Hair 101 - My Self Trim

[Four sections] The right side is trimmed, the left isn't. I left my bangs as-is

Please forgive my pathetic face in these photos, it was early; and I hate waking up early. Last week I mentioned I wanted to trim a few inches off of my hair to give it more volume, and to rid myself of those ends I have been holding on to. I decided it would be easier if I straightened my hair, because honestly trimming my hair in it's natural state is a pain for me the longer it gets. I just did a basic light, fluffy press to straighten my hair out just enough to get the cut as even as I could.

 After the trim

Because my hair still isn't all one length, I find it easier to trim my hair while it's in ponytails. I part my hair horizontally, then again vertically, and I separate each section with a ponytail holder.  It doesn't give me a super even cut [more like a soft u shape], however as crude as the technique is, it does the job. I start by trimming the longest layers in each ponytail, then I trim the shortest layers. This time around I decided to take about 2.5 inches off all around. I plan on doing a braid out this week so I can't wait to see the difference the mini-cut has made.


If you plan on self-trimming, invest in GOOD scissors, I can't stress this enough. Dull scissors or scissors that aren't designed for cutting hair can actually damage hair by causing split ends. If you notice that your scissors, bend, tug, or "chews" on your hair, it is safe to say they aren't sharp enough.

There are also two different types of blades, CONVEX blades which are good for a clean, smooth cut, and BEVELED blades which have a serrated edge and are best for layered cuts. I also use a long blade opposed to a smaller one because they are better suited for cutting thick hair. Also remember to always clean your shears after each use, and store them in a dry environment to prevent moisture buildup [moisture on your shears can result in rust].

Here is a site that some of you may find useful, she illustrates numerous methods for self-trimming. Feye's methods are very popular in the hair forums, however I find them difficult because my hair is not all one length as of yet.