If you’ve ever wondered about taking the scissors into your own hands, learning how to cut your own hair into a pixie cut for women can be a game-changer.
While it may seem intimidating at first, with the right tools, careful planning, and a bit of patience, you can achieve a stylish, manageable cut from the comfort of your own home.
Here’s a detailed, step‑by‑step guide to help you do it safely and confidently.
Table of Contents
Tools You’ll Need
- Haircutting scissors (not regular household scissors — they make a big difference in precision)
- Clippers with guards (optional, but useful for the back and sides)
- Comb and sectioning clips to hold hair in place
- Two mirrors so you can see the back of your head
- A cape or towel to keep hair off your clothes
Before You Start
Pixie cuts are short and don’t leave much room for error, so consider watching a detailed video tutorial that shows each step clearly before you begin. Practising on longer hair first or on someone else’s hair (or even a mannequin head) can help you learn the angles and motion. Cutting a pixie is easier if your hair is already somewhat short — going from very long to pixie in one go is harder to do well without professional experience.
Step‑by‑Step Guide for How to Cut Your Own Hair Into a Pixie Cut for Women
How to Cut Your Own Hair Into a Pixie Cut for Women Step 1: Wash and detangle your hair
Start with clean, dry or slightly damp hair, combed through so there are no knots. This gives you a smooth foundation for cutting.
How to Cut Your Own Pixie Cut Hairstyle Step 2: Section your hair
Use clips to separate the top section from the sides and back. A common approach is to make a horseshoe‑shaped parting from temple to temple around the crown, clipping the top hair up out of the way.
How to Do a Self Cut Pixie Cut Step 3: Start with the back and sides
If you’re using clippers, attach a guard that’s longer than you think you want the final length. Run the clippers evenly up from the nape to the transition line you made. If you’re doing it with scissors instead, gently trim the hair little by little, combing down and cutting a bit at a time.
Show.How to Cut Your Own Short Pixie Cut Step 4: Work on the top
Release the top section of hair. Decide how much length you want to keep on top — it’s usually longer than the back so you can shape the style. Comb small sections straight up and trim across with scissors. Cutting vertically with the tips of your scissors (point cutting) gives softer, more blended layers rather than a harsh straight line.
- Blend layers
After you’ve cut the main lengths, use thinning shears or point cutting to soften transitions between layers so the hair doesn’t look blocky. This makes the style look more natural and polished. - Check symmetry and refine
Use your two mirrors to check the back and sides for evenness. Trim carefully until both sides match and the silhouette looks balanced from all angles.
Photo credits: Lace Hair Studio NY