How to Give a Layered Hair Cut
A layered haircut, sometimes referred to as a circle cut, is one of the most versatile hairstyles. This cut can look fabulous on short hair, long hair, as a formal style or when going casual. Cutting your family’s hair at home can save you a great deal of money by avoiding frequent trips to the salon. However, the perceived complexity of the layered haircut may be intimidating for the home stylist looking to save a buck. Fortunately, a layered haircut can be both fast and easy when you know a few tricks.
Cutting Another Person’s Hair
Step 1
Wet the hair. Divide it into seven sections, using the comb to part the hair and clips to hold the hair against the head. Make one section on the crown, or top of the head, three even sections down the right side of the head and three more matching sections down the left of the head. Leave about 1/2 inch of hair free at the bottom of the head.
Step 2
Trim the non-sectioned piece of hair at the bottom of the head to be the length of your longest desired layer. When trimming remember that straight hair may shrink up to 1 inch upon drying; curly hair may shrink as much as 4 inches, according to the Hairfinder website.
Step 3
Remove the clip from the bottom-most section of hair. Cut a guiding line at the center of the head to the length you want your second longest layer. You can now use this guide to cut your second length, working from the center of the head toward the face in a straight line.
Step 4
Continue working up the hair in this same way. Remove a clip and let the section of hair down, cutting from the center to the front. Make each layer progressively shorter.
Step 5
Check your work. Make any minor changes needed. Consider blow-drying the hair to see what the style looks like dry for any additional tweaks.
Self Cut
Step 1
Look in the mirror. Decide how long you would like your longest layer to be. Mark the spot by holding it between two fingers.
Step 2
Prepare for your cut by standing with your feet about shoulder-distance apart. Bend over to flip your hair toward the ground while continuing to hold your length marker. You will need to make a mental note of this length.
Step 3
Brush the hair out until it is smooth. Cut the hair at the chosen length in a single horizontal sweep. Try to keep the line straight to avoid a peculiar shape.
Step 4
Stand up and examine your cut. According to the Pro Haircut website, you should have several layers between 3 and 9 inches in length, depending on the length of your hair.
