5 steps to a 5 minute DIY haircut {layers for long hair}

{the above pictures are before and after the 7/3/13 haircut}

It’s been a little while since I did a How To Tuesday post and I just had to share this one with you. I was reading a few of my friends’ blogs recently and I came across Beth’s post about cutting her own hair. I have been whining to Howard a lot lately about my hair getting too long and asking him to find time for us to get my hair cut. Don’t ask me why I ask him that because I am perfectly capable of going to a salon on my own, but it just seemed easier to find a time that we could all go and he could distract Benjamin. So, I decided I would try this DIY haircut business and see what happened!

So, last week I was looking at my long stringy hair as I was brushing it and Howard was in the shower. Benjamin was distracted by Animaniacs (gah…that cartoon!) and I decided to grab the scissors and go at it! Of course, I brought along my camera phone so I could blog it. What else would I do?!

Disclaimer: Please excuse the blurry photos and my lack of photo-ready clothing. I had just gotten out of the shower, it was hot, I was shaky…at least I remembered the dang camera!

I figured that I should give myself a length guideline so I didn’t get cut crazy. Howard likes my long hair and I like ponytails so I really just wanted to get the stringy ends off. I just picked a length and CHOP! (or as Benjamin would say, “you’ve been chomped!”)

This is probably my favorite pic of them all with my Valley Girl hair, but it was necessary. I pulled all of my hair (and I have a LOT) onto my head in a top ponytail. I made sure my lines were as straight as I could, but I was also in a little bit of a rush because I wanted to finish before Howard got out of the shower.

Then, CHOP, off came the ends of the ponytail. It took a little bit to find my length guideline so I would recommend putting a little clip or something on it if you have thick and long hair like mine.

I checked the back for length and it looked “normal” for a layered cut, but I have this problem with that V shape turning into somewhat of a duck tail after a few weeks so I decided to fine-tune it a little.

I pulled my hair up in sections and cut off any strays and evened things out a little. I basically wanted layers in the front and on the sides, but more of a straight look across the back.

I checked the back again and was pleased! I’m really not sure when I developed a little bit of wave to my hair, but it may be due to taking prenatal vitamins (which also is why my hair got so long so fast).

Although this pic is just after the cut and still a little wet, I really loved the way my hair was falling into place. I have received quite a few compliments from my family about the cut and my sister was quite impressed with my DIY haircut.

By the way, when Howard got out of the shower, I handed him that clump of hair and asked him to throw it away. You should have seen his face…”what did you do?!”… He loves it, though, and it’s still long enough for a ponytail, too.

Update #1 {July 3, 2013}

Well, it was time for another haircut yesterday so I started chopping again. The last haircut (above) was on 2/24/13 and my hair had grown so much. I cut it in the same way as before, but this time I wanted some long bangs. I measured out a chunk of hair in the front and put the rest up in a ponytail. Then I wet the brush and ran it through the small piece of hair. I combed it down straight in front of my eyes and cut a straight line. I didn’t think to take pics, but I’m thinking I might trim them a little more because they aren’t behaving like I want and I can’t wear them over my forehead because they cover my eyes. If I do that, I will update here!

5 steps to a 5 minute DIY haircut

1. Wash or wet your hair and comb out all tangles.

2. Pick a length and either mark it with a clip or cut a piece at the desired length.

3. Pull all hair into a ponytail on top of your head and cut the end of the ponytail at your desired length.

4. Check front and back lengths for symmetry and cut in sections if needed.

5. Style and Enjoy!

I’m linked up with Someday I’ll Learn for Teach Me Tuesday!

Have you ever cut your own hair? How did it turn out?