We are warned repeatedly not to do our hair at home. I am one of many hair stylists who remind my clients and followers that this is a dangerous move that can backfire and make you need more help.
As a stylist, however, I can tell you that it is very easy to cut your own face-framing layers. This can make your hair look great and will also help with some major reshaping. Although I cannot recommend cutting your face-framing layers at medium lengths or longer, I have detailed everything you need to know to do this DIY move confidently and carefully, just like a professional. This 10-step guide will show you how to create the perfect face-framing layer at home.
Materials:
- Shears (must not be regular scissors, but hair-cutting shears)
- Use a cutting comb for fine and large teeth
- Cape cutting
- Mirror, preferable in well-lit areas
- Clips for sectioning
- Blower dryer
Prep Your Hair
No matter what texture your hair has, I recommend a dry cut. It is important to wash your hair and scalp properly before you do this. This will prevent product buildup and sebum (naturally made oil) from weighing down the hair at the roots. If this happens, the hair may look different after it has been washed. Make sure that your hair is clean and free from any products. Let’s now focus on the texture. Checkout Deep Wave wig.
One of two options are available: either leave your natural texture intact and let it air dry for 80%, or smoothen it if you prefer to wear your hair that way every day. This is so that you can see how your hair looks and feel. You don’t need to curl, straighten or use hot tools for styling your hair yet. We don’t want to have to choose between natural movement and a smoothed-out blow dry.
We don’t cut hair when it’s still wet. This is because hair naturally shrinks once it’s dry. We don’t want to surprise you with a DIY haircut. We can cut your hair as it dries, so we will be able to respond to the cues of your hair and not against them. This will give you a better idea of the dry ends and where they need to be cut. The pros should take care of the wet cuts.
Divide Your Cutting Area
Your preferred or natural parting. A center parting is best for those who like to move their hair around or change up the way they part. After you have identified and cleaned up the parting, you can use the edge of your cutting comb for a half-inch to cut your hair. You should go slightly beyond the earline to cut a little bit more from the back so you can reach the longest part of your hair. Use your clippers to trim the remainder of the hair. Checkout glueless wigs
Choose Your Start Point
What are your priorities for where you want your layers? Face framing layers help to highlight facial features and open up the world. This is a key point to remember when choosing your starting point. Now that you have most of your hair cut, consider your face shape and highlight features. My face is square. I like to highlight my cheekbones with front layers. With this in mind, I will start with the layers between my cheekbones & my chin. Also, consider your hair length. You should always start your hair just below your chin if you have long hair. You don’t want your face-framing layers to rise above your cheekbones or nose, no matter how long or shape.
The point at which you can begin framing your face layers is the same height as your cheekbones or nose.
Create your Guide
Now it’s time to get snipping. Begin by bringing a quarter inch of hair to each side of the natural parting with your fine tooth end. You will gently slide your shears through the hair, bringing it down to your starting point. Your shears will not be closed or dragged, but you will slide cut your hair. Continue reading to learn how to slide cut properly
Slide Cutting
I recommend slide cutting for this cut. Slide cutting allows for greater flexibility and lower chance of error. It is important to slow down. Keep your shears open, and make delicate pulses. You are not going to cut into the hair. It is all about going straight from your guide.
Slide cutting allows you to create a perfect gradation that can be used as a base layer for your face framing layers. Your cutting comb should be used to guide all hairs forward. Then, pinch each section below the next. As a beginner, this method gives you more control and allows you to take small sections.
You can glide your shears down easily by subtly pulsed your fingers as they move down. This can be practiced before you take the shears to your hair. You could also make the error of pulling the shears down rather than gliding them. This would lead to more fraying at the ends and frizz.
After you have cut your guide in the middle, you can go back to your natural line and let it guide you to smaller sections on each side. Slide cutting is more natural than cutting on one side. However, it makes the other side feel less foreign and less likely to make major mistakes.
Point Cutting
Once you have created a loose, framed shape for your face, it’s time to start using point cutting to trim our layers. Start at the shortest length and work your way up. Make small cuts into the hair. This will help to soften the lines and eliminate any frayed ends. This will lighten any hair that appears a little bulky. We can create a separation between our layers by cutting straight into one spot.
Your comb should be used to guide your hair at a 45-degree angle across your face. This will display the lines you have created in the front. You can point-cut into any areas where there are longer pieces or uneven lines. Keep going down the length, taking small sections. You should start to see the results of your work starting to take shape once you have completed each side.
Cross-check
Your hair should be combed around your face. Verify that there are no major differences on either side. We’re trying to achieve a perfect look, but there should still appear some symmetry. One side might be more difficult than the other, so take your time. You can now slide-cut or point-cut any pieces that are not straight. Slide cutting can be used to adjust the length of your piece, and point cutting can be used to adjust the overall shape.
The Back Section can be blended
Once you are satisfied with the front, move the back forward to see how it blends together. Take out your clips and use your hair comb to cut the hair in the middle. Bring each side forward. Point cutting can be used to blend our lengths. This will allow us to smoothen out any “shelf-looking” areas in curly hair or wavy hair. It is crucial to blend your front layers into your overall hair length. This will prevent any disconnection between your longest front and your ends. You may need to soften or remove corners if they aren’t naturally woven together. To avoid a U-shaped cut, I prefer point-cutting to cut my ends directly across. Next, I blended my freshly trimmed ends with my new face-framing layers by using point cutting to soften that point. It’s a personal preference.
Check out this HD Lace Wigs by celie hair.
Style is the new normal
After I was done cutting my hair, I styled it, as usual, using a curling iron and an inline link. I used my favorite products for a natural lift, heat protection, and smoothing. I also used dry texture paint to highlight the movement and pieces in my front layers. Even though I only layered the front and trimmed the ends of my hair, it felt like my whole haircut was in need of a makeover.
You can reach me, or your favorite stylist, if you are still unsure about how to do this yourself. We will be happy to guide you through the steps listed above.
