I have heard many people asking about how to cut their own hair in layers, and so I did a bit of investigating, and it appears that it is MUCH much easier than I had expected, provided you don't have terribly thick hair.
I wish I could find the link back to the site that was talking about cutting for a layered look, but my searching is in vain :( Anyhow, here's what you will need: candles, live chicken, chalk, eye of bat, oh, wait, that's for the post on "How to get Microsoft to respond to support requests", not for how to cut your own hair in layers.
Let's see, for this one, you will need a pair of very sharp scissors, not too thick hair, and a few bucks to see a pro in case you don't cut very straight.
Here is how she said to do it:
Wash your hair, and squeeze it dry, don't towel it out, you need it damp and straight, the straight part being most important.
Next, you are going to want to bend over, and comb your hair towards the floor. You want to have the top of your head pointed straight at the floor for this.
Then, after it is all combed straight down, simply take your scissors and cut the straightest line across that you can. It is pretty important that you go very straight, as this cut is the line that people will see from behind when you hair is combed back.
What I read in the forums mentioned that the people there that had used it had had pretty good success cutting their own hair, so long as their hair was not thick. If it is thick, you may still be able to do it, however it may take more than one cut across.
Of course this is a pretty simple hack for cutting in layers, and you may not get it right the first time, but it sounds to me like the theory to it is pretty sound, and if you give it a try, leave a comment here to tell everyone how it worked for you. Please do post your results here if you do this, so I can make any corrections, I am a guy, and I have short hair so I haven't personally tried this one yet. Also, if you were the person who came up with this method, or posted on this method in a forum, please comment so I can give you proper credit.
There is a lot better description of cutting layers correctly in this ebook on how to cut hair. I would suggest you check out that ebook, it does describe the technique better than I can, but if you are looking to save some bucks and forgoe the instructions, then do what I describe above, because it is one way to learn how to cut your own hair in layers.
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50 comments:
This sounds too good to be true, but in theory it sounds possible. I'm just too afraid to try it! Has anyone tried this yet, and if so, does it work??
I've been doing this method for a long time. It does work if you're sure to be careful. It definetly gets me through until I can get to a salon, and saves money.
You don't have to go through the whole tip you head upside down thing. I just comb my hair into a ponytail that goes strait up in the air. I make sure all of the hair is combed tightly into the ponytail, and then I just cut straight across. I have cut my hair this way for about 5 years. You can vary the cut by making the ponytail go straight from the crown of your head (which I like best), or you can even bring it forward to the front. Either way it is a cinch. I never go to a salon.
You don't have to go through the whole tip you head upside down thing. I just comb my hair into a ponytail that goes strait up in the air. I make sure all of the hair is combed tightly into the ponytail, and then I just cut straight across. I have cut my hair this way for about 5 years. You can vary the cut by making the ponytail go straight from the crown of your head (which I like best), or you can even bring it forward to the front. Either way it is a cinch. I never go to a salon.
best layers I have ever had. becareful with the length at the front of your head and if u have a lot of cowlicks like I do then you don't want to cut layers this way.otherwise it's a very good technique.
I have found that if you bend over and brush your hair VERY smooth and then put a rubberband in it and pull it down to the end of your hair then cut evenly with your rubberband that it is alot easier.I have been useing this method for years and everyone loves my hair and asks me does it!
Love the reference to Microsoft. =D
I just done this for my daughter age 21. She was well pleased. IT WORKS. She has extremly long hair!
I tried it on my short hair, and it worked really well! I was able to fix the horrible haircut my hairdresser gve me
I just used this method, it turned out well. It is best to gather your hair while bending forward, so you know you are getting all of it. But, you don't have to. I do. lol
I just did it and it worked like a dream! I'm so excited! I did the ponytail on top of the head thing that Joy mentioned.
A couple months ago tagged this and been wondering "Do I dare?" Shoulda done it day one!!
This was easy enough and looks better than alot of cuts I've paid for. I have straight thin hair, I didn't try for exact cuts but ran scissors at an angle to blend pieces.
Easiest thing I've ever done! I had no idea how to cut hair, especially my own but I gave it a shot and it worked perfectly.
I have never cut my own hair but just did this and I LOVE it! I have curly hair and it looks pretty great. I don't see myself going to a hairdresser ever again...at least until I want a different style. Thanks for posting this!
The method sounds good. I was looking for a way to layer my 2yr old daughter's hair. By the way, you cannot cut the thick hair with regular cutting scissors, but you can buy a pair of HAIR shears, they have grooves on the cutting edge to help keep your hair in place when you are cutting it. With regular scissors, it has a tendency to push the hair out as you cut and it doesn't leave a very straight cut. I got one from Walmart for $15. I had use it already and it works great when I was cutting my daughter's bangs. Now, the banks are getting really thick, so I needed to find a method to layer it so that it is not so thick. Thanks for the idea.
I use this method, too! Sometimes, after cutting all my hair, I brush only the front half of my hair forward and cut it the same way, only shorter - gives me a bit of a layered fringe to sweep aside.
Ive been doing this for about 10 years. I was told it is referred to as a 'gypsy cut'. Im happy with it
Interesting technique. I tried, and it didn't go perfectly, but it still looks pretty decent. But it wasn't perfect, because my hair is thick, which I know was specifically warned against. It was definitely the fastest hair cut that I have ever received, and it was free! Thanks for the post.
Back in the (jeez!) 80's I'd hang from the staircase of my boyfriend's loft and he would cut the hair straight across. He thought I was crazy but it gave a good cut. Thank you for the ponytail idea because I need layers and no longer have the boyfriend or loft staircase. I bet you could use jungle gym bars. The young girls would probably like that..hang upside down, brush, cut straight across.
Just tried this for the first time and it went really well!! Initially I made the ponytail too loose so when I combed it all the hair went out of place- but after re-tying it super tight it worked fantastically. I've cut my hair before but never like this. This is the perfect way to reach around all your hair (I always find it hard aligning hair at the back) and gives a good effect. Thanks to everyone who posted here!!
I saw the ponytail thing in a magazine in 1970something and I was always too chicken to try. I attempted the first method but quickly summized it was too challenging to keep a straight line. SO, I did the pony method and it is fantastic. I started straight up and went as long as possible, when I realized how well it works I moved the pony forward and cut straight across. Then I went as far forward as possible. I have a nice long bang and layers all the way through. Could not be happier and it took less than 10 with all my baby steps! This is completely fab.
I have been doing this on myself since I was 14, only I put it into a pony tail on top of my hair with it straightened when dry. Im going to try it when its wet though I bet it will be straighter and look cuter :] a few years ago I got my hair dyed in a salon and all the hair stylists were oogling at my hair cut wanting to know where I got it done, when I told them I did it myself they turned pink haha. I have very thin curly hair.
I have been doing this on myself since I was 14.. my friend told me that was how poor people cut their hair haha.. when I went to a salon to have it dyed at a pretty expensive place the hairstylists were all oogling at how cute it was and when they asked who did it for me and I told them I did it myself they all turned red in the face haha I highly recommend this though! I have very thin curly hair. I usually straighten it and put it in a pony tail but Im going to try doing it when Im wet I bet it will turn out better thanks for the tip!
I just tried it with the ponytail on top my head. My hair is shorter and not all made it all the way up, but what I did cut fell nicely in layers. I will continue to use this cut as it grows out & save some money! Thanks:)
Hi guys, I have tried it too and that look really great. I usually cut my hair but not this way. This one is faster and looks better. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Hi! I combed my hair (no pony) all the way forward over my head. Long, straight, fine hair. It shows every cut and stylists either a) point cut it so the cuts don't show when they layer it; or b) are afraid to layer it because they don't know their angles. Very rarely have I found a stylist who can cut the layers really nicely without the need to point cut. Anyhoo, I did this the other day for the first time - a girl told me about it in University years ago and she had gorgeous layered hair - and I was feeling a little risky so I did it.
Best freaking cut I've ever had, hands down!
What I've learned: cutting the sides like that is hard to keep it straight, but when you flip your hair up it looks good. Next time I'll do the sides after I flip the hair, rather than upside down. The back is just gorgeous though! Wish someone would post a pony video, as I can't see it being even in my mind, but this other way works awesome.
Well written post, btw!
Thanks, seems like this is one of the most popular blog posts I have ever written, glad everyone is getting so much out of it!
Quick, easy, an the best layer I've ever gotten. For mote layers, shorter on top/longer underneath, put the ponytail more toward the front of your head. Farther back for less dramatic layers. Start small, it's easy to put it back up and recut if you want it shorter still.
You guys rock. I put my (fine) hair up in the pony tail and held it there till the blood was out of my arm - I was that scared. Let go, put it back up three times, finally I just did it.
Wow. I can't believe how good it looks. I didn't even touch the sides, they just fell into this nice laying, and the waves that have been missing in my long hair bounced right up - it looks so good, and all it cost was nerve! Thank you very much!
Im so glad I found this post!! I just did it and it looks amazing... Great money saver, great blog!!!
Was looking warily around for tips on cutting my own hair and found your site. LOL to the Microsoft voodoo spell bit ... and I might even try the ponytail trick on my crazy mop!
Thanks:)
I want to try the ponytail trick - should my hair be wet or dry? I'd love to hear from anyone who has done it and is happy with it :–)
Wow! This worked like a charm! Since my hair is thick, it took several tries to get all my hair straight and into the elastic band. Once I got that right, it was a snap! Better results than most $70 cuts I've had. Thanks!
Great tip!!!
Awesome! So easy! love my cut!
I have done this for the past year! I do it with dry hair though, because wet hair or even damp hair is not the true representation of the length of your hair.. It does work and gives awesome layers! So cheap and easy it does sound too good to be true. One tip is not to chop off big chunks! do it bit by bit so you can get the perfect length you want. I use this to chop of a lot of my hair length when I want it to be short. Also you can get a V shape at the bottom of your hair by chopping it at an angle.. like this video which helped me start cutting my hair by my self!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfYjF_kcvB0&feature=relmfu
JACKPOT IT WORKS PERFECTLY! I just tried this out of desperation and I am more than impressed! It looks like I've been to a salon. Long, shaggy layers and even on all sides. I found this link too! http://elementalbynature.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/ponytail-haircut-a-how-to/
I recommend doing this for sure! Especially if you're on a budget. It's better than the sign-in $15 haircutting place can do.
I did this pony tail cut as a teen in the 70's to get the classic shag cut. I was wondering how it would work on long hair - after reading all your posts I'm going to try it!! Thanks!
what kind of hair do you have - thick or thin, wavy curly or straight? I am looking for a pair of scissors right now, gonna go for it
I have very thick, long hair, and am considering trying this. Is it just because it is harder to cut thick hair that you shouldn't,or would it look odd? Any opinions?
I have very thick, long hair. I was thinking of trying this anyway. I was just wondering if the only reason you shouldn't do it to thick hair is because it is harder to cut. Any opinions?
Please HELP I tried this technique is the layers came out choppy looking, I have long hair down to the middle of my back and the layer length came out great but they look real choppy any suggestions on what I can do to fix this please HELP Thank You Stephanie!!
I have been cutting my hair this way for the past 2 years now. My hair is thick, however, this has never been a problem for this kind of cut.If it takes doing it twice in a row..so be it.. It is so simple and the layers are great. The directions you have given everyone are precise for this cut.
For me, if there are any flaws I have very curly hair so it is not noticed. Thank you for your tips on DIY hair cuts. You had asked if anyone knew who to give credit for this cut..I have known about this cut going back to the 1970's...Good question..Thanks again.
Someone told me to twist the ponytail before cutting. Has anyone tried this method and what would the difference be?
This saved my life! Ive been doing it the hard way for years and every few I mess it. This time I destroyed the roght side and I was devastated! Prepared to go spend $40+ at a salon tomorrow and jave my husband hate me for it. Lol. Then I started googling and found this! The roght sode is still a little messed up because Im just not willing to go that short, but it blends with the rest ok which looks great! Plus I usually wear my hair up so I doubt anyone will notice. Now if only I could fix the bangs ha :/ those can be pinned though. But this is a fabulous method and I'll never go back!
Oh my. Right* (x2) have* side*... mess it up*
I'm blind, needed a serious hair cut, broke as heck. LOL I absolutely love this. Shaggy not Haggy. LOL I went from long dry frizzy stuff to clean mid-length smooth shiny hair. I did the unicorn thing, then wanted more off the back, so I made a ponytail at the back of my neck on the hair line, placed a tight elastic, then slid a 2nd elastic down where I wanted to cut & SNIP. Magic. Thank you.
I'm blind, was in serious need of a hair cut. I went from long frizzy dry stuff to neat mid-length smooth shiny hair. Shaggy not haggy. After the unicorn cut which I trimmed to the middle of my nose, I wanted more off the back. I made a new ponytail at the back of my neck, & slid a 2nd elastic down to where i wanted it cut & SNIP. Thank you so much for the post, & also for all the comments. they help. I'm so glad I did this. I'll probably do this from now on.
It your hair wet or dry for the cut?
Hi buddy,
Wow! You’re brave! I’m not sure if I could do my own, but I need my hair cut…it’s tempting….
Thanks. Homeplix
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