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Beauty

Stylish Haircuts You Can Easily DIY at Home, According to Experts

From undercuts to long layers, here's the scoop.

While salons across the country are slowly starting to reopen following the coronavirus lockdowns, some people may not feel comfortable going to get a professional haircut yet. However, if you haven't cut your hair in a few months, odds are that your hair could use a little TLC. And while cutting your own hair may seem intimidating at first, experts say it's totally possible if you follow professional tips. We interviewed five hairstylists from across the country to get the lowdown on the easiest haircuts you can DIY in the comfort of your home. The best part? Pants are optional.

How to shave an undercut:

This edgy ‘do may look intimidating, but it's really easy to DIY. “Using a comb, carve out a horseshoe-like section from temple to temple on dry hair, with the center back dipping down two inches below the crown,” says Amy Abramite, a Chicago-based hairstylist. Next, pull your hair into a bun at the top of your head,  grab your clippers, and choose a guard. “Guards have numbers ranging from low to high: A low one will cut the hair the shortest, and a high number will keep the hair longer,” she explains. Then, with upward strokes, slowly glide the clipper along the lower half of your head up to the dividing line of the top section. Use a mirror (or recruit your quarantine buddy) for extra help. Once you’re done snipping, style as desired. 

How to refresh your layers:

“If you have a layered cut and are feeling a little weighed down, this is a great way to refresh your layers without the dangers of freestyle cutting,” celebrity hairstylist Nick Stenson tells HelloGiggles. To do this, you’ll start by flipping your head upside-down and combing your hair in the direction of your front hairline. Then, Stenson says to gather your hair into a ponytail at the front and center of your hairline. “With the hair now neatly gathered, direct hair straight out and parallel to the floor in front of your face and cut the hair vertically in one large section to shorten the layers and refresh your ends,” he says. Once you've chopped off your desired amount of hair, comb your locks back into place, style as usual, and spritz on some finishing spray.

How to do a buzz cut:

If you've been tempted to try out this badass style, now's the perfect time to take out those clippers and start snipping. According to celebrity stylist Nelson Vercher, this hairstyle is pretty easy to DIY. He recommends starting with a one-and-a-half-inch clipper guard. Next, turn the clipper on and follow the shape of your head. While less is more when it comes to cutting, you can always opt to go shorter by using a smaller guard, explains Vercher.  

How to cut a blunt lob:

You don’t need a professional hairstylist to achieve this sleek, blunt cut. Start by drying and straightening your hair before putting it into a middle part, which will help keep it “balanced,” according to Florida-based hairstylist Savannah Rae St. Jean. “With a steady hand, slowly cut a straight line all around your head while using a comb to keep each section of hair straight,” St. Jean says. When it comes time to trim the back of your hair, turn your head towards one shoulder to expose the hair in the back and follow the line, then repeat on the opposite side. To keep a straight, clean line, look straight ahead and try to avoid tilting your head down.

How to cut bold bangs:

Although bangs may look and sound intimidating, they’re actually pretty simple to cut, according to Hollywood-based stylist Russell J. Powell. He recommends sectioning off a triangle shape that's “about two inches back from the center of your hairline towards the highest point of recession” (aka the corners of your head, right above your ears). Then clip the rest of your hair out of the way. “Start snipping in the middle with an initial cut at the top of your nose, then work your way out to the edges, making the bangs slightly longer at the corners,” Powell tells HelloGiggles. The key here is to remember that you can always go shorter—not longer—so start by making your bangs long and slowly making them shorter.   

How to cut long layers:

Channel your inner J.Lo and add some shape to your hair by giving yourself long layers. According to Abramite, the easiest way to do this is to flip your hair upside-down and put it in a ponytail right at the center of your hairline above the forehead. From there, she says to pull the length of the ponytail out from the head at an angle, as if imitating the horn of a unicorn. Then, begin to chip away into the ends with scissors for a soft blend of layers that will sweep away from the face. Once you're satisfied with your cut, release your hair from the elastic and top it off with texturizing spray.