Choosing the Best Hairdressing Scissors for Your Home Cut

Mark Preston

During the recent lockdowns, men and women around the world have taken the brave step of cutting their hair at home. With no hairdressers allowed to open for months at a time, anyone who was used to having their hair cut regularly had no choice but to do it themselves. However, without the correct tools, this can be an absolute disaster. While it may be tempting to pick up your household or kitchen scissors, you’ll end up with a terrible cut and blunt ends. Follow our top tips below for choosing the best pair of hairdressing scissors for your home cuts this year.

What material should hairdressing scissors be made of?

The most common options for hairdressing scissors are carbon steel and stainless steel. Both of these are available for reasonably low prices online and are the materials that are favored by professional hairdressers around the world. Carbon steel remains sharp for many years, but you can sharpen the blades from time to time to retain the high quality of the scissors. Stainless steel is probably the most commonly used material, and these can be used for almost any cut and style. The majority of scissors for home use are made from stainless steel, but you may find some of the best options are high cobalt stainless steel. This premium material has a harder steel blade which offers a smooth cutting action. Professional hairdressers enjoy using scissors made from this material, as they put less strain on their hand when used all day, every day.

Price of Hairdressing Scissors

Considering the amount you pay for a haircut at your local hairdressers, you’ll be surprised by how affordable hairdressing scissors are. Options such as the T & A Hair Cutting Shears will be about half the price of a regular cut, so you’ll get your money’s worth in just one use. Of course, you are also paying for the expertise when you are going to a professional who knows how to style your hair as well as use the tools. But for a temporary solution to the current restrictions, it’s well worth getting a pair of hairdressing scissors for use at home. You’ll also find they will come in handy in future for cutting fringes or small pieces of hair when you need to tidy up between cuts.

Can I use one pair of hairdressing scissors on my whole family?

When buying hairdressing scissors, the great news is that they will be suitable for use on your whole family, including men and kids. However, many men prefer to buy a set of hair clippers, which are easier to use on short men’s hair. For men with longer styles that can’t just rely on using clippers for one length all over, scissors will be the best option. Professional scissors can be used on hair of any length or thickness and are perfect for giving your kids a quick trim. If anyone in your family has very thick hair, consider purchasing a set, such as the one from OAKEY, which all contain hair thinning scissors. Professional scissors will leave you feeling more confident than just using a random pair of scissors to cut your family’s hair.

Left or Right-Handed Scissors

The majority of scissors today are designed with right-handed users in mind. If you are left-handed, try to look for a pair of scissors that are designed with left-handed users in mind. This will help you to avoid any wrist or hand pain, which can be incredibly unpleasant if you are doing multiple cuts in a row. Comfort is key when cutting hair, as otherwise, you’ll find you might easily make a mistake that will be irreversible.

Handles

When purchasing hairdressing scissors for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed by the different styles on offer. Ensure you find scissors that are easy and comfortable to hold in your hand. Most basic scissors have symmetrical handles, but when you pay out a little more for hairdressing scissors, they’ll have more intricate handle designs which stop your hands from getting tired. Of course, you may not be so worried about this if you are only doing the odd cut, but it’s something to keep in mind. You’ll notice within the design that some scissors have a tension screw mechanism, and this helps to keep them tight and ready to use at all times.

The Salon Experience

When cutting your family’s hair this year, make sure you give them the full salon experience. Start by washing their hair, and you could even take it one step further by adding a hair mask for a conditioning treatment. A TRESemme Ceramic Paddle Brush is the perfect accessory for your hairdressing kit and will make cutting hair much easier when it’s nicely brushed through. Invest in hair clips and grips if you are working on anyone with long hair, as it will help you to divide their hair into sections and make it more manageable.

Hairdressing at home may seem like a daunting task, but in fact, many people find it to be quite enjoyable. A good pair of hairdressing scissors will make you feel more confident and secure in your task. Once you’ve mastered the basic cuts, you’ll soon find that cutting your hair at home saves you time and money in the long run.