How to Self Trim Your Hair

Lady Esquire

New Member
How To Trim Your Own Hair


We have read countless horror stories about stylists who butcher our hair. I am learning to be the ultimate DIYer. So many of you ladies here have successfully grown out your hair and have managed to keep clean trimmed ends, on your own, and this has inspired me. I have compiled some helpful tips on how to trim (Split Ends, U-shaped, Blunt, V-shaped, Layers), how often to trim, what type of scissors to purchase, etc. Hope it helps.


Learn how to trim your split ends to save money on haircuts and grow your hair long faster. A good pair of haircutting scissors and a little snipping is all it takes
http://hair-care.suite101.com/print_article.cfm/how_to_cut_your_own_hair
Growing long hair takes time. Nothing is more frustrating than going to a stylist who cuts off the two inches you've been painstakingly nurturing. So if you're trying to grow your hair long, skip the salon trims and cut your own split ends. It's easier than you think, and you'll save money to boot. Here's how.
  • Use sharp scissors. Don't even think about using the same ones you use to wrap gifts or tear into boxes. Go to a beauty supply store and buy real hair cutting scissors. They are small and sharp, just what you want for the job.
  • Be diligent. Don't think of this as an every two-month trim. By then, it's too late. You want to stay on top of the small split ends before they spread up into the lower two inches you're trying to keep. Make split-end scanning your new hobby. Time it with a regular habit, like removing nighttime makeup or your morning shower
  • Make the cut. Examine your ends by pulling hair forward or looking in a mirror. Use the small scissors you bought and snip off just the tiny ends you see that are split in two. Once you get used to looking at your ends, the split ones will stand out. Snip all of them relentlessly. The first time will take longer than the rest, but you don’t have to get them all at once.
  • Get regular shaping. Remember, you're cutting your ends for healthy growth, but eventually, you're going to need a professional to keep things shapely. That doesn't mean she needs to cut off a lot of length, but you can keep the growth going and periodically, maybe twice a year, go in to have things shaped up. Just be sure to tell your stylist you're growing your hair and don't want more than an inch cut off.
  • If you like a simple blunt cut, you may not even need the salon service visits. As long as your hair is growing and the split ends are kept at bay, your style is completely your choice.
Don't let anyone tell you what style you should have. It's your hair, your life and your beauty. Lots of stylists will be glad to help you grow your hair long, but there are plenty whose skills and knowledge are limited enough to make them shorten your hair simply because it's the best cut they know. Stand up for yourself and enjoy your long locks!






This info was cut and paste from the following site: http://www.angelfire.com/mi/bbubba/LHC/Trim.html


How Often To Trim
Trimming hair is a personal choice. In my opinion here are only 3 real reasons for trimming hair.


1. To remove damaged ends or split ends.

2. For giving hair shape if it has grown uneven. (See link near bottom)

3. To change the style of the hair because you desire a shorter length or shorter pieces such as bangs or layers.


So unless you have one of those reasons there is no need to trim. They say trim every 6 weeks but from what I've read in posts in the past 2 years there is no one size / time fits all with trims. Some people may have more damage than others due to chemicals or if they live in a climate that causes more damage or other factors.

Also a person could go 6 months without a trim get a trim and then maybe within 2 months they have splits and need a trim. Again weather, chemicals, heat damage, and lots of other things could cause that.

If you don't like getting trims in a salon my advice to you would be to read the rest of this page. If you cut your own splits then you will only have to get salon trims when you want to shape your hair. Be sure to get proper Scissors (Click here for article on choosing) because bad scissors can make things worse. You don't have to follow my directions exactly. Just simply snipping a few splits during a TV commercial once in awhile would be better than nothing
Scissors​
The main reason Stylist's Scissors are expensive is because they need scissors which will last longer and stay sharp.


Haircutting scissors dull very easily because even though the blades are long you only use the first inch or so when cutting. If you have to do 10 cuts a day 5 days a week for a year your scissors you need to either have backup pairs of cheap scissors or you need to have an expensive pair because you don't want to be in the middle of doing a client and find out your scissors are dull.


Now as far as cheap scissors go they work fine. They just aren't meant to last as long. The best way to ensure that the pair you buy is a decent pair is to look at them. If they have an actual screw that you can use a screw driver on then they are a better pair than one that just has a rivet. The other thing to look at is do the blades come together tightly or is there a big gap between them? Hold them up so you can see if you see light between them. The less gap you see the better they are and the better cut you can get. If it has a screw you might be able to tighten it and that gap could be less.


Now as far as brands. I bought a pair of Arius Eckert scissors from a beauty supply for about $8 and they lasted me through at least 10 full haircuts so far and could probably do more.


I have also seen on here that people like the Tweezerman brand so they might be worth trying. I've also heard some people say they like to use sewing scissors.


Never cut anything but hair with any type of scissors you use for hair unless you're not going to use them on your hair anymore. You don't want to dull your scissors


A few more notes:


Good Hair shears have those lines on their blades that are like ||||||| and those are done by the grinding process. There are many store brands that do have those lines. Granted they may not be as well ground. Those Lines are for keeping the hair from slipping as you cut. If you go to cut hair and the hair looks like it is being pushed forward then chances are you either have dull blades or you bought a bad pair. Do not use the scissors from Haircutting Kits.


Clean your scissors with rubbing alcohol using a cotton ball. Do the same with any other metal beauty instruments you use such as nail clippers or files or cuticle pushers.


Also get some oil for the scissors.



GymFreak started this thread about different brand of shears: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?p=4447413&posted=1#post4447413
 
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Lady Esquire

New Member
Self Split End Trimming



You'll need 6 - 8 Clips or Small Ponytail holders or something to make sections.

Make a center part from forehead all the way to the nape of the neck dividing your hair in half.

Next make a part from Ear to Ear that goes from side to side so that now you have + shaped partings & 4 sections.

Now Take the 2 back sections and split both of them into 2 smaller sections so that now you have 2 large Side sections and 4 small back sections. You can make these into small ponytails if you wish.

If you'd like to see an example diagram showing 8 sections Click Here

Now take the 2 sections furthest back and bring them around to the front and lay them on your chest. Pick up one of those two sections and start looking for split ends. If you spot a split end snip it off just barely above it. Continue working on these two sections & only these two until you are satisfied that they are split free.

Now here is where sectioning comes in handy. When you finish those first 2 sections you now have the option to go on to the next 2 back sections or you may stop and take all sections out and put off doing the rest till a later time or day. Please realize that any trimming method is going to take time. There are lots of hairs on a human head, that is why this method is good because you can take a break. Next time you trim just make the sections again and start with the 2 sections you left off at.

Okay now if you have all 4 back sections done, now split the 2 side sections into halves like you did the back. this gives you 8 sections all together to finish. You started with 2, 4, 6, sections, now you have 2 more.

Continue working 2 sections at a time, one right & one left always. Don't do 2 sections from the same side at on time, it's better to trim one per side. The neck helps keep your tails from mixing.

If you like this method then here is what I suggest so that you can get on a good schedule. Do 2 sections per week. So take a 4 week period. You do the 2 farthest back sections in week 1, do the next back sections week 2, then week 3 you do the 2 sections above the ear, then week 4 you do the very front sections. Then the following week you go back to the very back and start the process over.

Now if you miss a week you have an option. Either start from the 2 sections you missed the previous week or do all 4 that should be done by then. It doesn't really matter as long as you stay going in order.

Here is what is nice about this, you can take 7 days to do those 2 sections. As long as you keep using those same sections you will never be out of place or forget where you left off. You just section the hair and look through the tails till you find the one you haven't trimmed yet. This can be a very relaxing thing once you get into it. You could section your hair and sit in your favorite chair to watch TV and then during the commercials trim a few splits off. The nice thing is the more you do this the less you have to do. You may get to the point where you actually have to wait a week or more just to see any splits.
Below is an illustration of an Example Chart I made
as well as a matching Sectioning Example. This is
an example of someone keeping track of their
Self Split End Trimming and other related things.
If you want to see a Blank Chart to print out Click Here
If you have questions Email Me and I will help you.

Please feel free to download and or print this page and or my illustration for your own use.
But please do not use it on other sites unless you ask me first.




This diagram shows how the head would be sectioned to match the chart above.
If the back sections are too big you can make 3 back sections on each side or 4.










The following info is from: http://community.livejournal.com/feyeselftrim/





[/LEFT]

How to Cut Your Hair in Layers


How to Cut Your Own Hair in Layers

Simple, easy to follow, step-by-step, rules to layering your hair. Comes out nice and very, pretty.
Steps

  1. Shampoo and condition your hair. Towel dry, leaving your hair rather on the wet side. You may want to have a spray bottle of water nearby to keep your hair moist during the process of cutting your hair.
  2. Comb your wet hair straight back.
  3. With your comb, evenly section off about one half inch of hair as though you are going to cut bangs, but continue the section all the way down your face in front of the ears. The rest of your hair should still be combed straight back to keep it out of your way.You should see a straight line from the top of your head to the sides.
  4. Bring the top-section hair forward and down in front of your eyes. Using your nose as a measurement for length, cut the section of hair straight across to just the outer edges of your eyes. Your starting cut should be at the tip of your nose, but if you want your hair shorter, cut higher up but never higher than the bridge of your nose. You should now have a straight line from the outer edge of one eye to the other. This line will be your length guide for cutting the remainder of your hair. The further down your nose you make your first cut, the longer your overall haircut will be.
  5. Standing in front of the mirror, comb the section you’ve just cut straight up. Holding your hair between your index finger and your middle finger in a scissor-like grip, snip off just the very tips of this section. All you are trying to do here is get a straight line while the hair is held straight up. Cut too much, and you will have a shorter haircut overall.
  6. Comb the sides of the section straight up pulling with it some of the hair you’ve just cut. Notice that you can easily see how the sides are longer than the cut section. Using the bangs cut as your guide, and holding the side sections straight up, make your next cuts straight across. When you let the hair go you will notice that it falls easily into layers.
  7. With your comb, section off another small halo of hair from ear to ear combing it forward and keeping the remainder of your hair straight back. Comb the new section of hair straight up, pulling with it the first section as your cutting guide. You should easily see where the first section was cut and the new section that is needing to be cut. Cut the second section evenly with the first. Pull the side sections straight up again to cut it even with the bang area.
  8. Continue sectioning and pulling the hair straight up and cutting across using the guide lines from each previous cut. Be careful not to section off too much for each new cut, as it makes it difficult to see where your cutting guideline is. You will continue sectioning and cutting all the way to the back of your head, pulling each section straight up until you have sectioned and cut all of your hair.
 
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Lady Esquire

New Member
Tips

  • Keeping your hair fairly wet through this process makes it easier to hold the area you are not cutting out of your way.
  • Be careful to continue your cuts at the same length all the way across the top as you pull each section up. It is very easy to make slightly shorter cuts as you section towards the back of your head which will give you kind of a punk look on the very top of your head.
  • To make an even longer version of this haircut, comb each section straight up and slightly forward when making your cuts. This will make the overall cut longer in the back, leaving the front shorter and wispy.
  • The first few times you cut your hair this way, cut only a small amount and work towards the length you are really after. Making drastic changes can cause you to be very unhappy with the cut you’ve made.
  • This method of cutting your hair can be used for rather short to very long depending on the angle you pull your hair.
  • Use a pair of scissors that is meant for cutting hair. These types of scissors have that hook off of one of the finger-holes. Scissors should be held with the thumb in one hole and the ring finger in the hole with the hook. Your pinky finger rests on the hook . This gives you complete control of the scissors so that you can insert and remove your thumb from its placement and you can comb the sections of hair as you go along without having to put the scissors down between each cut.
  • With each cut, hold the hair you are about to cut between your index finger and the middle finger in a scissor like grip. This way you can use your finger as a guide for your scissors to make straight cuts. Don't bend your fingers.
  • Make sure you cut straight across from ear to ear, not tilting your scissors. To do so will cause one side of your haircut to be longer than the other.
  • Have sharp scissors. There is nothing worse than trying to chew through your hair with a dull pair of scissors.
  • Understand that if you currently have a haircut that is a bob, where the hair is rather long in the front and sides but short in back, this cut will cause your hair to be drastically short looking.
  • Keep the blades of the scissors closed between each cut
 

Lady Esquire

New Member
Side Note: SerenityBreeze told me about "Cutting and Trimming Hair for Dummies". Cop that book!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________


Website How To's:

The following info is from: http://community.livejournal.com/feyeselftrim/

Cut from this thread:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=206757&page=4


The Straight Across Trim​
:


This produces ends that are cut straight-across.
http://community.livejournal.com/fey...89.html#cutid1 (with pics)

Step 1

Start with combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Comb the hair back and put it in a low ponytail. Hold your head straight. Pull the scrunchie as far down your ponytail as possible, and as close to the body as possible too. When you can't reach anymore, try to grab the scrunchie from behind your back instead. Pull it all the way down to the end of the ponytail. Maybe you'll need someone to help you with this.

Be careful to pull the scrunchie down in a strictly vertical manner. It's so easy to end up with hair a little shorter on one side
and longer on the other, just because the scrunchie was pulled a little to the left or the right. You might want someone to help you with this.
Now, bring the scrunchie at the end of the ponytail forward, over one of your sholders. Get hold of the scrunchie (be careful not to pull any strands while doing this!!) and trim the tip of the ponytail off. If your hair is too short to reach, you can ask someone else to trim the tip off. You can redo this step a couple of times to make sure that it's even and that you haven't missed any hair strands.

Step 2 (optional)

Part your hair (like when making two braids) and bring the hair forward. Hold your head straight, and trim 1/4 inch off the ends, just to even it up.
I prefer the first grip, it holds the ends firmly.

When you're done, your straight-across cut will look something like this:


The V-Shaped Trim​
:

http://community.livejournal.com/fey...56.html#cutid1 (with pics)

Step 1

Start with combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Part your hair in the middle, all the way down to the back of the head. Then bring the two sides of hair forward.
Step 2

Comb each side carefully until every hair strand seems to be lying in the right direction. Hold your head up as straight as possible while doing this.

Concentrate on one side of the hair at a time. You can use a scrunchie to hold the other one in place while you trim. Comb the un-scrunched side while still tilted back. Grab the ends of your hair with one hand (using your index and middle finger). Hold the scissors with the other.

When you have a firm hold you can look down on your hair again. Bring the ends up and carefully trim off as much as desired.

Note: Holding your head up straight while trimming will give you a 'medium' V-shape. For a slighter V, tilt your head back instead. For a deeper V, tilt your head forward. You might want to experiment with this to find the perfect shape for you.

Trim both sides of hair this way, and try to make them as even as possible. You don't want to end up with hair that is shorter on one side.

When you're done you should have hair that is V-shaped when brushed back.



Step 3 (For perfectionists, not necessary to do ;)

Finally you can bring all hair forward to one side, and then comb it. You do this to make sure that you haven't missed any strands (this might happen if your part isn't exactly in the middle of your head). Snip off all strands that are longer than the rest of the hair, and make sure that it's even. Do this with the other side too. Comb a couple of times from side to side if you're uncertain that it's really even.


The U-Shaped Trim​
:


http://community.livejournal.com/fey...27.html#cutid1 (with pics)

Step 1

Start with combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Part your hair in the middle, all the way down to the back of
the head. Then bring the two sides of hair forward.

Step 2

Comb each side carefully until every hair strand seems to be lying in the right direction. When you're done, tilt your head back as
far as comfortable and then comb some more. You'll feel very silly doing this, and you'll look silly too. But just try to ignore that for
a while ;)

Concentrate on one side of the hair at a time. You can use a scrunchie to hold the other one in place while you trim. Comb the
un-scrunched side while still tilted back. Grab the ends of your hair with one hand (using your index and middle finger). Hold the scissors
with the other.

When you have a firm hold you can look down on your hair again. Bring the ends up and carefully trim off as much as desired.

Note: For a deeper U-shape, hold your head straight up, or tilt it forward instead.​

Step 3

When you're done you should have hair that is slightly V-shaped when brushed back. To remove the V and replace it with a U you need to
comb the hair back and put it in a low ponytail. Hold your head straight (no tilting this time). Pull the scrunchie as far down your ponytail as possible, and as close to the body as possible too. When you can't reach anymore, try to grab the scrunchie from behind your back instead. Pull it all the way down to the end of the ponytail. Maybe you'll need someone to help you with this.

(Update: I'm now tilting my head forward instead of holding it straight up. This produces even better results.)

Now, bring the scrunchie at the end of the ponytail forward, over one of your sholders. Get hold of the scrunchie (be careful not to
pull any strands while doing this!!) and trim the tip of the ponytail off (this removes the V). If your hair is too short to reach, you can
ask someone else to trim the tip off. Comb the hair back again and make sure that you're satisfied. If you've still got a V you'll have to
ponytail your hair again and trim more of the tip off.



Step 4 (for perfectionists, not necessary to do, but highly recommended!)

If you're a perfectionist like I am, then part your hair and comb the two sides forward again, while holding your head up straight
(no tilting). You will notice that your ends are a bit uneven, so just even them up (1/4 of an inch or so).

Step 5 (also for perfectionists ;)

Finally you can bring all hair forward to one side, and then comb it. You do this to make sure that you haven't missed any strands
(this might happen if your part isn't exactly in the middle of your head). Snip off all strands that are longer than the rest of the hair,
and make sure that it's even. Do this with the other side too.
 
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filthyfresh

New Member
LE, you are giving us some sticky worthy posts today girl! I sincerely appreciate the hard work you're putting into this. :yep:
 

Lady Esquire

New Member
Hope the ladies find it helpful. My regimen is almost on lock. All I need to master is how to get it to bling salon style and how to maintain thick even ends. So I went to researching....

Girl, I am feeling ill lately, so I have time to kill. :lol:
 

filthyfresh

New Member
Hope the ladies find it helpful. My regimen is almost on lock. All I need to master is how to get it to bling salon style and how to maintain thick even ends. So I went to researching....

Girl, I am feeling ill lately, so I have time to kill. :lol:

Awww, I hope you feel better.
Although I'm sure that won't happen until that baby waltzes out. :grin:
 

mnemosyne

Well-Known Member
Wow, thanks so much. Does your hair have to be straight to trim or can you do it curly/wet for best results?
 

Lady Esquire

New Member

Blessed_Angel

New Member
Hope the ladies find it helpful. My regimen is almost on lock. All I need to master is how to get it to bling salon style and how to maintain thick even ends. So I went to researching....

Girl, I am feeling ill lately, so I have time to kill. :lol:

Lady, you did it again: providing important info. So glad that you are not stingy!...lol. What I'm sayin is: THANKS. I needed this info. :kiss:
 

Firstborn2

Stop frontin, you know me!
This is a great post, since my search feature seem to never work. Thnx so much OP, I will be subscribing to this thread.
 

Lady Esquire

New Member
Lady, you did it again: providing important info. So glad that you are not stingy!...lol. What I'm sayin is: THANKS. I needed this info. :kiss:
Blessed, ya'll ain't stingy...so I am happy to share.

great article...I am a DIY trimmer...I don't allow anyone to puts scissors to my head....

Me neither. I would be so much further had I not let stylists chop off my hard earned inches during late 06 and early 07. I know better now.
 

praisedancer

New Member
Thanks so much for the info, I'm a DIY trimmer and I've been wanting to try layers for so long. I will be applying a couple of these new learned techniques.
 

miami74

New Member
LadyEsquire, this is extremely helpful! Thanks so much for taking the time to compile on this info. You're a great researcher. I'm working towards being a complete DIYer and this thread is a must! Best of luck with delivery and baby!
 

Creatividual

Well-Known Member
THank you sooo so much for sharing this! I'm glad I came up on this thread. I just decided the other day that I was going to start dusting and trimming my own hair and bought some hair cutting shears. Cuz I got my hair relaxed on Saturday and the lady told me my ends were "fragile" (not true!) and I needed an inch and a half trimmed off and to get my hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks if I wanted it to grow long. They are uneven, yes, but "fragile", NO! And 6 to 8 weeks? NO! I told maybe next time I'll get a trim but I am not letting her or any other stylist put scissors near my hair for a trim. No way Jose!
 

natieya

Active Member
This is right on time! Thank you for sharing. :grin: I need a trim and was wondering what to do... I'm afraid of scissor happy stylists...:nono:
 

TwistedRoots

Back2Life Back2ReLaxer!
This is right on time! Thank you for sharing. I need a trim and was wondering what to do... I'm afraid of scissor happy stylists...


Girl I was thinking the exact same thing!! I'm so grateful for the bump...thanks LongHairDreams
 
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