Does anyone cut their own hair? Any tips?

[Timetobegood]

I don’t think I’ve had a great haircut for years. I usually go to a very basic local salon for convenience but a few months ago I went to a top salon and had the director do my hair and it was no different.

My hair is long with a few layers at the front. It’s looking a bit scraggy so I thought I might trim it myself. I have done my fringe several times and it looked fine.

I have looked at a couple of YouTube videos where you pull your hair into a ponytail and cut the ends. Has anyone tried this? Any other tips on how to do it especially the back?

Do you live with anyone or have a friend who could help? I have these and my husband cuts the back of my hair for me and then I cut a few layers in the front/sides. I good pair of hair scissors are very helpful, too.

www.amazon.co.uk/ewinever-Cutting-Trimmer-Clipper-Styling/dp/B015QWHBQ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=hair+cutting+guide+tool&sprefix=hair+cutting+gu&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1574093513&sr=8-3

you pull your hair into a ponytail and cut the ends. Has anyone tried this? Any other tips

Tip: make sure the ponytail is in the right place if you don't want 8 inches between layers 😅

I do this. Usually once every 3/4 months. It's really important to get the hair poker straight and every hair brushed forward into the bobble.

Equally important is snipping up into the blunt end to make sure you don't have a really choppy layer. Snip snip snip until it's not a blunt pony.

Me too, I cut my own hair every 2 - 3 months, I think it helps that I have wavy hair that I can scrunch into curls after washing. It saves me a fortune. Decent scissors are a must though.

Decent scissors that you keep sharp ie don't use for anything else.
Don't do it after a bottle of merlot like I've done.
Go slow
Put the right parting in to begin with
Cut it dry not set
Snip into the blunt ends
And, it's easier if you have long hair with at least a wave because you can't see if it's uneven!

That’s reassuring. Yes I do have hairdressing scissors and a slight wave to my hair.

I’ve started this. My hair is curly and I wanted a deva curl by curl cut but the nearest person Who does it is an hour away. I was sick of paying for cuts that just didn’t compliment my natural hair and every time I’d leave the salon looking like a poodle so I watched YouTube and gave it a go. I have to say it looks pretty good. I think I will do this from now on. I got some proper scissors for future cuts.

If you cut it too short like that you end up with a mullet! But as a technique for adding layers to long wavy hair it’s brilliant

I got tired of bad cuts so I bought proper scissors and a fine tooth comb. I do the pony tail on the forehead. It's scary so start by only taking a half inch. I'm now quite confident and can do top up trims without the pony tail (bottom grows more quickly than hair on the tp of my head!).

Thanks for the warning re the mullet.

Think the shape of your head decides the mullet. If you have a long thin head then I guess you'll be Mullet prone. Mgt head is rounder.

I was also coming back to say I too have wavy hair since I do mine wet/damp as I find the waywardness of it dry is hard and frustrating.

Calling the mess I made of mine a mullet would've been too generous! 🤦🏻‍♀️

I have cut my own hair for the last year and would highly recommend it! My hair is quite wavy and fine but there is lots of it so that does hide the odd slip of the scissors round my fringe area...

A good idea, which a pp recommended, is to get a friend to use clippers without the guard on to cut a dead straight guide line across your hair once its all brushed backwards. There are lots of youtube videos of this being done in salons. You can then snip in a few long layers round the front, confident in the knowledge you aren't going to have a wonky line when your hair is down your back.

If you are disappointed with the haircuts then it may be worth experimenting with styling. My hair looks v basic and fluffy unless I wrap a few sections round a hot wand or let it dry in a twisted low bun - then it suddenly looks a million times better.

When I couldn't afford haircut i made the mistake of trying this after reading one of these threads & watching a few YouTube videos of the unicorn ponytail method.

Outcome was similar to Lellochip's with a choppy shorter layer and uneven ends, luckily I've long hair so my friend lopping off a load more to level wasn't a problem.

I was glad when I could get a hairdresser to give it a proper cut, it makes such a difference to how nice it lays and ease of styling even with long hair. Hairdresser students/college is useful for cheap cuts if can spare extra time.

I cut mine to shoulder length with the ponytail method, but gathered at the back of my head not the front. I've got lots of fine,very slightly wavey hair and cut like this, and sprayed with salt spray when damp it actually has some volume for the first time since I was a toddler.

Agree finding a good hairdresser isn't easy & price isn't an indicator of skills, ideally need recommendations from people with good hair.
It maybe that current style doesn't suit your hair type.

Any particular ‘good scissors’ people would recommend please?

I do, but as pp say go careful in the beginning. there are some pretty hilarious awful 'haircut fail' videos on youtube...