Before You Try to Cut or Color Your Hair at Home, You Need to Read This

We understand that you may be tempted to cut or color your own hair during this self-quarantine time. Actually, many of you may have already done it.

The idea behind this article originally started as a way to bring you videos and tips on how to cut your hair at home. Until we spoke to a professional … and then we got scared. (Actually, first we got schooled, and then we got scared.)

We spoke with Cyrus Miller, a colorist at Ramirez Tran Salon in Beverly Hills, CA, who is on the side of the industry that believes clients should leave their hair alone, whether you want to cut or color your hair.

So, put down the kitchen scissors or at-home coloring kits and read this before you start toying with your tresses. We're here simply to arm you with reasons why you might want to wait, plus some helpful alternatives to try instead.

Why wait?

"Professional scissors or shears are expensive — hundreds to even thousands of dollar — because they are handcrafted from high quality metals and then sharpened regularly to cut the hair properly," says Miller. "Meaning, the ends of the hair are not damaged or split after cutting. However, if a client at home were to use kitchen scissors or even find hairdresser scissors online, the quality of the blade will cause more damage than good (split ends). So, when this person goes to see their stylist after this is all over, their stylist may need to cut more than they would have had the client just waited."

"Not knowing proper techniques can risk boo-boos like cutting a hole or steps in the cut," Miller explains. "A 'hole' in the haircut is when there's a chunk missing. 'Steps' is when the outline shape is uneven."

If you end up cutting "holes" or "steps" in your hair, your stylist — when you do go to see him or her again — will have to "cut the rest of the hair to blend those missing pieces, meaning the client will not leave their first appointment happy and will be kicking themselves for trying it at home," Miller says. "This also may mean they will pay more for the extra time the stylist needed to accommodate creating a whole new cut."

What you can do instead...

Miller stresses that there are many other helpful tricks you can try while waiting it out until you see your hairstylist or colorist again.

"Preferably [hair ties] that look like bra straps," he says.

"I love [scrunchies] that look like a scarf or the velvet textured ones."

Miller recommends Olaplex No. 3 or Kerastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum. He says, "This is the time to be doing hair masks and treatments. Drench your hair in either (or both) of the Olaplex or Kerastase products, tie your hair up in a bun, and make it look cute for your Zoom meeting. If you have short hair, slick it back and put a headband or wrap a scarf around. Your hair and your stylist will love you for it."

What about coloring?

If coloring is an issue, Miller suggests to reach out to your colorist if you need a root touch-up kit. "They may be able to make you a custom kit to cover your roots at home. This would only pertain to clients who get a base/single process/root color."

Otherwise, if this option isn't available to you, consider online companies like eSalon for at-home customizable hair color. "This is only for clients looking to cover gray or permanently change their root color," he explains. "If you only have highlights or balayage, this is not an option for you."

To those of us who use box hair dye, let it be stated for the record that Miller is not a fan, to say the least. ("Do NOT use store bought hair color.") He says that it creates a "very expensive and time-consuming mess for yourself and your colorist." So, maybe in this case, if you really want to color your own hair, you might want to consider trying a service such as eSalon or Madison-Reed.

All-in-all, we're not here to tell you what you should do. We just want to give you some options and information. There are many different styles, textures, and types of hair depending on variables such as age, gender, and ethnicity, so everyone has their own unique hair situation to consider.

So, while you're at home hunkering down, do what's best for you and your hair. But, maybe think before you give yourself a #quarantinehaircut.

Just remember: we think you're cute, no matter what.