Between the outgrown layers, break 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 attempting to maintain social interactions to a minimal, it may be time to take issues into your individual arms and begin chopping your hair. If you happen to’ve been hesitant to select up the scissors, know that the specialists say you may completely do it your self—so long as you may have the fitting instruments of the commerce.
To search out out extra, we hit up L.A. superstar 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 teen. He’s right here to provide the lowdown on chopping your individual hair, together with the most effective hair shears to make use of at dwelling.
The very first thing to bear in mind is that not all hair shears are created equal. Movie star hair stylist Clayton Hawkins cautions towards utilizing common family shears you may need mendacity round the home.
“Don’t below any circumstances reduce 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 chopping scissors.”
What to search for in your hair chopping scissors
When procuring in your excellent pair of shears, there’s a couple of necessary issues to bear in mind. You’ll need to contemplate the fabric, form, blade and deal with kind, in addition to the dimensions of your scissors. Good hair chopping scissors ought to match comfortably in your hand and glide by hair seamlessly.
So far as thumb and deal with design go, ergonomic is healthier. In response to Clayton, it’s fully as much as your desire, though “the longer the thumb and deal with, typically it’s simpler to make use of.” Nevertheless, the form of your scissors doesn’t matter as a lot because the precise blade materials. With regards to the standard of steel, Japanese metal is essentially the most coveted. They often have a sharper convex edge, which is particularly good for chopping bangs.
“It doesn’t get higher than German or Japanese metal,” says Clayton. “These choices are actually pricier, however I’d contemplate them an funding that may final a very long time.” German shears often function 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 chrome steel may also undoubtedly get the job achieved.
When it comes to dimension, rule of thumb to observe is for scissors to be so long as your prolonged palm. Something longer is suited to specialised chopping methods, akin to slide chopping or deep level chopping. Clayton recommends a medium scissor that’s roughly 4 to 5 inches in size. “You probably have tremendous lengthy fingers, you may go for a 5 to 6 inch pair. However typically this dimension is best for novice hair cutters to have management and grip whereas trimming their very own hair.”
You’ll additionally need to contemplate 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 harm with extended use. In case your scissors aren’t becoming snugly, you may all the time 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 opinions on Amazon, however additionally they are comparatively cheap. The bevel blade is sharp all through, which helps keep away from frayed, break up, and broken hair. The crane design additionally helps a pure grip, which implies you may comfortably use them for prolonged durations of time.
2. Sanguine Skilled 5.5” Hairdressing Shears
Produced from Japanese metal, these Sanguine shears are sharp, small, and very sturdy. The compact dimension provides you loads of management when chopping bangs and different tough spots.
3. ULG Hair Thinning 6.5” Scissors
It’s all the time a good suggestion so as to add a pair of thinning shears to your hair-cutting package. This ULG pair of highly-rated chrome steel scissors may help soften strains, take away weight, and mix layers immediately. To not point out that there’s finger safety to maintain you comfy whereas trimming.
4. Jaguar Lane 5.5 Inch Scissors
Clayton recommends these scissors “if you wish to spend money on a pair that may final you no less than a decade.” Jaguar scissors are extensively thought to be being top-of-the-line hair chopping scissors in the marketplace, recognized for his or her balanced weight and clean chopping motion. Moreover, the premium metal blade has a tip chopping angle for optimum sharpness.
5. Tweezerman Spirit 2000 Styling Shears
Designed for rookies, the Tweezerman Hairdressing Shears function micro-serrated edges to present you extra precision and management. The looped deal with is comfy 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 forestalls them from making that terrible metal-against-metal noise. The chrome steel building, ergonomic deal with, and detachable finger rings are simply the cherries on high.
7. Feather razor
As a bonus possibility, Clayton recommends a feather razor for chopping hair extensions. “If you wish to reduce your Luxy Hair extensions, there isn’t any higher possibility than a feather razor. The blade must be changed fairly often, however razoring your clip-ins will make them look a lot softer and extra reasonable than chopping them with precise shears.”
Find out how to reduce your hair at dwelling
In case your hair is crying out for a trim, it may be time to deliver the hair salon dwelling. 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 chopping shears, together with a large tooth comb to assist obtain a good reduce. Listed here are some pointers for chopping hair at dwelling:
1. To trim your hair (and do away with break up ends)
After washing and conditioning hair, let it dry utterly earlier than beginning to reduce. Snip with the ends of the hair scissors, as a substitute of all the blade size. Use clips to assist separate hair into manageable sections. Ensure that to verify that the size is identical on either side. When chopping off break up ends, make sure 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 carry larger than the nook of your eye. Level reduce a small part at a time, following the form created by your hairstylist (if attainable).
3. To chop curly and wavy hair
Start by letting hair air dry, then model into your required form. Solely reduce items of hair that appear to be misplaced. It’s greatest to chop half of what you initially deliberate to chop, since chopping off 1 inch will appear to be you chop off 2 inches. The shorter your hair is, the lighter and springier the curls can be.
