How to Cut Your Own Fringe: Step-by-Step Tutorial

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Expert tips for trimming your own bangs
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Bangs, or what many refer to as a "fringe," are a great way to change or spice up your look. The hairstyle entails shorter hair set in front of your existing hair, framing the face with a fashionable flair. The style has been utilized by such fashion icons as Bettie Page, Elizabeth Taylor and even The Beatles. Today, celebrities like Emma Stone and Rihanna can be seen flaunting the look with confidence. In this article, we’ll teach you how to cut your own fringe bangs at home, plus how to fix common mistakes.

How to Cut Your Own Fringe Bangs at Home

Wash and dry your hair, then section off a triangle of hair from the top-center of your head to the outer corners of your eyebrows. Divide this section into smaller horizontal sections and use styling scissors to cut vertically, starting from the bottom. Continue this process until you achieve your desired bangs.

Section 1 of 2:

Cutting Fringe Bangs

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  1. Thoroughly wash your hair with shampoo, then condition, if needed. Most people won’t need to condition the bang area, but for those who do, conditioner helps relax the hair for easier cutting. Just keep the conditioner at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from your scalp to avoid flat, greasy bangs. Rinse all of the product from your hair, then use a microfiber towel to gently squeeze your hair to dry it. Work in small sections from roots to tips. [1]
    • Cutting dirty hair isn’t ideal; unwashed hair often contains patches of grease or product build up, which can cause shears to slip and cut unevenly.
    • Your hair doesn’t need to be totally dry to cut your bangs. In fact, cutting slightly damp hair often creates a more even result. Cutting completely dry hair usually needs very sharp tools, and the results may look uneven after you wash and restyle them.
    • If you have curly hair, however, it’s probably best to cut bangs when your hair is completely dry, as it will appear shorter than when wet.
  2. In addition to detangling your hair, combing your hair allows you to find an ideal length and measurement for your bangs. Then, decide if you want to part your hair, as there are both parted and unparted bang styles. If you’re going for a long side-swept bang or a parted bang, part your hair where you normally wear it before cutting. Otherwise, let it hang down unparted. [2]
    • To get rid of tangles with the least amount of damage to your hair, use a wide-tooth comb. Start at the ends of your hair and work your way up toward your roots. [3]
    • Bangs are essentially a shorter version of your current hairstyle that help frame your face. Wearing your hair as you normally do will help you get a better idea of how you would like it cut.
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  3. Use a comb to part and section off a triangle of hair from the top-center of your head to the outsides of your eyebrows. This section shouldn’t extend past the outer corners of your eyebrows or the top of your head. [4]
    • Use a uniform triangular shape when you section the hair. For thicker bangs, start farther back on your head. For less thickness, start closer to your forehead.
    • If your hair is layered, grab the strands of hair that are used to blend the front portion of your hair to the back portion. These hairs are often shorter and easier to transform into bangs.
  4. Pull your hair into a ponytail to keep it out of your face and help you avoid cutting unintended hair. Then, comb out your bangs section evenly in front of your face. This will help you see what you’re cutting and how short your bangs need to be in order for you to see. [5]
    • Don’t be afraid to pull hair from farther back and near the center of your head. This often helps avoid issues of thinness when your bangs are ready to be styled.
  5. Styling scissors have a sharpness meant for hair, while common household scissors are meant to cut more coarse things like paper and plastic. If you use them to cut your hair, you’ll likely end up with an uneven cut. Beauty supply stores often sell scissors meant for hair at various sizes. Smaller scissors allow for more control and may come in handy when shaping your fringe. [6]
    • Cosmetologist and hair styling expert Courtney Foster says to avoid using dull instruments to cut hair: “Dull instruments will cause split ends, which defeats the purpose of a haircut.” If you use regular scissors to cut your hair, you’ll probably just make more work for yourself in the end.
  6. Separate your hair into horizontal rows no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Beginning at the bottom, hold the scissors upright and line them up along your hair. Make minimal, vertical snips at your bangs, going along the hair rather than across. This will help avoid cutting your hair into a flat line. [7]
    • For classic bangs, the shortest point should fall at the bridge of the nose between your eyes. Remember to cut less and leave more. You can always come back and cut more if your new bangs are too long.
    • Keep your hair in position with a comb using your non-dominant hand, and cut with your dominant hand.
  7. Move your scissors as little to one side as possible to ensure you’re cutting all of your intended bangs. Continue to make vertical snips along your hairs’ ends. Cut as flat as possible—without cutting across—near the middle of your head, and allow for longer strands as you work your way outward. After you’ve finished one side, repeat the process on the other. [8]
    • Cut at a diagonal angle—about 45 degrees—to achieve an edgier, less blunt look.
    • Some bangs are straight across the forehead and longer as you get to one side. Other styles can be curved with length that increases slightly toward the outside corners.
  8. Keep working your way up toward the crown of your head, cutting as sparingly as possible and never directly across. Cutting less and leaving more hair helps avoid common mistakes like a crooked line or missing chunks. Keep cutting until you achieve your desired look. [9]
    • Remember to be patient. Think of your hair as an art piece—nothing is perfect when rushed.
  9. Try styling your bangs in different ways to make sure you like how they look. Remember, if your bangs are still too long, you can always re-comb and recut. The same cannot be said if they’re too short!
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Section 2 of 2:

Fixing Common Bangs Mistakes

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  1. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to make the shorter part of your bangs grow, so the easiest way to fix crooked bangs is to cut the longer sections to match. If you aren’t willing to commit to the shorter look, try wearing your bangs to the side or hiding them in braids or headbands until they grow out. [10]
    • When fixing your bangs, it’s probably best to start with a clean slate by washing and drying your hair again. This way, you can see exactly what you’re working with.
  2. If you need to thin your bangs out, use a pair of thinning shears to remove extra weight. Or, use your regular styling scissors to do point-cutting, a technique in which you cut into the bangs in an upward motion. This is the same technique you used to cut your bangs in the first place. [11]
    • If your bangs are too thin, on the other hand, simply add more hair. Resection your hair into the original triangle you used to cut your bangs and include a bit more hair in the section. Repeat the bangs cutting process until you achieve your desired look.
  3. To achieve a softer, less-blunt look, pull your bangs outward when cutting them rather than letting it fall forward. This creates a slight taper that will soften at the ends. This requires you to cut off more length, however, so if you aren’t comfortable with that, use the point-cutting technique instead. [12]
  4. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do if you cut your bangs too short. Let them grow out until they’re long enough for you to visit a professional hairstylist. In the meantime, try styling them with hair clips or hats, and apply castor oil to them each night to encourage growth. [13]
    • Try not to worry too much if you don’t like your end results. Remember, it’s just hair! It will grow out again.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I need to cut split ends in my bangs?
    Courtney Foster
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.
    Courtney Foster
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can, but it's more important to cut split ends the longer your hair is, and bangs don't typically get very long. If you have too many split ends, the split ends will travel up the hair shaft and lead to breakage. So if you don't cut the split ends out, your hair will eventually need to be cut back much shorter than you normally do.
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  • Question
    My bangs are too thick. What should I do?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You'll need to remove weight. Try holding the bangs straight up into the air and cutting vertically into the lower half of the strand. You can also pull straight up, twist once, and cut into the ends.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 21
  • Question
    How do I curl the ends of my bangs under?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Use a round paddle brush on dry bangs. Lift the hair as little as possible, holding the brush as close to your forehead as you can and drying with the nozzle of the dryer directly behind the brush. At the ends, turn the brush in slightly to create a bevel.
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      Tips

      • Cut in front of a mirror to see both the front and back of your handiwork.
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      • Use clean scissors made for cutting hair. Common household scissors will only leave you with damaged, incorrectly cut hair.
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      • Cut as little hair as possible—you can always cut it more if needed.
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      Warnings

      • Make sure you truly want fringe bangs before committing to the look. Otherwise you will be stuck with bangs that are too short or are not the style you wanted.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/a30199571/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/
      2. ↑ https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/a30199571/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/
      3. ↑ http://www.thehairstyler.com/features/articles/hair-care/hairstyling-tools-brush-vs-comb
      4. ↑ https://www.brit.co/diy-bangs/
      5. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-trim-your-bangs
      6. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-trim-your-bangs
      7. ↑ https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/a30199571/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/
      8. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-trim-your-bangs
      9. ↑ https://girlgetglamorous.com/how-to-cut-trim-your-own-bangs/
      1. ↑ https://www.glam.com/1252003/fix-bangs-not-working-for-you/
      2. ↑ https://www.glam.com/1252003/fix-bangs-not-working-for-you/
      3. ↑ https://www.glam.com/1252003/fix-bangs-not-working-for-you/
      4. ↑ https://www.oprahdaily.com/beauty/a30199571/how-to-cut-your-own-bangs/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you cut your hair into fringe bangs, section off the triangle of hair from the top-center of your head to the outsides of your eyebrows. Then, comb the hair out flat in front of your face. Next, divide your hair into 1 inch sections, and cut in vertical snips from the bottom. If you want classic bangs, aim for the shortest point to fall at the bridge of your nose. As you cut, move your scissors no more than 1/4 inch at a time so you don't miss any hair. Additionally, always try to cut as sparingly as possible and never directly across. For tips on how to wash and prepare your hair before cutting it, keep reading!

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