Anyone layer cut hair by herself ?

[taltal]

I would like to layer cut my hair by myself.
Does anyone here know how to layer cut 3c curly hair on her own ?
I have 3c hair which is bra strap length when wet and about shoulder length when dry and would like to layer cut it but keep the length.

[FunkyCurlGurl]

I cut layers in my hair ALL the time. Sometimes I'll just go in and make a random layer while at work or something, but I have a ton of hair so it costantly appears different. When my hair was below my shoulders, I used the ponytail method for cutting layers into it, found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYMyJ-LR8so

and it actually worked well for me. I had my hair flatironed at the time, and I wouldn't recommend trying it with curly hair because you want the layers to come out even and all that. HTH!

[kalane]

Originally Posted by FunkyCurlGurl

I cut layers in my hair ALL the time. Sometimes I'll just go in and make a random layer while at work or something, but I have a ton of hair so it costantly appears different. When my hair was below my shoulders, I used the ponytail method for cutting layers into it, found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYMyJ-LR8so

and it actually worked well for me. I had my hair flatironed at the time, and I wouldn't recommend trying it with curly hair because you want the layers to come out even and all that. HTH!

Thanks for the link. I'm gonna have to try that.

[CurlyChrisInTheSticks]

Try a vertical cut. When I was in Chicago the stylist there did it. It was so simple, I figured why not. You might want a friend do it if your hair is that long, though. The back might be tricky.

This is the info I found on the web and printed for my use. I just did it yesterday and must say I'm happy with the results.

Vertical Layering

Q: Can you explain vertical layering for long hair so you keep your length but you can get some height? A: Logic tells us that the longer a strand of hair is the more it weighs. This is the reason that most un-layered long hairstyles lie flat to the skull (or fall flat no matter how they are styled). The hair’s own length just weighs it down. The weight of long hair can also pull out any wave the hair has, and can stretch out the hair’s natural curl.

We’ve all seen women with naturally wavy hair who have grown their hair long and have seen the triangular silhouette created because the hair tends to become curlier at the ends (where there is less weight pulling at the lower portions of the hair strands). The hair lies flat to the skull on top, and begins to flare outward the further down you go.

Yet many women balk at the word “haircut” because of the amount of time and energy they’ve invested in attaining the length they have. They are afraid that the stylist intends to remove several inches to allow the hair to look fuller and get more lift at the top of the head.

However, with vertical layering – which simply means cutting layers into the hair using a vertical (up and down) cutting line – the hair will still hang to the current length, but the upper layers of hair strands are cut to gradually shorter lengths which allow the hair’s natural wave and curl to better form, and allow the hair to be styled with more lift at the root. This adds height to the hairstyle.

The amount of height that can be achieved depends on the wave pattern and texture of the hair, as well as the method used for styling. Coarse hair with only a moderate amount of wave may require the use of a blow-dryer and the fingers to lift the hair away from the scalp while drying it in order to get any significant height to the layered hairstyle. On the other hand, fine hair that is naturally very curly may simply need a little styling product and a pick used on the damp hair to get all the height you need or want.

But because the hair at the “bottom” of the head (the lower edges of the hair perimeter) has not been cut significantly in the vertical layering, you lose no length in the overall hairstyle. What you gain is more fullness and better balanced volume in the style overall.

Hi, I have long, naturally curly hair which is my crowning glory. Trouble is the top back of my head isn't domed as with many people and my hair sits flat there unless I backcomb at the roots and add hairspray and mousse (which, if they work, stops my hair feeling soft). Is there a trick to cutting the hair that encourages the hair to sit higher on this area? The top layers at the sides seem to want to fall forward too and I need a cut that would make the hair sit slightly up and back. No hairdresser seems to get it right. Any tips I can pass on? If you can help, you are BRILLIANT!!

{Editor’s Note: Before we could respond to this letter, the reader sent an additional letter with a quick update:}
Hi again, have just sent you an email about my 'flat' head and asked for your help, but have since found the section on Vertical Layering which seems to apply to me. I cut my hair myself these days as it looks better for it. Could you guide me a little more clearly on how (and where) I can cut these layers for maximum help to stop the top back of my head looking flat? Many thanks once more.A: Well, first of all, I’m pleased that you found our article on Vertical Layering to be so helpful. Based on what you describe as your issue, you are going to want to create your shortest layers among the hair at your crown area.

Although the technique is called “vertical layering” the cutting lines don’t have to be completely vertical. Even mostly vertical angles can be used, especially when you want to create specifically shorter lengths at the top of the head (as you do).

Given that you have naturally curly hair, cutting your shortest layers at the top of the head in the crown area would maximize the amount of curl you get in that area. This should make it so that you can use a diffused hair-dryer to dry your curls with maximum lift and shape the crown area of your head into a natural looking shape. It will also result in a cascading fall of curls down the sides of your head, and won’t shorten the overall length of your hairstyle more than you want.

You may want to at least enlist the assistance of a friend to help you make sure that you’re not failing to see any spots at the back of the head, and to ensure an even, balanced cut, unless you’re willing to give a professional stylist another try given the new information you’ve gained.

HTH

[Sandi]

Hmm.. my hair grows in layers, it seems. Whenever I try to cut it all even, it ends up layering itself again.. I don't really mind it, but since my hair is short and thick... eeeeekk....

[taltal]

Thanks CurlyChris and funkyCurlGirl, for the video and the written instructions.
Do you think these methods will work on very curly 3c-4a hair ?

[CurlyChrisInTheSticks]

Cutting your own hair is a major leap of faith. I got a good cut in Chicago and don't trust anyone around here to not mess it up. She told me the method she was using, I watched her closely, and the vertical instructions I gave are exactly what she did.

I cut wet, so I'm not fighting the curl. To some it's a major no no, but I cut very little. The only thing for sure that will work is that your hair will grow if you don't like it.

Sorry I couldn't be more reassuring, but again; major decision. If you have a stylist or friend you trust, you could have them give you the first cut, then it's a simple process of "following the lines." I'm thinking of taking more off next time since I liked my hair a little shorter, the way it looked after she did it.

Chris

[crwritt]

I'd like to see a diagram of how how hair is sectioned and held, and what angle the scissors are held at.

[CurlyChrisInTheSticks]

There is a diagram on this page; for some reason I couldn't get a copy. Must be restricted. HTH

http://www.hairfinder.com/hair/hairslightlyup.htm

Chris

[MixedUpCurlyChick]

This is interesting...have u seen pictures of this cut done on curly hair? I'm curious how it looks...maybe I could bring that to a stylist...

Originally Posted by CurlyChrisInTheSticks

There is a diagram on this page; for some reason I couldn't get a copy. Must be restricted. HTH

http://www.hairfinder.com/hair/hairslightlyup.htm

Chris

[CurlyChrisInTheSticks]

Yes, me. I had this cut done in Chicago. My curls seem to be more in control, according to my mom.

[MixedUpCurlyChick]

Would u be willing to post before and after pics? I'm curious to see what it looks like...

Originally Posted by CurlyChrisInTheSticks

Yes, me. I had this cut done in Chicago. My curls seem to be more in control, according to my mom.

[FallOutCurl]

I like this when I cut my friends hair ill bare this in mind. i wish i could do this to my hair but my hair already grows in layers