How to Start Thinking About Cutting Your Own Hair

If you’re thinking about cutting your own hair, you might be asking: Where do I even start?

Well, the answer might be a little frustrating... but the key to a successful DIY haircut is patience. Learning to cut your own hair takes time, practice, and preparation. So, before you even pick up the scissors, here’s what you should know.

Step 1: Approach It Like a Project

I will never tell anyone to just start chopping away. You need to prep first.

In the industry, “prep” means researching and gathering information before starting a project.

That means:

✔ Watching videos – Study techniques from both professionals and non-professionals.

✔ Observing your own hair – How does it naturally fall? What happens when you part it differently?

✔ Getting the right tools – You’ll need a comb, sectioning clips, and proper haircutting scissors. Don’t even think about reaching for those scissors in your kitchen drawer.

💡 Tip: If you’re impatient and itching to cut something, start small.

Trims are the best place to start.

If you have bangs, you can start learning control by trimming them.

Try a ponytail method like the "beard method" – gather your hair into a tight ponytail under your chin and snip tiny amounts off.

This is not about perfecting a haircut right away—it’s about training your hands and eyes to see what needs to be cut. This is a process. It took me a year before I felt comfortable enough to give myself face-framing layers!

Step 2: Learn Your Head Shape

Understanding your head shape is crucial because it determines how your hair will lay and fall after you cut it.

Two Key Things to Know:

1. Your Cranium (Top of Your Skull)

Some people have a high cranial top, while others have a low cranial top.

Source: Reddit

Source: Reddit

Cranial height plays a big role in how a haircut sits on your head. One way to gauge yours is by comparing the space between your hairline and the top of your head to the length of your forehead (from your eyebrows to your hairline). If that upper space is shorter than your forehead, you have a low cranial top. If it’s longer, you have a high cranial top. Understanding this can help you choose a style that balances your proportions.

Your cranial height affects volume, shape, and how styles sit on your head.

I have a low cranial top and I love big, bombshell volume. So, I cut and style my hair in a way that creates the illusion of height.

✂ Styling Adjustments for My Head Shape:

I use bangs and shaggy face-framing layers to add bounce.

I maintain fullness on the sides to avoid looking too narrow.

Low ponytails or buns? Not flattering on me. I prefer high ponies or buns because they lift my features.

2️. Your Hairline & The Back of Your Head

The front of your hairline effects how a cut will frame your face and influence how the overall hairstyle looks from the front. Your hairline extends all the way to the back of your head, and its shape affects your density and perimeter shape. A haircut that takes your hairline into consideration can either accentuate a flattering hairline and will disguise any concerns.

📌Things to Consider:

Some cuts will naturally mimic the shape of the back of your hairline shape. If you have a narrow lower hairline, a V-shaped cut might make your hair look too thin. (For me, it gives me "rat tails" in the back, so I avoid it!)

Knowing your head shape and hairline allows you to make better decisions about haircuts—whether you’re cutting your own hair or paying a stylist to do it.

Step 3: Consider Your Lifestyle

Your lifestyle plays a huge role in how you should cut and style your hair.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

✔ What’s your work environment? (Do you need a professional look?)

✔ How much time do you want to spend styling daily?

✔ Do you like switching up your hair often? Or do you prefer a set-and-forget style?

Bangs are high maintenance—I know I have to trim them often and make time to style them daily. The same goes for layers, length, and even how you part your hair. That’s the beauty of hair—it’s an evolving process. Your lifestyle, preferences, and techniques will change over time, and that’s okay.

If you’re thinking about cutting your own hair, start small, be patient, and take the time to observe your natural patterns. The more intentional you are, the better your results will be.