How to Cut Your Own Bangs

There are two basic styles that people typically wear.  The first one is the classic cut that forms an inverted U shape across the forehead.  The second is the side-swept.  There are two ways to do the side-swept.

Section Off Your Bangs

First, you will need to section off the hair you want to cut.  Level your head (look neither up nor down, do not tilt your head).  Grab a comb, pick or use your fingers to section off the front of your hair.  Start at the top, above your forehead, and draw a straight line down to your ear or just in front of your ear.  Repeat on the other side.  This will give you a U or V line part.  Pull all of this hair forward and check the part to make sure it's even.  Gather the rest of your hair in a ponytail, braid, or bun to keep it out of the way.

Classic Bangs

Of the hair you pulled forward for bangs, section off everything that falls between the edges of your eyebrows and leave the sides out of the way.  Comb this section downward and forward with a little water and gather it into a well-combed V in between two fingers at the bridge of your nose.  For a blunt look, snip it off in a straight line here.  Check the length.  You can always cut it a little shorter.  If you want a more uneven/feathered look, point your scissors upward at an angle and snip out bits all along your blunt hem.  This will give you a softer look with a more natural hemline.

Next, trim the sides.  The goal is to create a curved line that helps blend your bangs into the length of your hair.  For blunt bangs, hold your scissor at a downward 45 degree angle and run your scissors down this strip of hair while holding it taught with the other hand.  Repeat on the other side and make sure it's even.  For a more feathered look, use the same snipping technique as above, holding your hair at a 45 degree angle facing upward.

Side-Swept Bangs

You can make this style by simply cutting longer classic bangs.  Instead of cutting them at the bridge of the nose, cut them somewhere between the tip of your nose and your upper lip.  You can also give them a slightly layered look by pulling your hair straight out from your forehead when you cut (measure first).  For more dramatic layering, section off the top half of your bangs and make a second cut that is just a quarter inch or so shorter.  Use the feathering snip technique as before and cut the side pieces the same way as above.  When you part your bangs on the side, they will look like side-swept bangs.

For true side-swept bangs that are actually cut to the side, you may chose to section your hair in a way that includes less of the side to which your bangs will not be swept.  You may then cut at a downward angle or in a slight curve, finishing with a feathering technique if you desire, or not.  This guy has an interesting way of doing it.  Usually, I find expert village videos to be completely useless, but that one was useful.


Shop around YouTube for some visuals.  Stay away from any tutorial that uses a razor comb.  Razor cuts are terrible for your hair.

Awesome Tip of the Day:  When cutting your bangs or hair in general, it is good to remember that wet hair or pulled hair will be shorter once your hair is dry and not pulled.  Estimate your goal length and then add a half inch just in case.  You can always cut more but not less.  If you do mess it up, it will grow back very quickly and you can try it again.

Want to have naturally beautiful, healthy hair on a budget?  Click here.
For detailed instructions on cutting your own layers, click here.
For detailed instructions on how to trim your own hair, click here.