Should You Cut Your "Adult" Hair to Make Baby Hairs?

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Although videos of TikTokers creating their own baby hairs have recently started garnering thousands of views, attempting to cut your fully-grown hair into baby hair isn't a new trend. Hairstylists and wig-wearers have been doing it for years to make their units look more natural. Others have snipped the hair growing from their hairlines to get the edges of their dreams.

There are several videos of YouTubers walking through the process of creating their own baby hair. But while the pursuit of fly edges is a worthy one, do you really need to do all that? Hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew doesn't think so. "I wouldn't advise cutting anyone's hairline to make baby hairs," She tells Allure. "Work with what you have. It looks more natural that way."

Baby hair is typically a finer texture than the rest of your hair, which makes it easier to swoop and loop. If you cut down your "adult" hair to try and get the look, you might not even be able to style it in the same way because of that curlier or kinkier texture.

Cutting the hair along your hairline won't cause damage, thankfully, but it can potentially look odd when it's not styled. "For example, if you are trying to pull it back, those pieces will stick up like flyaways," Sturdivant-Drew says. So unless you want to have to use a ton of gel or wear a headband anytime you put your hair into a pony or a topknot, cutting your adult hair isn't the move for an Instagram baddie-worthy hairline.

The good news is there are ways to style your hair to mimic the look of baby hair without actually cutting it, as influencer Jewelliana Palencia does in this video. You don't necessarily need super robust edges, just an imagination. "You can brush more of the hairline forward and have fun with it," Sturdivant-Drew says.

It might be a little more work to deal with your longer, adult hair, but it will make it easier for you to style your hair on the days you don't feel like picking up a toothbrush and gel to add some polish to your hairline.

Long story short: Resist the urge to reach for the scissors, say a prayer to the hair gods, and try finessing your edges as they are.


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Originally Appeared on Allure