Can I cut my own hair?

[GinAndOnIt]

Not ideal, I know, but can I? Only to tidy up the ends.

It's getting to be a nightmare to untangle and I'm going to a wedding in a month but no money for hair cut before then.

Any suggestions? I've got wavy hair, almost curly. It's curly underneath but a bit crap on top. I've been trying the curly girl method which is making the underneath even curlier, but the top still shit, so I'll have to blow dry it for wedding probably. Would rather not have raggy ends

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I think you can pull off the classic Mumsnet haircut..
Brush dry hair into a neat ponytail on top of your head and, holding the ponytail up vertically, cut an inch or so off the ends, moving the scissors horizontally.
You need sharp scissors and a steady hand.

The end result will be a slightly layered look. Cut a little at first and see what you think. You can always go again.

[GinAndOnIt]

Ah I actually think I tried that once in my youth

I don't recall it ending terribly. Does hair need to be dry though? It's a pain in the arse to brush it dry.

[NapQueen]

I do this cut regularly. You need to wash, comb and blow dry your hair and preferably straighten it. Cut as above.

It's so effective.

[GinAndOnIt]

Hmm okay, I need to wash my hair this evening so maybe I'll straighten it afterwards. So ponytail on top of head, is that literal? Like a pineapple?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

The only advantage of it being dry is that when you take it out of the ponytail, it's easier to see if you've missed any bits IYSWIM.
You could do it wet. Bear in mind that brushed wet hair looks longer than dry hair, especially if yours is curly.

I still remember wet cutting my fringe years ago and the horror when it dried ,and sprang half way up my forehead.

[GinAndOnIt]

Oh yes, good point. It's not going to make it too layered is it?

[burnishedsilver]

Much as I'd like to be supportive, this whole plan has disaster written all over it. Sorry.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

When you have your hair down, lift up the hair on the top of your head and decide how long you want your shortest layer to be. E.g If you decide you want it 2" shorter, then cut no more than that from ponytail.

The hair nearest the ponytail will be your shortest layer, getting gradually longer. If you don't want the layers around your face too short, position the ponytail at your crown, rather than further forward.

(Or just decide it's too hard and book a hairdresser )

[GinAndOnIt]

burnished I sincerely hope I'll be proving you wrong

Right okay, I get it. Am off to wash my hair now. Wish me luck! (fuck)

[NiteFlights]

It can be done. Worst outcome is that you go to a hairdresser to sort it out. I've cut mine a few times and it looks quite good. It's also very liberating.

[MrsWooster]

Worked well for me. ilostits instructions are good and there's a video, probably on youtube. Try!

[redhat]

Ive done it too without any disastrous consequences

[VioletRoller]

Watch a youtube tutorial. My hair is waist length and bleach blonde so the ends can be terrible without maintainence. I type in "cut your own long layers" :)

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

No way would I attempt this especially before a wedding.

[SaraC8]

I'm a hairdresser and this makes me cringe Surely you can find somewhere to do you a dry trim for a reasonable price? Or go to a college and have it done, or by a trainee in a salon? You might be successful or you might not...but it's so obvious when people have cut their own hair...I wouldn't risk if before a wedding for the £10-15 it will cost you to have it trimmed

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

i've done dd's lots of times!

Last one I did was similar to the pony tail but you part the hair into four

centre parting from front to back and then across the top ear to ear, four pony tails in a square and then proceed as above....cut the ends off to the same length, snip into the ends a little

it was much more even than the one pony tail, and needed much less evening up.

[NeedAnotherGlass]

It really pisses me off when I go to the hairdressers for a trim and it costs me £25-£30, yet by son's cost £10-£15.
I have long straight hair that can be trimmed in minutes. His takes much more work and time.
All the students I have ever tried have been crap - either complaining or freaking out about doing long hair or telling me I need it cutting short, it's too thin or I'm too old for long hair.
I've had enough of that now and do the ponytail method. It works a treat! Tidies up the ends perfectly.

[LotisBlue]

I've done this and it looked good. I think you need to have slightly wavy hair; if your hair is dead straight then it will be too obvious if you've done it even slightly unevenly. I say go for it

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I trained as a hairdresser in my youth and don't think there's a problem with trimming your own hair. If you can't afford a haircut and leave dry split ends for too long, they tend to travel up the hair and split further up, causing more damage.

The trick is to not try something drastic at home. An inch or so off the ends of long hair is never going to go disastrously wrong.
Sharp scissors are a must though and it's best to attempt any trims whilst sober.

[Floralnomad]

I cut my own hair but I use the method recommended by Lee Stafford , it's on the Internet with him demonstrating with a woman from Cosmo . It turns out fine - I have mid length ,quite fine hair .

[meridithssister]

I did mine last week using the Lee Stafford / Mumsnet method. It was all good until I tried some freestyle hacking which I won't do again but it works fine. Good luck

[NapQueen]

I do my p9nytail on my hairline. Then a blunt cut across the end of the ponytail.

Then you need to snip up into the ponytail so that it isn't a blunt cut.

[VioletRoller]

Oh yes proper hairdressing scissors are a must :)

[Crocodillian]

Eagerly awaiting the outcome as I need a trim myself... Good luck op

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Proper hairdressing scissors are so bloody expensive it might be cheaper to get a haircut.