Home haircuts

I've had long hair all my life which has now waist length. I have wanted to cut it short for sometime now.I pass by hairdressers and am too scared to go inside. My friends say I should cut it myself because if I mess it up I will have no choice but to to walk inside.I came so close to cutting it last night with a pair of kitchen scissors - but the phone rang and after I hung up I lost the courage.Has anyone else had a similar experience, if so I would appreciate you telling me what you did.Jen

If you really think you want short hair, here's what I'd do. First of all, shop around for a stylist that whose personality and work you admire. How to do this? Go in for a consultation only -- ask for suggestions but don't let them cut!When you find one you like, start out by allowing them to cutting 3". That way, if you change your mind, it isn't a huge loss of hair for someone with your length. Also, it will help you get used to it more gradually.If you're comfortable with that, then go another 3 inches.I would NOT cut it at home. I've done that, and it was a nightmare.

> I've had long hair all my life which has now waist> length. I have wanted to cut it short for sometime> now.> I pass by hairdressers and am too scared to go inside.> My friends say I should cut it myself because if I> mess it up I will have no choice but to to walk> inside.> I came so close to cutting it last night with a pair> of kitchen scissors - but the phone rang and after I> hung up I lost the courage.> Has anyone else had a similar experience, if so I> would appreciate you telling me what you did.Well, my experience was not exactly like this, but....A "stylist" messed up my wife's hair a few months ago: too many layers and it looked pretty aweful. She waited until it had grown out some, then let me trim it. She liked the results, so I bought a video and started cutting it. Actually, it is pretty easy to do if you don't try to get fancy....just stick to simple blunt cuts and minor variations, etc.In your case, why not let a very trusted friend of boyfriend do it, just keep it simple: a blunt cut should not be hard for anyone but the klutziest of people.Zorak (the one and only!)> Jen

Maybe you shouldn't cut your own hair. It sounds like you don't have any experience. One of the most important parts of cutting hair is the use of good scissors, not just a pair you find in the kitchen! Using scissors that aren't extremely sharp will lead to split ends and breakage.I've been cutting my mother's, sister's, friends', and my own hair for years now. I started cutting my own hair because I don't trust anyone else to cut it (I keep it long, so all I do is trim it). How much are you talking about cutting it? With long hair, its easy to cut your own hair. All I have to do is even my hair up in the back then pull it forward under my arm to cut it. But when it gets to be mid-back or shorter, then you can't reach it as easily.I would recommend going to a stylists, or finding a friend who has a lot of experience cutting hair. Good luck.> I've had long hair all my life which has now waist> length. I have wanted to cut it short for sometime> now.> I pass by hairdressers and am too scared to go inside.> My friends say I should cut it myself because if I> mess it up I will have no choice but to to walk> inside.> I came so close to cutting it last night with a pair> of kitchen scissors - but the phone rang and after I> hung up I lost the courage.> Has anyone else had a similar experience, if so I> would appreciate you telling me what you did.> Jen

Dear Gigi,I know that your husband must be just a tad nervous since this is his first time trimming your hair. Tell him that I was 9 when my mom first asked me to give her a trim and I was extremely nervous, but mom walked me through it like a champ. She used to always trim my ends and always did a wonderful job. She had an eagle eye for those splits:)The first rule is tread slowly and take a little bit at a time. I don't know how much you want taken for the trim, but go in small increments. Don't be in a rush. Have him trim when you both have some time.The other rule pertains to the general cut of your hair. If your hair is approximately the same length, this is the easiest. You can start where you like. Some people section out the hair, then take the whole to see if even. Personally, I think it is easier to look at the whole, trim, then check to see if even.If not, start with the shorter pieces of hair, then to the longer ones. For example, if there are strands around your face which are shorter than the back, start with these. Your husband can look at the mirror images of your face for alignment. Trim a little, stand back from the front of you, and check to see if even.Some stylists may not agree with my last comment, but have him trim the ends when your hair is dry.Hope this helps...Jade21This is a little off the subject for this board, but> what the heck--Can you walk me through instructions> for my husband? He is going to trim my ends (my hair> is about four inches short of waist length) with some> sharp hair cutting shears I just bought. I just> wondered if there are any tips for doing it and> getting it even. He's a little nervous.

> This is a little off the subject for this board, but> what the heck--Can you walk me through instructions> for my husband? He is going to trim my ends (my hair> is about four inches short of waist length) with some> sharp hair cutting shears I just bought. I just> wondered if there are any tips for doing it and> getting it even. He's a little nervous.I have been away on business for the last few days, so I am sorry this is so tardy....BTW, I am NOT a professional stylist, just an amateur that is getting better with practice!Remember the first rule of "precision haircutting": you need to have precise sectioning to get the cut to come out right. This is the first thing that the video I have teaches: sections can be large or small, depending on the thickness of the hair, but make sure that the sections are precise.After that, hey: a blunt-length haircut is pretty easy to do, just tell hubby not to be nervous, and hold the shears straight and level. Make sure that the first section he cuts is straight, and after that just follow the section underneath to get a good straight line.Note again: this is NOT the advice of a professional stylist, just what I have learned from a video and by cutting my wife's hair. BTW, she has lately gotten many kind complements on her hair, but I was just embarrased to death that she confided in her sister and a few friends that I did the cut! My sister-in-law wants me to do her hair now....Z.