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Give Your Bangs a Haircut

C'mon. Bored at home on a Friday night, we all do it -- so we might as well know how to do it right

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Channel: Hair

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Hair grows a half an inch or so a month. That means your bangs need a haircut every three weeks to maintain a consistent length. If you plan on trimming yours frequently, invest in scissors made for giving a haircut or use sharp cuticle scissors, whose small size will keep you from being tempted to cut large sections -- a common mistake we all make.

Start with your bangs dry and as straight as possible. Wet hair tends to shrink as it dries. So, after you shower, separate your bangs from the rest of your hair, and pull the rest of your hair into a ponytail so you won't accidentally snip any non-bang strands. Then, using a blowdryer with a nozzle, dry your bangs, pulling them forward and down with either a paddle brush or your fingers. To get hair even straighter, flat iron your bangs a few times.

Now stand in front of a mirror and begin with a very small section on whichever side feels most comfortable. You're going to cut just 1/8th of an inch from each small section, as your bangs will spring up a bit when you style them. Be sure to follow the curve of the bangs that your stylist created: If hair is shorter in the center and gradually gets longer at the sides -- and most bangs are cut in this upside-down 'U' shape -- keep this arc as you trim. Cutting very small sections, one at a time, will help you see this curve as you move from one section to the next.

After your first full trim across, put down your scissors and step back from the mirror to take a look. If you're happy with the length, pick your scissors back up to texturize, so your bangs move freely. Hold your bangs straight up to the ceiling with your left hand so the hair is between your middle and index fingers. Then with your scissors in your right hand, point the blades straight down toward your scalp. Now, make cuts into the hair just at the tips. This won't take any length out of the hair; it just creates a few small layers. Do this across your bangs and you're finished.

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Showing 1 - 10 of 14

I'm terrified of doing this myself, but it could save some money (and at least a trip to the salon). Thanks!

by qtcherrypie124 Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 01:56PM Report as inappropriate

Any suggestions for side swept bangs??

by martha85 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 05:52PM Report as inappropriate

This does not help me since I have side bangs.

by sarahsuperstar Monday, May 9, 2011 at 06:38PM Report as inappropriate

Ive been cutting my bangs in a wrong ways! and it sucks!

by meluvmakeup Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 03:05PM Report as inappropriate

I guess I've been doing it the wrong way for years....

by Iowillowa Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 01:46PM Report as inappropriate

Looks great and easy in the video but kind of scary to try myself. If you have great "me" time and patience then you can try at home. I don't have much of both...

by ebbsandtides Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 12:17PM Report as inappropriate