Spidermom's Trimming Method - with pics

[Milady_DeWinter]

Ok, so I post it in my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/laura.de.breuil/) last summer and was asked to create a post in the forum for future references. I've been using this self trimming method for almost 2 years now and it works for me way better than Feye's; I think it's great for all people with thick hair, plus also works for thin hair.

It doesn't have its own post me thinks, so here's it with a few pics I took so it'll be easier to understand. As a non native speaker, it took me a while to get this method right just by reading the comments Spidermom made about it, so hopefully it'll be helpful for more people.

All credits to Spidermom, who is the one and only that shared this method with us!


*SPIDERMOM'S TRIMMING METHOD*

https://i.imgur.com/tEvc164.jpg

Here's the Spidermom's Method. This method gives you a soft U hemline (deeper depending on your posture while you trim, we will get to it) and YOU control how much you cut, instead of letting it up to the *crazy* hairdressers out there. There are other methods, but this one is my fav.

It is very simple, just be sure you're using some GOOD hair scissors.

1) If you always part in the same place, leave your usual part, but part your hair straight down the middle in the back.

2) Comb each half of your hair smoothly and evenly forward to join into a single ponytail just under your chin. If you do it looking at the ceiling, the cut will be more straight; the more you look at the ground the deeper the U shape will be. Check to make sure all the hair comes smoothly forward; lumps and crossed-up hair will give uneven results.

3) Comb the ponytail under your chin straight down.

4) Close a hard page book over your ponytail and slide the book down toward the ends until you get to the part that you want to trim. Make sure the book is even, not slanted. Cut straight across the hair protruding from the bottom of the book. Use the bottom of the book as your straight edge.

* Be conservative! Cut maybe half the amount you want to trim first, then release your hair and check it in the mirror. If you like the shape, repeat and cut again.

Make sure all the hair comes forward smoothly and evenly for the ponytail and that it's centered. It's pretty easy to make this cut go all wonky if you're not careful. If you try it, please - no more than about 1/2 inch the first cut to make sure it's not doing something weird.

Good luck!

[Sarahlabyrinth]

It's about time someone made this thread! I'm bookmarking it. :)

[Joules]

Great method! I first tried it in June 2013 and loved it so much! Just 4 months ago I decided to change my hemline to more U-shaped (transitioning to straight-across ) just because it's been over 6 years and I needed a change :lol:

[Kake]

Brilliant! Thanks Milady

[embee]

Well done! Thanks for posting this. Pics are good too. Glad to have something not a video.

[Puffer Fish]

Thank you for the easy reference for this!

Now to just wait for my hair to get long enough to use it again :D

[paulownia]

That's the trimming method I use, all right :D
Of course without a book, my hair is way too short for it. I just tie hair in ponytail under the chin, hold it with fingers and just snap the ends.
Great to have instruction with pictures :D thanks for that, Milady:cheer:

[spidermom]

Wow - you did a beautiful job explaining this with both words and pictures. I think I'll have to call it MiLady's trim from now on. I don't know why I never thought to get pictures of the steps … Doh!

[cestlavie]

I think I will use this method next time I trim my hair! Seems easier to manage than Feye's method, thank you for explaining it with helpful pictures!

[GoddesJourney]

We should "promote to article", no? It's good to have more than one method available to our community in an easy to find location. Thank you Milady for the pictures. You seem to have access to high quality photography and it really helps us all.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

So to get the deeper U shape you look upwards while you make the ponytail under your chin? I would like to try to get a deeper U with my next trim.

[GoddesJourney]

By the way, Spidermom. It seems you basically used a book to spread out the hair like the creaclip I have yet to try. Very resourceful and very smart.

[Milady_DeWinter]

So to get the deeper U shape you look upwards while you make the ponytail under your chin? I would like to try to get a deeper U with my next trim.

Aaaah glad you saw it!!! Au reverse :doh: The upper you look the more straight it'll be; if you wanna a deep U you got to do the ponytail looking at the ground. Sorry for it, just modified the post!


Glad to see you here Spidermom, I can't be thankful anough for your tips for it :) I just wanted it to be more avaiable, but did nothing here.

[neko_kawaii]

Would this be a better thread to link to in the Important Resources page (currently links Spidy's thread) or would it be better to merge the two threads?

[MusicalSpoons]

Wonderful Milady! Such a useful post :cheer:


Would this be a better thread to link to in the Important Resources page (currently links Spidy's thread) or would it be better to merge the two threads?

Ooh I forgot about that thread - I think there's so much other useful info in that one too that I think a merge would be good :)

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Aaaah glad you saw it!!! Au reverse :doh: The upper you look the more straight it'll be; if you wanna a deep U you got to do the ponytail looking at the ground. Sorry for it, just modified the post!


Glad to see you here Spidermom, I can't be thankful anough for your tips for it :) I just wanted it to be more avaiable, but did nothing here.

Aah, ok, thanks for the correction! :D Someone could have got things wrong otherwise!

[spidermom]

I think a merge would be great if you have the post with the pictures first in the new thread.

[C_Bookworm]

Thank you for posting this! I’m definitely going to trim in July, going back and forth between a straigh hemline and a U. I’ll be keeping this method bookmarked! Thank you, Milady, for the pictures and explanation, and thank you, Spidermom, for such a handy invention! :flower:

[bparnell75]

It's about time someone made this thread! I'm bookmarking it. :)

I agree thank you MiLady. will definitely try this one. But I do cut when wet so I will need to find a book that I do not mind ruining.

[desisparkles]

would wrapping the open book in cyran wrap work? hmmmm....

[Laurab]

I agree thank you MiLady. will definitely try this one. But I do cut when wet so I will need to find a book that I do not mind ruining.

I'd check out used bookstores or goodwill or something, I think you can get some really old books for like, pennies. Depending on luck and where you live of course.

[Milady_DeWinter]

You all are very welcome, feels good to give back a little bit to the community after having received so much :blossom:



I'd check out used bookstores or goodwill or something, I think you can get some really old books for like, pennies. Depending on luck and where you live of course.

I agree: old books, esp children hard book, are a good option. Also a hard notebook or a hard binder might do the trick.

[lapushka]

This is *so* helpful; thanks Milady! :D

[LadyMikaelson]

It'll be quite a while before I need this, but it's good to know! :cool:

[spidermom]

There are children's books with hard pages. I've even seen one that was sort of a plastic kind of material.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

If you get books for babies they are often waterproof, too.

[lapushka]

I have one hard copy (rest is paperback) of one of my James Patterson's books. I'll use that one should I try this, it's nice & big! :D But I'm good so far using Feye's to snip the tippy tips off and stay classic length.

[WyntreBlossom]

Anyone have a before and after shot of doing this method? Highly considering. (Take a look at my "I made a mistake" thread to see why)

[PeonyBlue]

Thank you so much for posting this - I normally go for a straight, blunt hem, but I was wanting in to change it up a bit (especially now that I’ve taken a few pics of my hair and have had a bit of a think). I reckon I’m going to give it a go in the next few days.

I’ll post a pic when I’m done...maybe...if I’m not embarrassed by my shoddy cutting skills :o

[ioanaxena]

Thank you for posting this! It looks way easier than I initially thought. I cannot wait to have my hair long enough to put it in a ponytail at the front so I can trim it the way I like it :)

[Wendyp]

I do this method with just my fingers as measurements but I'm going to try the book method!

[Lady Stardust]

My hair is APL so it’s too short to use a book. I use another hair tie instead.

I was quite hesitant at first and only snipped a tiny bit off the ends to round off the corners. I keep going for a deeper U as it’s the front sections that need the most trimming. As long as I cut lower than the shortest ends, I don’t lose any length.

Spidermom this is such a versatile method, thank you for coming up with it and for sharing it with us. Thanks too to Milady for the clear visual instructions, they encouraged me to take the plunge!

[WyntreBlossom]

I said screw it and gave this a try. Gonna do a wash/condition and then let it air dry. Once it's dry ill snap a photo.

Im sad because I lost a bit more length. but I know itll grow back healthier

[luluj]

I said screw it and gave this a try. Gonna do a wash/condition and then let it air dry. Once it's dry ill snap a photo.

Im sad because I lost a bit more length. but I know itll grow back healthier

I look forward to seeing the photo. Hair grows, like you say. Don't be too sad, you are fortunate to have such lovely hair.

[lapushka]

I said screw it and gave this a try. Gonna do a wash/condition and then let it air dry. Once it's dry ill snap a photo.

Im sad because I lost a bit more length. but I know itll grow back healthier

Eager to see what it turned out like! :)

[WyntreBlossom]

Eager to see what it turned out like! :)

My husband got called into work before my hair dryed so you guys will have to wait like 9 to 10 hours before I am able to post anything XD Sorry!

[lapushka]

My husband got called into work before my hair dryed so you guys will have to wait like 9 to 10 hours before I am able to post anything XD Sorry!

That's OK. Your hair won't run away. ;)

[Für immer]

It's about time someone made this thread! I'm bookmarking it. :)

Same here. :D
Will try this method next time.

[WyntreBlossom]

https://imgur.com/a/gWKVOi3

I don't think I did it right? I only cut a few centimeters because I didn't want to lose length so maybe that's why. And I had tilted my chin forward for a deeper U so. :shrug:

[lapushka]

https://imgur.com/a/gWKVOi3

I don't think I did it right? I only cut a few centimeters because I didn't want to lose length so maybe that's why. And I had tilted my chin forward for a deeper U so. :shrug:

I think it's fine. The best thing to do is to leave it alone now. :flower: And I say that with the best of intentions. You will never be happy if you go on like this, and you'll end up losing a lot of length... for nothing. :(

[Feral_]

I've done this method before and I add an extra hair tie to the length, don't use a book.

There is also another method for this where you section the hair, (like doing a half up) tie it out of the way and pony tail the remaining length under your chin. It was on youtube and it gives a U but with very slight long layers at the front. Might be useful for those who want that type of style.

[WyntreBlossom]

I think it's fine. The best thing to do is to leave it alone now. :flower: And I say that with the best of intentions. You will never be happy if you go on like this, and you'll end up losing a lot of length... for nothing. :(

Yea I am so not willing to take anymore off so I think im just going to let it grow. Here's to many more years of zero trims XD

[PeonyBlue]

So I gave it a go...looked up on the pony & didn’t sacrifice a book (just used my fingers). This is what came off, and I’ll get a photo tomorrow morning when it dries.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50724889573_2b30406947_w.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2khojrB)SpiderMom’s Style Trim (https://flic.kr/p/2khojrB) by Yesterday- Today (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191184884@N02/), on Flickr

[cat11]

Looking forward to seeing how it turned out, PeonyBlue!

[lapushka]

Looking forward to seeing how it turned out, PeonyBlue!

^^ Yes! :)

[PeonyBlue]

Well - here it is. I should probably take off another inch or so if I really want to thicken up the hem, but I’m not sure. I might gel and scrunch next time and see how it looks more wavy before I decide if I take off more.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50727287603_52cbc9150a_w.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2khABhX)SpiderMom’s Style Trim (https://flic.kr/p/2khABhX) by Yesterday- Today (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191184884@N02/), on Flickr

[lapushka]

Well - here it is. I should probably take off another inch or so if I really want to thicken up the hem, but I’m not sure. I might gel and scrunch next time and see how it looks more wavy before I decide if I take off more.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50727287603_52cbc9150a_w.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2khABhX)SpiderMom’s Style Trim (https://flic.kr/p/2khABhX) by Yesterday- Today (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191184884@N02/), on Flickr

I would not take off more... but that's me! Lovely waves, though.

[luluj]

Well - here it is. I should probably take off another inch or so if I really want to thicken up the hem, but I’m not sure. I might gel and scrunch next time and see how it looks more wavy before I decide if I take off more.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50727287603_52cbc9150a_w.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2khABhX)SpiderMom’s Style Trim (https://flic.kr/p/2khABhX) by Yesterday- Today (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191184884@N02/), on Flickr

Looks so nice, PeonyBlue. The hemline looks very even, you did a great job. :)

[PeonyBlue]

Thanks, guys - it really is a much easier method than my old way of trimming...fells like I have a lot more control this way.

[cat11]

It looks nice and the U is very subtle. Instead of trimming off more now, maybe just wait until it's time to trim again and then you wont have to lose more length now and it will still become thicker later. Honestly your ends look thick to me now though!

[PeonyBlue]

Thanks Cat11 - I think that’s how I’m going to go. I’ve still got a bit of the layering to grow out from the other year, but with the waviness it’s not too obvious. I’ll give it a few months and maybe next time I’ll try for a bit more of a U now that I know how it works.

[spidermom]

I recently had so much damage that I badly needed a trim. I have layers, so I first did the unicorn horn method at my forehead and cut off around 4 inches. Then I did the ponytail under the chin method to trim the length. Since I didn't have a book handy, I used a 2nd hair tie. I don't know how many inches I cut off because I did it a little at a time until I was satisfied. I went from hip length to barely waist length but had so many split ends and white dots that a haircut was much needed. My hair is so much easier for me to manage now; it was totally worth it.