To seek out out extra, we hit up L.A. celeb hairstylist Clayton Hawkins, with a star-studded shopper checklist that features Elizabeth Olsen, Dakota Johnson, Emma Roberts, and Elizabeth Banks. Having labored on high-profile occasions like The Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys, and Grammys, Clayton has been perfecting his hair-cutting craft since he was an adolescent. He’s right here to provide the lowdown on chopping your personal hair, together with the perfect hair shears to make use of at residence.

The very first thing to bear in mind is that not all hair shears are created equal. Movie star hair stylist Clayton Hawkins cautions towards utilizing common family shears you may need mendacity round the home.

“Don’t underneath any circumstances minimize your hair with workplace scissors except you need frayed, damaged ends,” Clayton says. “You don’t have to interrupt the financial institution to discover a high quality pair of hair chopping scissors.”

What to search for in your hair chopping scissors

When buying to your excellent pair of shears, there’s a number of vital issues to bear in mind. You’ll wish to think about the fabric, form, blade and deal with kind, in addition to the dimensions of your scissors. Good hair chopping scissors ought to match comfortably in your hand and glide by hair seamlessly.

So far as thumb and deal with design go, ergonomic is healthier. Based on Clayton, it’s totally as much as your choice, though “the longer the thumb and deal with, typically it’s simpler to make use of.” Nonetheless, the form of your scissors doesn’t matter as a lot because the precise blade materials. In the case of the standard of metallic, Japanese metal is probably the most coveted. They often have a sharper convex edge, which is very good for chopping bangs.

“It doesn’t get higher than German or Japanese metal,” says Clayton. “These choices are actually pricier, however I might think about them an funding that can final a very long time.” German shears often characteristic an opposing deal with, which is more likely to really feel higher in a non-hairdresser’s hand. For these of us balling on a funds, Clayton says that American stainless-steel can even positively get the job completed. 

When it comes to dimension, a very good rule of thumb to comply with is for scissors to be so long as your prolonged palm. Something longer is fitted to specialised chopping strategies, corresponding to slide chopping or deep level chopping. Clayton recommends a medium scissor that’s roughly 4 to 5 inches in size. “In case you have tremendous lengthy fingers, you’ll be able to go for a 5 to 6 inch pair. However typically this dimension is best for novice hair cutters to have management and grip whereas trimming their very own hair.”

You’ll additionally wish to think about the dimensions of finger and thumb holes within the scissors. Utilizing shears which are too giant can put a pressure in your hand and even result in harm with extended use. In case your scissors aren’t becoming snugly, you’ll be able to at all times connect some small, detachable finger rings to make them narrower. 

The 7 greatest hair scissors and shears to purchase

1. The Equinox Skilled Razor Edge Sequence 6.5” 

Known as the “excellent newbie’s pair of shears” by Clayton, the Equinox Razor Edge Scissors are among the many greatest you should purchase. Not solely have they got over 11,000 five-star evaluations on Amazon, however additionally they are comparatively cheap. The bevel blade is sharp all through, which helps keep away from frayed, break up, and broken hair. The crane design additionally helps a pure grip, which implies you’ll be able to comfortably use them for prolonged intervals of time.

2. Sanguine Skilled 5.5” Hairdressing Shears

Produced from Japanese metal, these Sanguine shears are sharp, small, and very sturdy. The compact dimension provides you loads of management when chopping bangs and different tough spots.

3. ULG Hair Thinning 6.5” Scissors

It’s at all times a good suggestion so as to add a pair of thinning shears to your hair-cutting package. This ULG pair of highly-rated stainless-steel scissors may also help soften traces, take away weight, and mix layers immediately. To not point out that there’s finger safety to maintain you comfy whereas trimming.  

4. Jaguar Lane 5.5 Inch Scissors

Clayton recommends these scissors “if you wish to put money into a pair that can final you no less than a decade.” Jaguar scissors are extensively thought to be being top-of-the-line hair chopping scissors available on the market, recognized for his or her balanced weight and clean chopping motion. Moreover, the premium metal blade has a tip chopping angle for optimum sharpness.  

5. Tweezerman Spirit 2000 Styling Shears

Designed for newcomers, the Tweezerman Hairdressing Shears characteristic micro-serrated edges to offer you extra precision and management. The looped deal with is comfy for many hand sizes. And at simply $22 on Amazon, this pair of starter scissors gained’t break the financial institution.  

6. Cricket Shear Xpressions

Delicate to sound? The Cricket Shear Xpression scissors have a built-in silencer that forestalls them from making that terrible metal-against-metal noise. The stainless-steel development, ergonomic deal with, and detachable finger rings are simply the cherries on prime. 

7. Feather razor

As a bonus choice, Clayton recommends a feather razor for chopping hair extensions. “If you wish to minimize your Luxy Hair extensions, there isn’t any higher choice than a feather razor. The blade must be changed fairly steadily, however razoring your clip-ins will make them look a lot softer and extra reasonable than chopping them with precise shears.”

Find out how to minimize your hair at residence

In case your hair is crying out for a trim, it could be time to deliver the hair salon residence. If it’s your first time giving your self a haircut, it’s greatest to begin small and go shorter in increments. Use sharp hair chopping shears, together with a large tooth comb to assist obtain a good minimize. Listed below are some pointers for chopping hair at residence:

1. To trim your hair (and do away with break up ends)

After washing and conditioning hair, let it dry utterly earlier than beginning to minimize. Snip with the ends of the hair scissors, as a substitute of all the blade size. Use clips to assist separate hair into manageable sections. Ensure that to verify that the size is similar on either side. When chopping off break up ends, make sure to hold your chin up. In the event you’re trying down, you might find yourself taking off an excessive amount of size. 

2. To chop face-framing layers

Begin along with your common half after which vertically part hair, bringing it to the entrance. Comb this part inch by inch, directing ahead at a 40 diploma angle. The underside of your first inch shouldn’t elevate increased than the nook of your eye. Level minimize a small part at a time, following the form created by your hairstylist (if potential).

3. To chop curly and wavy hair

Start by letting hair air dry, then model into your required form. Solely minimize items of hair that appear to be misplaced. It’s greatest to chop half of what you initially deliberate to chop, since chopping off 1 inch will appear to be you chop off 2 inches. The shorter your hair is, the lighter and springier the curls might be.