How to cut your own bangs, without the post-snip regret

• A fine-tooth comb
• A pair of hair-cutting scissors (never paper scissors–they’ll fray the ends)

Hairdressing scissors are angled and sharpened specifically to cut cleanly without breaking or splitting strands.

Classic bangs

Step 1: Section your hair

Comb all other hair away from your face and gather the front section into a small triangle. The tip of the triangle should sit at the centre of your head, with the base following your hairline. Lightly dampen the section before cutting.

Step 2: Make the initial cut

Twist the section once or twice and cut horizontally, taking your time with small snips rather than one big chop. Repeat the same on the opposite side. Then, using vertical cuts, snip lightly into the centre to create a soft opening in the fringe.

Step 3: Refine

Hold the scissors at a 45-degree angle and trim any uneven or longer pieces following the natural direction of the fringe. Dry and style as usual, then check for balance and make any micro-adjustments.

PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Jenna Ortega attends the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 03, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage)Marc Piasecki

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 11: Suki Waterhouse attends the F/W 2025 Michael Kors fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Terminal Warehouse on February 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)Taylor Hill

PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 06: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Nicole Kidman attends the Chanel Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 06, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Getty Images

Curtain bangs

The process is similar, except curtain bangs are parted down the middle and feathered at the sides.

After sectioning the hair into a triangle, divide it into two layers: a lower and an upper section. Start with the lower layer and trim as described above. Then split the upper layer along your centre parting.

Take one side at a time, comb the hair diagonally across the forehead, and with slight tension, angle the scissors downward at a 45-degree angle. This helps the sides taper softly into the longer lengths around your face. Repeat on the other side, dry, and check for symmetry.

With patience (and good scissors), knowing how to cut your own bangs doesn’t have to end in disaster. Follow these steps and you can buy yourself a few extra weeks before your next salon visit—and still look like someone who never even tried to do it at home.

This article first appeared on Vogue.it

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