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How to Cut Short Hair: Our 9 Tips for Success

(Posted on 20/02/24

Are you a hairstylist feeling a bit shaky when it comes to short haircuts? No worries – we've got your back! Check out these game-changing tips to boost your confidence and elevate your short hair game.

From pixie cuts to bob hairstyles, cutting short hair requires precision, technique, and a dash of creativity. But fear not – we've got you covered with insider secrets that will take your short hair game to the next level.

Victoria Williams is an esteemed figure in the hairdressing industry with over 20 years of invaluable experience. As the award-winning owner of Head Office Creative Hair Studios and co-founder of Head Office Academy, Victoria is not only a salon entrepreneur but also a dedicated educator. Her passion for nurturing talent and fostering business growth led her to establish Head Office Academy, offering creative hair courses and business training tailored for salon owners and freelancers in the hair and beauty industry.

1. Mind the Ears: Precision is Key!

When it comes to cutting around the ears, slow and steady wins the race. Use small, controlled movements to avoid accidental slips. Gently fold the ear forward and comb the hair into place. Use a free-hand cutting technique for a precise result.

2. The Art of Blending: Connecting Sides to Back

Achieving a seamless transition from the sides to the back is an art. Embrace the layering technique, keeping your cuts gradual and blended to avoid creating unnecessary weight behind the ears.

3. Texturise for Effortless Style

Short hair loves texture! Consider using thinning scissors or texturising techniques to add movement and dimension, if the client’s hair texture is thick enough. This not only softens the edges but also gives your client an effortlessly chic look that's easy to maintain.

4. Consultation is Key: Understand Your Client's Style

Before diving into the cut, have a detailed consultation with your client. Understand their lifestyle, hair routine, and desired style. This will guide your approach and help you tailor the cut to suit their personality and maintenance preferences.

5. Sectioning for Success: Divide and Conquer

Don't overwhelm yourself – divide the hair into manageable sections. This makes the cutting process more controlled and allows you to focus on one area at a time. Start from the bottom and work your way up, ensuring even and precise cuts throughout following key points on the head - occipital bone, recession areas and crown.

6. Elevate with Product Knowledge

Short haircuts often rely on product styling. Enhance your skills by understanding which products work best for different short styles. Familiarise yourself with texturising sprays, pomades, and styling gels to add the finishing touch and hold to your masterpiece.

7. Dry Hair Check: Refine the Look!

Never let your client leave with wet hair! It’s so important to check it over once it’s dried to assess the cut's accuracy and make any necessary adjustments.

8. Honesty’s the Best Policy!

If, during the course of your consultation, you feel that the cut is out of your comfort zone, just be honest with your client. Trust us...they’ll appreciate it in the long run. Explain that you specialise more in longer styles and you want to ensure they get the best results. Recommend a colleague or salon who is fantastic with short hair and tell them if they ever decide to go for a longer style, you'd be more than happy to help. 

9. Never Stop Learning

If you need hands-on practical guidance, our 1-2-1 Cutting Confidence Workshops are perfect. Led by our award-winning co-founder and salon owner , Vicky Williams, these workshops provide personalised instruction on all the techniques discussed in this factsheet and more!

• 3 hours
• 1-2-1
• Only £149

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