It is very difficult being stuck at home in itself, let alone trying to be every tradesman -hairdresser, beauty therapist, fitness coach – on top of it all. I thought I would break down a few of the subjects that I have knowledge in and have taught in the past. Let’s start with some DIY hairdressing tips. If your hair is getting really unruly because you are unable to attend your hairdressing salon, take charge and keep it in top style with some really simple tricks.
Haircuts – If you are going to have a go at doing this, there are techniques you need to follow for a good result. First of all, make sure you use a decent pair of hairdressing scissors and not standard or sewing scissors. Hairdressing scissors are designed in a specific way for ease and use of haircutting. Basic haircutting scissors can be obtained at supermarkets or a pharmacy and usually come in kits with a hair clipper set too. Once purchased, make sure you never use those scissors for anything else other than haircutting or you will ruin them.
A hairdressing cutting comb has no tail; it is just a flat, long, thin comb, and often with measure guide notch marks, which you can use for checking the hair is even all over. It can be bought in many supermarket stores.
Important measures – One of the most important things to remember is that hair is a third longer when wet, so when you cut the hair, you have to allow for this because when it dries, it will spring up shorter. If hair is uneven in curl, then best to cut as dry, as it may spring up more on one side than the other. The hair should still be clean though.
For a better result, hair should be clean when cutting; this stops the scissors over slipping, so shampoo and condition to remove any grease or hair products. It still needs conditioning so that a comb can glide through without tangling and pulling.
Trying to do any fancy haircut techniques may be a little too adventurous and personally, I wouldn’t recommend it if you have not been trained. However, cutting a fringe or bangs as they are sometimes known, is a good idea, as it can stop headaches with the overhang in front of the eyes. It also helps avoid accidents by stopping hair falling in front of the eyes and obstructing clear vision. The length of the hair can also be trimmed using this simple method for comfort and manageability.
1. Prepare the person whose hair is to be cut by covering the shoulder area. A large plastic bin liner can be torn and used as a temporary disposable covering to protect clothing and prevent itching afterwards. Have a water spray at hand and spray regularly, ensuring you keep the hair wet throughout the cutting time. If you do not do this, the result will be uneven due to some of the hair being a third longer when wet and some cut when dry.
2. Comb hair with the comb in one hand, and with the other, hold the hair between two fingers, the index and forefinger, pulling hair down and taught; the forefinger should be tilted slightly forward. It is important the hair is held taught and in the same position each time a new section is added. Keep sections of hair with clear, even, straight section partings.
3. To cut the fringe area, start at the centre of the brow area and comb with one hand, the hand that you will use scissors in, and with the other, grab the combed hair and pull a small section of the combed hair below the centre of eyebrow area, in front of the nose. Remember to allow for springing up when dry. When you have cut the centre section, take a little of what you have already cut and use this to follow the cutting line. As you pick up a new section of hair towards one side of the brow, slightly tilt the cutting line, towards the slope of the brow, still allowing extra below the brow for the spring up when dry. Cut another section and this will be your guideline as you add more hair to be cut afterwards gradually. Cut with the same technique on the other side, sloping downwards towards the brow. The thicker the hair, the more sections will need to be added. Go back to the centre and take another piece of the long fringe that needs to be cut. Add another section of hair to the previous centre section of hair that was cut, and follow the previous guideline. If you cannot see this, then you have picked up too much of the new section and need to let some go. Remember to still keep the hair pulled taught and the forefinger tilted slightly forward, along with the same positioning of hair pull. Continue this method till fringe is completed.
4. For length and trimming, use the same technique but instead of following the brow, you will be starting at the nape centre of back area and following the line of the back. You will still need to start at the centre of the back, you can lean the forefinger on the person’s back, and tilt forefinger upwards. The cutting line should be a line dropping slightly downwards towards each shoulder side. Do not cut a straight line across, as this will not allow for the curvature fall of the shoulder, and therefore your so wanted straight line will curve upwards instead. Keep hair section partings even, straight and always pulled at the same angle. Complete using small, clear, straight horizontal parted sections throughout the length of the hair.
Happy hair styling !
Love and Sparkles
Samsara x
