Calling all Do-It-Yourselfers! Dusting and Trimming Advice?

[MrsHdrLe]

How do you dust/trim your hair? This is for both naturals and relaxed heads and all categories in between.
Also please participate in the poll: What qualifies each?

 

[darlingdiva]

I dust my hair by snipping off the ends of my twists.

The last time that I trimmed my hair, I cut the ends of my braids.

 

[LoveLongLocks]

I straighten my hair and do a search and destroy to splits or single strand knots. I take off about 1/4" on the ends at the length of my hair.

 

[nymane]

When it's time for me to dust I do it when I roller set. After my set dries, I take out one roller at a time & dust the ends. HTH

 

[Truth]

Good stuff...I plan to blow out my hair tonight but I dont wanna str8n it (gettin braids 2morrow) and I wanna do a dust and or trim myself since I dont trust these sissor happy heff..i mean stylist around here....*takes notes* .... how do you know everything is all at the same length and not zig zaged or jacked up ?? I guess that's it..

 

[beans4reezy]

When it's time for me to dust I do it when I roller set. After my set dries, I take out one roller at a time & dust the ends. HTH

So when you say dust, are you looking for actual split ends to cut, or are you trimming a little bit off the top (across) of the hair?

 

[nymane]

So when you say dust, are you looking for actual split ends to cut, or are you trimming a little bit off the top (across) of the hair?

Usually I'm just dusting 1/8-1/4 of an inch from each section (split or not)...I only do this once every 4-6 months

 

[MrsHdrLe]

Thanks for the help ladies. I'm way over due

 

[justicefighter1913]

Usually I'm just dusting 1/8-1/4 of an inch from each section (split or not)...I only do this once every 4-6 months

Thanks for this! I'm suffering from a setback right now due to improper knowledge about trimming. I'm going to trim my own hair from now on! I think 4-6 months is a good timeframe for me. I think I'm going to use your method so I won't have to use a whole bunch of heat to straighten, plus I think your method is a good way of keeping track of which hair you've snipped.

 

[La Colocha]

I dust my hair by snipping off the ends of my twists.

The last time that I trimmed my hair, I cut the ends of my braids.

I do the same.

 

[sumertyme08]

I've never actually "dusted" before however when I trim i straighten, flat iron and I turn my head upside down, comb all my hair to the front and sides and trim off whatever is needed. I've found this to be the best way for me to get an even trim

 

[wild curls raquelle]

i don't really trim unless necessary. I mainly do search and destroys. I've gone as long as 6 months without trimming.

 

[virtuenow]

The definition of "dusting" in my book is to look through your hair and only cut those specific pieces of hair that have a split (right above the split). It is not defined by inches or length, but the process. I think I got this from the crown and glory website- or growlonghair mushroom girl website (??). Anyway, I believe this is the best technique to control split ends and to retain growth. All those other processes assume your whole head needs a cut- and many people end up never retaining any length b/c they do those darned "trims" once a month or so.

 

[Lucia]

I only S&D and dust, every 3-4 months. To S&D I section my hair into 6 sections, twist each sections and snip the splits that pop out including and dust the ends usually 1/8 inch or less. I've retained plenty of growth this way. I haven't had a real trimm or cut at the salon in years. I may not go get a "real" salon cut again if I can do it myself.

S&D=trimming the splits only
dusting=trimming 1/4 inch or less off the length
trimm=1/4-1 inch
cut 1 inch+

 

[beans4reezy]

Usually I'm just dusting 1/8-1/4 of an inch from each section (split or not)...I only do this once every 4-6 months

Thanks, I haven't done any cutting for a year. I think I will dust using your method next rollerset.

 

[HeChangedMyName]

I've learned to search and destroy and only dust the splits. I did find a hair though the other day that had split nearly half an inch. I was mortified. So I am considering getting an actual trim, even a cut maybe.

 

[Lucie]

I dust at work. I comb my hair in the bathroom first and snip at my desk. I've been doing it for so long I don't need a mirror anymore. I just cut a side bang a few weeks ago.

 

[JMH1908]

I started trimming/dusting my own hair years ago after a mishap in the salon..never again will I ask them to trim my hair I will do a trim if my ends are uneven which my hubby will assist with the back and I know I can trust him not trimming too much off I will actually dust less than half a inch every 3 months after my touch up and I do it while I'm rollersetting or curling my hair..

 

[sonialena]

Lately I straighten with a flat iron and trim the ends. I've found this is the easiest way to keep the hair relatively even and balanced, so that one side is not bigger/longer than the other when I'm wearing it out curly in a wash-n-go. But I'm not very good at straightening my hair, it takes forever, so next time I think I'll try the roller set method.

 

[frizzy]

For me
dusting= 1/4 of an inch or less
trim= no more than an inch
cut= anything over an inch

My advice is leave the cutting to the professionals.

 

[MrsHdrLe]

First of all, thanks to all of you who participated in my lame poll. apparently, I didn't leave much room for comparison. I think I was trying to clarify what others defined as dustings, trims, and cuts. Most of you seemed to get my intent though.
Thanks again for your help. Please feel free to add more info.
I notice the poll results are a little scewed b/c I think my question is off, but y'all are some smart people, so I'm getting the info I was/am looking for.

 

[justicefighter1913]

I only S&D and dust, every 3-4 months. To S&D I section my hair into 6 sections, twist each sections and snip the splits that pop out including and dust the ends usually 1/8 inch or less. I've retained plenty of growth this way. I haven't had a real trimm or cut at the salon in years. I may not go get a "real" salon cut again if I can do it myself.

S&D=trimming the splits only
dusting=trimming 1/4 inch or less off the length
trimm=1/4-1 inch
cut 1 inch+

Thanks for breaking this down Lucia!

 

[nymane]

Thanks, I haven't done any cutting for a year. I think I will dust using your method next rollerset.

No problem...let me know how it works out for you

 

[SimplyBlessed]

Here's a good tutorial from Traycee on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3C0ndGIZpg

 

[Irresistible]

This is how I trim

first a low pony, fully combed through, pull it to each side and trim off any 'frayed' looking ends to get to 'fresh cut' hair,(this gets the nape hair) then a higher pony, the same way, this gets the crown/front hair. This just gets the scraggly ends tho. But it works well

to do it more thorough, I part in four sections, pull/comb each front section straight down and snip, then slightly forward and snip, the two back sections I pull/comb it all the way down hold the ends and bring it forward and snip on both sides

all this makes for a very thorough trim without taking off too much hair

the ponytail part of my trim probably mostly works for hair thats pretty close to all one length

I do this like once a year

 

[Nya33]

This method sounds great! I normally braid and dust the ends of the braid.
I am searching and destroying but I will try this method after i relax in April.

When it's time for me to dust I do it when I roller set. After my set dries, I take out one roller at a time & dust the ends. HTH

 

[Poohbear]

I dust by doing the "search and destroy" method. I take a small section of hair and look closely at the ends. If I see splits, I cut the ends that are split, whether it's less than half an inch or more.

 

[Tickin4Gold]

I do the search and destroy method too. I search for split ends or thin ends and trim them. Once I start cutting though, it's hard to stop, I get carried away

 

[lonei]

I have 2 methods, both are in my fotki. One is a ponytail method where I would put it in pony tails and snip the ends. Lately, I have been doing it wet after a relaxer and I get much better results.

 

[asubeauty]

When it's time for me to dust I do it when I roller set. After my set dries, I take out one roller at a time & dust the ends. HTH

I do the same thing. I also do this when I flat iron. I flat iron one section, then dust a little off the ends. I like to do it this way to make sure I'm not missing any split ends. If I want to make sure it's perfectly even, I'll go to a stylist and ask her to even it up but try to preserve the length.