How to Cut Your Hair at Home Like a Pro
Skip that trip to the salon!
Whether you’re looking to save money or just can’t get into the salon, these tricks from New York City hairstylist Kali Ferrara will help oops-proof a DIY trim — no matter what your skill level.
Noticeable split ends? Try this technique.
The longer the hair, the more prone it is to split, scraggly ends as it grows out. Ferrara’s advice? Part dry hair down the middle, from the front all the way down the back, then pull the sides forward and cut ends in a straight line with hair shears (like these 5-Inch Hair Shears, $27.95, Amazon). This cuts off dead ends while leaving a neat, natural-looking “U” shape in the back.
Overgrown sides? Use a men’s hair clipper.
Too-long sides on a short crop can cause the style to look unkempt. The fix: Trim sides with the number “8” attachment on men’s hair clippers (like Conair Number Cut 20-Piece Haircut Kit, $23.49, Amazon). “It creates a safeguard that leaves at least 1″ of hair so you don’t go too short,” says Ferrara. Use the clippers on dry hair in downward motions along the back and sides until reaching desired length.
Hair in your eyes? Snip it vertically.
Yes, you can cut bangs without messing them up! Simply clip the sides of dry hair back, leaving bangs to hang in front. Then brush through bangs with a fine-tooth comb, stopping just above the ends, and use hair shears to vertically snip into ends, using light strokes, until desired length is achieved. Find all the tools (clips, comb and shears) in a kit like Diane Home Cut Kit ($19.98, Amazon).
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.
