A Beginner's Guide to At-Home Haircuts

By Jordan Ensign

I'm someone who likes to cut my hair frequently. I usually can't go more than a couple months before getting the urge to mix it up—but that many professional haircuts a year can get expensive and time consuming, especially for a busy college student. Those are just two of many reasons why, for over five years now, I’ve been cutting my own hair. What began as a DIY clean-up following one unsatisfactory salon experience turned into a consistent habit that gives me full control over the when, where, and what of each and every haircut. 

Over the years, I’ve given myself everything from chic bobs to blunt bangs. Here’s how I do it with confidence every time, and how you can do it, too:

Do Your Research

Some of the inspiration for my most recent haircut (all photos from Pinterest)

As with any haircut, the process begins with knowing what look you’re hoping to achieve. Before jumping into a haircut, I always start by looking at inspiration photos on Pinterest. In my search, I’ll include the length or style I want, as well as my hair type (for example, my most recent haircut began with a search for “short curly haircut with layers”). Pinterest also allows you to filter your search by hair pattern, which is super helpful for getting a better idea of what the cut will look like on your hair. 

While you’re online, you may also want to check out some haircutting tutorial articles or videos. This is a great way to gather tips and tricks, and will help you determine your approach (dry cut, wet cut, section-by-section cut, etc). Plus, it can be reassuring to read about or watch someone else cutting their own hair before trying it for yourself. 

Gather Supplies

Once you've made a plan, but before you start the actual haircut, you'll need to make sure you have the proper supplies on hand (please put down the craft scissors!). My haircutting staples include a spray bottle, a fine-toothed comb, a detangling brush, some sectioning clips and hair ties, and, of course, a good pair of hair scissors. I’ve been using Goody’s 6.5″ shears for a few years now with amazing results! They’re very affordable and have helped me achieve some of my favorite cuts. 

Start Small

Since you’re cutting your own hair, you can take as much time as you need, so don't feel pressured to get it perfect in one go. Take it slow and be intentional. For example, if I want to cut my hair shoulder length, I don't start by cutting right to my shoulders; I always err on the side of caution and leave it a bit longer than I think I should. From there, I wash and style as usual to see how my hair is sitting. Sometimes, I’ll even wait a few washdays to see how my hair settles before making any further adjustments or going any shorter. 

When you’re cutting your own hair, a haircut is less of a one-time event and more of an extended process. You can always cut shorter later, but you can't undo a cut once it's done, so take your time. 

Practice Makes Perfect

No matter how much preparation you do beforehand, making that first cut can feel stressful, and that's okay! If you’re nervous about cutting your own hair for the first time, start with something like a simple trim or a blunt cut to get comfortable with the process. Just like any other skill, the more you cut your own hair, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities!