Home hair care advice

If you simply cannot let your hair go for the time being, there are some general good practices to keep in mind.

Gather the right tools.

Kitchen scissors aren’t ideal for cutting hair. Instead, consider using a pair of craft or sewing scissors or tiny fingernail scissors, says Magnuson. If you’re using clippers, be sure the guard is securely in place. (You don’t want any unplanned bald spots.)

Be safe.

Remember that you’re using sharp objects to cut your hair. Also remember that hospitals and urgent care facilities don’t need any extra patients right now. “If you’re going to use your poultry scissors from your kitchen, don’t put them close to your ear meat because you are not going to the hospital right now,” says Bee.

Maybe don’t do anything drastic.

Now really isn’t the best time to chop off a lot of length. Instead, cut off individual split ends. “We all

have time, just focus on cutting off teeny-tiny parts of your hair,” says Koopman.

Go slow. Seriously, what else do you have to do? If you must cut your own hair, give yourself plenty of time. “Always make a few cuts and then step back, look in the mirror, push your hair around in the way that it starts to fall a little more naturally,” said Magnuson.

“You’ve got time. Take breaks. Do a little bit at a time, even if that’s a few days.”

Set aside time. Look, cutting your hair is no joke. It requires a lot of concentration and patience. For the best chance of success, cut your hair when you’re fully present and can focus on the task at hand. “Maybe don’t wait until 11 o’clock and three glasses of wine later to decide it’s time to give yourself a haircut,” says Magnuson.

Call your stylist. Yes, they actually do want to hear from you and they will likely give you some basic tips. Or they may talk you down and help you reconsider cutting your own hair. Also, resist the urge to beg your stylist to come to your house to cut or color your hair. It’s not safe and it’s not smart. “I’m hoping there aren’t people out there who are breaking quarantine to go do home house calls,” said Magnuson. “I’ve seen a little bit of that and it’s really discouraging. They’re risking their lives and other people’s lives, and their license. That’s really frustrating.”

Make tiny cuts. You’ve watched your stylist in the mirror enough times to know that they almost never grab a bunch of your hair and simply cut it straight across. “Point your scissors at the hair and cut up in little snips,” says Magnuson.

Have realistic expectations. No matter how many YouTube videos you watch, you’re simply not going to master the art of hair overnight. Your stylist or barber spent years learning how to do this, then years and years practicing. Don’t be disappointed when your hair doesn’t look like it does after your stylist cuts it. That’s what you pay them for. “If you give yourself a haircut, you will have shorter hair but that’s all I can promise you,” said Bee. “People should really tune into themselves. You’ve got plenty of time to pay attention to your feelings and if you want to cut your hair because it’s going to feel good, then go for it. If you are scared that you are just going to butcher your hair, then don’t do it.”

And about those YouTube videos. As with anything, be sure to carefully consider the source. Is the person making this YouTube video a professional, with years of experience and training? Or are they a bored influencer who simply needed to make some fresh content? Also, watch the video all the way to the end before you start cutting, suggests Magnuson. That way, you know if the haircut ends in disaster before you begin following the instructions.

— Sarah Kuta