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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 7:58pm | IP Logged
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Specifically, has anyone cut their own hair using a scissors and ponytail method which is supposed to create layers (longer if the ponytail is toward the back and shorter if it is toward the front)? I can't afford to get my hair cut at a salon, but I think I need a shorter hair style and lack the expertise to cut it shorter any other way.
I've recently developed a bald spot, during the stress of helping w/ dh's mom. My hair was already having issues of breakage and becoming more brittle as more grey comes in. I'm thinking a shorter style might put less stress on my hair and possibly lessen the breakage and hair loss.
Numerous videos online illustrate a method of simply turning your head upside down, smoothing hair into a tight ponytail in the front or back of the head (according to the type of layers you want). For the most part the videos are done by young people who would look good in any type of hair style! Any middle-aged SAHM that have tried this? Does it turn out alright?
I really can't afford the time, energy, stress or money involved with botching my hair, then having to go to a salon to fix it. Rare visits to beauty salons in my lifetime have been disastrous and traumatic, hence the reason my hair style hasn't really changed over the years ~ adding bangs that feather to the sides has been my biggest change since my big hair disasters in the 70's and 80's.
I already trim the back of my longish hair, as well as trimming my bangs. I cut dh's and dc's hair, so I have tools, but only amateur hair-cutting experience. Dd is SO much better at haircutting, so she's probably cringing as she reads this!
I'd love to know if anyone has successfully used this haircutting method! I'm SO ready for a change ~ but it needs to be stress-free, maintenance-free and just plain FREE!
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 8:02pm | IP Logged
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I've only done it for trimming the ends of long hair that I want one length more or less.
My suggestion is to try it out but only cut off HALF of what you think you want gone. See how it comes out.. if good then you can do it again and cut it to the length you want.. and if not it's not so short you can't find another way to get it how you'd like.
Also, be sure you're getting your efa's like flax seed oil, fish oil etc. Your body need good oils to produce the oils needed to protect/nourish your hair.. also washing your hair with warm (not hot) water so that you're not stripping the hair of all it's oils helps too.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 8:19pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Jodie! I've increased my intake of fish oil 3-6-9 and have also been taking biotin, and of course B100 complex for stress. I hadn't thought about the effects of hot water, great tip. Surprisingly, my hair has been more oily than when I was younger. I think I need to try some of the tips in the "no poo" thread! I like the idea of starting longer and trying again if it works out well! Thanks again for the ideas! I just found several sites that suggest layered hair is more flattering as we age, so I'm working up the courage to give it a go! I wonder if St. Joan of Arc would be a good patron saint for cutting hair?
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Angie Mc
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Servant, I've been cutting my hair by this method for a few years now - LOVE IT! Once cut, I wash in the morning, twist it in the back to dry during the day, that night I curl it. I avoid using all hair dryers and heated appliances on my hair. I use quite a few products to condition and am content.
Be sure to twist it one way, cut, then twist it the other direction and cut again. Then I tend to pull my hair in front of my face and trim thin ends. My hair is very forgiving (relatively thick and wavy) if that matters.
Right now my hair is a bit too long...but I love, love, love having the POW of short for Easter!
Keep us posted!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 8:53pm | IP Logged
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Servant2theKing wrote:
| I wonder if St. Joan of Arc would be a good patron saint for cutting hair? |
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Or St. Catherine of Sienna.
I've done it. Cut layers into my own hair, I mean. I don't anymore, but only because I finally found a nice lady who is literally right around the corner and does a great job on my hair and isn't expensive. But, before that (and even now...in between haircuts), I cut my own hair.
I have a couple of suggestions for you:
** Do try to cut some layers in. Layers add bounce and swing and even if they're not perfect they give some lift and texture and snip off dead ends. My hair is wavy and cutting it while wet and with conditioner in the hair helps me. I don't do anything precise - honestly, sometimes I just chip right into the hair with my scissors wherever my hair looks kind of *bulky*. Layered hair is very forgiving anyway because by definition it has movement and isn't even everywhere.
** Don't go shorter than shoulder length. Shoulder length is short enough to give bounce and lift, to be flattering around the face, and still long enough for a clip.
** For a nice look with layers, just blow dry smooth (gentle on the heat if you're dealing with breakage), and tuck the sides behind your ears. Wear a pair of pretty earrings - done! 
** DO -- DO -- DO get someone ( a teen down the street, your daughter over video chat, the nice lady in the grocery store) to teach you how to sweep your hair up in a big clip if you've never done it before. (This is not hard by the way!!! Just brush hair gently into a ponytail shape to the middle back of your head, twist the ponytail around your finger like you might be starting to make a bun, keep twisting into a bun shape, and clip right over the bun shape. It doesn't have to be perfect - the clip will contain the hair) WHY? Because it's so easy to wear that way and can be very flattering and super low maintenance! Also, if your hair is a little stressed a clip can help it recover by keeping it back and not brushed as often because you can just sweep it up gently in a big clip - no drying, no fixing, no muss, not in your face. The clip is SERIOUSLY your friend! You can even add a little leave-in conditioner on the ends of your hair and then just let your bangs be natural and wispy and pull the body of your hair (still a little damp) up in a clip.
 to you, Servant! Life has been very full for you lately, I know! And you remain in my prayers! A cut like this can be lifting and need not be perfect! I'm cheering for you as you go for the scissors!!!!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 9:14pm | IP Logged
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Be sure to twist it one way, cut, then twist it the other direction and cut again. Then I tend to pull my hair in front of my face and trim thin ends. My hair is very forgiving (relatively thick and wavy) if that matters.
Angie, can you please, please, elaborate? The videos I found didn't mention anything about twisting the hair! The lonely, only stray hairtie in our entire house just broke when I was trying to figure out HOW to go about this (we scrupulously rid our house of any & all rubberbands, due to a dear friend's latex allergies, so I felt blessed that dd, or one of our granddaughters, had left it behind)) ~ which can only mean I was just about to go about this ALL the WRONG way!
I WAS encouraged by the change in my hair from just pulling it all up into the ponytail, then seeing some layers as it fell and the lift it gave my hair, giving me a strong feeling this may just work well for me after all. Please, do share more about "twisting it one way and then twisting it the other direction"! I'm not clear on when and where to cut when I'm twisting what this way or that? Have I ever mentioned that I'm left-handed and severely directionally impaired? I need things to be very detailed and very specific for my feeble mind to grasp the details! Must be one of the reasons I find videos so incredibly helpful! I need all the help I can get here!
I'm off to bed, but eagerly await further instruction, before diligently searching for a substitute for the severed hair tie in the morning, ASAP (or BILMN ~ Before I Lose My Nerve)
(I don't want be VOWS for Easter ~ Victim of Wayward Scissors!) TIA!!!!
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 9:22pm | IP Logged
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 ...
I have company this week so may not get back to this topic as soon as I would like. If I'm going to elaborate, I want to do a thorough job! But, honestly, I don't think this is as big of a move as it may initially feel like. I find this cut to be very forgiving and subtle. Sorry to leave you hanging, but I need to get back to company .
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Jen for the wonderful ideas! Your tips and suggestions are just the encouragement I need! I love the thought of layers, since life seems so very layered lately as it is! And I love the concept that layered hair leaves room for imperfection!
I've actually been in the habit of using large barrettes to put my hair up in a loose French twist type style for years, but I'm afraid it may have possibly worsening the baldness issue. The spot where I always clipped my hair is the exact place where the silver dollar size bare spot has developed. I haven't been putting my hair up since, for fear of worsening the problem. I'm pretty sure the problem isn't solely due to the barrettes, since my mother would get similar bald spots whenever she was under extreme stress. The male sector of my family is anxiouosly awaiting the arrival of all the tiny grey hairs that are slowly sprouting in the middle of my bald spot ~ they tell me I'll be the only person they know with a white or grey stripe on the back of their head!
I'm hoping all these lovely tips will help me get beyond thinking of it as the end of my hair as I once knew it, to a brand new look (and hopefully a brand new outlook to go with it)!
Didn't St. Catherine of Siena cut her hair off to be unappealing to suitors? Since I already have the love of my life, it should be alright to invoke BOTH St. Joan of Arc and St. Catherine of Siena, especially since St. Catherine is dd's Confirmation patron and oldest ds's birthday falls on her feastday!
Praying for all of you dear ladies, as well! May God and His angels bless you all with sweet, holy dreams!
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 10:25pm | IP Logged
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St. Catherine of Siena would be my saint of choice, because she always knew what she wanted and could convince others to go along with her. (Plus, her head is still preserved as a relic in Siena...I've seen it...and she looks pretty good after all these years.) (I also visited her childhood home and saw the steps on which she used to play and say the rosary...what a happy day that was for me!)
St. Clare had her hair cut off as a symbol of her devotion to Christ and her wish to found an order of nuns in the Franciscan tradition.
Layers do give lift, bounce and a more youthful appearance, and if you feel really girly you can curl them...it takes a while, but I love the result when I curl mine. It's a fun change.
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 9:05am | IP Logged
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I've cut my own hair for years. Sometimes I use the ponytail method, sometimes I don't. I always put layers in. I'm not Angie and I know she'll get back with an explanation, but I think maybe part of what she means is that if you pull the ponytail in only one direction (say centered exactly between the left and right halves of your head), the hair won't come out the same length. The back will be shorter than the sides next to your face. Does that make sense? The back was closest to the ponytail rubber band so it will be shorter than the sides that had further to go to reach the ponytail. Some may like it that way (a kind of bob, I guess). If not, you can center the ponytail and then hand cut the sides to make it even or you could do another ponytail on each side. Or you can do two ponytails from the beginning -- one towards the left half of your head and one towards the right. Does that help?
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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Thank you Nancy and Janette. I'm still working up the courage to do this, and searching for another hair tie. I might start with a longer ponytail in the middle, then do one on each side for shorter layers, but I may just wait until Angie can give an explanation of the twisting concept. I don't mean to be difficult about this subject ~ dealing with hair throws me into a panic. I SO need something worry-free.
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SallyT
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 2:36pm | IP Logged
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I've done this off and on for years to my thick, coarse, wavy/curly hair. The best results I've gotten have been when I've pulled my hair into a fairly tight, even ponytail on top of my head, then bent over and trimmed the ends. Generally I just trim whatever's dead and crunchy and make the ponytail end, which is naturally tapered, even. If I want more length off, I typically wait a day or so (to be sure I want to cut more), then go at it again. My self-haircuts are always a process kind of thing!
Doing a centered ponytail on top of my head does ensure that things are even and cuts subtle layers into the bottom of my hair. This method puts more layers in the front than the back, leaving the back longer.
A ponytail on the back of the head (centered between top and bottom and both sides) does produce more of a bobbed cut, with the front hair longer and the layers mostly in the back, which can be very nice. But I know what Angie's talking about! Unless someone else can stand behind you and cut it for you, you either have to divide the ponytail into two sections and cut first the right and then the left, or you have to pull the whole ponytail first to the right, and trim it even, then to the left and do the same. Even then, I've never been sure I was getting it right. Fortunately I've got that forgiving hair!
Dividing your hair into two ponytails will create a longer section in the middle of the back, like a dip in your hair. Generally, no matter what I do, I have that kind of taper in my hair when I cut it myself -- that's the hardest thing about self-haircutting, dealing with the hair in the middle at the back. When you pull your hair around to the front to get at it, that very back hair is longer than the hair at the front because it's coming from farther away, if that makes sense.
NB: Make sure your scissors are really, really, really sharp, like professional barber's scissors. If they're dull, then your ends won't be cut cleanly (I once heard someone describe this as the "rat chewed the ends of your hair" look). Wavy hair is forgiving for sure, even of dull scissors, but it'll look better and neater and more professional if you're careful about your scissors.
I too have had a bald spot -- it was about the size of my then-6-year-old daughter's hand on the back of my head. Erk. The hair initially grew in very blonde (my hair is medium brown, and has gotten darker as I've started to go gray), which was a little startling, but quickly changed to my natural color. I still have some of that blonde far down towards the ends of my hair, and the last lady who cut my hair commented on it. She knew exactly what had caused it, and said, "Oh, you must have been under stress."
Again, as everyone else has said, trim just a little at a time. You can always cut more, and the luxury of a home haircut is that it can last a week if you need it to, to get things just the way you want.
Good luck!
Sally
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JodieLyn
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If your hair is long enough when you trim it. make a pony tail at the base of your neck and then slide the pony tail holder down the ponytail toward the end and then bending the hair around to the side letting the part above the ponytail holder not stay smooth.. you can get that middle back more even.. but the shorter your hair is the harder that will be.
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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Servant2theKing
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Well, I bit the bullet! This morning I remembered we have some giant non-latex rubberbands, that I bought when we were purchasing school supplies (we use them to keep DVDs or CDs attached to the inner spine of books) I simply doubled one, then used it like a regular hair tie or rubberband ~ one neg. issue was that I couldn't slide it along my hair without pulling hair out, so I just secured them where I knew I wanted them and used two at first! I ended up starting at the front and did three cuts altogether, moving back with each successive cut. The back was a little longer than I thought I wanted it, but since my normally slightly wavy hair is producing nice loose curls, especially the more I scrunch them while my hair is drying, I'm leaving it for now!
Sally, how interesting that your hair grew in a different color and that the person who cut your hair knew you's been under stress! Were you by any chance blonde as a child?
I can't thank you all enough for the encouragement! My hair feels so much lighter and healthier! I can't wait to show dh ~ he's away for work, then staying with his mom while she finishes up Intensive Therapy!
Thank you all so very much! May God bless your lives, just as you have blessed mine, time and time again, with your encouragement, wisdom and support!
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SallyT
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No, I wasn't blonde as a child -- I've actually had a couple of hairdressers comment on that spot as it's grown out (calling it a "color spot," or something like that) and assure me that it's a normal thing to have happen, weird color and all.
Good for you for going for it! Taking some length off can feel so good, and I love just-cut ends. Congratulations!
Sally
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 8:14pm | IP Logged
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Congratulations!  
I'm happy it worked out and that you like the cut!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Does anyone cut their own hair?
