Community Corner
Don't Attempt An At-Home Haircut Without These Products
Can't get to the salon? With these shears, clippers and root touchup sprays, you can achieve a fresh DIY 'do without leaving the house.
With so many salons and barbershops closed, a lot of us are in serious need of a haircut. Now is not the time to do anything drastic to your 'do (in other words, don't decide on a whim you want to cut full bangs!), but a little DIY trim can help you look and feel better.
We've rounded up some tips and top products for an easy quarantine cut. And just remember: Even if you mess up, hair grows back.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Patch may earn a small commission.
Start with the right scissors.
Regular household scissors aren't as sharp as those designed specifically for cutting hair. A dull blade can cause split ends and result in jagged cuts.
While there are some professional quality hair-cutting scissors that can cost upward of hundreds of dollars, there are plenty of affordable options for those of us who just want to neatly trim our own tresses. MASTER GO, for example, makes an ergonomically designed cutting scissor that sells for just $19.99. With a length of 6.5 inches, this hair cutting scissor makes it easy to get a safe and precise cut.
If you're more advanced and plan to thin sections of hair, consider getting a hair cutting scissor set that includes thinning shears and a razor comb. PLYRFOCE makes a kit that includes these essentials plus clips and cape.
Related: See More Top-Rated Hair-Cutting Shears
Use caution with the clippers.
Hair clippers can help you achieve a closer cut. To avoid cutting too much hair (or even accidentally stripping off a portion of hair entirely), just make sure to use a blade that's the right size for the cut you want to make.
SUPRENT makes easy-to-use cordless hair clippers with six different blades for precision length control. You can use these clippers on wet or dry hair.
Related: See More Top-Rated Hair Clippers
Get the right accessories.
If possible, ask a family member in quarantine with you to help cut your hair. They'll obviously have a better view of what the cut looks like from multiple angles; and they may have steadier hands, as it's not their 'do on the line.
Regardless of whether the haircut is a one- or two-person job, you'll want to wear a cape to avoid getting covered in tiny pieces of hair. Short, cut hairs can get under your clothes and be extremely itchy. A machine-washable barber cape like this one from VETUZA is an easy way to protect clothing against hair, dyes and styling products.
If you have longer hair and a lot of it, trim it section by section. Section off the hair you're not cutting using strong, nonslip clips like these from AIMIKE. They have a silicone band design that doesn't snag or damage hair, and a 12-pack costs just $13.99.
Color with caution.
Debuting a new quarantine hue can be a fun change and instant mood booster. But if you've already used bleach or other permanent dyes on your hair, proceed with caution. Applying new color to already over-processed hair can leave it dry and brittle, and the end color may not look anything like what you expected.
That said, Amazon sells a huge variety of at-home hair coloring kits. If you're not sure which one is close to your natural color or will complement your hair in its current state, give your stylist a call. He or she may be able to recommend a specific brand and color to meet your needs — or recommend you avoid a box dye altogether.
If you're up for a major change, Celeb Luxury makes a top-rated colorwash shampoo in multiple hues. For most vibrant results, apply it to pre-lightened platinum hair. You can also use it on darker hair, but the color intensity will be far less.
Opt for temporary touchups.
If you just want to cover up dark roots or grays, consider a temporary root cover-up spray. L'Oreal Paris makes a non-greasy spray in seven different shades.
Spray some on for instant coverage. If you use too much or it doesn't match the rest of your hair, just wash it away. The L'Oreal Paris Magic Root cover-up concealer has more than 2,000 5-star reviews on Amazon.
But if you don't feel like covering up those grays, don't sweat it. Salons will reopen in good time. And who knows? You may even find you prefer a more natural look.
Related Links:
- 14 Essentials For Pampering Yourself At Home
- Why Self-Care Doesn't Need To Cost A Fortune
- This One-Step Hair Dryer Cut Our Drying Time In Half
- 10 Ways To Stay Creative At Home
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.