My Easy DIY 5 Minute Layered Haircut
I don’t know a quicker and more accurate haircut then this 5 minute layered girls haircut. If you have never cut hair before, to save money you should consider cutting hair. You can save hundreds and hundreds of dollars by cutting the family’s hair every year, depending how many people are in your family.
It’s DIY Time again, where I post something you can do yourself rather than buy, which is a money saver, and can be VERY REWARDING. Some of these posts are crafts, sewing projects, homemade cleaners, homemade health aids, tutorials, and the like. **Updated 1/14.
Growing up my dad ALWAYS cut my hair. When I was eleven or twelve I really, REALLY wanted to get my hair cut in a salon, and he finally let me go and waste spend about $10 or $12 at a Fantastic Sam’s or some place like that for what amounted to basically a trim. Not worth it. Now since I’ve been an adult, I have had my hair cut at some pretty nice places a handful of times, but usually my husband cuts it.
If you think you might be thinking of cutting hair, ATTEMPT THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK! If you have never cut hair before, an ad you are about to embark on the fine art of cutting hair, tell yourself you are going to go pay for a haircut anyway. That way if this turns out awful for you, you were going to get a haircut anyway, and getting a free haircut is just bonus if this works out (plus you won’t blame me then). This haircut works best on shoulder length to long hair.
Experimenting on girls hair is perfect, because their hair is forgiving, and they are more forgiving, too, then let’s say an adult:). Now that I may have freaked you out, honestly, this haircut is so easy, I’ve never messed up on it. I’ve never had to go to the salon to make any corrections.
Fast Layered Hair Cutting Tutorial:
- Start with clean, damp, combed hair.
- Make a piggy tail near each ear (pulling that hair in the back toward the ears helps you get nice layers).
- Make sure the hair is even, and cut straight across the bottom of each piggy tail.
- Release the hair, and it is layered!
It really is so easy, you should give it a try! I love cutting my girls’ hair this way! This particular hair cut including brushing took just over 3 minutes. Unfortunately I didn’t get a good picture of Ellie’s hair here in the back, as she was tilted.
Oops! There was a slight breeze in the picture below.
Do you need ideas on how to save money on school pictures?
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Last spring I took my children to the barbershop where they each got a bad haircut, twice in a row. It was cut too short, too high and uneven. The barber had gelled their hair in a faux hawk, but after a shower it really showed how poor a haircut each got. There were steps in their hair. I said enough of paying a “pro” to do poor work. So I bought a good set of Wahl clippers after my boyfriend who cuts my hair (yes, I said he cuts my hair) agreed to help me give them haircuts. The firtst time I was nervous, but I started with a higher number attachment and worked my way lower to blend the hair on the back and sides. I took off the attachment and trimmed up the neck line and side burns as my boyfriend coached my technique. After that it was scissor over comb on the top. Net result was that they had a more professionally done haircut than they ever did in the barbershop. I figure not counting my time, but all other expenses involved, I am saving nearly $900 a year by being a mom who cuts her children’s hair as well as getting mine done at home. And the results are better than I ever got at the barbershop or the salon. If the so called “pros” hadn’t screwed up my hair and my children’s’ I probably would still be spending that money. So I think it was a blessing in disguise.
Hi Carolyn. Yes, sometimes blessings come in the form of annoyances and messes at times. That’s awesome that you learned to get equipped to cut your kids’ hair! What a money saver, and now you control the quality, too! Thank you for sharing.
Yes, it is quite the Money saving skill to learn. As you mentioned, I have better control of the quality. The first couple haircuts I was nervous, but having gained experience doing additional haircuts during the summer, and for back to school, as well checking out additional websites and videos, I feel very comfortable doing the haircuts now. I was looking at some photos with my boyfriend last night and I noticed the difference of how their hair looked. I also notice other peoples’ hair more and I see I wasn’t the only one who had the problem of paying for bad haircuts.
Another way (how I cut my own hair), is to pull it all forward and make ONE ponytail under the chin (mine is down to my waist, but still ‘under the chin’). This is the way I make both sides the same length.
Hi Cecilia. Oh, thanks for sharing! I always like learning new variations. That totally makes more sense and is more efficient. Now my hair isn’t long enough, but with my daughter’s longer hair, I will try it next time!
Sonja, this looks great! I couldn’t have guessed how easy it was to do. My little girl hasn’t yet had a hair cut and I don’t really want to spend money on it anytime soon, so I might just try this when hers gets a little longer.
Hi Jelli. It’s worth a shot! Hope you enjoy!!
We have been cutting hair for a few years and all I can say is practice makes perfect. I think my favorite line in this post is “Attempt this at your own risk” this is the truth! I have cut hair to short and we have curly headed kids so it looked like they had springs for bangs. I have cut a bald spot in my hubbys hair. But now these dangers and mishaps are less likely, due to practice. I have a frugal link-up on Fridays and I’d love to have you join it! Blessings!Kyle
Hi Kyle. Thank you for sharing and visiting!
I have just spent HOURS on your website. I have never found anything as informative, fun, and addictive. I now have long lists of things to try including recipes, sewing, homemade products, and now even a haircut. I’m starting with the haircut as I’m like you and don’t care if it’s not perfect. I always wear a ponytail! Thanks for all the great information.
Hi Len, Thanks for your encouragement! In fact I have the haircut on my to-do list for tomorrow as we are getting ready to get back to school the following week. Blessings!
thanks! I will be trying it 🙂
You are welcome!
Should the part be down the middle or parted like normal? (Mine is off center to the left.) Thanks. I’m going to try this! My hair is long, so if I mess up there will be some left to have fixed! 🙂
Hi Michele, I actually just cut my hair 3 days ago using this method. I have a part on the side, naturally. To cut my hair, I parted it in the middle. Then I brushed my hair like normal (with my side part), and just made a couple of trims as needed. I hope this helps!
I have always cut my daughter’s hair. This method sound so easy. With little girl #4 on the way, home haircuts will save us a small fortune 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Allyson, Yes, you are right! It does save so much money to cut your own family’s hair. Thanks for visiting!
I can’t wait to do this! I’ve seen the cut that has circulated since the 1970’s where you turn your head upside down and ponytail it then cut to the ponytail…but it doesn’t really look that great.
This one makes so much sense and I’m going to try it!
TracyAnn from http://www.crochethappy.com and http://asktracyann.crochethappy.com
I read about it in the 80s and have done that old style several times, always needing some adjustments. This one is very efficient. Thanks for visiting!!
Super idea. I am sharing this with my daughter! I have been cutting my own hair since I was 16 and am now in my 60’s. I had 4 boys and a girl and cut all their hair til they left home. I still cut my husband’s, tho it takes less and less time to cut. 🙂 Wish I had known this tip years ago! Thanks for sharing! Another great way for families to save $$ in this economy.
Great idea, but hubs hair is not long enough to put in pony tail (haha). Great way to save money! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
This is awesome! Cuts can get SO pricey. I think I’m going to have my husband try this on my hair. My hair is super long, so I’ve got plenty to work with if he messes up! Thanks so much!
Sonja, I love this! I started cutting my girls hair in a very basic cut when they were small. Believe it or not they still trust me to cut it now that they are teens! I will see if they will let me try this.
I enjoyed reading this post. I love doing “home hair” – I call it. Two of my sisters are hair dressers – I think it runs in the family so I have been known to do my own and my kids’ and hubby’s hair. 🙂 I have screwed mine up huge before – so I try not to touch it anymore.
Great article! My parents cut my hair until I was 14 and started doing it myself. I’ve only had one pro haircut, and I was snipping at it a few hours later…not worth it!
My best tip for easy hair styling is to French braid the front part of your hair straight back, leaving hair loose to cover your ears and behind that. Continue the braid for a while down the back of your head without adding more hair, and put on an elastic. Now your hair is out of your eyes but still “long.” If I braid mine wet, it stays done for two days with minimal maintenance, even though I wear hats. So convenient!
Awesome! I cut my kids’ hair, too. I tried layering on one of them last time. It came out pretty uneven, but I was able to fix it. Next time, I’ll try this! Thanks for linking up at One Creative Weekend. I’ll be featuring you tomorrow! Please come grab a featured button and link up anything new you’d like to share at OneCreativeMommy.com.
The tutorial looks great! Thanks for sharing these on Saturday Show and Tell. I hope you’ll be back again with more great ideas! -Mackenzie http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com
I just saw a video of how to do this on yourself! Something I’m definitely going to try – but I never thought I’d be able to cut my daughter’s hair!! Thanks for the tips.
I’ve been cutting my kids’ hair for years now. Just trimmed my 17 yr old daughter’s on Saturday. The price they charge for cutting kids’ hair is outrageous!! I hopped over here from Raising Arrows!
Love it! Looks really cute too!
I always take my daughter in because I’m no good with hair, but I also always hate the way it comes out. I’m totally going to try this. Thanks for the tips!
This is a fantastic idea!! Thanks so much for sharing at Two Sasters:)
This is a great tip! I always cut my girls hair. I am WAY to cheap to go to a salon. I’ll be trying this out!
Thanks Rachel! I am too frugal to bring my kids to a salon, too. I’d love to know how it goes. Thanks for visiting!
I totally did this this morning! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Christina, Happy to share! Thanks for visiting!
Of course you post this after I chopped off half my daughter’s hair today trying to make it straight – she kept moving. Thanks for the tip. I will definitely keep it in mind for next time. 🙂 New follower
HI Courtney, Even if they are moving in the haircut, it’s much easier to get a consistent cut. Thanks for visiting!
Great DIY and the pic’s of the girls are great! Very cute! Have a great week sweetie!!!
Hi Serena! Thanks so much!