DIY: Trimming Your Hair Into Long Layers

This is the number one Frugal Hair-DO out there!

Ideally, you may have a sister or best friend who will do haircutting, trimming, and general keep-up for you. If you're like me, though... you don't trust ANYONE else with your hair. (Hardly even stylists.)

I love this technique because it takes very little time and effort—and it's free. I could have wasted forty-five minutes at a salon and gotten the same result (or a horrible one, with my luck) and had to pay at least $10 for it.

My understanding is that you're supposed to get a trim every two to three months. This is especially great if you are growing your hair out, because regular trims (that are actually as minuscule as you want them to be) will protect the hair you're working so hard to lengthen! (No, cutting your hair will not make it grow faster, but going without trimming will make it seem as though your hair growth has slowed down because of constant breakage and split ends.)

I've estimated that a gal will save herself anywhere from $60 to $200+ a year if she cuts her own hair at home. Worth it? Yes.

Supplies Needed:

• 1 Hair Binder
• 1 Pair of Sharp Hair Shears
• A Mirror
• A Trash Can
• Two Hands

This will work best on hair that is at least shoulder length. I wouldn't recommend cutting your hair any shorter at home unless someone else is willing to do it for you.

See the layers? :)

The Technique:

• Begin with clean, dry, unstyled hair.
• Pull your hair into a ponytail right on top of your head. (If you have very wavy hair, try not to brush it out too much while you're doing this.)
• Hold the hair from the ponytail straight above your head and decide how much to chop. I would recommend at least one inch. You want to make sure you have at least four inches of  ponytail length leftover so that you don't end up with a mullet (unless that's what you want, I guess).
• Cut the ends off of the ponytail in a straight line.
• Let your hair down and enjoy your "new" 'do!

Go Above & Beyond:

If you want really exaggerated layers, you can cut several more portions after the single large ponytail. For instance, you could pull all of the hair from behind your ears, and above, up and trim off another inch, then do the same from your temples up.

You can achieve a "scene" style haircut this way.

IMPORTANT:

If you trim more layers, remember to make sure the ponytail on the last layer lies right over where your part would be. (e.g. I would pull mine to the left because I have a left part.) This ensures that you don't end up with layers that are too short on one side of your head. :)

I will follow up with a "Trim Your Own Bangs" tutorial soon!

It's recorded, so it just needs to be pieced together. ;)

Best of luck to you and your hair!

-Sadia <3

Image Sources:

"Scene Hair"