I don't know what to do

[carrieavaught]

I really, really need a trim. But I don't want to cut my hair, and around here if I say two in, she will wack off about 5 or six. Please help me decide. I have split ends as I haven't cut my hair (for even a trim) in over a year. I know I need to, I'm just scared.

[Hollyfire3]

Don't do anything until you're sure you can get to a good hairdresser who will LISTEN to you. Why risk taking a chance on lossing length? Youv'e managed with the splits for a while, a little bit longer while searching for a good hairdresser wouldn't do any harm. Try and baby your ends and maybe put them up until you can get to a hairdresser you know will listen to what you want.

[boofles]

Did you see my recent thread in a similar vein? http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=95940

You may be able to fix your problems without a full-on trim? :)

[Tisiloves]

Invest in a good pair of hair scissors and try s&ding or try Feye's self trim (in U (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=199), V (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=196) or straight. (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=198))

I'm sure your lovely husband can help, if you only want a blunt cut it's pretty easy.

[spidermom]

It's really not hard to cut your own hair. Try dividing your hair straight down the middle into 2 even halves, then comb each side smoothly forward and combine each half into one ponytail right under your chin. Make sure each side comes forward smoothly without bulges, etc. Now comb the ponytail, close a book over it, and slide the book down the ponytail toward the ends. Start very conservative - trim off maybe 1/4 inch. Repeat the process until you're happier with your ends.

It gives a U-hem result. Or at least it did for me.

[akilina]

Shop around and talk with a hair dresser. Tell them you are scared to death and exactly why. Tell them that you know you might need more hair trimmed off but you only want X amount trimmed off. Idk how much damage you have here.
Also, let them know that you are TRYING to grow your hair long and you would really really really like to find a hair dresser that will ONLY trim a tiny tiny bit whenever you think you need it.

[boofles]

Also, let them know that you are TRYING to grow your hair long and you would really really really like to find a hair dresser that will ONLY trim a tiny tiny bit whenever you think you need it.

This is DEFINITELY important, I tend to email salons if I can before hand explaining how long my hair is and where I'm trying to grow it to (sometimes I make it shorter so they don't panic!) and at least then they have in writing what you want and why - can't get much clearer than that!

Sometimes they give away in their response that they just don't understand long hair, and thats when you move to the next one!

[carrieavaught]

It's really not hard to cut your own hair. Try dividing your hair straight down the middle into 2 even halves, then comb each side smoothly forward and combine each half into one ponytail right under your chin. Make sure each side comes forward smoothly without bulges, etc. Now comb the ponytail, close a book over it, and slide the book down the ponytail toward the ends. Start very conservative - trim off maybe 1/4 inch. Repeat the process until you're happier with your ends.

It gives a U-hem result. Or at least it did for me.
I will give that a try. Thank you!

Invest in a good pair of hair scissors and try s&ding or try Feye's self trim (in U (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=199), V (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=196) or straight. (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=198))

I'm sure your lovely husband can help, if you only want a blunt cut it's pretty easy.
Yes that's all I want, and since I have to cut his hair maybe he can return the favor! Thank you.

[hellucy]

It's really not hard to cut your own hair. Try dividing your hair straight down the middle into 2 even halves, then comb each side smoothly forward and combine each half into one ponytail right under your chin. Make sure each side comes forward smoothly without bulges, etc. Now comb the ponytail, close a book over it, and slide the book down the ponytail toward the ends. Start very conservative - trim off maybe 1/4 inch. Repeat the process until you're happier with your ends.

It gives a U-hem result. Or at least it did for me.

I love this suggestion - I would never have thought of using a book but it makes perfect sense!

[mckellyn]

Be very insistent that she shows you EXACTLY how much she plans to cut. Have her show you "2-inches" several times with her fingers before the big cut. I think hair dressers are measurement-challenged.

If you don't feel comfortable with your current hair-dresser to take off 2-inches, find somebody you trust. It's not worth all your effort to take care of your hair for so long, only to have it hacked off by some hair dresser!

I hope this helped. Best of luck to you : )

[Madora]

I've used Feye's self trim method successfully on my long hair. I'd rather cut myself than leave it to a possibly scissor happy stylist!

[Rufflebutt]

Self trim! There's lots of videos that show you how to do this online. And make sure you buy a pair of barber shears and use them ONLY for cutting hair. :)

[Dorothy]

I vote for self trim or family/friend trim. A blunt cut does not need the expertise of a hairdresser, so why even risk it. If any of the stories about people here going to hair dressers and losing 5 inches when they want to lose 1 are true, it's just not worth it. I'll never go to a hairdresser again.