Show off your hair! And questions about hair styles!

[Mezzi]

I'm kind of interested in cutting my hair.  I've TRIMMED it, but that's about it.  I'm only armed with a pair of feathering scissors.  Will I need somethings other than that?  I really don't want to be spending loads on scissors; I've seen the prices on some of 'em.  Also, any ideas on how to do a good job on the back?  It might sound dumb, but I can scarecly use a flat iron on the back, let alone take a scissors to it.

then i wouldn't suggest doing the back yourself. maybe get someone you trust to do it if you don't want to go to a pro.

but, if you're really set on doing it yourself, then maybe part your hair all the way down the middle, and bring the bottom of your hair forward, and maybe trim it that way?

I wouldn't recommend doing it that way. I've cut my hair a bunch and I've found the best way is to get a set up of mirrors so you can see yourself cutting your hair in the back. I'm lucky enough to have a medicine cabinet mirror across from a large mirror in my bathroom, it's optimum for haircutting.

[Jillie]

I'm kind of interested in cutting my hair.  I've TRIMMED it, but that's about it.  I'm only armed with a pair of feathering scissors.  Will I need somethings other than that?  I really don't want to be spending loads on scissors; I've seen the prices on some of 'em.  Also, any ideas on how to do a good job on the back?  It might sound dumb, but I can scarecly use a flat iron on the back, let alone take a scissors to it.

About the scissors, I  just use my sewing scissors.  Make sure they're sharp--the dulled-down ones you use for paper probably won't work well.

I just part the hair in the middle and pull one side over each shoulder.  Just keep checking periodically with a mirror or a friend that each side lines up evenly.
I've self-cut my hair a few times (enough to learn some useful information), so here's some pointers.

Jill's List of Haircutting Tips
1. Start out with the hair either dry or slightly damp.  Stylists cut it wet  because it makes the cut-off hairs clump together and makes things easier to clean up, but I recommend dry because it gives you a better idea of the real length.  You can always just throw a towel on the floor and wash it after you're done.
2. Take your time! Rushing something is NEVER a good idea.  The last thing you want is to accidentally chop a huge piece an inch shorter than all the rest.  Give yourself at least an hour to work.  It probably won't take that long, but you never know, and you don't want to screw up because you started cutting fifteen minutes before you have a date.
3. Pay attention to the part.  If you cut when your hair is parted crooked, the ends will be uneven when you re-part it correctly.  If you're planning on wearing a side part with the style, cut it that way.
4. Have an idea in mind. Look at a picture of what you want.  If you can look at a style someone else has already created, you can see how the part, layers, fringe, etc. should look.
5. Don't try anything too advanced.  If you've never cut your own hair before, it's best to pick a simpler style.  I wouldn't recommend doing layers your first time because then you have two different lengths to keep straight.
6. Get the technique right.  Take a small section of hair (about 1 inch) in between two fingers (like scissors).  With the scissors in your other hand, cut right below the fingers. 
7. Hold the scissors almost perpendicular to the hair-holding fingers and snip tiny sections.  You should only be cutting tiny, tiny pieces at once.  Tons of tiny angled sections looks even when all put together, and you won't have obviously blunt-cut sections.
8. Cut a little longer than you want it to be.  Start off being a little bit "conservative" and get all the hair to the same length.  Unless you're a hair-cutting genius, you will at that point have some parts that are a little longer than the others.  By the time you get done evening it all up, you'll end up close to the length you wanted.
9. Don't be afraid to ask for help!  If you get partially in and feel like you're making a mistake or are in over your head, it's better to ask a friend/professional to finish you up than to end up with a style you really hate.  Hair does grow back, but it can take a long time.

Hope that helps!

[Jillie]

Jennique, I think that because of your face shape, you'd look best with longer hair.  Because you have a wider face, longer hair evens it out.
Generally people with narrow faces look better with shorter hair than people with wider faces.  There are exceptions though, and you'll never know for sure what looks good on you until you try it out.

I think that for you, it would be best to stay around shoulder-length for a few reasons.  Other than the face shape thing, you also mentioned that you like to wear it curly, and curly hair can poof out and make your head look like a big triangle if it's too short. 

Maybe go see the stylist before you actually have the cut done and ask him what he would recommend for you.  Then you can take a few days to think about it and look at different pictures before you actually have the cut done.

[white trash hero]

jennique! i have hair very simlar to yours by the sound of it! mines thick and wavy(tight ringlety waves depending on its mood) but i do straighten it sometimes. i like to wear mine curly sometimes too. now i got my hair cut just past my chin but shorter at the back, and its grown a bit now but i think its been the perfect length for me i have quite a heart shaped face and i think you could go quite short. but tell your stylist you want it layered well otherwise as jillie said it will go triangular! so yeah, short chopped in really works for me x

[jennique]

Thanks guys Im definately going to get his opinion when I go. I think maybe I'll just get it trimmed up and make my layers more defined since its boring me. I had a feeling short would be bad, and I was worried about how my curls would react to certain cuts.

[Morning Star]

Jill's List of Haircutting Tips
1. Start out with the hair either dry or slightly damp.  Stylists cut it wet  because it makes the cut-off hairs clump together and makes things easier to clean up, but I recommend dry because it gives you a better idea of the real length.  You can always just throw a towel on the floor and wash it after you're done.

it's actually to get better tension, and to get cleaner cutting. it can be cut dry, but if you cut it damp, it may be uneven because you have different tension.

your hair is longer when it's wet, and shorter when it's dry, so if it's a little of both, it's going to be different than the final outcome of what you want.

[liakins]

hi jennique thanks hahahah   i'm thinking of goin for short hair as well..like i mentioned earlier...my hair is damaged thanks to my certain fascination with rebonding my hair..
ok i had to link my friendster cos (silly me) doesnt use photobucket...
http://www.friendster.com/photos/917303

ok here it looks fine (post ironing out the bits tht have grown out and btw i live in malaysia where its humid and kills any attempts of me trying to have nice smooth hair..my hair iron is collecting dust nowadays cos i'm sick of trying!)
i have natural curls (which frizz like mad...blames weather again)
i want short hair! would it suit me?
..yes i tlk tooo much  

[ragdoll193]

hey everyone, two nights ago I put pink streaks in my hair with beyond the zone raspberry kamikaze. they looked awesome. I washed my hair this morning and now they are gone. I used herbal essences shampoo and conditioner afterwards. the only reasons I can think of the pink going bye-bye are either the shampoo or the fact that I henna'd my hair about a month ago.
Does anyone know what happened? should I try with a different pink dye?

thanks,
ragdoll

[empty_smiles]

  I had extensions put in yesterday. I'm so happy. I dyed the hair myself. I did run out of it at one point but coloring the blonde spots with some red sharpie helps.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/empty_smiles/HAIRextended040.jpg

[iloveyou330]

Empty_smiles I love your hair that length. And the red looks soo good on you.