Between the outgrown layers, cut 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 below lockdown, or just making an attempt to maintain social interactions to a minimal, it could be time to take issues into your individual fingers and begin slicing your hair. If you happen to’ve been hesitant to choose up the scissors, know that the specialists say you possibly can completely do it your self—so long as you will have the best instruments of the commerce.
To seek out out extra, we hit up L.A. movie star hairstylist Clayton Hawkins, with a star-studded consumer record 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 youngster. He’s right here to provide the lowdown on slicing your individual hair, together with one of the best hair shears to make use of at residence.
The very first thing to bear in mind is that not all hair shears are created equal. Superstar hair stylist Clayton Hawkins cautions in opposition to utilizing common family shears you might need mendacity round the home.
“Don’t below any circumstances lower 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 procuring on your excellent pair of shears, there’s a couple of necessary issues to bear in mind. You’ll need to think about the fabric, form, blade and deal with kind, in addition to the dimensions of your scissors. Good hair slicing scissors ought to match comfortably in your hand and glide by means of hair seamlessly.
So far as thumb and deal with design go, ergonomic is healthier. In line with 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 the case of the standard of steel, Japanese metal is essentially the most coveted. They normally have a sharper convex edge, which is very good for slicing bangs.
“It doesn’t get higher than German or Japanese metal,” says Clayton. “These choices are definitely pricier, however I might think about them an funding that may final a very long time.” German shears normally 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 finances, Clayton says that American stainless-steel may even undoubtedly get the job carried out.
By way of measurement, a very good rule of thumb to observe is for scissors to be so long as your prolonged palm. Something longer is fitted to specialised slicing strategies, resembling slide slicing or deep level slicing. Clayton recommends a medium scissor that’s roughly 4 to 5 inches in size. “You probably have tremendous lengthy fingers, you possibly can 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 need to think about the dimensions of finger and thumb holes within the scissors. Utilizing shears which might be too massive can put a pressure in your hand and even result in damage with extended use. In case your scissors aren’t becoming snugly, you possibly can 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”
Known as the “excellent 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 evaluations on Amazon, however in addition they are comparatively cheap. The bevel blade is sharp all through, which helps keep away from frayed, cut up, and broken hair. The crane design additionally helps a pure grip, which suggests you possibly can comfortably use them for prolonged intervals of time.
2. Sanguine Skilled 5.5” Hairdressing Shears
Constructed from Japanese metal, these Sanguine shears are sharp, small, and very sturdy. The compact measurement offers you loads of management when slicing bangs and different difficult 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 strains, take away weight, and mix layers immediately. To not point out that there’s finger safety to maintain you snug 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 at the least a decade.” Jaguar scissors are broadly considered being probably the greatest hair slicing scissors available on the market, identified for his or her balanced weight and clean slicing motion. Moreover, the premium metal blade has a tip slicing angle for optimum sharpness.
5. Tweezerman Spirit 2000 Styling Shears
Designed for newcomers, the Tweezerman Hairdressing Shears characteristic micro-serrated edges to present you extra precision and management. The looped deal with is snug for many hand sizes. And at simply $22 on Amazon, this pair of starter scissors gained’t break the financial institution.
6. Cricket Shear Xpressions
Delicate to sound? The Cricket Shear Xpression scissors have a built-in silencer that stops 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 lower your Luxy Hair extensions, there is no such thing as a higher possibility than a feather razor. The blade must be changed fairly ceaselessly, however razoring your clip-ins will make them look a lot softer and extra sensible than slicing them with precise shears.”
How you can lower your hair at residence
In case your hair is crying out for a trim, it could be time to carry the hair salon residence. 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 fair lower. Listed below are some pointers for slicing hair at residence:
1. To trim your hair (and do away with cut up ends)
After washing and conditioning hair, let it dry utterly earlier than beginning to lower. Snip with the ends of the hair scissors, as a substitute of the whole blade size. Use clips to assist separate hair into manageable sections. Ensure to examine that the size is similar on both sides. When slicing off cut up ends, you’ll want to maintain your chin up. If you happen to’re trying down, you might find yourself taking off an excessive amount of size.
2. To chop face-framing layers
Begin together 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 shouldn’t elevate greater than the nook of your eye. Level lower a small part at a time, following the form created by your hairstylist (if potential).
3. To chop curly and wavy hair
Start by letting hair air dry, then fashion into your required form. Solely lower 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 to be you chop off 2 inches. The shorter your hair is, the lighter and springier the curls might be.
