Trimming 101

Want to keep your hair looking fresh and getting rid of pesky split ends without paying for expensive salon trips each month? Trim your own hair and avoid common mistakes by following these hair trimming tips.



1. Purchase Scissors Designed to Cut Hair

There are many kinds of scissors that are appropriate for giving your ends a quick trim, including mustache scissors and hair cutting shears. Make sure your scissors are clean and sharp to get the cleanest cut possible. Scissors that are dull can actually give you worse split ends than the ones you are trying to remedy. Salon style tools will produce closer to salon style results with practice.



2. Dry your Hair before Trimming

Dry hair is considered easier to trim because you know exactly how it is going to hang, and are able to see every strand separated. Wet hair tends to clump together, and although great results can be achieved with a wet trim at the salon, you may not be able to trim your own hair fast enough to keep it even. If you have curly hair, consider straightening it with a flat iron or blow drying it straight for the best results.



3. If you are Trimming Wet Hair, Keep it Wet

If you have curly hair and prefer to cut it when it is wet and detangled, or if you have straight hair and prefer how your hair lies down when it is wet making it easier for you to cut, keep in mind that hair dries quickly when you are trimming it. Keep your hair wet during the whole trimming session by using a spray bottle on each section before trimming it.



4. Separate your Hair into Sections

Trim only one small section of hair at a time for the most even results. Hold the hair you are not cutting up on top of your head with a hair-tie or clip.



5. Use your Fingers as a Hair Guard

Pull the section of your hair ready to be trimmed down and hold the section at the bottom with 2 fingers. Trim the hair by cutting below the fingers.



6. Only Cut 1/8 Inch at a Time

One way to avoid giving yourself a whole new hair style is keeping your trim to a minimum. Trim only the very ends of your hair that contain the most damage from split ends. If you trim 1/8 inch each month, your hair will stay healthy and should look fresh.



7. Trim Bangs Starting from the Center

Start by brushing your bangs down straight and then begin cutting starting at the center and working your way to the sides.



8. Check your Progress with a Double Sided Mirror

It is advisable to keep a double sided mirror handy for checking the back of your hair and making sure your trim is even and thorough.