing over-cutting—especially for curls or bangs, where wet hair shrinks dramatically. Cut 2-3 hours post-wash, sans products.
Bangs grow fast; trim regularly. Follow this tutorial to avoid mishaps seen in viral fails:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1sFmywutNg
Creating bangs from scratch? Leave it to pros—they match face shape and technique perfectly.
Split ends can't be mended; cut every 3 months for healthy hair. Use shears only—no nail clippers. Twist sections and snip tips precisely.
Bobs seem simple but demand precision layers. Beginners, just tidy ends if needed.
Errors show fast on short styles. Refresh nape or sides with clippers; layer carefully.
Only refine neckline and ears with adjustable clippers and comb. I've done this for my son countless times.
In Suriname, I cut everyone's hair—men with clippers, then shears. No complaints. In the Netherlands, I've trimmed my daughter's tricky curls, my layered bob, and modeled for apprentices. Now on the Curly Girl method with balayage, I still trust pros for color and complex curls—but DIY basics? Nailed it.
Have you tried cutting your own hair?
