Feye's Hair Trimming Instructions

Self-trim instructions for long hair - introduction and general tips

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:12:53 GMT

Hi! Below are instructions for the straight-across, the V-shaped and the U-shaped trim.

I've experimented with trimming my hair for a couple of years, and this is what I've come up with. These instructions have been online for a couple of years, but recently re-located here due to getting deleted from the old server without warning (probably due to inactivity). Anyway, I love this forum format, so no harm done.

A couple of years ago I started to trim on my own after going to a hair dresser who didn't succeed in trimming my hair the way I requested. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I read someone's instructions in a discussion forum about how to trim the hair in a V-shape, and I stuck with those instructions for a while. However, I wanted a different shape of my ends, and soon started to experiment with new trimming techniques. I came up with one for a slight U-shape, and one for a straight-across cut. Since I know there are many of us out there who want to be in charge of our own hair, I decided to put the instructions up on this page. Enjoy!

Please note that I myself have slightly wavy hair. Any un-evenness caused by the trim might show up easier on completely straight hair. Also, re-doing the steps several times to make sure no hairs have been forgotten ensures a trim that is as exact as possible. A friend or family member might also be good to have at hand to help with the trim. Especially the first times you trim on your own. Also, if you aim for a one inch trim, please start out with 1/4 inch instead. Especially if you're not used to trimming your own hair.

This is a trimming method for those who want hair that is blunt at the ends, whether it's straight-across, U-shaped or V-shaped. My hair is midback length, and I cut my hair dry. Please feel free to modify this method to suit your own hair and preferences. Just remember to have really sharp scissors when trimming your hair, preferably real hair trimming scissors, otherwise they will just damage your ends and cause split ends.

Well, now on to the pics and instructions :) I've made one post for each, just to make it easier to view.

Note that I am in the process of updating the instructions with larger pictures, and that I might alter the instructions slightly if I think of something new.

/Feye

The straight-across trim

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:03:24 GMT

This produces ends that are cut straight-across.

Step 1

Start with combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Comb the hair back and put it in a low ponytail. Hold your head straight. Pull the scrunchie as far down your ponytail as possible, and as close to the body as possible too. When you can't reach anymore, try to grab the scrunchie from behind your back instead. Pull it all the way down to the end of the ponytail. Maybe you'll need someone to help you with this.

Be careful to pull the scrunchie down in a strictly vertical manner. It's so easy to end up with hair a little shorter on one side
and longer on the other, just because the scrunchie was pulled a little to the left or the right. You might want someone to help you with this.

(Update: I'm now tilting my head forward instead of holding it straight up. This produces even better results.)

Now, bring the scrunchie at the end of the ponytail forward, over one of your sholders. Get hold of the scrunchie (be careful not to pull any strands while doing this!!) and trim the tip of the ponytail off. If your hair is too short to reach, you can ask someone else to trim the tip off. You can redo this step a couple of times to make sure that it's even and that you haven't missed any hair strands.

Step 2 (optional)

Part your hair (like when making two braids) and bring the hair forward. Hold your head straight, and trim 1/4 inch off the ends, just to even it up.

You can hold the hair either like this: Or this:

I prefer the first grip, it holds the ends firmly.

When you're done, your straight-across cut will look something like this:

The V-shaped trim

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:41:23 GMT

This was the method I learned when I first started to trim my hair. It seems to work especially good on wavy or curly hair.

Step 1

Start with combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Part your hair in the middle, all the way down to the back of the head. Then bring the two sides of hair forward.

Step 2

Comb each side carefully until every hair strand seems to be lying in the right direction. Hold your head up as straight as possible while doing this.

Concentrate on one side of the hair at a time. You can use a scrunchie to hold the other one in place while you trim. Comb the un-scrunched side while still tilted back. Grab the ends of your hair with one hand (using your index and middle finger). Hold the scissors with the other.

When you have a firm hold you can look down on your hair again. Bring the ends up and carefully trim off as much as desired.

Note: Holding your head up straight while trimming will give you a 'medium' V-shape. For a slighter V, tilt your head back instead. For a deeper V, tilt your head forward. You might want to experiment with this to find the perfect shape for you.

You can hold the hair either like this: Or this:

I prefer the first grip, it holds the ends firmly.

Trim both sides of hair this way, and try to make them as even as possible. You don't want to end up with hair that is shorter on one side.

When you're done you should have hair that is V-shaped when brushed back.

Step 3 (For perfectionists, not necessary to do ;)

Finally you can bring all hair forward to one side, and then comb it. You do this to make sure that you haven't missed any strands (this might happen if your part isn't exactly in the middle of your head). Snip off all strands that are longer than the rest of the hair, and make sure that it's even. Do this with the other side too. Comb a couple of times from side to side if you're uncertain that it's really even.

When you're finally done, your V-shape will look something like this:

A slight V-shape on longer hair will look something like this:

The U-shaped trim

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 17:32:16 GMT

For a slight U-shape to the ends.

Step 1

Start with combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Part your hair in the middle, all the way down to the back of
the head. Then bring the two sides of hair forward.

Step 2

Comb each side carefully until every hair strand seems to be lying in the right direction. When you're done, tilt your head back as
far as comfortable and then comb some more. You'll feel very silly doing this, and you'll look silly too. But just try to ignore that for
a while ;)

Concentrate on one side of the hair at a time. You can use a scrunchie to hold the other one in place while you trim. Comb the
un-scrunched side while still tilted back. Grab the ends of your hair with one hand (using your index and middle finger). Hold the scissors
with the other.

When you have a firm hold you can look down on your hair again. Bring the ends up and carefully trim off as much as desired.

Note: For a deeper U-shape, hold your head straight up, or tilt it forward instead.

You can hold the hair either like this: Or this:

I prefer the first grip, it holds the ends firmly.

Trim both sides of hair this way, and try to make them as even as possible. You don't want to end up with hair that is shorter on one
side.

Step 3

When you're done you should have hair that is slightly V-shaped when brushed back. To remove the V and replace it with a U you need to
comb the hair back and put it in a low ponytail. Hold your head straight (no tilting this time). Pull the scrunchie as far down your ponytail as possible, and as close to the body as possible too. When you can't reach anymore, try to grab the scrunchie from behind your back instead. Pull it all the way down to the end of the ponytail. Maybe you'll need someone to help you with this.

(Update: I'm now tilting my head forward instead of holding it straight up. This produces even better results.)

Now, bring the scrunchie at the end of the ponytail forward, over one of your sholders. Get hold of the scrunchie (be careful not to
pull any strands while doing this!!) and trim the tip of the ponytail off (this removes the V). If your hair is too short to reach, you can
ask someone else to trim the tip off. Comb the hair back again and make sure that you're satisfied. If you've still got a V you'll have to
ponytail your hair again and trim more of the tip off.

Step 4 (for perfectionists, not necessary to do, but highly recommended!)

If you're a perfectionist like I am, then part your hair and comb the two sides forward again, while holding your head up straight
(no tilting). You will notice that your ends are a bit uneven, so just even them up (1/4 of an inch or so).

Step 5 (also for perfectionists ;)

Finally you can bring all hair forward to one side, and then comb it. You do this to make sure that you haven't missed any strands
(this might happen if your part isn't exactly in the middle of your head). Snip off all strands that are longer than the rest of the hair,
and make sure that it's even. Do this with the other side too.

When you're finally done, your U-shape will look something like this:

A deeper U-shape (head held up straight instead of tilted back in Step 2) on longer hair looks like this:

Additionally

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:04:38 GMT

I think it would be neat to gather all the hair trimming advice in one place. Feel welcome to comment if you have any thoughts or ideas about hair trimming. Perhaps you trim your own hair? I'd love to hear about it. If you don't go to a hairdresser, then how do you go about it? Make a comment and share your hair trimming tips and tricks. I know there's a lot of knowledge out there, and I'd personally be thrilled to learn new things. Every hair length requires a slightly different technique, so hair trimming ideas for both longer and shorter lengths are also welcome.

Love,
Feye