We’ve all been there. You know, those bad (like really bad) hair days where you’re at a loss on how to style your locks anymore. Even the best volumizing shampoos, foaming hair mousses and styling treatments may falter on you out of the blue.
But sometimes, it boils down to hair maintenance. Getting your hair trimmed every few weeks is best practice (long live the days of split ends that we don’t want) and, even handier? Learning how to properly cut your hair at home.
“If you are tempted to cut your own hair, the best tip I can give is less is more!” Carrie Capalbo, stylist at Salon YOSHIKO Palm Beach who has worked with Emilio Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Michael Kors, told the New York Post. “Trimming your hair a little longer than the desired length. Cutting your own hair is tricky and if you make a mistake, it will give you leeway to fix it. Keep in mind that if you are cutting your hair wet, it will be shorter once it dries.”
Ahead, Capalbo hand-picked the very best hair-cutting scissors on the market, along with sharing a step-by-step guide on how to cut your hair with scissors at home, and more, in our in-depth FAQ section. We also put in the rigorous research work ourselves to provide even more we’d recommend, based on Capalbo’s expertise.
While you’re at it, take a look at the best hair removal products on the market to kick your grooming routine into full-speed.
Expert-Recommended Picks
1. Tweezerman Stainless 2000 Styling Shears, $26
“Made by the beloved brand Tweezerman, this is a great scissor for beginners, gives great control,” Capalbo notes. It’s also backed by an acclaimed grooming brand (side note: we’re obsessed with its tweezers) and think it’s a fairly priced pair for the quality.
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2. Equinox Professional Razor Edge Japanese Stainless Steel Scissors, $20
“Made of Japanese Steel, these are lightweight and has a fine point which means you can add texture to the hair,” Capalbo notes, highlighting the importance of looking for easy-to-grip hair-cutting scissors.
Plus, the Equinox Professional Razor Edge Japanese Stainless Steel Scissors are backed by more than 45,000 rave reviews for being “easy to use” and “easy to hold” – landing them a premier spot as a No. 1 Amazon best-seller.
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3. Kinsaro 6″ Professional Hair-Cutting Scissors, $40, original price: $56
“These are a great investment, extremely sharp giving you complete control of your cuts,” Capalbo notes. The Kinsaro 6″ Professional Hair-Cutting Scissors are also less than $50 and backed by more than 2,000 positive reviews for its supreme comfort and excellent value for the money.
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4. fa*gaci Professional Hair-Cutting Scissors, $63, original price: $82
One thing Capalbo recommends: purchasing a pair of hair-cutting scissors “forged from the finest Japanese steel.” The fa*gaci Professional Hair-Cutting Scissors offers you the comfort, durability and precision that’s needed to achieve the best haircut, too. This pair comes with a lifetime warranty, applauded by nearly 3,000 positive reviews for being “comfortable and easy to hold” and are a worthwhile investment.
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New York Post Shopping-Recommended Picks
1. JAVENPROLIU Professional Hair-Cutting Shears, $9, original price: $16
For the budget-minded shopper, pick up the JAVENPROLIU Professional Hair-Cutting Shears. You won’t spend more than $15 on them and they’re sure to get the job done — and get the job done well.
Even better, more than 14,000 at-home stylists love this pair, with one saying they’re “sharp scissors,” and a professional hair-stylist saying, “These shears do just as good of a job cutting hair as the very expensive shears I have bought for years!“
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2. Sirabe 10-Piece Hair-Cutting Scissors Set, $20, original price: $36
Pick up a 10-piece grooming set from Amazon to get the biggest bang for your buck. With this Sirabe bundle, you’ll find a pair of micro-serrated scissors, a pair of conventional scissors, two clips, a comb, a salon cape, a cleaning cloth, thinning comb, a collection bag and a regulator. Nearly 14,000 satisfied customers would recommend it along with us.
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3. ULG Hair-Cutting Scissors, $16, original price: $26
Shop the ULG Hair-Cutting Scissors for a less-than-$25 item on Amazon. With 20,000+ reviews, this Japanese steel-forged pair is a barber-recommended material, with this pair being ultra-sharp. More, they’re apt for beginners and experienced hair-trimmers alike.
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An FAQ on Hair-Cutting Scissors
Ahead, our professional barber expert shared the 411 on what to look for in a quality pair of hair-cutting scissors, along with how to appropriately trim and tame your hair at home.
What to look for in a pair of hair-cutting scissors, according to a barber
According to Capalbo, there are two important factors when shopping for shears: material and blade type.
“The material is crucial and it determines the durability and sharpness of the blades,” she tells The Post. “It’s best to purchase high-quality stainless steel or Japanese steel.”
There are also two types of blades to choose from: beveled and convex. “Beveled blades are for beginners and are more affordable,” she explains. “Convex blades are much sharper and are ideal for professionals!”
What different types of hair-cutting scissors can I buy?
Hair-cutting scissors can be a worthy investment, and Capalbo suggests doing your research because you can get bombarded with different choices.
“Typically for haircutting, you’ll find a short-bladed cutting scissor and a long-bladed scissor,” she notes. “There’s also a variety of blending, thinning and texturizing scissors. All of these scissors are designed for a specific purpose or effect.”
Please keep in mind that not all hair shears are created equally so take your time and choose wisely.
How to cut your hair with scissors at home, according to an expert
If you’re going to cut, it’s important to have the right tools on hand (which is why you should purchase one of the top options above). “Regular scissors are not sharp enough and can push or pull the hair when cutting,” Capalbo says. “This will create crooked lines and will be hard to fix.”
Here’s how to cut your hair, step-by-step:
- Start with clean, dry, styled hair. This will give you a clear and realistic vision of the cut.
- Work in small sections and cut little by little. Just remember you can always go back and cut more, but once it is cut, it is gone.
- Be extra careful with bangs. Section them out with a triangular shape and don’t use too much tension when determining the length.
- Always start at the front working on any face-framing layers, this will show you where your hair will land and give you a guide for the rest of your haircut.
“There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube demonstrating how to cut your own hair,” Capalbo advises. “Find someone that has a cut similar to yours and make sure that the tutorial is hosted by a licensed professional.”
What size hair-cutting scissors should I buy?
It is all about control and comfort. The more control you have over the scissors, the better the cut will be.
“Control allows you to give a more precise haircut,” Capalbo says. “You also have to consider the size of your hand. I have a slightly larger hand for a female, so I feel most confident using a scissor that has a 5 ½ to a 6-inch blade.”
What’s the difference between hair-cutting scissors and regular scissors?
“Professional hair-cutting shears are made of high-quality steel that is harder and has a sharper edge,” Capalbo explains. “Hair-cutting scissors have one standard finger hole, which will allow you to apply enhanced force while cutting.”
More, regular scissors are made from rough steel and are not gentle on your hair. “The finger hole is larger and allows you to insert two to three fingers which does not give the same type of control,” she adds. “Using regular scissors can promote split ends and can pull your hair when trying to cut them.”
Do you cut hair when it’s wet or dry?
Cutting hair wet provides a great deal of control, according to Capalbo. It allows the stylist to accurately trim your hair and give a precise shape to your style.
“The moisture in wet hair helps to detangle the hair and helps to give a blunt edge,” she adds. “Wet hair cutting is great for someone that has high-density hair or coarse hair.”
If you have natural curls or waves, go for a dry cut. “This is a great technique to create movement in the hair,” Capalbo tips off. “This allows the stylist to pay attention to your curls and cut them in a way that enhances those beautiful curls!”
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