Should You Cut Your Own Hair?

There may be times when money is tight, and a haircut doesn’t fit in the budget. Or, maybe you just don’t have a schedule that can accommodate regular salon appointments.

In the meantime, you can’t completely neglect your hair, so it makes sense to look into inexpensive and simple workarounds.

Learning to cut your own hair, and even color it, can be a bit of a lengthy process initially. Just keep in mind the old proverb that if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, and if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.

When you research the tools and over-the-counter products that are best for your hair, then you’re on track to save money over the long term.

Also read: Hair Breakage Treatment: Do’s & Don’ts For 2022 [Updated List]

There are a few easy steps you can follow to get started.

Watch video tutorials.

There are countless videos on the internet with people who can teach you how to cut your own hair.

Tutorials range from basic cuts using a pair of scissors purchased from the drug store to dramatic and complex styles that require more sophisticated implements like professional shears found on websites that offers professional hairdressing scissors.

Whatever your hair type or the style you’re looking to achieve, you can find a video tutorial to suit your needs.

Keep it simple.

It’s recommended that you start with the basics. Professional hairstylists have years of training to hone their skills, so you can’t expect to be able to replicate a similar result on yourself.

Also read: How To Cut Your Own Hair [Top 12 Tips]

Although your hair will indeed grow back, you’ll have to suffer through an awkward adjustment period if you’re overzealous with the scissors during your early endeavors. Simple trims or styles are best for initial outings with a reliable pair of haircutting shears.

Don’t rush.

If you’re in a hurry or frustrated, that’s generally not the best time to handle scissors, whether it’s your first time cutting hair or even if you’ve had a few practice runs. Make sure to set aside enough time so you can focus on the task at hand. You should be deliberate with every cut until you’re familiar with the feel of the shears and their capabilities.

Your arms may even become tired if you’re holding them in unfamiliar positions for sustained periods of time to reach different angles. Take breaks and most importantly, don’t get discouraged.  

Cutting your own hair is an understandably daunting task. There’s no undo button, and one wrong move could spell disaster, necessitating a visit to a professional hairstylist to fix any significant damage.

Also read: A Pro Stylist Teaches You How To Cut Your Own Hair

But then, it’s possible with the right tools and patience. It may help to have a friend or family member present during the initial stages to keep you on course.

Each time you cut your hair, the process gets easier as you become more fluent and effective in your ability. 

Ava Moore

BA, MA Psychology (and Conflict Resolution), University of Cambridge (2007). With a decade of trial and error in psychology and 33 years of navigating my own complex (that's one word for it!) relationships with family, friends, co-workers and men, I hope I have some useful knowledge and skills to share with my readers about making sense of relationships and trying to become a better person every day.

I'm the Chief Editor here at Independent Femme and would love to hear from you.