Cutting Long Straightish Asian Female Hair

March 21, 2020 9:44 PM

I am looking for a good, clear and simple tutorial with pictures of real women or video that will teach me how to trim my own hair straight across my back.

I have long, thick, slightly wavy Asian female hair with no bangs. I keep this no-hairstyle hairstyle for its low maintenance, it's normally in a bun and I get the ends trimmed professionally a few times a year. Not me but pretty close, except my hair is shorter (bra-strap length) and a teeny bit naturally wavy.

Long Asian hair stock photo

I had planned to get my hair cut at the hair salon but then the virus happened. I have been wanting to learn how to cut my hair myself for a long time because my hairstyle is so simple, no layers no bangs and all I need is to get the ends trimmed to keep things neat. I always chickened out last minute for fear of messing things up but since the virus is not going away anytime soon, it is giving me the kick in the butt I need.

I am hoping that if I can learn to DIY, I can save the money for something more meaningful in the future even after the pandemic is over.

I already have bought professional hairdressing scissors and thought I might as well use this as an opportunity to learn how to be more self-sufficient.

Help? The tutorial does not need to feature Asian females, I think any female with long, straight and unlayered hair without bangs will do.

posted by whitelotus to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

Response by poster: Forgot to say the hairdresser had actually cut my hair so the end looks gently rounded across my back instead of a severe straight line across but I think this effect may be too difficult for someone cutting their own hair with zero hairdressing experience? Is this too ambitious?

Something like this
posted by whitelotus at 9:54 PM on March 21, 2020

Maybe try what's known as the "unicorn layered" hairstyle?

Infographic style tutorial here (with extra step for layers, which it sounds like you don't need).
posted by lollusc at 11:02 PM on March 21, 2020 [2 favorites]

So I’ve been researching cutting my own hair and the curve is the most likely outcome because you invariably have to move your hair round your head and your head is curved. There are any number of videos on YouTube that explain techniques. Perhaps stay away from the ones where people use the kitchen scissors or nail scissors....and find something that makes sense to you.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:48 AM on March 22, 2020

Best answer: Hi! I cut my own hair all the time. The easiest method is this one. Option 1 gives you the rounded result.

You need good scissors -- they need to be sharp! Sewing or even really good nail scissors will do in a pinch.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:21 AM on March 22, 2020 [4 favorites]

I'm a guy with shorter hair but hasn't gone to a barber in 20 years or so. I use electric clippers because I'm a brute. I basically do the same ponytail(s) and chop of the end thing as the previous videos.

My hair isn't that long so I can't bring it around to the front, and like to shave the back of my head/neck a bit (some under cutting). The easiest way I've found to do that is to use a belt. I bend over and brush my hair forwards, wrap a belt tightly around my neck and move it up my head until it's at the line I want. Then the clippers can just follow the bottom of the belt.

If you had some help, you could do the same to get a straight cut across your back. On a good hair day you strip, wrap a belt around, and depending on your limberness have somebody help to snip the hair that's below the edge of the belt.
posted by zengargoyle at 5:42 AM on March 22, 2020