A Guide to the 12 Best At-Home Hair Cutting Scissors

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Let us preface this piece by saying that if you don’t trust yourself with running a pair of hair cutting scissors through your hair, it’s probably best to make a professional appointment at the salon. Now, on the other hand, if you do have faith in yourself and you’re okay with the possibility of making a mistake or two, then we give you our blessing to try this at home.

Trust us, we know that there are some days when you simply can’t stand the sight of your fringed dead ends. At this moment, picking up a pair of scissors is more tempting than ever. And why not go for it? Giving yourself a slight trim is a great way to maintain healthy, tangle-free locks. A proper trim will also make your hair appear thicker.

However, you must be diligent when selecting the right pair of scissors, otherwise, you might be doing your hair more harm than good. Pick up a random pair of long scissors, and you can easily cause damage by accidentally pulling on your strands. New York-based hairstylist and co-founder of the salon Arisa Sarah Leah Rona tells us, “the length of your shears should start at the corner of your wrist and end at the tip of your pointer finger, diagonally placed.” Rona also shares that shorter shears are good for fine-tuning (like perfecting a straight line around the perimeter), while longer shears can cover more ground when cutting texture into the hair.

To encourage you to trim your hair the right way, we’ve rounded up a list of 12 at-home hair cutting scissors that will lead you on the path toward precision.

Professional Hair Scissors

While using the Fagaci Professional Hair Scissors, you’ll feel like you're wielding a pair of salon shears. This professional scissors set is undoubtedly sharp, so you should definitely proceed with caution and skill. That said, if you’re a seasoned trimmer, these scissors are just for you.

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “So far these shears have been phenomenal. Be aware, they are super sharp. According to my hairdresser this is a good brand. The price is affordable and they've done a good job so far.”

Size: 9.02 x 3.98 x 1.14 in; 0.32 ounces

Tulip 5 3/4'' Thinner

For light trimming between trips to the salon or bang maintenance, you’ll want to get your hands on a pair of Diane Tulip scissors. These dainty shears offer a beginner-friendly handle and a sharp blade for precision cuts. They’re also great for giving your hair texture and body.

Ulta star rating: 3.2/ 5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I bought these to help thin my hair out a little as I have very thick hair making it hard to style. These helped me to achieve the look I wanted and the price was reasonable. I’m happy with my purchase.”

Size: 9.25 x 3.27 x 0.94 in; 0.01 ounce.

Hair Thinning Shears

With this kit, a mess-free trim is guaranteed. This set comes with a protective cape, a brush to dust away stray hairs, as well as a double-sided razor to give you whatever cut you desire. Going for a blunt bob? No problem.

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “These scissors were amazing. Used them for my hair and human hair wigs. The kit had everything I needed for a good haircut.”

Size: 8.82 x 4.09 x 1.89 in; 11.84 ounces

Cararra Marble Shears with Safety Blade Cover

Conair’s shears are sharp enough to provide precision. Not to mention, they’re also safe enough to prevent any cuts as they sit in your drawer until your next cut. Simply slide the safety blade cover onto your scissors when you’re finished trimming.

Target star rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Target reviewer says : “I cut/trim my own hair and these shears have worked well. Quite sharp so I have to be careful but they do a good job. Good size, nice looking and I really like the cover for the blades - no fear of being accidentally cut while reaching in the drawer.”

Size: 6.7 x 3 x 0.3 in; 1.28 ounces

Stainless 2000 5.5" Styling Shears

This pair of hair scissors by the beloved brand Tweezerman is a jack of all trades. Alex Brown, who counts Chrissy Teigan and Kendall Jenner as clients, says they are perfect for beginners because “they are a great size which makes them easy to control, and are very sharp, plus priced really well.”

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Size, value, and function make this hair cutting shear the best addition your grooming kit.”

Size: 2.64 x 1 x 5.5 in; 1.76 ounces

Hitachi Professional Hair Cutting Scissors

For an investment worth every penny, these scissors are as sharp as a razor (we aren't exaggerating), giving you complete, precise control of your cuts. They come in two different lengths and offer designs for right-hand dominant users and lefties. If you’re cleaning up your ends, go for the small size and if you’re doing a major transformation, you should opt for the large pair.

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5

An Amazon reviewer said: “I'm a ‘recently turned barber’ apprentice so I've been cutting hair for a just a little bit over a year. The shears are nothing short of phenomenal. The quality is fantastic, the cutting precision is like nothing I've used before, and it's difficult enough for me to purchase scissors that are truly left handed.”

Size: 6 x 2.25 x 0.25 in; 2.4 ounces

Hair Cutting Shears Professional

Don’t let the low price tag on these “Amazon’s Choice” hair scissors fool you, the blades are sharp, so definitely proceed with a hefty dose of caution. They also feature rubber finger grips to steady and cushion your hold and an ergonomic handle that reduces overextension in your thumb and wrist.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said : “They’re comfortable to use/hold and with one clean snip I was able to cut my daughters hair. It’s precision and sharpness had me sold! Glad I found these!”

Size: 6 x 2.25 x 0.25 inches; 2.4 ounces

Equinox Professional Hair Cutting Scissors 6.5"

With nearly 49,000 ratings, these shears are perfect for beginners. They’re crafted from high-quality Japanese stainless steel, and they’re also super sharp. Plus, the gold finish adds a touch of luxury.

Amazon star rating: 4.7/5

An Amazon reviewer said: “I am really enjoying these scissors. So sharp and easy to use. They do a great job.”

Size: ‎8.5 x 3.19 x 0.75 in; 3.5 ounces

Professional Hair Cutting Shears

These shears are perfect for beginners. They are just sharp enough to get the job done, yet not razor sharp to where you could easily injure yourself. Not to mention the price is unbeatable.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I trim my own hair every now and then and used to do it with regular scissors until I finally bought these and it’s a HUGE difference. I don’t have do it half as much anymore because the ends don’t grow out all choppy and gross like they do when you cut them with regular scissors.”

Size: 6.5 x 2.17 x 0.28 in; 4.96 ounces

Explore 5.75" Hair Shears

For wet and dry hair, these just-sharp blades are perfect for all your at-home haircut needs. As for whether you should trim your hair wet or dry, that depends on your hair type. Oftentimes professionals will trim straight or wavy hair while wet, while curly and coily hair is usually trimmed dry. Make sure to consult a professional to figure out what’s best for your hair.

Ulta star rating: 4.3/5

An Ulta reviewer said: “The shears are amazing quality for the price! They cut like butter and the length of them is so perfect. I would definitely recommend this if you’re in the market for a good priced but amazing quality shear!”

Size: 9.4 x 3.6 x 0.8 in; 0.01 ounces

10 Piece Hair Cutting Set

For everything you need to set up your hair workstation at home, this set comes with a small cleaning cloth, a pair of cutting scissors, a pair of thinning scissors, a salon cape, two hairpins and two combs in a leather zip bag.

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “It’s really a beautiful kit for DIY haircuts. Everything you need is in here, and for a non-professional who just needs to give yourself or the spouse or the kids a haircut from a YouTube tutorial, it is absolutely perfect! Tested it on my mama and the shears are wonderful:)”

Size: 2.76 x 1.97 x 0.28 in; 9.5 ounces

Professional Hair Cutting Shears 6"

Looking for a pair of scissors that comes to a flat point at the tip yet still boasts a sharp blade? It doesn’t get more affordable and effective than this pair of shears. One reviewer explains, “They are good enough for fine stuff like trimming bangs and strong enough for the heavy lifting of cutting about 8" off my head in big hacking cuts. They are obviously not salon quality, but they do the job perfectly.”

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I have been cutting my own hair since the beginning of the pandemic, and these have been a life saver for clean edges! I used to work at a salon and was very impressed with the quality of these.”

Size: 6.5 x 1 x 3 in; 2.11 ounces

FAQs

What is the difference between regular scissors and hair scissors?

According to Alex Brown, a celebrity hairstylist for clients like Chrissy Teigen, Kendall Jenner, it all comes down to the design. “They’re made to cut hair so both the shape and sharpness are different. They’re thinner and easier to hold when cutting hair so it helps make the cut more precise. They’re usually sharper so you can cut hair in one snip for a more-even cut without it getting stuck between the blades,” she says.

What are some best practices for cutting hair at home?

Brown suggests going to a professional, but if you can’t wait, start by just trimming your hair. “I recommend only trimming bangs or split ends at home, I never recommend doing anything more than that.”

- Make sure hair is dry.
- For bangs, make sure hair is styled exactly how you’ll wear it before cutting.
- Don’t cut more than an inch if trimming split ends. If you can visibly see the damage or split end, only cut that off.

Brown also advises applying the “point cutting” technique. “Point cutting is when you take the tip of the scissors and cut directly parallel into the hair, rather than leaving a perpendicular, blunt line. This technique works best for bang trims and for trimming split ends.”

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