I cut my kids' hair using online tutorials and this is what I learned

A DIY haircut on a child may seem easy enough, but when one's squirming in the chair in front of you, you realize why the bowl haircut was a thing. This, however, is 2020 so I forewent the bowl in favour of a ton of online video tutorial research to give my kids an at-home haircut. I'm going to share what I learned with you in case you're considering cutting your kids' hair too. 

Some of this advice may be specific to cutting longer hair, but there are lots of tips for all lengths. Here's what you need to know about giving your child a haircut:

What to consider before you even pick up the scissors 

Start by examining the shape of your child's hair and take into consideration its current shape and things like cowlicks, which could prevent the hair from falling the way you want it to. This video from Pretty Hair is Fun demonstrates how to cut bangs with a cowlick. 

You'll also want to decide whether you'll be doing a straight trim, or undertaking layering around the face, which can be trickier. My youngest had never even had a haircut, so I had no real guide to follow from a previous professional's job. I opted to cut bangs on her so I could save money on barretts, but my research taught me that there's more than one bang style. So if you're attempting them for the first time, you might go so far as to consider your child's face shape.

Once down the online video tutorial rabbit hole, I somehow stumbled upon one by Modern Salon Magazine. It demonstrates the twist fringe technique, and — after multiple hand-positioning rehearsals — I decided this two-snip method is the answer for speeding up the process, which is especially important when you're working with a three-year-old.

The tools you'll need

There are a few simple tools that will make the job easier, and they don't have to be fancy or expensive. I called my local corner store and found they sold pocket combs for 88 cents, which worked just fine to brush out the tangles. Here's are the other supplies:

Hair cutting scissors. Sharp points are essential if you're looking for precision, so don't think you'll get the same results with office scissors. You could use nail scissors for fine detailing if you're in a pinch, but longer blades cover more ground quicker. 

Small comb. A barber comb isn't essential. The important thing is you're able to get a comfortable grip on the comb to section and guide the hair.  

Spray bottle. Most tutorials recommend cutting the hair damp, especially at the roots, so that you aren't up against unevenness caused by frizz or curls. If you don't have a spare bottle, look around the house and see if there's any you can empty temporarily.

Conditioner. You'll want to get the hair as tangle-free as possible before you begin, so wash and condition and use a leave-in conditioner if you have one for added insurance.

Clips. These are optional and I found I didn't need them because the wet hair was heavy enough to stay in place. But you may want it easier if you're able to section parts off. 

Entertainment. Don't underestimate how long a home haircut may take you, especially if it's your first time on the job. I was able to keep my kids still with audiobooks, but if you happen to have a tablet that they can hold in their hands and reposition, depending on where you need them to be looking, it helps.

How to actually pull the haircut off

Once you've gathered your tools, it's time to attempt the process. I wrote up a four-step plan to keep myself on track. Here are the steps I followed:

1. Brush hair back, making sure that you're not missing any from underneath and around the neck. Tilt the child's head forward, chin-to-chest, and make the first cut in the middle at the back. This will be your guide for the rest of the cut, so get it the length you want. Remember that hair shrinks when it dries, so control yourself. 

2. Cut around one side of the head and then the other, picking up a little bit of what you've just cut and to use as a guide for the next piece. Hold the scissors perpendicular to the head for a blunt-cut look, or make little cuts with your scissors pointed up for a softer look.

3. When you come around the side, have your child tilt their head to the other shoulder so the hair lifts up above the shoulder you're working around so you aren't bumping into it. Check the evenness of your work by pulling down pieces from each side and comparing.

4. If you're planning to add or clean up layers in the front you'll need to decide what you're comfortable with attempting here's where you can decide your comfort level. I chose to tackle the twist fringe technique, which worked like magic to create a natural looking (read: even!) face frame.

You might want to consider Hair 101 with April's advice instead, which demonstrates how to place your scissors at an angle and work your way around the front. It's a bit more tedious than the twist fringe method, but requires a lot less contortion. Either way, remember that if you're carving out bangs for the first time, you'll end up with a mullet if you snip too deep toward the ear.

So, that's it — four steps to achieve a perfectly acceptable kid's haircut. This is where I should have stopped, and where I recommend you do. But I have an excitable personality and I get caught up in the moment, so I continued by attempting to add texture to their bangs using this method from Sam Villa Hair Tutorials, as well as movement in the back by following Modern Salon Magazine's instructions.

Last words of advice

The important thing to remember is that hair grows back. My best advice is to start small and know when to stop. If your end result is flawed, take comfort in the fact that some of Canada's greats have sported mullets. 

Jessica Brooks is a digital producer and pro-trained cook and baker. Follow her food stories on Instagram @brooks_cooks.