I have been asked by a few people how I managed to give myself a haircut during the COVID-19 lockdown. Some asked me for advice and a tutorial. Here are some useful tips:
Cutting one's own hair is an art. One uses not just sight but more importantly touch. One cannot cut one's hair at one go. Like art, it is work in progress and takes a few days to perfect.
To start with one needs to have an intimate knowledge of one's hair in terms of the shape and feel of it. One needs to know what the final result will look like and work towards that. As my friend Selva says, cutting one's hair is like doing sculpture; you are chiseling out the extra bits to arrive at the final product.
Start with the bits that seem obviously out of place. For instance the bits on the sides of the head which curl out, or the bits at the nape of the neck which are overgrown and which bother you. One needs to be extra careful at the front, I cut that the last.
Now for the back of the head, one needs to use one's touch. One will know if certain bits are longer than usual. Also decide whether you want steps or a straight cut. Use your hands to feel whether the hair at the back is even or not. Touch is most important while cutting your hair at the back of your head.
To start with one needs to have an intimate knowledge of one's hair in terms of the shape and feel of it. One needs to know what the final result will look like and work towards that. As my friend Selva says, cutting one's hair is like doing sculpture; you are chiseling out the extra bits to arrive at the final product.
Start with the bits that seem obviously out of place. For instance the bits on the sides of the head which curl out, or the bits at the nape of the neck which are overgrown and which bother you. One needs to be extra careful at the front, I cut that the last.
Now for the back of the head, one needs to use one's touch. One will know if certain bits are longer than usual. Also decide whether you want steps or a straight cut. Use your hands to feel whether the hair at the back is even or not. Touch is most important while cutting your hair at the back of your head.
To cut hair on any part of the head, grab the extra bit with one hand and chop with the other.
the first haircut won't be good, just like the first draft of any bit of writing one might do. The second will be better. Also you can get peer reviews from others around to improve. Try taking a photo of the back of your head to get an idea. Use the front camera, look back and click a photo.
This advice/tutorial is mostly for those who have short hair like me.
Good luck with giving yourself a haircut, it is pleasurable and fun; on the plus side, you save money and feel neat and tidy in the end.
Good luck with giving yourself a haircut, it is pleasurable and fun; on the plus side, you save money and feel neat and tidy in the end.
