Q&A for How to Cut Your Own Long Hair

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

What are common mistakes people make when cutting long hair?

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 6
Question

I have really long hair and want to cut it as a bob for something different, but what if I end up not liking it?

Community Answer

Go for it. Take a few days to decide if it's really what you want- you can ask for the opinion of someone close to you, but in the end, it's your hair. Go to a stylist with a good reputation and bring a photo of the style you want. He/she will make sure the cut is flattering. If you don't like it immediately, don't panic! It's a big change. Give it a few days and play with how you style it. No guts, no glory!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 18 Helpful 63
Question

I don't know if I should chop my hair off. I want to because my hair is down to my butt and it is heavy, but what if I cut it and don't like it? I would be stuck with it. What should I do?

Community Answer

Don't cut it just because it is heavy, just get it thinned. Or only cut it to your elbows and see if you like it. If so, cut it little by little until it gets short enough where you still like it but don't want to cut it any shorter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 59
Question

I really want a pixie haircut, but I don't know if I'll like it. Help?

Community Answer

The pixie cut is very quirky and popular, and lots of celebrities have it. It’s always a good idea to try new things. If you don't like it, it will grow back. Do it gradually. Cut off all of your long hair up to your jaw to get a bob. From there you can transition to a pixie cut. It will frame your face better, giving you an elegant look.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 14
Question

Which method should I follow in order to do a drastic V-cut to my hair?

Community Answer

Follow the method with a pony tail, but instead of cutting horizontally, cut with the scissors facing upward, like a "V."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 12
Question

I layered my hair when I was 13 and it was extremely thick and full then. I am 30 now, and since that layered hair cut I hardly have hair, it is very thin and won't grow. How do I make it full and grow again? I trim it twice a year.

Community Answer

Try using the shampoo/conditioner called Mane N Tale and see if it helps.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 30 Helpful 39
Question

I have naturally curly hair that can be dry and frizzy. It's long, and I want to cut it into a long shag style. Would that be a good style for my hair type?

Josh1997

Community Answer

It might not work if your hair is frizzy. One of the best options in my opinion would be to layer it so it will appear thicker with more volume. As a style, judging by the way your hair is, you should take it a lot shorter to around shoulder length.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
Question

Any ideas specifically for cutting waist length hair to the shoulders?

Community Answer

Tightly tie a rubber band where you want to cut your hair. Cut in a straight line. It should be cut evenly.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 32 Helpful 33
Question

I have shoulder length hair. I want it a little bit shorter and layered. How can I do this myself?

Josh1997

Community Answer

If you want to go shorter than your current length, you could do layers by cutting the hair in sections and inches using your fingers as a guide. However, people with your current hairstyle can find it difficult to put layers in, so a possible option might be to go for a bob cut instead, as you can put in a slight layer and shape the hair to go shorter for a classy look.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 9
Question

I usually part my hair on the side, should I still part my hair in the middle as these tutorials suggest? Will that make my hair uneven when I wear it on the side?

Josh1997

Community Answer

You could try it, as the good thing about hair is that you can experiment a lot with it. If it doesn’t work, you can always change it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 44 Helpful 4
Question

I want my hair to be straight, and it doesn't work even if I cut it. What should I do now?

Community Answer

Try to straighten it and the put hairspray on it. Do that every day. If it doesn't help, try asking a hair stylist for tips.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 22 Helpful 11
Question

My hair is about an inch past my shoulders. I would like to cut in some bangs, but where do I start?

Josh1997

Community Answer

Start with the fringe by splitting it into sections. After that you taper the sides slightly.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

What is the result of each of these cutting methods? How do they differ? I just can't really identify the exact difference of each cut just from the pictures.

Community Answer

It explains the differences in cuts in the first step of each method, i.e., "This cut is good if you want more layers framing your face." Beyond that, it's just different methods so that you can choose whichever one works for you, and whichever seems easier to you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

What haircut is best for long, thin, fine hair, especially front and sides?

Community Answer

Layer cutting is best for long, thin, fine hair.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

How do I cut my hair shorter if it is layered without making the layered parts shorter?

Community Answer

Just cut the bottom layer/s and keep the shorter layers at their current length.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

How do I know what haircut to get when cutting my own long hair?

Community Answer

Start with something small, such as cutting it one or two inches shorter. Experiment and also look at hairstyles on celebrities for inspiration before doing anything that drastic too soon. That way, you can change it up to the way you like it if anything goes wrong!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I have long hair and want to trim the ends. I would like my hair to look in a straight line and not a v shape. Which if any can I do myself to achieve this look?

Community Answer

Try using method 2, the ponytail method or the pigtail method and then trim the longer parts as best as you can.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1