Looking for Advice on Cutting My Toddler's Hair Myself.

Updated on March 27, 2012
W.D. asks from La Grange Park, IL
13 answers

So My 2 1/2 year old still has hardly any hair. Everyone thinks her "pixie" haircut is the best....but it's just grown that way itself. :)

I'm thinking about trying to keep her hair trimmed on my own. (I will take her for cuts as soon as she has enough hair...for now, it's just that she doesn't have alot of hair as it is...but it is starting to need at least a trim around the eyes and ears). I have NO experience or knowledge on this at all, so would love to hear from those of you that cut your kids hair.

Any tips and tricks? Where do you go for scissors? What kind should I buy? Is there an easy, basic way to cut hair?

Thanks in advance!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

thanks everyone!

i haven't done anything yet - but will get some shears from sally's to just trim around her eyes and ears...until i take her for a regular haircut. :)

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Chicago on

It's really easy, put on a kids show & put them in a seat with a tarp/blanket under to catch the hair.
Watch a YouTube video on cutting kids bangs, the angle tip is great!

It's just hair! No big deal!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.G.

answers from New York on

The only advice I have is don't do it. It seems like cutting hair can't be that hard, but it is. Nothing worse than a bad haircut on an adorable child. My sister was a hairdresser for years and she had many horror stories from Moms who thought doing a child's haircut would be easy. Spend the few dollars it will cost to have a professional cut it. It will be money well spent.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

I cut my kids hair, but I have boys. We bought a hair cutting kit for around 20.00 and have been using it for the past year, it has clippers along with scissors, clips, comb. For a girl, I would think all you need is a pair of scissors for cutting hair which you can get at most drug stores.

I learned by watching others cut his hair as well as by watching youtube videos. My husband gave them their first hair cuts and I've followed his lead as well. They come out really well and they always get compliments on them. The first time wasn't so perfect, but a toddler can get away with it still being cute. Now I cut my husband's hair as well, saves us money and the hassle of bringing kids to the salon.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Chicago on

If you are going to do bangs use scotch tape to cut them straight.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

F.B.

answers from New York on

Not sure exactly how, but my girlfriend with a daughter said she used to trim her daugther's bangs while the little girl was asleep. She would put a piece of scotch tape on the hair to keep it straight before cutting.

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

I use scissors that can be found in the nail care isle. Short little things w/ round tips. I would not get regular pointed scissors!
I cut my son's hair and even if I distract him w/ a sucker or video, he is constantly turning and jerking his head.
I am still perfecting my technique-so not sure I can guide you there. ;) Watch some YouTube videos!
Here's a pic of the type of scissors I use (lol-they say they are for dog groomers): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IP4ZD0/ref=asc_df_B005IP4ZD0...
HTH!

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

i snipped the back of my son's, when he was around 18 months and the baby hair was getting a little long in the back, but the big kid hair hadn't started growing in yet. i didn't take him for his first cut till he was bigger.

i agree since she's a girl you can just use a barrette or clip it back for now if you're worried about it.

we have always done supercuts or fantastic sams and they do a fine job - the trick is getting one with good customer service in general. they usually don't wash and dry little kids' hair because they're usually not ready for that. it's hard enough for them to sit still in a chair for the length of a haircut. my son was terrified of the blow dryer. i asked them to try it one time and they did, but he wasn't comfortable so we don't generally.

honestly if she has just a little bit of whispy baby hair, cutting it at an angle, just a couple snips to get it out of her face, should be fine. i would google it though so that you have an idea.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Raleigh on

W.,
I used to do hair and I agree about going to Sally's for a pair of shears. Somebody there may be able to help you pick something out. A couple things I used to try to tell parents: don't attempt this if your child is tired or hungry. If they get fussy for whatever reason, they won't sit still and it can be so frustrating for you or whoever cuts their hair! Plus you don't want to nick their ear or cut yourself which I have done both. Usually the best time is in the morning after breakfast when the child is well rested and happy. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from St. Cloud on

Get yourself some nice, sharp scissors with no nicks. Don't use the kitchen shears or it'll look like you did. If you don't want the blunt bang look you'll want to cut them at an angle. I've read about it, haven't actually done it. Imagine looking at her from the side. You want the shortest hair to lay on top and the longest layer touching her forehead. Remember wet hair shrinks up. Plan on it taking part of the day since she may not sit still long enough for you to get your technique down. When the day comes and she does get a salon haircut, keep a good eye on the stylist to steal some tips for at-home trims :)

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Well I would not trim bangs as they are harder to manage. I just do a sweep to the side and a clip. To get good shears so to Sally Beauty Supply. Careful though, they are insanely sharp.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Columbus on

I went to Sally Beauty Supply for scissors. I use a safety pin to pin a towel around kiddos neck to keep the hair off. Do it front of the TV, a favorite show. Break it into small parts (like, do the left side one day, the right side the next). Wash & condition the hair beforehand (I do it at night, the night before).

I watched a few vids on Youtube so that I could get an idea, and then I read the haircutting section in the Tightwad Gazette.

To me, it doesn't have to look fabulous--it just has to be "sort of decent"--because their natural cuteness will shine through regardless. :) Plus, I hate spending the money on the haircuts, until he either insists, or I can't stand how my haircuts are turning out. Plus, I like cutting his hair. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I would just pull the bangs up in a barrette until she can sit still long enough for a hair cut.

My daughter is six and took her to a Just Clips or something, which I thought was appropriate for a kid cut. WRONG. The lady was more interested in doing the next 5 minute clip job. She didn't want to wash her hair or blow it dry when it was done. I could care less that it cost more, I just thought it was part of the experience to get your hair washed. It was cold outside and she was just going to send her out with wet hair. Anyway, she didn't cut the hair like I wanted. I wanted it layered, so she took her thinning shears and chopped into her hair at random. The bottom of her hair was so thick and I couldn't stand it.

I watched youtube.com and picked up the hair cutting scissors myself and fixed it. It is still shorter underneath than I want it, but it will have to grow because I am not willing to cut the length anymore than it is.

Note to self and others, no clippy clippy joints, just go to a salon or do it yourself.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

Personally I would not even try but that is just me. I would take her to
a Kids Cut type of place and watch how they do it. Then you have some
idea how to do it.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions