Monday 18 August 2014

Getting the chop

Hey up chuck, how ya diddlin? Sorry I wasn't around yesterday, spent a very enjoyable afternoon with my family. Pub lunch with sis and her hubbs, then a natter with Uncle Stan, picking his brains about picture framing. He gave me a few pointers, something to think about when deciding how to frame my picture. Well. I've thunk, and I am going to have a go at making a wooden frame with recycled timber. I have plenty of it in the garage. I have also dug out a piece of glass that was propped up against the back of the garage, someone gave me an old greenhouse which I never erected but kept the glass. Knew it would come in useful for something. It is two feet square, I've cleaned it up and tried it against the picture. I wasn't sure I wanted glass in front of it, but it looks pretty darn good, so I'm going with the glass. I've also found a piece of hardboard for the back and cut it to size. So, I have all the pieces, now just have to make it.

It's time for my bi annual haircut. I no longer go to the hairdressers, gave them up a couple of years ago. I never liked how they cut it so why pay money when I can do it myself. I have posted about this before, but it's worth another mention in case someone might like to give it a go. Maybe you already do cut your own hair.

I start off outside so that most of it falls onto the yard and gets blown away in the wind. I put a mirror on the window ledge, and comb through my hair with my fingers, lifting it and cutting the bits sticking up with the scissors in my right hand.

And I keep doing that all over. Lifting and cutting.

 When I get to the back and sides I lift, but then have to twist my wrist and pull the ends to the side so I can see in the mirror what I am cutting.

When I think it's nearly done, I move just inside the passageway between the mirrors hanging on opposite doors, so I can cut a straight line across the bottom. Yes, I think that's enough going by what has landed on my shoulders.
 Is that to Modom's liking? Yes, that will do nicely, thank you.


Job's a guddun. Looks alright to me. Saved me £20 if I went to a posh hairdresser, or a tenner if I went for a  five minute chop at a drop in shop. No petrol needed to go to town, and didn't have to wait for a student to do it at the college.  
If you don't already cut your own hair, why not have a go. Or if you don't feel confident enough, get together with a friend and cut each others hair. It's not that difficult.
Toodle pip.

35 comments:

  1. I've been cutting my own hair for years and years, gave up on hairdressers at any price knowing how to cut curly hair. They train on straight, I guess. And I've been a lot happier since I stopped getting all disappointed over and over! I don't cut it all at once, though, just whatever's sticking up! and it looks easily as good as when I paid money to other people. I have one of those little battery driven things, too with a comb fitted on and a whizzing razor at the base, so that I can gauge the length more accurately, and just comb through. Works for me!

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  2. Or get the clippers out and have a 6 all over , like me!

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  3. Like you and Boud I gave up on hairdressers years ago. The best hair cuts I've gotten were from barbers, not sure why, but I got exactly what I ask for. I cut mine differently as mine is baby fine and over the years has gotten thin. I part down the middle, pull the two sides forward and blunt cut it the length I want. Then I comb it back, trim the loose ends and I'm done.

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  4. I can't do my own, I've tried. The back always ends up shorter than the front and crooked. It's because I need to bring it around to the front to cut it and when you are doing that it takes up length so is misleading. My friend cuts her own beautifully, both one length or layered. Mine is quite long and I need to get it straight.

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  5. Great selfie showing the front and back of your hairdo.
    Dave.

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  6. chop, chop, hack, hack - looks not bad.

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  7. Never beento a hairdressers in years. Mine is shoulder ength I cut it damp I put it into 3 ponytails one at the back two each side then spread it out with my fingers and chop about 1/2 inch of every month as my hair grows fast. I dont shampoo very often just spray with
    Bicarb of soda and water massage in then rinse off I use white vinegar to rinse. When your hair is dry you cant smell the vinegar. I get compliments on how soft and shiny my hair is. I have dry hair so dont know how this would work on greasy hair. There are loads of
    videos on cutting hair on you tube and the no poo method.
    my hair has a slight wave to it is quite forgiving if it isnt straight.

    your hair if fab Ilona good job

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  8. Good job done Ilona. I always cut my own hair and it literally takes about a dozen cuts. Lots of people over the years have asked me where I get it done and don't believe that I do it myself. I think people are conditioned to think that they couldn't do it but I'm sure if they were brave and gave it a go they could.
    I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price of cuts the other day.
    Briony
    x

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  9. Another self cutter here. I haven't been to the HD's for over 10 years. I roughly worked out that has saved me £3600. I didn't mind the way she cut it, I just don't like the HD experience. I don't use any heat anymore (hairdresser always gave me a style that needed blow dryer or straightening) and I use henna to dye it. My hair is nearly waist length with layers with lots of natural loose curls which I was always told was damage (frizz). At 41 I am finally happy with my hair! Yours looks great. Debbie

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  10. Tip - for cutting kids hair, keep old outgrown tee shirts for them to wear while cutting their hair. Saves their good clothes from getting covered in hair trimmings. However, a sticky roller is good for removing these. I struggle to cut the back of my hair so I ask OH to cut it for me. I do the rest. Clippers are great for men's and boys' hair - not brave enough to try these on my own hair but maybe one day!

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  11. Saved you more than £20 at a lot of places. I cut mine too and husband, and dog (which saves even more!) Mine is a bit tricky as it's very straight and cut in a bob which tapers up at the back but with my husband's help and a couple of mirrors, it always looks fine. The first time was after 40 years of hairdressers not cutting it as requested! I have a problem with my shoulder at the moment, so the next time could be interesting!

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  12. Your hair looks fine, Ilona. I can't believe the amount of money my daughters spend on getting their hair done; I'd rather save it or spend on something else. I haven't really cut my hair for about 10 years. I occasionally chop an inch or two off the end of my pony tail when its starts looking a bit ratty, but otherwise it just grows and grows and is now almost waist length. If I get fed up with it hanging down my back I just twist it up into a topknot and secure it with a scrunchy. I also stopped colouring it about eight years ago and quite like my long grey tresses now.

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  13. I'm going to try...if I make a hash of it...it'll grow back.
    Jane x

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    Replies
    1. As sure as night follows day but I would suggest doing tiny trims to start, even if it takes a week, keep trimming mm's until you are happy, that way if you make a mistake it is hardly noticable and will grow within a couple of weeks. When you are confident you can increase the amount of hair you cut in one session. If it does go wrong a few clips or head bands come in useful until it grows. Good luck. Debbie

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  14. Very timely, in a way, as I'm just patting myself on the back for saving $40 by figuring out a way to attach a garden hose to my shower, run it out the window, and bathe my dog outdoors!
    I also trim my own hair but now it's saving me the trouble by falling out :( I'd much prefer to keep growing and trimming it, but no one asked me.
    Ilona, if you don't mind a suggestion from someone who has framed a lot of work...you might want to mount or stretch the piece so it lays flat, then matte it so there is a little space between the glass and the fabric. There will always be some air and moisture getting behind that glass, and it would be a shame to risk damaging your work.

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  15. Interesting what Angela said about bicarb and white vinegar. I shall try that. I guess you make a paste with the bicarb, in order to massage it in.
    Do you dilute the white vinegar?

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  16. Good for you! I have not cut my own hair since the age of five when I took the nail scissors to my waist length locks much to the horror of my mother!

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  17. To prevent getting a hairy jumper wear a bin bag with head hole cut out, the hair just slides off it!

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    Replies
    1. Now why didn't I think of using a bin bag :o((

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  18. Nice job Ilona. I have also decided to stop the madness of using chemical hair dye.
    AussieCheryl : )

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  19. To answer Kaths question on the no poo method. There are lots of y** t**e videos on this method. However Ashleys Green Life is the best method using a small spray bottle. Its one tablespoon of bicarb of soda mixed with one cup of water (im english so that looks like
    about 250ml of water and mixed in the spray bottle. Spray your wet hair then rinse well. The vinegar rinse is the same I use less vinegar
    and just use white she uses apple cider vinegar. Then rinse well.
    You dont smell like a chip shop honestly!. You could add drops of
    essential oil but I dont bother. I dont use products on my hair, hair spray ect, so it doesnt get any build up really. Your hair depends
    on how greasy it is but ordinary shampoo causes greasy hair. My dry
    hair loved it straight away being dry but it can take a while for hair to get back to its natural soft state. Think of wild animals that dont wash
    their hair, how clean and soft that is. I tried this wnen I retired so no chance i would have to turn up for work with flat lank hair until it balanced back but as I said my hair loved it. No more frizzy poofed
    up dandruff hair. I no longer dye my hair either I just "tint" it with weak back tea it isnt permanent but its better than chemical dyes.

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    Replies
    1. That's very useful Angela, thank you. Might try that myself.

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  20. Nice job as always hun. I only get mine cut probably twice a year so I normally go to the local college to get it done. Mind you I do cut hubbies for him, have done for years. Not that I'd let him loose on mine! lol

    X x

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  21. I never go to the hairdressers anymore. They charge minimum kr 300,- (£ 30) and then try to sell me a whole lot of expensive products l don't need. Most women my generation seem to make a fuss about going grey too. They spend a fortune on dying the roots every six to eight weeks. I am impressed with your cut, good job. Not easy with different lengths. Mine is all long so it is pretty simple to cut. Have a nice day. Pam

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  22. About the framing: I'm an exhibiting textile artist, and I rarely put glass on a textile piece. Better frame it as if it were an oil painting, stretched tightly over stretcher bars. If the design goes over the sides, no need for a frame at all. Screw eyes and picture wire and you're done.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Boud. You are probably right about no glass. I don't know how to go about stretching it though, there is no stretch in it. I am making the frame, I think it would look better with a frame.

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  23. I'm not brave enough to cut my own hair, I'm afraid, although I ceased colouring it years ago. I hated to see the roots and no colour seemed to look natural with my pale complexion. I do get complimented on my grey colour now! Cuts cost me £21 every 7/8 weeks :-( I wish I had the courage to grow it and tie it up in a feminine style.

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  24. I`d love to do my own, but with my onset of arthritis in elbows and fingers I find it difficult to get a good grip and correct cut. So, I save a little money each week for my 6-8 weeks haircut at my local hair salon. The lady that does my hair knows exactly what I like and does a fab job within 15 mins. I keep my hair very short and washing is such a doddle. I`m also going to ditch the commercial shampoos now and will go for the baking soda and water method from now on, rinsing my hair with a mint tea infusion. It works really well and leaves my hair soft and beautifully conditioned. I have quite normal hair and can get away with one wash a week.

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    Replies
    1. The tea rinse sounds lovely I might try camomile it's good for blondes going grey
      You do need the vinegar rinse tho it neutralises the bicarb

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  25. I cut my teddy bear's fur when I was about five and expected it to regrow and was surprised when it didn't! Still have the teddy bear fifty eight years later I think he has forgiven me.

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    Replies
    1. It's lovely that you still have your teddy bear. I still have mine (he's 58 years old now and I love him as much as I did back then).

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    2. I don't know if my last comment got through (have no idea really how all this works). I have had my teddy for 58 years and still love him to bits. Love to all the old teddies out there.

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  26. I am often tempted to cut my own as I hate going to the hairdressers (although it costs less than half the price now since we moved from southern England to Wales). But I have very short hair and I would hate to end up looking like GI Jane if it all went horribly wrong.

    My Lovely Hubby has offered to whizz round with the shaver thing on my hair we use on his, he has a No 4 on Top and a No 2 on his beard, nice and simple and it saves us a fortune as his hair grows extremely quickly. But dare Iet him ?

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  27. I hate going to the salon as well. I don't anymore now that I have a boyfriend who cuts my hair for me, does a great job and it saves me hundreds a year. I do recommend using a cape for home haircuts as it catches the itchy clippings and can be shaken off after the haircut.

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