How to Cut Hair
Cutting hair is something you may need to do for a friend in a pinch. Here are some tips to help you do a decent job of giving a friend a slight trim.
Gather Your Tools
You will need to have a mirror that is big enough for you and the person to see what is going on. This will help you make sure you are trimming each side evenly. Next, you will need a comb and a pair of sharp scissors. A spray bottle with some water will round out the essentials that are needed for cutting hair.
Prepare the Hair
Before attempting to cut the hair at all, run the comb through the hair. Be sure to follow the natural fall of the hair. The point is to make sure there are no tangles or knotted strands to deal with after you begin to cut.
After a thorough combing, use the spray bottle to gently mist the hair. Slightly damp hair is easier to cut, and most certainly is a big help if there are split ends or if the natural texture of the hair is curly or dry.
Mark Out the Territory
Divide the hair into horizontal sections. If the hair is very long, you may need to use clips for each section, to keep the hair out of the way while you concentrate on the sections closer to the nape of the neck. You will deal with each section individually.
Start From the Bottom Up
Beginning with the horizontal section closest to the nape of the neck, run the comb through the section again. Capture the hair about 1/8 inch from the ends before removing the comb. Use the scissors to snip off the 1/8 inch. Release the hair. You will notice that the cut area is shorter than the remainder of the section. Use your first cut as your point of reference. Continue to cut portions of the hair in the section until you have achieved a uniform length for that section.
Repeat the Process
Moving upward one section at a time, repeat the original process, taking care to make sure all the hair in the section comes out evenly. Frequently use the comb to run through the area to make sure you do not miss any stray strands. When you have completed all the sections, comb the hair into place and check to make sure all the sections are working in unison to provide an evenly distributed cut all the way around.
Cutting into Shorter Styles
In order to go beyond this basic trim to deal with split ends, keep in mind it is still important to make small cuts each time, rather than hacking off a huge part of a section at once. By making a series of smaller cuts in each section, going roughly 1/8 of an inch each time, it is easier to keep the uniformity of the cut in place. Attempting to speed the process by making larger cuts each time will easily lead to sections that are uneven or too short in comparison to other sections. Take your time and do not try to rush through the process. The lack of diligence will be obvious in the end result.
