Hair

Hair Cut 12.10.10

I've come to the conclusion that I like cutting my hair. Some divas don't mind for their ends to be a little uneven, but I'm very particular about how my hair falls, and what the ends look like. If I've said it before, I'll say it again: I'm into hair health, not hair length. That means I'll sacrifice length if that's what it will take in order for my hair to look full and healthy.

If you recall, I recently mentioned in my Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding is..." post that I trimmed off more of my heat-damaged ends in order to rid my head of the scragglies you see here:


Well, this was the result:


I love my new cut! As usual, I started off by trimming my ends. Now, the thing that made this particular hair trimming/cutting session so special is that I did it while my hair was curly, not straight. The reason being is that I am often asked if the trimming technique I presented in my How to Trim Split Ends video can be performed on curly hair. I never said that it couldn't. I just simply stated that I prefer to cut MY hair while it's straight because I have attempted to trim it while curly in the past, and it led to disastrous results. However, since I've been cutting my hair for years now, I felt confident enough to give it another go and must say that I was pretty successful.

First, I trimmed my ends using the same twisting technique I featured in the How to Trim Split Ends video:

As you can see from the pic above, I was able to elongate my curls by first brushing them out, then doing the single strand twist. People always ask how I cut the hair in the back, and I do so by pulling the hair forward and using mirrors to see the hair from angles I'd otherwise miss.

Once the trim was complete, I then began cutting my hair, section by section. I started in the back and braided each section like so after it had been cut so that I would not make the mistake of blending the already cut hair with hair that had yet to be cut:
This picture tutorial will therefore begin with the second section, which I created by doing another horizontal part a few inches above the first one:

Similar to the technique I used in my How I Cut My Hair tutorial, I made vertical parts in order to create three sections: two sides and a middle:

After pinning the two side sections out of the way, I divided the middle section into two and pulled the hair toward the front like so:

Center section split in two--view from the back

Center section split in two--view from the front

As you can see, simply brushing out my curls would not have allowed for an even cut, so I had to pull the hair taught in order to get a more precise cut:


Instead of pulling my hair high above my head to cut it like I did in my original How I Cut My Hair tutorial, I decided to try this technique of pulling the sections forward after seeing it in a video. Every time I cut a middle section, I made sure to not take too much length off the ends, as I would prefer for the hair to be longer in the middle and shorter on the sides so that I could get the V and or U shape I like. I definitely took more length off the sides, as much as two inches or more in some areas:


Once I completed the second horizontal section (i.e. after I cut the middle and side sections), I then braided that one as well before moving on to the next section:

I continued the process until all my hair was braided. I then threw on a satin scarf, went to bed, and flat ironed my hair section by section the next morning. I had to straighten it so that I could make sure that I hadn't jacked it up!

Hair halfway done

I must say that seeing that this was only the second time I attempted to cut my hair while curly, I did an excellent job! I did have to touch up a few stray pieces once my hair was flat ironed, but for the most part, I got pretty clean results:

Before & After

No raggedy ends here!

Hair

Hair Update & Hair Chatter

Hey divas,

Alas, I finally found some time to record a video. The following was recorded on March 31st. I cover topics regarding the hair care routine I've been following over the last three months, the new product I'm trying, how I feel about petroleum, sulfates, and other goodies. Enjoy!

Hair

How I Cut My Hair

A few weeks ago, I cut about 2 inches off of my hair. I do my own cuts and trims because I don't really trust anyone else to do it. There are too many scissor-happy stylists out there who don't know the difference between a trim and a cut, so I'd much rather gauge for myself how much needs to be taken off in order for me to have clean ends and the shape that I want.

Whenever I cut my hair, I always trim my ends first. That way, I feel like I've done the necessary maintenance prior to styling and shaping. A lot of ladies have asked me how I cut my hair, particularly the back, and I've tried my best to explain it in words. I know this is something that I'll never be able to record on video simply because for one, it takes me about two hours to complete the process (From trim to cut), and secondly, I need the help of multiple mirrors in order to get it right. Since I use my Macbook to record videos, there's no way I could get the camera angles necessary to capture it all. Thus, I've put together this picture tutorial for those of you who are interested in seeing how I cut my hair.

Step 1: I always start by trimming my ends to rid them of any splits and/or prevent splits from forming. To see how I do it, watch How I Trim Split Ends.

Here are pics of my hair before (left) and after (right) the trim. I performed the trim (and the cut) on Thursday, July 2, 2009. At the time it had been 14 weeks since my last one. As always, there wasn't much difference in length, as I only trimmed off a little bit.


Step 2: To begin the cut, I always start with a part going across the occipital bone (the lower back portion of the skull). This is the first section I'll be working with.

Step 3. I then part that section into three sections -- one in the middle and one on each side, and I pull the side sections over my shoulders to move them out of the way. This is how I isolate the center section, which I'll be working with first. Since I like to shape my hair in a V or U shape, this center piece will be the longest point.

Step 4: Since I don't have eyes in the back of my head, I pull the center piece straight up in the air, stand in front of a mirror and cut it straight across.

Pull the center piece up

Cut straight across

An up-close shot of the uneven ends that I'm working to make even

Step 5. After putting the center piece down to double check that it is indeed even and neat, I then move on to the hair that's on the side. I start by taking one of the side sections and with it draped over my shoulder, I cut downwards at an angle, so that the shortest piece is near the front and the longest piece is in the back. This will give me the V-shape I'm going for.

Hair draped over shoulder

Angle cut up close

Step 6. Once I've performed step 5 on both side sections, I then take all the hair and comb it back to double check that it looks neat and even on both sides. If there is any unevenness (i.e. if one side is longer than the other, or the hair isn't flowing well with the center section), I simply work more on whichever section needs to be shorter. Remember, always cut a little bit at a time, because it's easier to touch up a section that needs more hair taken off. Yet, once it's gone, it's gone!

After I've confirmed that all is indeed well, I then take that entire section and tie an Ouchless band around it to isolate it. This way I make sure to not touch it as I move up toward other sections.

Step 7. I then create another horizontal part in my hair that is above the occipital bone, and repeat steps 3-6.

Step 8. After I've cut all the hair that falls below the part that would connect the apex of my ears, I then begin cutting the front section. To do the front, I angle my hair much like I did in my How I Cut Bangs & Face Framing Layers video. Once all is said and done, I have a nice, U or V-shape!

Before & After

Hair

How to Trim Split Ends

Ridding the hair of split ends is an essential part of a healthy hair care regimen. Split ends can ruin a great style by causing the hair to look dry and brittle. If untreated, split ends can ultimately lead to breakage, thus preventing one from retaining length. Below is a video in which I demonstrate how I trim split ends. This should be done regularly (the frequency can be determined by each individual) to maintain a healthy head of hair.



My Before and After Photos:

As you can see, the difference in length is very slight. I got rid of the split ends and shaped up the hair. I prefer the V-shape because it counteracts the fact that the sides of my hair outgrow the center.

Provided are a few links to websites that support the hair trimming method demonstrated in the video above:
#1. How To Trim Unhealthy Split Ends
#2. No More Split Ends
#3. Hair Split Ends

Hair

How I Cut Bangs & Face Framing Layers

This video is one of many installments in my Valentine's Day 2009 makeover series. This is not a how-to video for other people, so I don't want anyone to think that this is how you should cut your hair. This is simply a how-I-cut-my-hair video.



Pics of the finished look: