The Basics of Giving Haircuts From Home

Photo: A. Turkus

While you may not consider yourself a beautician, giving basic haircuts from home can actually be quite manageable. You can save a substantial amount of money by skipping out on pricy salons, especially if you have several children who need haircuts. While there is no substitute for practical experience, these tips can be helpful if you’re trying out haircuts for the first time:

1. Preparation and setup. To get started, find a large mirror and gather together a spray bottle, hair clips (for longer hair), a comb, and a pair of sharp scissors. Don’t use the spare set of scissors you have laying around in your home office or your child’s backpack; make sure they are sharp and will not leave dull edges. It’s also most helpful to wet the hair before you start cutting. You can rewet it with the spray bottle during the cut if necessary.

2. Work slowly. We’ve all had haircuts we despised because the “2 inches” we asked to be cut off actually turned into 5 or 6 inches. Be patient and start by only trimming very small portions of hair as you get the hang of cutting, and you can gradually cut more as you feel more comfortable. Wet hair will also get shorter as it dries, so make sure you judge your length with that in mind.

3. Basic trimming techniques. It’s best to start with a simple trim (rather than attempting an intricate style), so follow these tips for best results:

• Make sure your subject keeps his or head as straight and still as possible. Since you’ll be judging the hair length based on how it corresponds to the face, it’s important that the head isn’t tilted or in constant motion.
• Cut small sections of hair at a time. Put the majority of the hair up in hair clips to begin, and gradually let sections down as you work around the head.
• Hold small sections of hair between your index and middle fingers and trim the ends, making sure the scissors cut straight along the plane of your fingers.

4. Adding layers. If you’re feeling ambitious (and your subject is equally willing!), you can try to add a few layers to the hair. Once the hair has been trimmed and is one length all the way around, simply take a few smaller pieces between two fingers and pull them straight up away from the rest of the hair. Angle your fingers so you’re cutting diagonally across the bottom of the hair, but still cut in a straight line. You can cut as few or as many layers as you would like, depending on your personal preference.

5. Finishing touches. Once you’ve trimmed the hair up to your liking, pull the longest pieces on both sides down with equal tension and makes sure that the hair is even all the way around. You can always go back and trim stray hairs or uneven pieces once the hair is dry. Blow it dry (or let it dry naturally) and style it to your liking.

If you or your family members aren’t too picky about your hairstyles, giving haircuts from home is the key for convenience and saving money. With a little practice and just a few supplies, you’ll be able to skip the salon and become a suitable beautician yourself. Happy cutting!

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Category: Frugal Living, Uncategorized