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| Lady Lilith - Dante Gabriel Rossetti (Model: Alexa Wilding) SOURCE |
After numerous haircut horrors, I've never been keen on going to the hairdressers and have been trimming my own hair (or getting Jon to do it for me) using Feye's Method for almost 20 years. Feye's page got taken down a few years ago but happily it has since reappeared (HERE) so, just in case it vanishes again, I'm copying it, mostly for my own reference but if you're a fellow long-haired, salon-phobic you might find her brilliant, easy-to-follow instructions useful, too.
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| Golden Tresses - Dante Gabriel Rossetti |
These instructions are for the Straight-Across Cut which suits my hair which is mostly straight with a bit of a kink and often described by hairdressers as being fine but a lot of it (ie., it tangles like a bastard!) If you've got curly or wavy hair you might find Feye's U shaped trim or V shaped trim more suitable.
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| Fazio’s Mistress, Dante Gabriel Rossetti (model: Fanny Cornforth) SOURCE |
The Straight-Across Cut:
Step 1
Start by combing your hair as straight as possible, removing every tangle. Comb the hair back into a low ponytail, securing it with a scrunchie. Hold the head straight. Pull the scrunchie as far down your ponytail as possible and as close to the body and possible, too. When you can't reach any more, try to grab the scrunchie from behind your back instead. Pull all the way down to the end of the ponytail. You may need someone to help you with this.
Be careful to pull the scrunchie down in a strictly vertical manner. It's so easy to end up with hair a little shorter on one side than the other, just because the scrunchie was pulled a little to the left or the right. You might need help with this.
Tilt your head to look at the floor instead of looking straight ahead. This produces the best results.If the head and the eyes are facing straight forward, then the shape will end up as an inverted U with the sides a tiny bit longer than the middle. If the head is tilted so that you are looking at your toes, the middle part will be even in length with the sides.
Now bring the scrunchie at the end of the ponytail forward, over one of your shoulders. Get hold of the scrunchie (be careful not to pull any strands while doing this!) and trim the end of the ponytail off. If the hair is too short to reach you can ask someone else to trim the tip off. You can redo this step a couple of times to make sure it's even ad that you haven't missed any strands.
Step 2 (optional)
Part your hair (like when making two braids) and bring your hair forward. Hold your head straight, and trim 1/4" off the ends, just to even it up.
Thanks, Feye!
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| Pre-haircut |
I know my hair needs a trim when it starts parting in the middle...as you can see from the above photo. This isn't particularly noticeable when I've slept in my plaits and have my usual Pre-Raphaelite waves but, in its natural uncrimped state it's really annoying.
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| Post haircut |
Above is post trim, it's 1.5" shorter (although you can't really tell) and that annoying parting has vanished. Once he's followed Feye's Method Jon cuts diagonally into the ends as I'm not a fan of the blunt ended look.
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| Woman Combing her Hair - Dante Gabriel Rossetti (model: Fanny Cornforth) SOURCE |
Here's what you'll need - a wide-toothed comb, a scrunchie & a decent pair of hairdressing scissors, a willing partner is an optional extra!
Thank you. I hadn’t thought of looking down to get the right shaped cut. I started cutting my own hair in lockdown, it doesn’t show in a plait.
ReplyDeleteI have cut what remains of DH’s hair for years, the clippers soon paid for themselves. The barber was charging a lot, a search fee, perhaps?
I'm glad you found it useful, Nelliegrace! Jon invested in a pair of clippers years ago and they soon paid for themselves, he's convinced several of his friends to cut their own hair, too. xxx
DeleteHi Vix, that's very interesting, thanks. I do cut my own hair sometimes, or cajole my daughter into service! I changed hairdressers after lockdown but am again thinking I could just do my own, I already do my own colour. Both my son and husband use the clippers, although I usually help my husband. I suspect more people do go for the self help option than we're led to believe. Just to say, I really enjoy your blog. Lizziexxx
ReplyDeleteHello Lizzie, thanks for commenting! A lot of my friends really enjoy a trip to the salon but I find it too stressful and I want so little off it that it doesn't justify the expense. Feye's Method is so easy to follow. I have done it myself but it's even better if you can get some assistance. Jon doesn't trust me with the clippers when he does his head! xxx
DeletePS. Vix, I am 71 now, and still like my hair long. Lizziexx
ReplyDeleteLizzie, someone once told me that there's two types of women in the world, long haired & short haired - you're in my gang! Well done for not conforming and keeping your hair long at 71! xxx
DeleteI have quite long hair right now- it grows super fast. I'm not brave enough to try alone but I'm sure my daughter's could be successful. I haven't colored for a while, the gray coming in has had a nice highlight effect, but soon it will change to just streaky looking. I've had good luck with Garnier mostly roots.
ReplyDeleteHello Sam! It's quite empowering to know that you can cut your own hair if needs be. Going to the salon less often could be a nice little saving for your pension pot! xxx PS Garnier colour has a really good reputation, my friend Liz swears by it!
DeleteI haven't been to a salon in years. Last February, my hair was getting so long that it was annoying me to the point that I was ready to chop it all off. I talked to my husband and said I need you to lop off my hair. He thought me wanting to cut it all off was a little extreme, but he was willing to cut off a decent amount. We used a plastic guide purchased from Amazon, that you clamp on the hair, after combing it out, in the approximate area you want cut. It has a little level on it to help with keeping it straight. He used it, initially, but went back in and trimmed it up a bit afterwards. I had him cut off 13". It has already grown so much that I may be needing a trim soon. He did a good job. He cuts his own hair, and I just clean up the neckline. He's been doing it himself, for years. I venture to guess we have saved hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, over the years. I love all of the information that is now provided online to help guide one through the process. It just requires a little nerve, the first time. Ranee
ReplyDeleteHello Ranee! I've had a few of those "I'm going to cut it all off!" tantrums too, thanks goodness for your husband talking you down. That gadget sounds ingenius, Amazon baffles me but I'll have to see if I can find something similar. 13" seems very radical but I bet your hair felt absolutely fantastic afterwards and the fact it's grown so rapidly sounds like its done your hair the world of good.
DeleteYou're right, it does take a lot of nerve the first time you cut your own hair. I think I started with about 1/8th inch just to make sure I wasn't going to scalp myself and gradually got braver. Lovely to hear from you. xxx
You hair always looks gorgeous. I do quite enjoy going to my local hairdressers. I've been going so long I know them really well, and they never try to nag me into anything. That's a definite no-no for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annie! It's great that you've got a hairdresser who understands what you need and that you're able to support a local business, too. I've got into the habit of getting my nails done at a salon down the road, it feels good to help a female-run business. xxx
DeleteI haven't got beautiful long thick hair like you Vix - and I no longer go to the hairdressers - I put my head upside down over the bath and trim the ends x
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Flis! I've seen tutorials for cutting hair that way. All the more money saved to help feed your lovely animals! xxx
DeleteThanks Vix - I have to be savvy because of of that exactly - Just got a retired ex racing greyhound to join us here x
DeleteOh, I love greyhounds. Our builder friend Dave has rescued 7 of them! xxx
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ReplyDeleteA great method, thanks for showing how it works.
The last time I was at the hairdresser was 35 years ago. Since then I have been cutting my own hair. :)
That's impressive, Andrea! Your hair always looks perfect! xxx
DeleteI said to my Mum (94 in January) think it was about time she went to a professional haurdresser. She replied 'certainly not, I've seen what those professionals do!'! She cuts her own hair, still dyes it and even perms it now and again (we have to order the perm from Amazon since no brick and mortar shops seem to sell it anymore!)! She conditions it with mayonnaise now and again too! I love my long silver hair but it's thinning dreadfully (certain medication I'm on is causing that condition). I'll probs have to resort to a Raquel Welch wig at some point! I liked your hair that time you went to the hairdresser?xxx
ReplyDeleteYour mum's hilarious! I was talking about those over the counter perms the other day and wondering if it was still possible to buy them, good old Amazon, eh? I used to use mayonnaise as a hand cream when my eczema was really bad.
DeleteI've seen something called a topper on a couple of American blogs, they're like a thin wig you pop on top of your own hair to make it look a bit fuller - I've just googled them and it looks like Amazon has them - might be an option?
Oh yes, I went to a salon in town and there was an amazing girl who really understood hair, I was so impressed I went back twice - and then she left. Probably just as well, it was so expensive! xxx
I'm not anonymous, I'm me!
DeletePs forgot to ask, are you watching 'Wolf Hall'?
DeleteI knew it was you! I'm loving Wolf Hall, it's the highlight of our week. The script is exquisite and each scene is like looking at a painting. If only Hilary was around to be able to see what a wonderful job they've made of her novels. xxx
DeleteHi Vix, another long haired lady here! I haven’t been to a salon in four years and then I had only gone for a couple years. Chuck has pretty well always cut my hair in our 42 years together. I have cut his for probably 35 years. . He was Air Force for 30 of those years and my haircuts passed inspection! Your hair is gorgeous, Jon does a fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteRobin
Hello Robin! What a treasure your Chuck sounds with 42 years of cutting your hair under his belt, he sounds like a keeper! xxx
DeleteThanks Vix! I trimmed my hair last night after reading this and it looks good. I had recently trimmed my own flicks but was not brave enough to do the back. My hairdresser recently increased her charge by 50% so just in time. :) Lise
ReplyDeleteHello Lise! I'm so glad that Feye's tutorial worked for you, it's so empowering to be able to take control of our own hair! That's huge price hike! xxx
DeleteYour hair looks really good after it's little trim, you've got a good helper in Jon. Better than I had during lockdown with Alan butchering my hair. He thought that 'layers' meant' 'steps' and cut my hair accordingly! I don't know why I didn't exact my revenge when I cut his hair, I've been doing it with clippers ever since we met, I must have saved him a fortune in barbers bills.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, Alan! I bet you were mortified. I suppose the one advantage was that it was during lockdown and we hardly went out anyway! Jon doesn't trust me with the clippers and nothing I can say will persuade him otherwise!! xxx
DeleteI'll be sure to pass on your tips to any long-haired friends!
ReplyDeleteI've had a couple of traumatic hairdresser's experiences until I found my current hairdresser Michel nearly 30 years ago. I still don't like going to the salon, but at least I'm confident of the outcome now! xxx
You're so lucky to have found Michel, your hair is always flawless. Liz and I were discussing your perfect bob the other day! xxx
DeleteYep-long haired and salon-phobic over here too :) After the worst haircut of my life in a salon, six years ago, I haven't gone back, and trim it myself. I think there is a tendency to think 'old school' when someone like me (60yrs old) walks into a salon. They can't help it, they think 'O I know what this demographic is' and probably trained to think so. I have longish white hair, not as long as yours (yet! hair goals!) and I won't even go into the pressure to cut it or colour it, or the snide 'my, your hair is getting so long!' I've heard over the years. When I became aware of how Sarah Jane Adams looked, dressed, I knew I wasn't completely insane, and actually still happily swimming against the current. Hair peace for all ;)
ReplyDeleteHello, sister in hair! I think you're right about the demographic and how the hip young kids see us - we must be very disappointing as we know what we want and nothing they tell us will persuade us otherwise.
DeleteYes, that "your hair's getting long" said in a way that makes you think it's not a compliment. Nothing will convince me that just because I'm of a certain age I need to conform to type. Thank goodness for role models like Sarah Jane Adams ( I love her, too!) showing us that cool is for all ages! xxx
Definitely SJA and you too!
DeleteHope you've had a nice Monday :)
Helpful post! I did hairdressing when I left school.. training at Allan international in Hammersmith but found office work better paid, ditched my 3 year apprenticeship in year 2 and never went back. I trim my own sometimes and used to clipper my two sons. I think the most important advice I could give is: if you have a fringe, cut it dry, not wet! Or you will end up with a much shorter result than you plan, wet hair stretches and bounces back shorter when dry. Betty x
ReplyDeleteI remember you mentioning that you'd trained as a hairdresser, Betty - it's great that it gave you the confidence to clipper the lads' hair, that must have saved a few quid over the years.
DeleteThat's great advice about cutting a fringe dry not wet...ask me how I know! xxx
Another salon-phobic here. I usually trim my own hair, as well. I'm not very good at it, but thankfully, as I have curly hair, it's quite forgiving :)
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky having curly hair, Jules. A wonky cut isn't as easy to get away with when you've got (annoyingly) straight hair! x
DeleteWell done, Vix (and Jon)! Your hair looks great. I get my hair trimmed/cut every 6-7 weeks, and it's the one body-care indulgence I do (no manis, pedis or massages for me). I've cut my own before and can attest that bangs/fringe should always be cut with a great deal of caution!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila! Your hair always looks great. I'm not a fan of being messed with, I quite like my nails being done but everything else os a bit of a no-no! xxx
DeleteYour hair looks so pretty Vix!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks, Pilar! xxx
DeleteYour hair looks great. That's a good system for longer hair. I can remember trying to trim my own hair when it was longer and this would have been helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Goody! xxx
DeleteYour blogs have stopped showing up on my reading list for some peculiar reason!
ReplyDeleteI think I tried that system when we were in lockdown and it's pretty good. Jon is a great helper!
I tend to go only occasionally to the hairdresser when I feel like having a chop. I usually know when it needs it. My ends start looking wispy and dry and the length begins to drag my face down. More often than not though, I trim my own fringe. My hair usually grows like mad afterward a good trim too. xxx
Hello Claire! How very odd about my blog not updating, Blogger can be such a pain sometimes! Feye's method's really good, I'm so glad it's back on-line, it's easy to forget how to follow it when I cut my hair so rarely!
DeleteI used to love my serial killer fringe back in the 1990s, it needed cutting every other week to keep it as brutal as I wanted it. I used to sweet talk a barber in town to do it for free! xxx
I would never have attempted to cut my (very curly) hair when it was long. I, did, however cut my fringe the night before my Holy Communion when I was 7 and have the photos to prove it. It looks like I cut the letter 'M' into my fringe. Oh goodness did I get a rollicking from my mum!
ReplyDeletexxx
That made me laugh! I had a fascination with skinhead after seeing a gang of them in the park as a toddler in the 1960s, when I got home I found mum's scissors and gave all my dolls a crew cut! xxx
DeleteThis sounds like a fun tutorial. It's been ages since I cut my own hair. I used to do it as a teen, experimenting with different styles. I cut my own bangs many times- with varying success. :)
ReplyDeleteI was never brave enough to cut my own hair when I was younger! xxx
DeleteThat's very helpful! I'm too scared to cut my own!!! Kx
ReplyDeleteI love cutting my own hair and my boyfriend's as well. Whenever my hair looks dry on the ends, I like that I can pull out my scissors and do it myself. X
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