How to Cut Long Hair Yourself

If you're aiming to reduce costs, trimming your hair at home instead of going to a salon can help save money. With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can give yourself a stylish haircut. This guide introduces various techniques to cut your hair at home, with the choice depending on whether you want a straight cut or layered style. Typically, home haircuts are best suited for layered looks, as achieving a precise straight cut on your own can be challenging.

Buy quality hair-cutting scissors. You can find scissors at beauty supply stores or shops selling hair products. The price typically ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 VND. Choose small scissors with blades around 6-8 cm long. The shorter the blade, the easier it will be to control while cutting.

Select Your Hairstyle. Once you've chosen the hairstyle you want, it will be easier to focus and reduce mistakes during cutting.

• To select your style, you can browse images of celebrities online, check out hair magazines (available at most beauty stores and bookstores), look in the mirror and try different lengths to see how your face will look, or print a photo of yourself and sketch various hairstyles on it.
• There are also phone apps and websites that allow you to try on various hairstyles on your face.
• It's important not to rush your decision. If you're thinking about cutting your long hair short, take a few days to consider before committing, as you might regret it afterward.
• If you're aiming for a big change in hairstyle, you might want to seek advice from a skilled stylist to ensure the cut goes well. Afterward, you can still try cutting your hair at home if you'd like.

Decide Whether to Cut Wet or Dry Hair. Many stylists recommend cutting wet hair for easier handling and control. However, some stylists suggest cutting dry hair so you can immediately see the results and adjust any uneven areas like stray hairs or curls.

• If you're cutting wet hair, it's advisable to leave it a bit longer than your desired length, as it will shrink and appear shorter once dry. (Some people report their hair shortening by up to 10 cm when dry.)
• Cutting dry hair can lead to uneven results, but you'll need sharp scissors for this. Cutting dry hair can dull the blades faster, making it harder to achieve clean, even cuts.
• Most stylists cut hair while it's wet and then make adjustments after it has dried. This method often leads to a more polished look and gives you a chance to correct small imperfections.

Prepare Your Hair for Cutting. If you're cutting wet hair, wash your hair, apply conditioner, then dry it by gently pressing a towel against your hair. Afterward, comb through it to ensure it's straight and smooth. If you're cutting dry hair, wash and dry your hair as usual, part it the way you normally do, and brush it into your everyday hairstyle.

• If you usually straighten your hair, go ahead and straighten it before cutting.
• Avoid using any products on dry hair before cutting, as this can make it harder to see the natural shape of your hair.

Cut on Clean, Wet Hair. If you've just washed your hair, you don’t need to wash it again. You can wet it by spraying a little clean water.

• This method will help you achieve a smooth, slightly rounded shape at the back of your hair.

Part Your Hair in the Middle. Start by parting your hair from the top of your head. Once you've made the part, brush your hair straight. Be sure to divide your hair evenly right at the part. Use a regular comb to smooth the hair on both sides of the middle part.

Gather Hair into a Low Ponytail at the Nape of Your Neck. Use a regular comb to smooth your hair, ensuring it's sleek and hugs your head as you tie it into a low ponytail.

• Brush through the entire length of your hair to remove any tangles before securing the ponytail.
• Make sure the ponytail sits neatly in the center of your head and rests low at the nape of your neck.

Add an Extra Hair Tie Above the First Ponytail. This additional tie should be placed just above the section of hair where you plan to cut, a few centimeters below the first ponytail holder.

Gently Pull the Ends of Your Hair Upward. Be careful to keep the hair tied at the nape from coming undone as you do this.

Cut the Hair Below the Second Hair Tie. Make small, gradual cuts with the scissors. Avoid attempting to cut the entire length of hair in one stroke. Ensure that the hair at the ends is cut evenly.

Check and Adjust Your Hair. Brush your hair straight or pull it forward to check for evenness. Make any necessary adjustments to the cut. If the cut isn't as even as you'd like, you can tie your hair into a ponytail and trim it again. However, don't cut it any shorter—just secure the ponytail, hold it tightly with one hand, and cut off any uneven strands.

Brush All Your Hair Up to the Top of Your Head and Twist It Tight. This cutting style will give you an angled look, perfect for a forward-leaning bob cut.

• Note that this method won’t shorten your hair much, but removing a significant amount can create layered hair, making it look thinner. This technique is not ideal for those with fine or thin hair.

Cut Your Hair to Your Desired Length. Hold the hair tightly at the top of your head and use hair-cutting scissors.

• You can determine the shortest layer by taking a section of hair near the hairline in front, where you want the shortest layer to fall, and then pull the hair to the twisted position. This will serve as a guide for where to cut.

Let Your Hair Down. Release your hair and use a comb to brush it evenly.

Twist Your Hair in the Opposite Direction. Gather all your hair once again at the top and twist it in the opposite direction.

Trim the Uneven Parts of Your Hair. Hold the twisted section high on your head, then use scissors to trim the stray hairs that stick out from the ends.

Release Your Hair and Comb Through It. Let your hair fall and comb it through evenly, then style it as you prefer.

Separate the Front Bangs. If you want longer bangs, comb a section of hair from the top of your head before cutting the remaining hair. If you don't want bangs, simply skip to the next step.

• The way you cut your bangs depends on the style of your pixie cut. For lighter bangs suited for a pixie cut, cut the bangs at a 75-degree angle and angle the hair along your face.
• For straight-across bangs, cut a straight line from one side of the face to the other, trimming small sections as you go.

Cut the Hair. Place your fingers near the roots at the length you want and trim off the hair underneath.

Brush a Thin Section of Hair Vertically and Cut in an Upward or Downward Direction. Make sure to cut in a straight and even line. Trim as needed until your hair reaches the desired length.

Continue Cutting the Remaining Hair. Use the previously cut section as a guide, comb a small section of hair parallel to the first cut and trim according to the guide. Keep cutting additional parallel sections using the previous cut as a reference. Once done, adjust the edges to make sure the hair is even and balanced.

Work with Clean, Wet Hair. This cutting method creates clear layers at the top of your head. If you’ve just washed your hair, you don’t need to wash it again. Simply dampen your hair with a spray bottle to make it wet.

Bend Over and Lower Your Head. If you don't want to bend your head to cut your hair, you can still cut your hair while standing up with a high ponytail. Simply hold the ponytail high on your head with one hand and proceed with the steps.

Brush and Tie the Hair Into a Ponytail at the Top of Your Head. Do this while you’re still bent over and have your head lowered.

• To ensure an even cut, tie the ponytail high in the center of your head. Use a mirror to help you find the correct spot for the ponytail.

Secure the Ponytail Firmly with an Elastic Band. Tie the first elastic band close to your scalp to ensure that the hair doesn't slip out.

Add a Second Elastic Band Near the End of the Ponytail. The second band should be placed just below the section where you plan to cut the hair.

Cut the Hair Just Above the Second Elastic Band. Hold the ponytail tightly with one hand, and with the other hand, use scissors to trim the hair.

• Do not attempt to cut all the hair in one go. Make small cuts until you’ve trimmed the entire ponytail.

Release the Hair. Remove the elastic band and shake your head to let the hair fall. Brush through the hair and run your fingers through it.

Adjust the Hair for a Neat Finish. If the hair is too blunt or uneven, you can tilt the hair forward, tie it into a high ponytail at the top of your head, then hold the ponytail with one hand and trim any hair that is longer than the rest of the ponytail.

• There should not be many long strands sticking out. If there are, you can move the ponytail around your head until the hair is almost even when held together.
• For a more natural look, you can trim the ponytail in small upward cuts. This will make the hair look softer and more textured, which helps blend in uneven sections.

Make sure your hair is clean, smooth, and dry. This is an essential step before cutting, especially if your hair tends to get tangled. This style requires dry hair, so you don't need to wash it unless it's dirty or greasy.

• This hairstyle is perfect if you want layers that frame your face neatly.

Brush the Hair into a Ponytail at the Forehead. While keeping your head bent, brush all your hair forward and gather it to tie it, securing the ponytail along your hairline at the middle of your forehead.

• Imagine it like a unicorn’s horn.

Determine the Length of the First Layer. Do you want your bangs to reach your eyebrows or begin at your chin? Measure the distance from the tied hair at your forehead to where you want the first layer to fall.

• You can use a comb to measure this distance.

Hold the ponytail firmly with one hand and use the other to cut with the scissors. Grip the scissors and cut at the ponytail where you previously measured with the comb.

Trim the horizontal end of the ponytail. Change the way you hold the scissors and point the tips directly at the hair, trimming the end of the ponytail until it looks like the tip of a brush used for shaving cream: the ponytail should taper and puff out, without any rough cuts.

• Be cautious when bending down to cut, as you may accidentally poke your eyes with the scissors or let hair fragments fall into your eyes.

Start with clean, dry, and well-brushed hair. If your hair isn’t straight, you can straighten it before cutting.

• This style isn’t ideal for those with thin or fine hair as it will trim down the thickness at the ends.

Part your hair down the middle. Use a regular comb to divide your hair into two equal sections, checking in the mirror to ensure you create a straight middle part and that both sides are equal.

Secure both sections of hair with low ponytails. Tie each section of hair into separate ponytails. Make sure both sections are tied low, at the back, just below the ears – right where your hair meets your neck on both sides.

Firmly secure the ponytails. To tighten each ponytail, hold the hair a few centimeters away from the elastic and split the hair in half, each hand holding one section. Then, gently pull each part of the hair apart, moving the elastic upward, closer to your head.

Slowly and evenly slide the elastic down to the desired length. When you reach the desired hair length, STOP!

Trim the hair beneath the elastic band. Repeat the process for both sections of hair. If you cut straight across, your hair will look jagged, so to keep it natural, angle the scissors at 45 degrees and cut upwards.

Remove the hair tie. Once you’ve finished cutting both sections, you’ll notice a point forming at the back of your head.

• If you want a V-shaped back, proceed to the next step. If you prefer a different style, you can remove the pointed ends by tying a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and cutting off the pointed ends.

Refine the hair. Trim the ends and adjust any strands that are longer than the rest. To create a pointed end, hold the scissors at a 45-degree angle while cutting.

Shampoo and gently towel dry your hair. Avoid blow-drying since you’ll want to keep the hair slightly damp for the cutting process.

Place a towel on the floor directly in front of you. The towel will catch the hair clippings as you cut.

Cut small sections of hair from left to right. Cut in a straight line parallel to the floor, making sure not to move your head. After cutting each small section, comb through it to ensure the hair is cut evenly.

• Always cut less than you plan, as the hair will appear slightly shorter when it dries. Remember, you can always cut more, so take your time and be precise with each cut.

Stand up straight and check your haircut. Once you’re finished, your hair should be cut evenly with multiple layers.

Ensure your hair is clean and damp. If you’ve just washed your hair, there's no need to wash it again. Instead, you can mist your hair with water to dampen it.

Stand in front of a mirror. If possible, position yourself in front of a large mirror with another one behind you to clearly see both sides of your head while cutting.

Comb your hair according to your preferred parting. Do this while keeping your head in its natural position—don’t tilt it to the side, tilt it back, or bend it forward.

Divide your hair into eight sections. Begin by sectioning your hair as follows: bangs, top sections in the front (both left and right), top sections in the back (both left and right), side sections (both left and right), and a section at the nape. Twist each section before clipping it to separate them. Leave the nape section untouched for now, as this is the first part to cut. Cutting from the back to the front is typically easier than the reverse.

• If you have thick hair, you may need to divide it into more smaller sections, especially the front and back top parts and the nape area.

Hold the scissors properly. The way you hold the scissors will depend on the style you're aiming for.

• If you're going for a straight cut, hold the scissors horizontally and cut in a straight line across your hair.
• For a softer, layered look, tilt the scissors 45 degrees and cut with the tips of the scissors facing upward, making small diagonal cuts.
• If you prefer a wispy look (like bangs), first cut the hair to the desired length, then hold the scissors vertically to trim gently at the hairline. However, limit the number of cuts per section to avoid making the hair too sparse or thin.

Start cutting the hair at the nape. Bring the hair forward over your shoulder and comb it smooth. Hold the section of hair firmly between your index and middle fingers (as if your fingers are acting like scissors cutting through your hair) and comb the hair again. Stretch the hair tight, slide your fingers down to just above where you want to cut, then use the scissors to cut below your fingers.

Continue cutting the remaining hair. Once you are satisfied with the nape section, release the hair on the right side of the back of your head and continue cutting. Then, let down the hair on the left side of the back of your head and trim it to match the right side and the nape section.

• Cut from the back to the front, working on each section until the whole hair is evenly cut.
• Be sure to comb each section before cutting.
• If the hair dries out before cutting, you can spray it with water before combing and cutting.

Create layers in the hair. After you’ve cut the hair evenly to the same length, you can trim it to create layers. For a more natural look, choose to cut small random sections of hair.

• When layering longer hair, it’s important to cut layers at medium lengths so the hair looks neatly cut with gradually increasing lengths.

Shampoo and dry the hair. Wash your hair, apply conditioner, rinse thoroughly, then towel dry or blow-dry according to your preference.

Trim any uneven sections. Once your hair is clean and dry, check again to ensure everything is evenly cut and that the layers you’ve created are flowing smoothly.

• After some time, you may notice some uneven spots. Don’t worry—just trim those sections again when you notice them.

• Consider your hair type before choosing a cutting method. If you have wavy hair, twisting or tying sections on both sides will work best. If you have straight hair, a ponytail method or pulling the hair forward to cut may suit you better.
• Don’t be too stubborn. If you cut your hair and it looks awful, it’s best not to try fixing it yourself. Go to a salon instead.
• Always start by cutting less than you planned, as you can always trim more later.
• Remember to cut slowly and use small snips. You might want to make a few trims before committing to an entirely new hairstyle. This way, you’ll understand your hair better and learn how to cut it. Over time, you’ll gain experience and confidence in your abilities.
• If cutting bangs, you can hold your hair close to your forehead and use an eyeliner pencil to mark the spot where you want to cut.
• Make sure you cut your hair in a well-lit area. Poor lighting increases the risk of cutting it wrong. If the room doesn’t have enough light, consider changing rooms or adding more lighting.
• If you’re cutting wet hair, ensure it is evenly wet by regularly spraying it and blotting excess water with a towel. Too much water will cause uneven cutting.

• Be cautious when using scissors, especially when cutting the back of your head and not being able to see your movements clearly.
• Avoid cutting your hair right before significant events (weddings, birthdays) or meetings (job interviews, presentations) unless you have practiced several times. If you make a mistake, you’ll have time to visit a salon for a fix.
• If you’re under 18 and live with your parents, discuss cutting your hair with them first. Ensure they’re okay with you cutting your own hair, or they may be able to help you.
• If you have a lot of hair sticking out or very curly or thick hair, cutting your hair at home can be difficult. It’s best to go to a salon in such cases.

• High-quality hair scissors with sharp blades
• Hair clips
• Hair ties (at least 2 pieces)
• Round brush
• Regular comb
• Handheld mirror
• Large mirror (at least 90cm tall)
• Spray bottle with clean water (to keep hair wet while cutting)
• Shampoo
• Conditioner