CUT ABOVE
I saved cash by cutting my own hair – I was terrified but it looks fab and I don’t know why it’s taken me 43 years
Plus, scroll down to find out the best technique for a DIY haircut
WITH almost a third of us now resorting to DIY haircuts, Ariane Sherine, 43, from East London, gives her long locks a dramatic post-break-up crop . . .
Coco Chanel once said: “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.”
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But the idea of hacking it off yourself could be regarded as utter madness.
As a 43-year-old mum, I’ve always left it to the professionals to tame my long, dark mane rather than trust myself with the scissors.
During the pandemic, when salons were shut, I simply let my locks grow.
But not everyone enjoyed the long and untamed look, with many attempting DIY trims — with varying degrees of success.
The home hairdressing trend has continued post-lockdown, spurred on by the cost-of-living crisis, with almost a third of us now doing it ourselves.
Saving cash aside, there was another reason I fancied taking a pair of scissors to my hair.
Last year, I had a whirlwind five-month romance that I thought would have a fairytale ending.
We talked at length about marriage and I know my boyfriend was looking for engagement rings.
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But on a birthday trip to Paris, he failed to propose and I then realised our union was doomed.
It’s been tough bringing the curtain down on the relationship, so I realised I needed a symbolic act for the finale.
DWTS host Julianne Hough chops off her own hair as she opens up about needing a ‘fresh start’ in candid new video
My ex was a lover of long hair and found my 24-inch, straight black locks super-sexy.
He also hated short hair on women.
By cutting it off, I felt I’d be saying goodbye to that chapter of my life and literally cutting him off for good.
Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid looked so chic when she cut her long brown hair into a swishy bob last year.
It gives me confidence that I can try something new in my forties.
There were other reasons I wanted to go for the chop, too.
I’ve had long hair for most of my life and, growing up, was made to feel that it is a more feminine and attractive look.
I’ve had this style for more than ten years and it’s been incredibly practical while I raised my daughter Lily, now 13.
I could tie it out of the way of grabbing toddler hands, or for the school run.
It’s also been easy to style into slick buns or playful pigtails.
Switching things up for a bob would be a break with the past and a fresh look for my forties.
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I think it would improve the condition of my hair too, as it is currently plagued with split ends and straggly sections.
Not that Lily is keen on the idea.
“OMG, that’s going to look really bad,” she says, not mincing her words.
My friends are also less than sensitive in their reactions.
“Are you going for a buzz cut like Britney?” one chuckles.
But as a writer and stand-up comic, I find their teasing amusing.
Before heading to the studio for the big cut, I spend some time trawling YouTube for advice on the best techniques.
One expert recommends putting my hair into a ponytail before chopping off the bottom.
But stylist Sara Bowden advises me to do bunches instead, so it’s even on each side.
I’m feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement as I sit myself in front of the mirror and prepare to do the deed.
My hair is washed and blow- dried so that it is as straight as possible.
I part it in the middle and use two bands to secure the bunches behind my ears.
Then I use a second pair to mark on each one where I’ll make the cuts.
It’s a pretty substantial amount — around seven inches altogether.
Am I ready for it?
With slightly sweaty palms, I take hold of the pair of hairdressing scissors Sara has given me and go in for the first snip.
It requires real effort
It’s surprisingly satisfying to hear the blade cut through the strands — and to see a chunk of dark hair in my hand.
The old ends look tired and lank, whereas the new ones look healthy and smart.
Lee Stafford's guide to DIY haircuts
Celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford shares his top tips for cutting your own hair at home.
I wouldn’t recommend cutting your own hair – professionals have trained for years to do this. Occasionally I ask someone who cut their hair and they will admit they did it, but those tend to be quirkier styles and don’t suit everyone.
I don’t get many customers coming in with DIY disasters but that’s because my clients are very loyal. But if you really must give it a trim, there are some golden rules...
Cut dry hair, not wet. The professionals might do this but you won’t be able to properly envisage how it will fall when you trim wet hair yourself. Nor should you straighten curly hair.
Use the sharpest scissors you have. Blades that are too blunt will just bend the strands and won’t do a neat job. They might also cause damage.
Cut vertically not horizontally. This will give a softer result that will hide any mistakes.
Be conservative. Start by cutting less so you can check and trim shorter if required.
For long hair, the ‘ponytail technique’ is the safest option for home cut. I invented this method back 23 years ago when I was doing a demo on This Morning. It’s the most foolproof option as you can correctly guess how long it will be and the result should be nicely layered and even.
1 Tip your head upside down, brush hair forward and gather it into a secure ponytail that starts on your hairline, in the centre of your forehead.
2 Use a comb to measure the distance from your hairline to where you want the first layer to be, such as below the chin.
3 Hold the ponytail firmly and cut in a straight line to the length desired. Start longer if you are nervous.
4 Next, change the scissors and point them directly into the ponytail, snipping into the blunt ends to soften. 5 Take off the hairband and check out the finished result.
As I’m half-Asian, my hair is very thick and coarse, so it requires real effort to cut through it.
I end up cutting each bunch in smaller sections.
I’m enjoying this way more than I expected. The whole experience is incredibly cathartic.
Within ten minutes, I’ve done both sides and so I take out the hair bands to check out my progress.
It’s not bad — I just need to get it tidied up.
I trim stray strands and even have a go at feathering, which I’d seen online, to take away some of the weight and bluntness.
You hold the scissors vertical, rather than horizontal, and it’s pretty effective.
Cut complete, I’m feeling like a new woman. I love my new style and it makes me feel and look younger, I believe.
The old, long look was dragging me down in so many ways.
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My long bob still feels feminine and practical, but has a cooler edge.
I’ve got that “just stepped out of a salon” swing in my step — but without the hefty price tag.
I send a picture to my daughter to get her verdict.
I’m delighted when her reply is: “Wow, it looks really nice”.
Lily tells me she likes the way the ends curl around my face.
Most importantly, I love it and feel totally empowered by doing it myself — and would do it again.
As I walk away with my locks swishing and my old strands in the bin, I know exactly what people mean by “new hair, new me”.
How did she do?
Stylist Sara Bowden, who worked on the Fab Daily shoot with Ariane, says: “I thought it was very brave of her to give it a go, and she looked great with the shorter hair.
“She has a side parting so it did make it a little harder for her, and you definitely need to make sure you have good scissors.
“I’d recommend cutting the first bit longer than you think you want it because it did need levelling up a bit.
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"But overall she did a good job.”