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Author Topic: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)  (Read 7738 times)

schmiecs

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I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« on: June 12, 2014, 10:55:43 AM »
We've been slowly reducing our lifestyle costs over the last few years. One thing I couldn't find a way around was pricey ($40-$50) haircuts. I'd tried going to Great Clips or other cheap places, but would end up nearly in tears at how bad they were. I don't particularly enjoy getting my haircut anyway, so I'd stretch out the time between visits, which was at least reducing the cost. I had to miss my last few appointments for various reasons and my hair had gotten seriously long, way longer than I usually have it. Long enough to try this:

http://www.howtohairgirl.com/2013/01/5-diy-haircuts-to-try-today/
(I tried #1)

And I'm amazed! It came out great, much much better than I expected. Husband agrees (although, it would take a brave man to tell his wife her haircut looked awful. :) ). Only took about 5 minutes.

I also decided to stop coloring it. I'd gone from salon color to dying it at home, but given the rate it grows and the amount of gray I have now, it wasn't really effective. Pretty much days after coloring, the gray would be showing. (And I'm only in my 30s, so it can only go downhill). Now I'm starting the long process of growing out and cutting off the old color.

So now my only recurring hair cost is my shampoo and conditioner.
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NinetyFour

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2014, 11:08:58 AM »
Awesome--good for you!

I bought Wahl clippers and have been cutting my own hair for about 2 years.  I don't always do a great job, and I don't really enjoy doing it, but it sure beats spending money to go have it cut somewhere else.  And I LOVE seeing $0 in the "Hair" column in my spending spreadsheet!
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schmiecs

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2014, 11:38:32 AM »
Thanks!

We even had a pair of hairdressing scissors around from a clippers kit my husband bought a few years ago, so it literally cost me nothing.
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NinetyFour

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2014, 11:54:57 AM »
Nice!
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gimp

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2014, 12:01:22 PM »
Last time I paid for a haircut, they were terrible. How does someone who cuts hair for a living fuck up a 1/2" buzz cut? Jesus christ.

So I just paid $20 for clippers and cut my hair myself now. About two-three years. I usually mess up a little and notice a few long hairs when I'm done but nobody else notices, so another 5-minute fix job fixes it.
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schimt

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2014, 12:23:03 PM »
I have been cutting my own hair for a long time, but the other day my girlfriend sent me a picture and said "new hair cut" told her it looked good. When I saw her later that day i asked where she went for it and she told me she did it herself! I was floored, I never mentioned the idea or expected that from her.

Congrats on some savings and knowing you will get what you want! The best part is you can trim it when ever you want now.
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Piper

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2014, 12:40:14 PM »
Thanks for the sweet link! Looks easy enough. I just started cutting my own hair. Done it twice now. First time came out great. Not quite as awesome the second time but not hideous. I just love not having to go to the salon with the whole small-talk awkwardness and pricey cost. I'll try the #5 cut next time.
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NinetyFour

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2014, 12:43:54 PM »
You inspired me, schmeics!  I just cut my hair--have been putting it off for several days.  Came out pretty well, but I will have to remember to use sunscreen on the back of my neck, as the skin back there hasn't been exposed to sun for a few weeks!

I should weigh myself now, as I'm pretty sure I lost a pound or so with the haircut!
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JT

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2014, 07:29:30 PM »
Wow!  This is really exciting - thanks for the link!

I broke my shoulder last year (falling off the bike!!!) and couldn't manage my hair with one arm.

So asked for a supremely short hair cut!  It's been growing out so nicely that the supremely short hair cut was my last hair cut!  And that was June last year!!!! 

Never would have thought about cutting my own hair, but just did thanks to your post!  And it looks good!

Thanks for sharing!
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schmiecs

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2014, 06:37:42 AM »
Wow, I'm psyched that a couple of you guys also cut your hair!

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SJS

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2014, 05:49:08 PM »
Good job! Always amazes me the $$ my girlfriends spend on having their hair "done" (cut, color, highlights, etc.)  $100+.   I found a great stylist who only charges me $16 for a cut and I tip her $4 for $20 total.  I get so many freaking compliments on my hair it's funny - I've also sent her many new clients!  Cheapest & easiest hair cut I've had in my life.  And sometimes I'll have my hubby highlight it for me - and he really does a great job!  He cuts his own hair with the clippers, so our hair expense is very minimal. 
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ch12

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2014, 06:27:43 PM »
After Mr. Money Mustache mentioned that Mrs. Money Mustache cuts her hair, I went searching on Youtube for the technique he mentioned. It's 3 on the list. I've cut my own hair since moving to the state where I live.

A few days ago, I did #1, thinking that I invented it myself. :) 3 left my bangs just a tiny bit too short to fit into a normal ponytail, so I didn't want to screw stuff up when my bangs finally grew back.

Worth mentioning that there's a step where you condition your hair before gathering it up and snipping.
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Lian

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2014, 09:28:45 PM »
I get my hair cut in a short, layered cut 2 - 3 times a year. It's pricey, but I've never gotten a good cut at Great Clips or the other cheap places.  I'm due for another cut - I checked out the how to hair link, and found a few others for cutting your own hair short, so I'm ready to try it.  It's only hair - if I mess it up, it will grow out.
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carozy

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #13 on: June 14, 2014, 11:29:27 PM »
Thank you for posting that link.  I tried it a month ago and really liked the results.  I'm going to keep cutting it myself.
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1967mama

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2014, 01:37:12 AM »
I keep my curly hair in a bob (somewhere between my chin and shoulders) and have had it colored about 3 times in the past.  I hated the cost of coloring, hated the time it took to get it done, and found it grew out very quickly and roots were showing after 5 weeks.  I also didn't think much of the long term damage the coloring chemicals could be doing to my hair.

Sooo....now I cut my own hair and have my husband check for evenness like other posters. I have also opted to let it go grey gradually and surprisingly, I have gotten compliments on my hair "color." My guess is that so few women in their late 40's leave their hair natural that its unusual to see flashes of grey. Most days, I don't mind my greys! haha!

(Edited a typo)
« Last Edit: June 15, 2014, 01:58:26 AM by 1967mama »
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The Borgs

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2014, 01:47:53 AM »
I stopped colouring about 5 years ago, I've been going grey since 18, but had covered it up until past 30. Funny enough, how it grows looks a bit like highlights.

On and off I've cut my hair myself (with the help of my husband). More recently that's been pretty daring, since I've gone for a short and choppy cut. We went to an event recently and I had 2 compliments on it, so we can't have done a bad job. Just scissors and patience.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2014, 04:11:50 AM by The Borgs »
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TexasAggie

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2014, 05:33:29 AM »
My 13-year-old son is interested in cutting hair and different hair styles, so I bought him a set of Wahl clippers.  He has been on YouTube the last couple of weeks looking at different hair-cutting techniques.  I went out in the back yard last night and let him cut my hair.  He did a really good job.  ~$20 saved!

The funny part is that our next-door neighbor heard the clippers running and texted my wife to find out if her son and husband could get their hair cut by my son.  He is excited to have more "customers"!
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nikki

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2014, 06:01:56 AM »
I did #3 on the page you posted a couple weeks ago. I was a bit too proud of myself, I think, considering how easy it really was.

I think my hair looks great, but my standards are really low, so I probably wouldn't be able to tell if it didn't look good bahaha!
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NinetyFour

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2014, 07:30:03 AM »
Quote from: TexasAggie on June 15, 2014, 05:33:29 AM
My 13-year-old son is interested in cutting hair and different hair styles, so I bought him a set of Wahl clippers.  He has been on YouTube the last couple of weeks looking at different hair-cutting techniques.  I went out in the back yard last night and let him cut my hair.  He did a really good job.  ~$20 saved!

The funny part is that our next-door neighbor heard the clippers running and texted my wife to find out if her son and husband could get their hair cut by my son.  He is excited to have more "customers"!

That's great! Is he going to start charging a little something?  Or at least set up a tip jar?  ;-)
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Neustache

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2014, 07:37:45 AM »
Thank you for posting that link! I did the #3!  Life changing! I hate the hassle of going to get mine done, so I rarely go.
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robotclown

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #20 on: June 15, 2014, 07:54:49 PM »
I've been cutting my own hair for almost a decade (but I've had a buzz cut the entire time, so it's not much work.)

I started with the Wahl clippers, but they're not all that good.  I went to a hair salon and bought Andis clippers to replace them.  They cost a bit more, but I've been using the same ones for 7 years and they still work the same as when I bought them.  Which makes sense, since they're made for doing multiple haircuts a day and I use mine once a week at most.
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schmiecs

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #21 on: June 16, 2014, 10:32:10 AM »
For those of you ladies who cut your own hair short, can you share any links to how-tos you recommend? When I posted on Facebook that I'd done this, a friend of mine said she was dying to cut her own hair into a pixie cut.

I totally agree that my grays are growing out like highlights - I don't regret it for a minute. I regret not doing it years ago!

Another great thing I've noticed is that now that I've cut all that dead weight off (I think I took about 3 inches off), I don't need conditioner any more. One less expense!
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1967mama

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #22 on: June 16, 2014, 02:22:38 PM »
My curly hair is all one length, below my chin. I just cut it as straight as I can, and because its curly, its forgiving! haha
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The Borgs

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #23 on: June 16, 2014, 03:32:19 PM »
Quote from: schmiecs on June 16, 2014, 10:32:10 AM
For those of you ladies who cut your own hair short, can you share any links to how-tos you recommend? When I posted on Facebook that I'd done this, a friend of mine said she was dying to cut her own hair into a pixie cut.

I didn't use a how to guide for mine. I found the key was to go slow, check every bit along the way, cut less rather than more (since you can always cut more later) and to try not to worry. I got another compliment on mine yesterday, home cutting 3 - hairdressers 0!
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Gerard

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Re: I cut my own hair! (and stopped coloring)
« Reply #24 on: June 16, 2014, 07:29:27 PM »
There's different quality levels of clippers. After burning through super-cheap ones a couple of times, I finally bought a better Wahl model ($60 in Canada) at a real hairdresser supply shop, and have been really happy with them. I've also been a lot more scrupulous about cleaning and oiling them and not keeping them in my humid bathroom since I got the good ones. I'm not sure that reflects well on me.

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