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Thursday, September 20, 2012

How to Give Yourself (and Your Family) a Haircut at Home

Going to the salon is a pricey endeavor in today's world. Even a quick trim of the bangs can set you back more than a little, and a full wash, cut and style can easily run into the triple digits (and that's before tip!). If you're like me, you're looking for ways to reduce household expenses every day, and the easiest way to save money is to not spend it in the first place.

That doesn't mean you have to let your hair completely go, get it trimmed twice a year, or constantly wear a ponytail or cap. It's easy to trim your hair (and your family's) at home with the right tools: the hardest part is getting past the fear to try it the first time. Once you try and and see the results, though, you'll be hooked!

My husband was easy: he doesn't like the thinner spot he is noticing on his crown, so he decided to go from his longer, wavy locks to a short, uniform cut. He initially went short at a barber shop, but once the cut was in place, it became very easy to maintain using this Wahl trimmer. We have been using it for almost two years now, and I have to say, it paid for itself after the first month. It's so easy to use, and it only takes a few minutes every couple of weeks.

My daughter and I were a little harder. Neither of us was particularly interested in the Sinead O'Connor look, so I had to look a bit harder for the right tool for the job. Both of us have thick, medium-length hair, so keep this in mind - what works for us may not work for other hair textures and/or lengths.

After a little bit of online research (I love online reviews - what did we ever do without them?), I found the Seki Edge. Its low price and great reviews convinced me to give it a try, and I have to say that I love it! I have used it on myself and my daughter, and it's so simple to use.

Here are a few pointers I have learned:
-Start with a salon cut you like, that way you can follow the same shape without having to experiment yourself.
-Start with longest setting, and when you get more comfortable, and if you want, work your way up. It's easier to cut more than to realize you've cut too much, then have to wait for it to grow back out.
-Never start at or near crown. Same as the above - you can always move up a little as you go, but if you start to trim near your crown, you'll have a bit of spike going on, whether you want it or not.
-Use a light touch - don't apply a lot of pressure.

And for any styling and cutting tool, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning and maintaining trimmers and tools will prolong their life and ensure that they remain clean, so take a few minutes after you use them each time to clean them up!

Once you get some confidence and want to try different styles, there are many awesome how-to videos now available online for practically any style. I'm really impressed by the wealth of information that is out there - have fun with it and feel free to experiment - you'll love the results and so will your wallet!


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