How to Point Cut Hair

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you want to add texture to the ends of your hair, point cutting is the technique you need. This technique cuts the hair with a vertical, rather than horizontal, motion. Point cutting removes bulk from the ends of the hair, blending layers together and creating movement. [1]

Section 1 of 3:

What is point cutting?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Point cutting is a hair-cutting technique where the shears are positioned vertically. Point cutting adds more texture and movement to the ends of the hair. It works especially well for people who have thick, heavy hair since it creates more movement and flow. People with thin hair, on the other hand, typically want a blunt cut since blunt ends add volume and weight. [2]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Short & Medium Hair

PDF download Download Article
  1. For the best results, wash and rinse the hair before you begin to cut it. While the hair is still wet, comb through it to release tangles and remove loose hair.
    • Textured or tightly coiled hair should be dried and straightened before being point cut.
  2. Hold the scissors in your dominant hand and the styling comb in your non-dominant hand. Comb the hair upward away from the head. When there is about 2 inches (5 cm) of hair in the comb, pinch the hair between your forefinger and middle finger. [3]
    • Start at the crown of the head, then work around the head in a circle.
    • If you hold a section of hair that is longer than 2 inches (5 cm) in your fingers, it will begin to flop over and you can’t point cut it effectively. If there is less than that much, you won’t be creating the desired texture.
  3. For a traditional cut, you’d hold the scissors parallel to your fingers. For a point cut, angle the scissors downward, perpendicular to your fingers. For the basic point cut, the scissors should be pointing straight down toward your fingers. [4]
    • The idea behind the point cut is to create texture and remove bulk, rather than removing length. This is why the scissors are held straight up and down.
  4. Make an angled cut less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep into the hair you’re holding. Move the scissors sideways about â…› inch (0.3 cm) and cut into the hair again. Repeat this process as you move down the line of the hair. The final result will create a look of peaks and valleys in the hair. [5]
    • For the standard point cut, don’t cut more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of hair in this way or the hair will begin to look too jagged.
  5. 5
    Work from the bottom to the top. Begin point cutting at the nape of the neck, then work your way up to the sides. From there, move to the crown then the top of the head.
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Long Hair

PDF download Download Article
  1. Create a deeper texture in the hair by lowering the handle end of the scissors. The farther you lower the scissors from their vertical position, the more hair you’ll cut. Do not not lower the scissors past a 45 degree angle, or you are not really performing a point cut anymore.
    • Holding the scissors at 45 degrees will give you a choppy, layered look.
  2. Point cutting should usually not take off more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of hair. However, if you want to create an exaggerated effect, cut deeper into the hair when you have it pinched between your fingers. Cut between 1 and 2 inches (2.5 cm to 5 cm), but don’t cut more than 2 inches with this technique.
    • Always make sure the person whose hair you are cutting is aware that you are going to be taking off more hair.
  3. With the hair hanging straight down, gather a 2 inch (5 cm) section between and below your fingers. Rather than pulling the hair up, as in the technique for short hair, hold the hair so it hangs toward the floor. Point the scissors upward toward the hair and perform the point cut as before. [6]
    • Cutting the lowest layer of hair in this way keeps the bottom layer from looking like a straight line.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Use shears that are made for cutting hair rather than kitchen or craft scissors.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • This technique requires a lot of practice to get the right look. Be wary of attempting it on a person if you have never done it before.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      The Warrior Cut: How to Get & Style TikTok’s Latest Hair Trend
      How to
      Do a Layered Haircut
      9 Ways to Cut Your Long Hair At Home
      How to
      Cut Your Own Hair (Men)
      How to
      Decide if You Should Get Bangs or Not
      Hairstylist-Approved Guide to Cutting Men’s Hair at Home
      Everything You Need to Know about the Low Burst Fade Hairstyle
      How to
      Ask for a French Crop Haircut, Plus How to Style It
      Tips for Trimming Long Hair Evenly (Your Own or Someone Else’s)
      How to
      Give a "Fade" Haircut to Males
      How to
      Do a Layered Curly Cut at Home
      How to
      Cut the Back of Your Hair
      What Is a Broccoli Cut and Why Do Younger Guys Like It?
      How to
      Pull Off a Pixie Cut
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.londonschoolofbarbering.com/point-cutting/
      2. ↑ https://www.terrifictresses.com/advice/how-to-point-cut-your-own-hair/
      3. ↑ http://www.hairfinder.com/hair/hairpointingslithering.htm
      4. ↑ https://intothegloss.com/2015/07/haircut-terms-to-know/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ReT7nKZhE&feature=youtu.be&t=8s
      6. ↑ http://www.manrepeller.com/2016/08/how-to-cut-your-own-hair.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 108,433 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement