Cutting Your Family's Hair

All you need to cut a family member's hair are a good pair of scissors, a comb, and some trust.

As far as scissors go I recommend a pair of small sharp scissors with a pointy tip (no safety scissors here!). If you are planning on doing a very short style, an electric cipper set can be very handy and save some time. Here I am going to talk about the basics of using scissors, but if you want, you can watch a video on how to use clippers below. Don't forget to find a fine comb before getting started!

Once you have found a trusting guineapig and get some good tools, you are ready to cut! (almost)

First you need to lay out a space where you will cut. Some people cut hair in the bathtub, but I find it easiest to cut open some garbage bags and lay them on the ground. How you set up is up to you, but just make sure you plan how you will clean up later.

Also before picking up your scissors, talk with your 'client' about what he/she wants. Even if you can't fulfill all their dreams yet, at least you can aim for something they'll like. Once you figure out what you want to do, devise a plan of attack. A good plan consists of 1) trimming set amount off ends 2) Shaping 3) Touching up.

Once you are ready to cut, take a deep breath and go at it! The first cut is always hard (just make a small one - nothing drastic), but once it's out of the way, you can really get down to work.

The first step of cutting hair with scissors is to give an even trim all over.

You first need to wet hair and comb thouroughly (no knots!). Next, determine a length you will be cutting off. Once you are sure of a length, you should go to work. A good technique to use is to comb a section of hair and hold the ends between your fingers. Move your fingers down the length of hair until only the amount you will be cutting off is showing. CUT! Now do it again with a nearby section (include some of the first section for referene). This part might take a while, but once you are done, the majority of the haircut is over!

The last two steps to cutting hair are shaping and touching up.

Shaping highly depends on what you want the final outcome to be. For most men's haircuts, you can move straight to the touching up phase if you're going for an all-one-length look. Otherwise, you can try some of the techniques below:

Layering: Take vertical sections of hair between your fingers (think of an orange wedge). Start your scissors at the length of the shortest layer. Slowly cut at an angle until you reach the bottom layers of the hair (your longest layers). Layering may take some practice, so I wouldn't try it on a first cut.

Undercutting: This is a polished look if you want to cut hair straight across (i.e. a bowl cut, a bob, or just straight long locks). The trick here is to slightly angle your scissors so that a little more is cut from underneath. NOTE: In styles that are straight across, it may be easier to place a line of tape where you plan to cut and then just follow the tape.

Texturizing: Beware - this is an advanced techniqe! Only try it on a subject who is willing to end up with something totally different than expected (do NOT try this on your best friend). To texturize, direct the points of your scissors towards the ceiling and randomly cut (your scissors should be parallel with the hair). This technique will take some getting used to, but it is a good way to create volume.

Cutting Bangs: Bangs aren't that hard to cut, but you need to make sure you know what you're doing first. Talk with your 'client' about where they want the bangs to fall and whether they want them straight across or angled. After you know what you're going to do - DO IT! Bangs grow out. My only tip is to cut little amounts slowly so as not to cut too much.

All that's left for you to do now is to touch up your cut! This is the easiest part as long as you communicate with your 'willing participant'. This is the point where feedback is welcomed most and both of you work together to finish the haircut up. Sometimes it may be helpful to dry the hair to make sure that nothing's lopsided or dry's funny. If all else fails, at least you tried - the worst that can happen is that you need to hurry in to a profesional stylist STAT! Good luck, and remember hair grows back!