Trim my own bangs

Q: This might sound like a silly question, but I don’t have much money to spend on a hairdresser, and I’m considering trimming my own bangs from now on. I have no experience cutting hair. What’s the easiest and cheapest way to trim your own bangs? I have straight-across bangs.

A: This is definitely not a silly question! Many people trim their own bangs to save money. However, before you start, it's worth noting that cutting your own bangs isn’t without risks. There’s always the chance they could end up crooked or too short. So, only proceed if you’re comfortable with the possibility of things going wrong.

To cut your bangs, besides having a steady hand, you’ll need the following: a mirror, a spray bottle (plant sprayer), two or more alligator hair clips, a comb, and, of course, a good pair of scissors. While technically you can cut hair with any scissors, I recommend using proper hairdressing scissors. They don’t have to be expensive. There are affordable options for home use.

It’s usually recommended to cut your bangs when your hair is dry. This way, you avoid surprises with the length. Wet hair tends to "shrink" as it dries because it lies flat when wet but may bend, wave, or curl slightly once it dries, making it appear shorter. If you cut your bangs to the exact length while wet, they’ll likely be too short when dry.

However, cutting bangs while your hair is dry can be tricky. Dry hair is light, unstable, bouncy, and harder to manage. It might actually be better to cut your bangs when they’re wet, which gives you much more control over the hair. But, and I can’t stress this enough, you need to cut them longer than the desired length when dry.

When trimming your bangs for the first time, it’s best to cut them longer than you think you need to. If they’re still too long after drying, you can trim them shorter in a second round. As you gain more experience, you’ll get a better sense of how much length to leave when your hair is wet to achieve your desired result once it’s dry.

Alright, here’s how to cut your own bangs. You’re doing this at your own risk:

1. Use the alligator clips to pin back any hair that isn’t part of your bangs.

2. Wet your bangs with the spray bottle, then comb them straight and flat.

3. Decide on your desired cutting-length. Hold the comb horizontally at that point, then carefully cut beneath the comb.

And that’s it! It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite challenging. You’ll need a steady hand, and you must keep the comb perfectly horizontal to avoid crooked bangs. Take your time, and be careful not to cut too short. Remember, when looking in a mirror, your movements are reversed, so go slowly and think through each action.

If you decide to go ahead and cut your bangs yourself, good luck!

©Hairfinder.com

See also: How to cut hair