Preparation Before Cutting
Tools You Will Need
A good pair of sharp scissors. It’s important that the scissors are clean and sharp to ensure a smooth cut. Professional haircutting scissors are ideal, but if you don’t have those, a high-quality pair of general scissors can also work.
A comb. You’ll need both a wide-toothed comb for detangling and a fine-toothed comb for more precise sectioning and cutting.
Hair clips. These are used to hold the hair in place while you work on different sections.
A spray bottle filled with water. This is used to dampen the hair slightly, making it easier to cut and manage.
A mirror. Preferably a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror for better visibility and to check the back of your head.
A towel. To drape around your shoulders to catch any loose hair.
Understanding Your Hair Type and Face Shape
Hair Type: Consider your hair’s texture, whether it’s straight, wavy, or curly, and its thickness. If you have thick hair, you may need to take more layers to reduce bulk. Thin hair may require more careful cutting to avoid looking too thin. For example, if you have curly hair, keep in mind that it will spring up and shrink in length when dry, so you may need to cut it a bit longer when it’s wet.
Face Shape: Your face shape plays a crucial role in determining the style of the layered cut. If you have a round face, layers that start higher up and are longer around the face can help elongate it. A square face can benefit from softer, more rounded layers to soften the angular jawline. An oval face is more versatile and can handle a variety of layer styles.
Decide on the Length and Style
Look at pictures of short layered hairstyles for inspiration. Decide on the overall length you want for your hair and how short or long you want the layers to be. You can choose a more graduated layer cut where the layers are shorter at the back and gradually get longer towards the front, or a more even layer cut for a more uniform look. For example, if you want a more dramatic look, you can have shorter layers at the top and longer layers at the sides.
Consider the maintenance level. If you don’t have a lot of time to style your hair every day, a simpler, more low-maintenance layer cut may be better. If you’re willing to put in a bit more effort, you can go for a more elaborate style with more defined layers.
The Cutting Process
Sectioning the Hair
Start by dividing your hair into four main sections. Use a clip to secure the top section, which is from the crown of your head to the forehead. Then, divide the hair on the sides into two sections, one on each side, from the ear to the top of the head.
The back section is the remaining hair from the nape of the neck to the ears.
Within each section, you can further divide the hair into smaller subsections for more precise cutting. For example, in the back section, you can take horizontal subsections about 1-2 inches wide, depending on the thickness of your hair.
Cutting the Back Layers
Unclip the bottommost subsection of the back section. Comb the hair straight down. Decide on the length you want for the shortest layer in the back. This could be around 1-2 inches above the nape of the neck, depending on your desired style and the length of your overall haircut. Hold the scissors horizontally and cut the hair straight across.
For the next subsection, comb the hair down and take a little less hair than the previous section. Cut it at a slightly longer length, about half an inch to an inch longer than the previous layer. Continue this process, gradually increasing the length as you move up towards the crown, creating a graduated layer effect. Make sure to cut evenly and check the symmetry by comparing the lengths on both sides of the back.
Cutting the Side Layers
Unclip one of the side sections. Comb the hair down smoothly. The length of the side layers should blend well with the back layers. Start cutting from the bottom near the ear, using the same graduated technique as in the back. The first layer on the side may be a bit longer than the shortest layer in the back to create a seamless transition.
As you move up towards the top of the head on the side, gradually increase the length of the layers. You can also angle the scissors slightly towards the back as you cut to create a more natural flow and blend with the back layers. Repeat the same process on the other side, making sure the lengths and angles are similar for symmetry.
Cutting the Top Layers
Release the top section. Comb the hair forward towards your face. The top layers are usually the shortest and add the most volume and texture. Decide on the length you want for the top layers. It can be anywhere from a few inches to shorter, depending on your style.
Using the fine-toothed comb, lift small sections of the hair at a time and cut them vertically. Cut the hair at different lengths to create texture and movement. For example, you can make the front part of the top layer a bit shorter than the back to frame the face. Be careful not to cut too much too quickly as the top layers are very visible and can significantly affect the overall look.
After cutting the top layers, go back and blend them with the side and back layers by running the comb through the transitions and making any necessary small adjustments with the scissors to ensure a smooth blend.
Finishing Touches and Checking the Cut
Texturizing and Blending
Once you have cut all the layers, you can use the scissors to do some texturizing. This involves randomly snipping small pieces of the hair to add a more natural, lived-in look and blend the layers even further. Be careful not to overdo it as too much texturizing can make the hair look choppy.
Use the comb to comb through the hair again and check for any uneven areas or stray hairs that need to be trimmed. You can also use your fingers to fluff up the layers and see how they fall and move. If you notice any areas that look too thick or uneven, make small adjustments with the scissors.
Styling and Checking the Overall Look
Dampen your hair slightly with the spray bottle and use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to dry it and see how the layers look when styled. You can use a round brush or your fingers to style the hair, adding some volume and shaping the layers as you like.
Look at yourself in the mirror from all angles, including the back, to ensure that the layers are balanced and the haircut looks good overall. If you find any areas that need further trimming or adjusting, do it carefully. You can also ask a friend or family member for their opinion if possible.
Cleaning Up
Once you are satisfied with the cut, remove the towel from around your shoulders and shake it out to remove any loose hair. Then, clean up the area where you cut your hair, sweeping up any fallen hair and putting away your tools.
Maintenance and Aftercare
Regular Trims
To keep your short layered haircut looking its best, it’s important to get regular trims. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you may need a trim every 4-6 weeks. This will help maintain the shape of the layers and prevent them from looking too grown out or uneven.
Hair Care
Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner suitable for your hair type. Conditioning is especially important for short layered hair as it helps keep the ends healthy and prevent split ends. You can also use a leave-in conditioner or a hair serum to add extra moisture and shine.
Avoid using too much heat on your hair with styling tools like flat irons and curling irons. If you do use them, make sure to use a heat protectant spray to minimize damage.
Styling Tips
Experiment with different styling products to enhance the look of your layered cut. For example, a volumizing mousse can add lift to the roots, while a texturizing spray can enhance the texture of the layers. You can also use a small amount of hair wax or pomade to define the ends and add some hold.
When styling, try different ways of parting your hair to change up the look. A side part can give a more asymmetrical and stylish look, while a middle part can create a more balanced and classic appearance.
Conclusion
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