cutting my own pixie hair!

[PinkDaydreams]

Morning all!
Need some tips please as my pixie hair is well over due a cut. DH shaves the sides with a number one clipper which I'm happy with but the actual long hair on top needs cutting.
Anyone provide tips on how to add layers please without it looking obvious and steppy? There are hundreds of videos on YouTube and I'm feeling overwhelmed!
DH had a go a few weeks back but it looks like a bowl has been plonked on it as he ended up cutting it all the same length Luckily I've been styling it brushed back so it looks ok.
I've got proper cutting scissors and thinning scissors.

I'm so tempted to just shave it all off with a number 8 but I know if regret it afterwards! Thanks all!

Bumping as I've been too nervous to do it but it's getting cut this weekend!

Just clipper it to an 8! I do it sometimes when I fancy a change. DH is pretty good at a basic trim but can't do a pixie either.

Ive tried googling to see what it looks like at an 8 but can't find anything. From what I've read it'll be about an inch long on top, then I like the super short side so I would want to keep that as a 1 or I've had a hakf in the summer. On top it's currently really long.
How do you style your number 8 please?

I really like this but I know if have to have this done at the hairdressers and obviously theyre closed for the foreseeable :(

@PinkDaydreams I love my Pixie cut - let us know how you get on with the DIY x

And me!
I had a pixie cut just before lock down and now I can't get a trim till.... who knows!
DP used the clippers on the side and back but now the top flips over and looks dreadful I have to clip it in all sorts of ways! Might just have to do the same as you!
Might get some thinning scissors and cut bit by bit. It's the back that's a pain.
Figured if it looks dreadful I won't be seeing anyone for a few months anyway!

Let me know how yours goes! ( and I'll learn from your mistakes/ successes!)

Grade 8 is perfectly decent but if you have Wahl clippers you can get a grade 12 attachment which is just perfect 🤩 Now if only I could get it nicely around my ears...

Ooo I didn't know larger clips existed, thank you! My hair on top now tucks behind my ear,that's how long it is. I've been trying to style it all pushed back which looks good for half an hour but it's too heavy snd flops to the side and looks silly

I bought mine direct from Wahl UK for cheaper than they are on eBay (when I got them)

A no 8 is only an inch long so only go for that if you are willing to go that short.
I'd go with regular hairdressing scissors and trim in a downward triangular shape.
Thinning scissors can take too much hair out and don't give shape.
The picture you posted is longer at the front and goes gradually shorter towards the back. You can do this yourself with some sectioning. Go across your head. Ear to ear.
The model also prob has a LOT of backcombing, hair powder, gel and spray to get it to stay in the quiff.
I cut my own pixie like that for years. Its easy enough, just remember the mantra....hair grows back.

@70sduvet

A no 8 is only an inch long so only go for that if you are willing to go that short. I'd go with regular hairdressing scissors and trim in a downward triangular shape. Thinning scissors can take too much hair out and don't give shape. The picture you posted is longer at the front and goes gradually shorter towards the back. You can do this yourself with some sectioning. Go across your head. Ear to ear. The model also prob has a LOT of backcombing, hair powder, gel and spray to get it to stay in the quiff. I cut my own pixie like that for years. Its easy enough, just remember the mantra....hair grows back.

That's exactly what I keep saying, it'll grow back! Thank you for your help, I've not heard of hair powder so will give that a go. That's what I'm nervous about, the sectioning part and knowing how short to cut it. DH does a good job with the clippers and has thinned it before which made it better. It's just now that I have no layers it's looking very bowl head!

Ok maybe an 8 all over is too short! I'd also be worried about it looking like sonic the hedgehog. I think I'm just wanting a quick fix whilst there's no hairdressers but I need to take my time with it.
To be honest though, it was costing £70 every few weeks to get it cut and my husband is doing a better job with the clippers, if I can master the cutting of length then I'll be saving myself a fortune!

Just run your hand through your hair from the forehead with the fingers slightly open.Use hair dressing scissors to chip into the hair, or cut straight across the hair.

Forgot to say, the first time you do it, don't cut too much off, so you can cut more if necessary. But as with everything, do it with confidence.

Someone I know gave herself a grade 1. It looks great now it's grown back a bit. If you can carry off a pixie cut you can probably get away with a very short cut.

I just lift sections up and cut into the top of them rather than straight across, then I get choppy layers of different lengths.

I just shaved mine all off on a number 12, its a beard trimmer, so I think it is 12mm, anyway I now look like Arnie but if I go out I will just wear a hat until it grows a bit. I wanted to start again and get rid of some hair dye.

I did what Kirsten said. Lifted up the top section and cut into it.trimmed fringe. Job done!

I used to do it back in the 80s. I had a bob with spikes. no it wasn't a mullet, wash yer mouth out.

I’ve got bum length hair. And bald patches.

I really wish I’d had a hair cut when they reopened but I was flat out work wise and sleeping like the dead during time off.

I love the pic you posted. I’d love that but am fat, grey and well older than the model. And with that and the patchy head? Perhaps not!!

Yes I know I’m not helpful and I’m not a catch.

Just jealous!

My hair used to be half way done my back then last year I had it all chopped off, very liberating!

I'm worried because DH cut my layers out by mistake now making it all one length and mushroomy, that when I cut the length that it's still long to be mushroom like but shorter I've no idea how to put a layer into it!

Also what angle to hold my fingers at, I've seen some videos straight up towards the sky and cut them I've seen others and it's out to the side at a right angle

I have a lot of experience in home hair cutting,( poverty in my own youth. plus hairdresser refusing teenager) I always lift the hair straight up on top and then angle it outwards as you go down the head on either side.

Hair looking alot better! Thank you for all of your encouragement. Took a couple of cm's off, next time I'll do more. I've got some layers back now which is making it look and feel so much better :)

I've always cut my own short hair, I do the sides with an 8, grade up the back from 8 down to 2 - to the ridge part where your skull gets bigger and then chop into the top. Every now and then I do an 8 all over because it gets a bit wonky over time and the 8 sort of 're-sets' it back to factory settings.
Sometime I let my DC have a go at it.

Great news, @PinkDaydreams. I used to have my palm on my scalp or just off it, and just cut it straight a cm or two from my fingers.

I'd go for a pixie cut but I don't have the face for it any more. I'd look like somebody's grandpa.