How to cut your bangs at home, according to the experts

Feeling the fringe? If you're toying with the idea of cutting your bangs at home, you brave, brave soul, the professionals have a few words of wisdom. 

Before you reach for the clippers and embark on this noble quest, be forewarned that the task at hand is not for the inexperienced. More often than not, the best fringe hairstyles are the result of a seasoned hairdresser. 

But, if you insist on a DIY project, hairstylist Neil Moodie (opens in new tab) and  Vera Clinic (opens in new tab)'s hair transplant and aesthetics specialist Gökhan Vayni surrender to your wishes. Yes, they will help you channel your inner Edward Scissorhands. 

"I have to preface [these tips] by saying that I absolutely do not recommend that non-hairdressers cut their own fringe because it can so easily go wrong," Moodie warns. "But of course, this is an individual's own choice and if you feel absolutely compelled to, there are some ways to try and reduce the risk."

If you're still looking to dodge that salon visit, read on. 

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How to cut your bangs yourself

Given the difficulty of cutting your own bangs, this experiment probably won't land on the list of 2022 hair trends, but you can't say you weren't warned!

1. Don't attempt when your hair is wet

If you're going the DIY fringe route, make sure you have a sharp pair of scissors and you're chopping your strands while they're dry. 

"Hair gains more elasticity when it's wet and this will affect the final result," Moddie says. "People tend to pull the fringe down when it's damp and this only ends in it springing back up and looking too short."

Always work with dry hair, and you can even forgo a comb, according to Moodie. 

2. Be mindful of your placement

Watch where and how you're slashing those strands. 

"You need to cut 2-3 inches from your hairline, using a fine-tooth comb and keeping it leveled to the bone of your nose," Vayni suggests. "I’d always aim for a center parting for a more even look."

3. Be prepared to style your fringe

Let's face it: with this project, you're probably going to want to have a plan B.

"Some ways you can style your fringe whilst waiting for it to grow out are to gather your hair and twist in a knot to create an arched cut once trimmed," Vayni recommends. "Add gel to your hair and push your bangs out of your face for a sleek look. You can also style with a headband or hair ribbon or braid your bangs and tuck behind your ears."

4. When all else fails, turn to the pros

Should the DIY results be really disastrous—we're talking unsalvageable—it's best to give in and ask for a bit of assistance before grabbing the scissors again.

"Don't try to rectify the situation yourself," Moddie says. "Just get yourself to a salon asap and in the meantime, pop on a headband or hat."

He adds: "If a salon waiting list is what's got you reaching for the scissors in desperation, why not try and nip in to see your stylist for a fringe trim only? Most salons will happily do this for you if you ask. Hairdressers would prefer to see you for a few minutes in between appointments than to be faced with a crisis situation."