Rather than adding elastics, you can also gently pull the first elastic down to just above the place you want to cut your hair. [3] X Research source
You can also divide your hair into 4 ponytails to make it more manageable, if your hair is particularly thick or unruly. Just make sure all ponytails are the same length and lie in front of your shoulders while you cut, with the front 2 closer to your neck and the back 2 closer to your shoulders.
Cutting your hair at this angle will allow you to cut the hair from the back of your head shorter; when you brush your hair out, it will be the same length.
Because wet hair is heavier than dry hair, remember that however short you cut it, it will be a bit shorter when it is fully dry.
Have the person sit in a tall chair so that their hair is at a comfortable cutting level for you.
You can also use a rat-tail comb to measure out the sections. This will prevent you from accidentally pulling down too hard on it.
Do not twist your fingers upwards, flip the hair, or pull the strand away from the person’s back. Doing so will cause a slight gradation.
Ensure the person is sitting straight with their face forward before you cut and that they’re not crossing their legs. Otherwise, you won’t be able to cut their hair straight.
Never pull the strands away from the person’s back while cutting them. Keep them as close as possible to their back. Measure up the left and right sides in the front to ensure that they are even.
Measure the new strands against the previous ones, and the new layer against the old one.
Since you’ve cut all the hair from behind, the front strands may end up uneven. To even them out, let the hair fall where it would naturally fall by the person’s shoulders and trim it using your fingers as a guide. [20] X Research source
