With its classic chic vibe and sleek lines, the evergreen bob haircut never goes out of style. But modern chopped bobs demand precision when cutting to create crisp shapes full of movement and dimension. Learning pro techniques delivers salon-quality results without the time or cost.
The proper bob cut instantly boosts your confidence by showcasing your best features while refreshingly lifting your look. Blunt and angled bobs demand detail-oriented cutting skills to create crisp lines full of movement. But don’t let the precision intimidate you. The following step-by-step guide makes DIY bob haircut styles achievable for beginners.
- Arm Yourself With Quality Shears
Invest in professional haircutting shears explicitly designed for precision cuts like bobs. Forgo regular scissors, which will shred and damage hair. Dull blades also tear hair versus slicing cleanly.
Reserve new shears only for haircutting. Clean blades thoroughly before and after each use with rubbing alcohol to prevent buildup. Sharp, purpose-built shears are critical.
- Work In Front Of Good Lighting
Setup near a sunlit window or bright ring light when cutting hair. Eliminate shadows by having light sources in front and behind you directed at the head. Being able to see lengths is crucial.
Using mirrors helps see the back of the head while cutting. Place mirrors strategically to view the shape coming together from all angles. Don’t just guess; precisely cut bobs require good visibility.
Wetting the hair before cutting lets you see the shape and ends clearly. Cut wet hair near a bright window for best visibility. Proper lighting prevents mistakes.
- Section Hair Cleanly
Sectioning creates controllable hair segments to focus on individually versus haphazardly cutting all hair at once. Use clips to cleanly section hair before cutting.
Work systematically in quadrants, cutting the back sections, then sides, followed by bangs and front pieces. Cut each section symmetrically on both sides for consistency.
Release clips to check progress and ensure both sides match. Sectioning prevents you from getting overwhelmed trying to cut all your hair together.
- Determine Ideal Lengths
Pinpoint exactly where you want the bottom cutting line. Measure lengths using the head shape for guidance. The occipital bone at the base of the skull offers a natural guide.
Classic bobs cut to just above the shoulder neatly complement this bone. For chin or collarbone length bobs, use your face as a scale. Part hair cleanly in each section, then use clips to mark the chosen length.
Take your time measuring ideal lengths around the head before cutting. Choosing the proper lengths for your desired bob style prevents surprises or mistakes.
- Cut To The Front Of Your Fingers
Use your middle and index finger as an invisible cutting guide. Comb hair between fingers, placing them at the desired cutting line. Cut hair to just in front of your fingers.
Keep your fingers pressed together and knuckles bent to keep a steady, straight position. Allow the comb to extend past your fingers to lift ends while cutting. Move fingers with each new subsection.
According to LoveHairstyles, this finger placement trick helps you cut strictly at your pre-measured lengths. The key is maintaining an immobile finger baseline down the head as you move around.
- Point Cut For Soft Ends
Avoid cutting straight across bluntly, which creates visual weight and commonly leads to a triangle effect. Instead, hold shears vertically and snip ends with the tip for softness.
Use point cutting to remove small bits down the ends versus large chunks. This gradually eases to the bottom line versus an abrupt blunt edge. Alternate between vertical and over-directed point cutting for movement.
On bob haircuts, angle shears slightly elevation during point cutting to build shattered, piece-y ends. Point cutting removes bulk while encouraging natural texture and bend.
- Texturize With Thinning Shears
After establishing length, carve the shape using thinning shears to remove bulk and reduce unwanted density delicately. Use the various-sized teeth to customize areas needing more or less removal.
Avoid over-thinning, which causes excessive layers. Take your time and work slowly. Use the tip of thinning shears to soften hard lines around the perimeter.
Texturizing shears sculpt shapes while blending lengths and encouraging movement. They build airiness, movement, and natural polish. Use them strategically, not aggressively.