How to Trim Your Own Hair

You can easily trim your hair in between haircuts, whether you cut it yourself or get it cut professionally. Use hair clippers to trim the top, back, and sides of short haircuts, or use hair cutting shears to trim your bangs and ends. Follow your existing haircut, and make small, gradual snips so you don’t cut off too much. With a little patience and precision, you can freshen up your fabulous hairstyle!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Using Clippers

1. Use a set of hair clippers with different guards. You can easily cut short hairstyles using hair clippers. Most sets come with many different guard settings, and each guard number corresponds to the hair cut size it creates. The larger the number, the longer your hair will be. Most guard sizes range from ½ to 8.^[1]
   
   • Each guard size corresponds to a measurement of hair. For instance, number 1 guard cuts your hair to , number 2 cuts to , number 3 cuts to , number 4 cuts to , number 5 cuts to , number 6 cuts to , number 7 cuts to , and number 8 cuts to .^[2]
2. Wet your hair before you cut it. It is easiest to trim hair with clippers when your hair is damp. You can cut your hair after you get out of the shower, or you can spray a light, even layer of water over your head with a spray bottle.^[3]
   
   • In addition, you can run your hands under the sink and then run them through your hair.
3. Put your guard on your blade and turn on your clippers. When you are ready to cut your hair, simply snap the guard on top of your blade. To do this, place the end with the teeth at the blade, and snap the other end into place at the base of the blade. Then, plug in your clippers and flip the switch to the “on” position.^[4]
   
   • You can trim your hair so it is slightly longer on top and slightly shorter on the sides. To do this, use a guard 1 size larger on top and 1 size smaller on the sides.
   • If you want to trim your hair to all the same length, use 1 guard for all of your hair.
   • Alternatively, you can use wireless clippers as well.
4. Trim the side of your hair starting at the your hairline near your ear. When you trim your hair yourself, it is easiest to start on the side. Watch yourself carefully in a clear mirror. Place your clippers at your hairline above your ears, and move the clippers towards the crown of your head. When you reach the top of your head, flick your wrist outward to move the clippers from your head. This way, you do not trim the hair on top. Continue doing this for both the left and right side of your head.^[5]
   
   • The clippers will effortlessly trim your hair for you, without going any shorter than your guard.
5. Trim the back of your hair from the nape of your neck upwards. Place the clippers at your hairline, and move them upwards until you reach the top of your head. Repeat this to trim the back of your head.^[6]
   
   • To help you trim the back of your head, you can also tilt your head completely down so your chin touches your chest. Then, move the clippers from the nape of your neck to the crown of your head.
   • In addition, you can use your hand to feel your hair and guide your clippers to the right spot.
   • This is a spot where it may be beneficial to ask a friend or family member for help, since you can't see what you're doing. If you don't have anyone who can help, use a second mirror so that you can see the back side of your head.
6. Change your guard if you want your top longer than the sides. After you’ve trimmed all the hair on the sides of your head, replace your guard with a larger size if you want to your hair on top longer than the hair on the sides. To remove the guard, simply lift it up using the small plastic edge at the base of the blade.^[7]
   
   • If you want to trim your hair all the same length, simply continue using the same guard.
7. Trim the top of your hair from your hairline to the crown of your head. Once the sides and back of your hair are trimmed, move on to the top. You will find it much easier to trim the hair on the top of your head because you can see it in the mirror. To do this, simply place your clippers at your hairline and slowly move it towards the crown of your head. Stop when you reach the back, and flick your wrist away from your head. Continue this motion until you trim all of your hair!^[8]
   
   • It’s okay if your clippers extend a little bit down the back or sides of your head. This hair will not get cut any shorter, since you already trimmed them and you are using a guard the same size or larger.
8. Check your haircut in the mirror and touch it up as needed. When you finish trimming, look in the mirror to make sure your hair is even. If you missed a spot, run your clippers over your hair to even it out. If there are any longer pieces around your hairline, trim them to match the length of all your hair using hair cutting shears.
   
   • Don’t forget to check around your ears!

[Edit]Trimming Your Bangs

1. Isolate your bangs by putting the rest of your hair up. Before you trim your bangs, it is helpful to move the rest of your hair out of the way. Pull your bangs over your forehead, and comb back the rest of your hair. Grab all of your hair in 1 hand, and secure a hair tie or clip with the other.^[9]
   
   • If you have a lot of hair, you can use 2 clips or 2 hair ties instead. Divide your hair into left and right sections, and secure each side.
2. Cut your bangs when they’re dry and tangle-free. Once your the rest of your hair is out of the way, take a comb to smooth out your bangs. This gets rid of any tangles. Additionally, it makes it easier for you to focus on your bangs, so you can see where to trim. It is best to trim your bangs when they are completely dry. If your hair is wet, you can use a blow dryer or let them air dry.^[10]
   
   • For best results, you can use a rat tail comb.
   • In addition, you can also use a medium-tooth or wide-tooth comb.
   • If your hair is wet, you can easily trim away more than you realize, since hair stretches and appears longer before drying. Because of this, it is best to trim your bangs when they are dry.^[11]
3. Trim your bangs starting from the middle and working towards the sides. To trim your bangs as evenly as possible, it is best to start in the middle, then work your way towards the sides. Position your fingers at the ends of your hair where you want your bangs to hit your forehead, and make tiny snips into your bangs directly below your fingers. Continue snipping until you reach the edge of your bangs. Then, go back and snip the sides of your bangs.^[12]
   
   • For best results, follow the shape of your bangs as you make your snips.
4. Hold your bangs between 2 fingers, leaving at the end. To easily trim your bangs, pinch them between your index and middle finger and gently pull on the ends so your hair is taut. This keeps the hair straight, so you can make even cuts.^[13]
   
   • Hold your hair with your non-dominant hand and make your snips with your dominant hand.
5. Hold your scissors at a 90-degree angle to make vertical snips. When cutting your bangs, you want to make tiny snips directly below your fingers, rather than making a horizontal cut straight across. To do this, put your scissors in your hand and angle them upwards so they are in the vertical position.^[14]
   
   • Cutting your hair vertically rather than horizontally creates a natural shape instead of a harsh line across your face.
6. Take a look in the mirror to check the length of your bangs. After you’ve trimmed all of your hair, inspect your haircut in the mirror. Is it trimmed enough? Did you miss a spot? If you want your hair trimmed shorter, continue snipping to your desired length. If you missed a spot, go back and make tiny, vertical snips until your bangs are even.^[15]
   
   • It is also helpful to let the rest of your hair down to check your length. You can easily see how your bangs blend into the rest of your hair.

[Edit]Cutting Your Ends

1. Cut your hair when it is dry. You are less likely to trim off too much hair since you can see the true length of your hair. When you cut wet hair, it often appears longer and it's easy to cut too much without realizing it.^[16]
   
2. Section your hair into 4 equal parts. To make it easier to trim your ends, divide your hair from ear to ear. Then, divide your hair down the center so you have 4 equal sections or quadrants. Comb through each section, then clip the top 2 sections out of the way.^[17]
   
   • Alternatively, you can use an elastic hair tie and create 2 buns on the top of your head.
3. Hold the ends of 1 of the bottom sections between 2 fingers. Begin with 1 of the bottom sections of hair, and comb through your hair from root to tip. Then, place your hair in between your index and middle finger to hold it in place. You can gently pull on the ends of your hair so it stays taut. Position your fingers at the ends so there is about below your fingers.^[18]
   
   • Hold your hair in your non-dominant hand so you can easily cut your hair with your dominant hand.
4. Hold your shears parallel with the ends of your hair. When you trim your ends, hold your shears horizontally at the ends of your hair, and make small snips across the bottom to trim your hair.^[19]
   
   • You want to avoid cutting at a blunt angle so your hair does not have chunky lines.
5. Cut off of the bottom of both sides. Once your hair is secured between your fingers, make a straight cut horizontally across the ends of your hair. You can do this in 1 snip or several, depending on the length of your hair. For a trim, snip up to to off of your ends. The exact length you need to take off will depend on the amount of damage you have at your ends.^[20]
   
   • Use your split ends as a guide for how much length you need to take off. If you feel comfortable with it, try to cut above the tops of all the splits. This will help keep your hair healthy.
   • Always cut your hair with sharp shears. If you use dull scissors, you may get split ends.
   • Once you finish one of the bottom sides, repeat this on the other side.
6. Unclip the top sections and cut 1 side. Take the clips out of your hair, but keep the sections divided into a left section and a right section. When you cut the top layers, you want to hold all of the hair in between your fingers, rather than just the bottom layer. Position your fingers about above the ends of your hair.^[21]
   
7. Follow the freshly-cut bottom section as a guideline to trim the rest. Once your hair is secured between your fingers, you can easily see the line you cut across the bottom of your hair. Follow this line and cut your hair horizontally across so it is even with the bottom layer. Trim your remaining hair in a few small snips. Then, do this for the other section.^[22]
   
   • If you have thick hair, you may want to section your hair into about parts so it is easier to trim. Cut 1 small section, then move on to another small section. Continue snipping until you trim all of your hair.
   • When you are finished, check your hair in the mirror to ensure it is the same length. If there are any uneven pieces, snip any stragglers using your shears.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

• Comb
• Hair clip or elastic hair tie
• Hair cutting shears or trimmers
• Squirt bottle (optional)
• Handheld mirror

[Edit]Tips

• To keep your hair healthy, you can trim your ends every 2-3 months.
• Start by snipping small amounts at a time. You can always cut more off!
• The bathroom is generally a good place to try cutting your own hair since you have both a mirror and a sink available. Bring a handheld mirror, too, so that you can see the back of your head.

[Edit]Warnings

• Always use sharp, hair cutting shears to ensure you get the smoothest line possible. Using dull blades or household scissors can result in uneven sections.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.myhairclippers.com/know-hair-clipper-guard-sizes/
2. ↑ https://www.menshairstylesnow.com/haircut-numbers/
3. ↑ https://www.buzzcutguide.com/how-to-cut-your-own-hair/
4. ↑ https://www.buzzcutguide.com/how-to-cut-your-own-hair/
5. ↑ https://youtu.be/SdeGVl8z8Lc?t=1m57s
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/SdeGVl8z8Lc?t=1m50s
7. ↑ https://www.buzzcutguide.com/how-to-cut-your-own-hair/
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/SdeGVl8z8Lc?t=2m37s
9. ↑ https://youtu.be/lhT4WnAlM9U?t=1m30s
10. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/g2358/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/?slide=1
11. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/g2358/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/?slide=1
12. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/g2358/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/?slide=2
13. ↑ https://youtu.be/lhT4WnAlM9U?t=2m25s
14. ↑ https://youtu.be/lhT4WnAlM9U?t=2m30s
15. ↑ https://youtu.be/lhT4WnAlM9U?t=4m24s
16. ↑ http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/fashion/expert-tips-cutting-hair-article-1.1860778
17. ↑ http://www.instyle.com/news/how-trim-your-own-hair
18. ↑ https://youtu.be/CzsdsHJ7xoQ?t=34s
19. ↑ http://www.instyle.com/news/how-trim-your-own-hair
20. ↑ https://youtu.be/CzsdsHJ7xoQ?t=46s
21. ↑ https://youtu.be/CzsdsHJ7xoQ?t=1m23s
22. ↑ https://youtu.be/CzsdsHJ7xoQ?t=1m32s