Between the outgrown layers, break up ends, and awkward bang lengths, there’s no denying that lockdown has seen its justifiable share of dangerous hair days. Whether or not your native salon has closed, you’re underneath lockdown, or just attempting to maintain social interactions to a minimal, it could be time to take issues into your personal arms and begin slicing your hair. Should you’ve been hesitant to select up the scissors, know that the specialists say you’ll be able to completely do it your self—so long as you’ve the appropriate tools of the trade.
To search out out extra, we hit up L.A. superstar hairstylist Clayton Hawkins, with a star-studded consumer listing that features Elizabeth Olsen, Dakota Johnson, Emma Roberts, and Elizabeth Banks. Having labored on high-profile occasions like The Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys, and Grammys, Clayton has been perfecting his hair-cutting craft since he was a teen. He’s right here to provide the lowdown on cutting your own hair, together with the perfect hair shears to make use of at house.
The very first thing to remember is that not all hair shears are created equal. Celeb hair stylist Clayton Hawkins cautions towards utilizing common family shears you may need mendacity round the home.
“Don’t underneath any circumstances minimize your hair with workplace scissors except you need frayed, damaged ends,” Clayton says. “You don’t have to interrupt the financial institution to discover a high quality pair of hair slicing scissors.”
What to search for in your hair slicing scissors
When purchasing in your good pair of shears, there’s a number of vital issues to remember. You’ll wish to take into account the fabric, form, blade and deal with kind, in addition to the scale of your scissors. Good hair slicing scissors ought to match comfortably in your hand and glide by way of hair seamlessly.
So far as thumb and deal with design go, ergonomic is healthier. In response to Clayton, it’s fully as much as your choice, though “the longer the thumb and deal with, usually it’s simpler to make use of.” Nevertheless, the form of your scissors doesn’t matter as a lot because the precise blade materials. In relation to the standard of steel, Japanese metal is essentially the most coveted. They often have a sharper convex edge, which is very good for cutting bangs.
“It doesn’t get higher than German or Japanese metal,” says Clayton. “These choices are actually pricier, however I might take into account them an funding that may final a very long time.” German shears often characteristic an opposing deal with, which is more likely to really feel higher in a non-hairdresser’s hand. For these of us balling on a price range, Clayton says that American stainless-steel can even undoubtedly get the job completed.
When it comes to measurement, a great rule of thumb to observe is for scissors to be so long as your prolonged palm. Something longer is suited to specialised slicing methods, reminiscent of slide slicing or deep level slicing. Clayton recommends a medium scissor that’s roughly 4 to 5 inches in size. “When you have tremendous lengthy fingers, you’ll be able to go for a 5 to 6 inch pair. However usually this measurement is best for novice hair cutters to have management and grip whereas trimming their very own hair.”
You’ll additionally wish to take into account the scale of finger and thumb holes within the scissors. Utilizing shears which are too giant can put a pressure in your hand and even result in damage with extended use. In case your scissors aren’t becoming snugly, you’ll be able to at all times connect some small, detachable finger rings to make them narrower.
The 7 greatest hair scissors and shears to purchase
1. The Equinox Skilled Razor Edge Sequence 6.5”
Referred to as the “good newbie’s pair of shears” by Clayton, the Equinox Razor Edge Scissors are among the many greatest you should buy. Not solely have they got over 11,000 five-star opinions on Amazon, however additionally they are comparatively cheap. The bevel blade is sharp all through, which helps keep away from frayed, break up, and broken hair. The crane design additionally helps a pure grip, which implies you’ll be able to comfortably use them for prolonged intervals of time.
2. Sanguine Skilled 5.5” Hairdressing Shears
Constituted of Japanese metal, these Sanguine shears are sharp, small, and very sturdy. The compact measurement provides you loads of management when slicing bangs and different tough spots.

3. ULG Hair Thinning 6.5” Scissors
It’s at all times a good suggestion so as to add a pair of thinning shears to your hair-cutting package. This ULG pair of highly-rated stainless-steel scissors can assist soften traces, take away weight, and mix layers immediately. To not point out that there’s finger safety to maintain you comfy whereas trimming.

4. Jaguar Lane 5.5 Inch Scissors
Clayton recommends these scissors “if you wish to put money into a pair that may final you no less than a decade.” Jaguar scissors are extensively considered being top-of-the-line hair slicing scissors available on the market, recognized for his or her balanced weight and easy slicing motion. Moreover, the premium metal blade has a tip slicing angle for max sharpness.
5. Tweezerman Spirit 2000 Styling Shears
Designed for learners, the Tweezerman Hairdressing Shears characteristic micro-serrated edges to offer you extra precision and management. The looped deal with is comfy for many hand sizes. And at simply $22 on Amazon, this pair of starter scissors received’t break the financial institution.
6. Cricket Shear Xpressions
Delicate to sound? The Cricket Shear Xpression scissors have a built-in silencer that forestalls them from making that terrible metal-against-metal noise. The stainless-steel development, ergonomic deal with, and detachable finger rings are simply the cherries on prime.
7. Feather razor
As a bonus possibility, Clayton recommends a feather razor for slicing hair extensions. “If you wish to minimize your Luxy Hair extensions, there isn’t any higher possibility than a feather razor. The blade must be changed fairly incessantly, however razoring your clip-ins will make them look a lot softer and extra life like than slicing them with precise shears.”
How one can minimize your hair at house
In case your hair is crying out for a trim, it could be time to deliver the hair salon house. If it’s your first time giving your self a haircut, it’s greatest to start out small and go shorter in increments. Use sharp hair slicing shears, together with a large tooth comb to assist obtain a good minimize. Listed below are some pointers for slicing hair at house:
1. To trim your hair (and do away with break up ends)
After washing and conditioning hair, let it dry utterly earlier than beginning to minimize. Snip with the ends of the hair scissors, as an alternative of your entire blade size. Use clips to assist separate hair into manageable sections. Be certain to verify that the size is identical on either side. When slicing off break up ends, you’ll want to hold your chin up. Should you’re wanting down, you can find yourself taking off an excessive amount of size.
2. To chop face-framing layers
Begin along with your common half after which vertically part hair, bringing it to the entrance. Comb this part inch by inch, directing ahead at a 40 diploma angle. The underside of your first inch mustn’t carry increased than the nook of your eye. Level minimize a small part at a time, following the form created by your hairstylist (if doable).
3. To chop curly and wavy hair
Start by letting hair air dry, then model into your required form. Solely minimize items of hair that appear to be misplaced. It’s greatest to chop half of what you initially deliberate to chop, since slicing off 1 inch will appear like you narrow off 2 inches. The shorter your hair is, the lighter and springier the curls will likely be.
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