How to cut your own hair
Need a last-minute trim? Don’t have time and can’t get to the hairdresser? No need to panic – cutting your own hair is easier than it sounds! It can save you a lot of time and money too. Learn how to perfect your own DIY haircut with our tips and tricks.
Should you cut wet or dry hair?
The first big question: should you wash your hair before or after self-hair cutting? This actually depends on your hair type. If you have straight hair, you’ll get a more even cut when it’s wet. We recommend using a gentle, moisturizing shampoo before learning how to trim your own hair.
For girls with curls, we recommend cutting it dry. This is so you can see your curls properly and get a better idea of the finished look as you cut.
Buy quality scissors
If you can, try and find some quality scissors. The ones in your drawer might be great for household tasks, but they’re definitely not designed for hair! They can even cause damage to your locks, leaving you prone to split ends. If you can’t get hairdressing scissors, try nail clippers for a sharper cut.
How to cut split ends?
If you’re learning how to cut your own hair, getting rid of split ends should be priority number one. Luckily, you can make this much easier with a quick trick. Simply separate your hair into sections and twist each one tightly. Cut the bits that stick out – these are most likely split ends. Easy!
To keep split ends at bay, make sure you’re looking after your hair properly. Take a look at our article about keeping hair healthy for all the tips you need.
Straight edge trick
Making sure your DIY haircut is straight is a must for a pro finish, and the part most of us fear the most! For curly hair, you can get away with a few uneven strands. If you have straight hair, follow these steps:
- Wet your hair and comb it straight.
- Tie it in a low ponytail at the nape of your neck.
- Tie your ponytail with two more hair ties, placing them evenly throughout the length of your hair.
- Place your last hair tie at the point where you want to cut your hair.
- Cut just under the last hair tie.

How to cut curly hair
If you’ve got curly hair, take a look at these tips for cutting your own hair that will help you get the perfect cut every time:
- Separate your hair into sections.
- We recommend tying a top layer of your hair up as well to remove some thickness.
- Cut your hair curl by curl, taking around the same length off each time.
- For extra volume, angle your scissors diagonally.
- Healthy curls should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
- Damaged curls will need more frequent cuts – around every 4-6 weeks.
Make sure to follow up your cut with moisture-loving products, like those in our Coconut Milk & White Jasmine range. They’ll help keep frizz at bay and define those gorgeous curls.
No one knows your locks better than you, so cutting your own hair makes a lot of sense. It’ll also save you plenty in expensive hairdresser fees, which is definitely a bonus! Once you’ve learned how to cut your own hair, you’ll be wishing you’d been doing it for years.
