Follow these steps to cut layers in your hair at home. With a little practice, you can achieve salon-quality results without spending a lot of money.
Checkout this video:
Cutting Your Own Layers
Start with clean, dry, and styled hair. You will want to work with small sections of hair, so start by parting your hair into 1-inch sections. Take the bottom layer of hair and hold it up so that the ends are pointing up. Cut the desired amount off of the ends.
Gather the necessary supplies
Before you start cutting your own layers, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. You’ll need sharp scissors, a comb, and a mirror. You might also want to use clips to keep your hair out of the way while you’re working.
Wash and dry your hair
Start with clean, dry hair. If your hair is particularly oily, you may want to wash it the day before you plan to cut it and let it air dry overnight. This will help the layers lie better and stay in place.
Section off your hair
Start with clean, dry, and styled hair. If your hair is wet, it will be more difficult to cut evenly. It’s best to start with straight or slightly wavy hair, as curly hair can be more difficult to cut.
Start by combing your hair into a smooth ponytail at the crown of your head. If you have bangs, leave them out. You will be cutting your layers starting from the front of your head and working back.
Use a tail comb or your fingers to divide your ponytail into two even sections—one on top of the other—and secure the bottom section with a clip. You will only be cutting the top section of your hair.
Cut your hair in small, horizontal sections
Start with small, horizontal sections of hair no wider than the width of your scissors. Place the scissors horizontally along the section of hair, about ¼ inch away from your head. Gently slide the scissors down the length of your hair. For a more blended look, make sure to angle the scissors slightly as you go. Repeat this process until you’ve cut all of your hair into small, horizontal sections.
Trim the ends of your hair
Start with clean, dry, and styled hair. Comb your hair straight back away from your face, then gather it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. If you have short hair, you may not be able to pull all of it back into a ponytail. In this case, simply gather the top half of your hair into the ponytail.
Use sharp hair scissors to snip off the very ends of your ponytail. This will create a clean, blunt cut that will help your layers lay smoothly.
Cutting Layers with a Friend
Ask a friend with experience cutting hair to help you out. This will ensure that the layers are even. If you don’t have a friend who can help, you can always go to a salon.
Gather the necessary supplies
To cut your own hair in layers, you will need:
-A comb
-Hair clips
-Scissors
-A friend (optional)
Wash and dry your hair
Before you start cutting, you’ll want to make sure your hair is clean and completely dry. Wet hair can stretch, making it harder to accurately cut layers. It’s also a good idea to style your hair the way you typically wear it before you start cutting. That way, you can make sure the layers ’re cutting will work with your natural styling habits.
Section off your hair
Before you start cutting, you’ll want to section off your hair. If you have long hair, you may want to divide it into four sections: two on either side of your head and two in the back. If you have shorter hair, you can get away with just two sections. To section off your hair, use either your fingers or a comb to create a straight line from the front of your head to the back. Then, use a clip or hair tie to keep the top section out of the way.
Have your friend cut your hair in small, horizontal sections
If you want to cut your own hair or someone else’s in layers, start by making small, horizontal sections around the head. Then, use scissors to snip vertically into the hair, angling the blades so they’re slightly closer together at the top than the bottom. If you want shorter layers, make deeper cuts; if you want longer layers, make shallower cuts. When you’re finished cutting, comb through the hair to blend the layers.
Trim the ends of your hair
Before you start cutting layers, you’ll need to trim the ends of your hair. This will help you avoid split ends and keep your hair looking healthy. To trim your hair, use sharp scissors and cut small amounts off at a time. Once you’ve trimmed the ends of your hair, you’re ready to start cutting layers.
