How to Cut Your Bangs Like a Pro
When it comes to your beauty routine, there's a lot you can do at home—your mani and pedi, a facial, waxing your own stubble, and dyeing your hair. And, as it turns out, you can even save a few more bucks (and gain some bragging rights) by cutting your hair, particularly your bangs.
But just how hard is it to trim your fringe? Will you totally botch the job and wish you'd just made that salon appointment? Have some confidence in yourself! Experts say it's totally possible to give yourself a trim job, you just have to study up before wielding the scissors.
Why is something seemingly so straightforward so tricky? "The angles are awkward, cowlicks often slip through, and shrinkage is a possibility," says Fae Norris, a hairstylist at Rock Paper Salon in Los Angeles. Plus, since bangs are front and center on your face, it's hard to hide any potential mishaps, should they occur, she explains.
But as long as you carefully follow a step-by-step from the pros who know best, invest in the right tools (no, any old pair of kitchen shears simply won't do!), and have a relatively steady hand, you can cut your own bangs at home without ever uttering the words "Oh... snip!" (Even if you're a beginner and it's the first time you've ever tried the style!)
Ready to give it a try? School yourself with the following directions, all provided by a hairstylist who does the task day in and day out:
Step 1: Gather the right supplies, like cutting shears.
Don't use any old scissors. Leave those kitchen shears right where they are—to nail the perfect bangs, you'll need some special tools, namely the right scissors. "All scissors are not created equal," says Norris. "For bangs, I suggest picking up a pair of professional-grade stainless steel styling shears."
Other helpful tools include a comb, a clip, and a blow dryer. "And don’t forget your inspiration picture, says Norris. "Photos can be a great point of reference and will help you stay on track." We've got some ideas for you here.
Step 2: Dry your hair before cutting.
Start with dry hair. "Our hair appears longer when it’s wet, so you may end up with shorter-than-expected results once it completely dries," says celebrity hairstylist Michelle Cleveland. "Also, when your hair is dry you can see any cowlicks or breaks that aren’t visible when wet."
With that in mind, you'll want to style your hair—particularly the part you sectioned off—prior to giving yourself the big chop. Blow-dry your bangs straight down, says Norris. If the hair still isn’t completely smooth, use a flat iron to take you the distance.
Step 3: Part your hair and section out strands.
Section your hair in a triangle shape, starting from the highest point of your head to each side of your recession (the area that has the baby hairs), says Cleveland. For most, this is usually two to three finger widths from the hairline, adds Norris.
"If cowlicks are present, I suggest abandoning ship and seeing your stylist," says Norris. "They’re really tricky, and getting it right is important." Otherwise, go forth—carefully.
Step 4: Make small, vertical cuts.
When you're ready to snip, make small, vertical cuts. To do this, point the shears upward toward the head, making tiny cuts with the tip of the shears, says Norris. This delivers a gentler, more stylish look; horizontal cuts, which run from ear to ear, will result in a very blunt bang with more opportunity for mistake, says Norris.
To add some texture to the look—à la Brigitte Bardot—finish by twisting a section of the hair up, then cutting into it slightly, says Norris.
Step 5: Stop before you go too far.
This is quite possibly the most important rule when it comes to cutting your own bangs: Be conservative.
Both Norris and Cleveland say the best thing at-home stylists can do is to aim long. "You can always cut more, but there’s no do-over if you cut too much," says Norris. "Once it's gone, you can't get it back," echoes Cleveland.
Need some more guidance? Learn how to cut...
Straight bangs
Bangs on natural hair
Curly bangs
Wispy bangs
Side bangs
Textured bangs for short hair
Curtain bangs
But what do you do if you—gasp—botch the trim job?
Whatever you do, don't try to fix botched bangs by going shorter, says Norris. Instead, stay calm and call your stylist, says Cleveland. A professional can often soften the lines and show you how to use a headband, pins, or other hair accessories to conceal your bangs until they grow back. And don't worry: Many stylists can walk you through this process on the phone or via a video consultation, so you won't be stuck—even if the salon is technically closed.
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