In the midst of a global pandemic, when many are still stuck at home, who hasn’t thought about cutting their own hair? Especially since many hair salons and barbershops remain closed, a DIY haircut seems like a fun approach. As your hair keeps growing longer and longer, here are a few tips on how to be your own hairdresser.
Go in with a plan
Do your own research! Everyone has a different hair type, texture, and thickness, and the internet is a great place to find resources specific to you. Generally, straight hair is best cut when wet, while curly, wavy, or kinky hair is best left dry so it’s easier to get a more precise cut.
Proceed slowly
Cut less at first — you can always trim it more, but your hair won’t magically reappear if you make a mistake. Section your hair into parts, especially if it’s thicker or more textured. If you’re just trimming the ends of your hair, try to make small snips with your scissors pointing upwards. Be patient. When cutting short hair, dampening your hair and having someone else help (especially with the back) will make it easier.
A note on bangs
This might not be the time for a drastic style change. If you’re trying to give yourself a hairstyle with bangs, please put down the scissors. Yes, you. Really, most people can get by with simply trimming their split ends.
Find a partner in crime
Rope a friend into cutting their hair with you or — even better — give each other haircuts. As Evelyn Stanley ’24 said: “They’re better if someone else does them. I tried cutting my own hair recently, but my mom had to fix it for me — I was FaceTiming a hairdresser at the time, and it still turned out that way.”
All in all, a DIY haircut can be a great way to try out a new hairstyle or get around all the closed hair salons. Some final words: be careful, but also have fun with the process. It isn’t every day that you get to be your own hairdresser!
Graphic by Sesame Gaetsaloe/The Choate News
