Gather sharp hair-cutting scissors, a comb, hair clips, a spray bottle, and a mirror
Start with clean, dry or slightly damp hair
Detangle hair completely
Decide how much length you want to remove
Work in a well-lit area
Section hair into manageable parts
Clip the top sections out of the way
Cut small amounts at a time
Trim the ends straight across for a blunt cut
Point-cut the ends for a softer finish
Cut less than you think you need
Check both sides for evenness
Use a mirror to view the back
Trim curls or waves when hair is in its natural state
Cut curly hair only when fully dry
For layers, bring hair forward and trim carefully in small sections
For bangs, cut very little at first
Recheck length after the hair settles
Make final touch-ups slowly
Clean up loose hair after finishing