DIY haircut (women's long hair)

[meg_shannon]

I've cut my hair once, about four months ago, and it turned out pretty well. However, I can't find the tutorial I used, and after a few google/youtube searches I'm not finding what I want.

Any ladies (or guys with long hair), have any good video or photo tutorials to offer or link to? I have long hair, almost mid back, no bangs. It's really thick, and I would like to have some layers, but nothing "face framing." Basically everything within a few inches of the same length. I've worn my hair like this for years, and it's ridiculous how long I've gone to salons for a super basic cut.

Thank you.

[MrsDinero]

I use the pony tail method.  Super simple and takes about 5 minutes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLqRMH5nlcA&nohtml5=False

[Kitsune]

While we're on the haircut topic... My toddler needs a haircut, and I'd rather not take her to a salon. Any haircut-for-toddler tutorials?

[lbonga1]

I use the ponytail method too. If you put the ponytail at the crown of your head, you'll get some layers in the back but not really any face-framing ones.

@Kitsune, I just cut my 3 year old's hair today. Her hair is fairly thin, so it probably took me all of five minutes to cut it straight across. I just dampen it, then use a comb to grab small sections and compare the length as I go along. What kind of hair does your toddler have?

[thingamabobs]

Www.howtohairgirl.com

[Altons Bobs]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmQhv6Uw1g

[Kitsune]

I use the ponytail method too. If you put the ponytail at the crown of your head, you'll get some layers in the back but not really any face-framing ones.

@Kitsune, I just cut my 3 year old's hair today. Her hair is fairly thin, so it probably took me all of five minutes to cut it straight across. I just dampen it, then use a comb to grab small sections and compare the length as I go along. What kind of hair does your toddler have?

Thin and straight, and still relatively short. I might give that a try! (Mostly it's just growing too long in back and starting to look mullet-like, which... nope. So if I can even that out, maybe a little layered, she'll look fine.) It's that easy?

My mom always took us to the salon as toddlers, which... I'm trying not to repeat parenting patterns. $$$$$.

[Altons Bobs]

It is that easy, I've done it a few times already.

[meg_shannon]

I ended up kind of using the ponytail method. I didn't want as much layering at the method with the ponytail on your forehead. So I used pigtails to trim my hair, basically leaving it blunt, and then gathered the hair on my crown into a ponytail on the top/middle of my head and trimmed a bit more. This way the layers are super long, basically just so my hair isn't blunt. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, and I think I'll pick up some thinning/finishing shears to texturize the ends the next time I cut my hair. They're about 20$, but I've already not spent 80-100$ on haircuts by cutting my own. I figure better tools will keep me going.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions!

[Gimesalot]

... I think I'll pick up some thinning/finishing shears to texturize the ends the next time I cut my hair. They're about 20$, but I've already not spent 80-100$ on haircuts by cutting my own. I figure better tools will keep me going.

You can texturize by using regular shears and cutting into the hair parallel instead of across/ perpendicular. 

[meg_shannon]

... I think I'll pick up some thinning/finishing shears to texturize the ends the next time I cut my hair. They're about 20$, but I've already not spent 80-100$ on haircuts by cutting my own. I figure better tools will keep me going.

You can texturize by using regular shears and cutting into the hair parallel instead of across/ perpendicular.

I did that. I just have a lot of hair and it took a while. I also cut my daughter's hair and as she gets older she will probably be more particular about her haircuts.

[aprilm]

I know you already cut your hair, but maybe you can use this in the future. I use this video when I cut my hair, and it always turns out looking great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLFBhCOVx4E

[jooles]

Thanks for this thread.   Great resources.  I've been on a budget hair cut kick for about 7 years.  My hair is long (mid-back).  Mostly I just put it up.  Twice a year when I visit my sister I let my 11 year old niece give me a 1 inch trim.  She's thrilled by cutting my hair and looks forward to every chance to do so.  I haven't had a read haircut in 7 years.  Back when she was too little to cut my hair I was trimming it myself, but it's so much more fun to let her do it.  Now her younger brother (age 8) wants to get in on the action so they have to share the task of cutting my hair.