How to Razor Cut Bangs

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: February 15, 2023

Cutting bangs may seem intimidating, but it is actually quite simple. If you are afraid that cutting your own bangs will result in chunky, crooked strands, don't be. With the help of a razor comb, you can get several different styles of bangs to suit your face and taste. Razor combs make cutting bangs easy, and they help give your hair a delicate, feathered look that's perfect for creating layers, texture, and volume.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cutting Side-Swept Bangs

1
Comb your bangs forward. This style works on medium to long length hair. Most side-swept bangs are about jaw-length, you but can try shorter ones that skim the tops of your cheekbones instead. Make sure that your hair is dry.
- If your hair is curly, then straighten it before cutting to ensure that you get an accurate cut.
2
Create a V-shaped part in your bangs. Find the point on your center part where it begins to curve downward towards your forehead. It is usually a few inches/centimeters from your hairline. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to create an angled part going from that point, down towards your left eyebrow. Leave your bangs loose and clip the rest of your hair out of the way. Repeat the process for the right side of the part as well.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If your part is off-center, then the point of the V should be on the off-center part. Keep in mind that your bangs won't be the same thickness due to one side having more hair.
Advertisement
3
Pinch one side of your bangs between your fingers. Pick a side on your part to start from: left or right. Make a V-shape with your forefinger and middle finger, then close them across your bangs. Slide your fingers down to where you want the shortest part of the bangs to start. How high you start is up to you, but somewhere between eyebrow and nose level is a safe bet.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you created an off-set part, choose the wider side, or the side that has more hair.
- Consider misting or wetting your bangs with water first, especially if they are curly. This will help lubricate your hair and prevent snags. It also straightens wavy or curly hair, making it easier to get an even cut.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
4
Pull the bangs at an angle towards your temples. This will help create a defined part between the two halves of your bangs, making it easier to cut them.
5
Carve the bangs at a downward angle with a razor comb. Begin cutting on the side closest to the part. Hold the razor comb perpendicular against the side of the bangs as you cut; don't keep the comb parallel to the top of the bangs. Make sure that you are cutting above your finger.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You can also use a feather razor for this step. It looks a little like a serrated knife.
6
Slide your fingers down as you cut towards the other side of your bangs. Keep your fingers at a sight angle as you slide them. This will help define the angle even more. Finish cutting at the height where you want the side bangs to end. Somewhere between your cheekbones and jaw would look great.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- At this point, you can move onto the next step, or you can repeat the process to trim the bangs shorter.
- Make sure to cut gradually while checking the length.
7
Cut the bangs from underneath the strands. Pinch your bangs between your fingers as before. Slide your fingers down until they are about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) away from the ends. Hold the razor parallel to the underside of the bangs, below your finger. Run the razor downwards, curving it against your finger.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- The razor won't cut your finger due to the protective guard.
8
Repeat the entire process on the other side of your bangs. Try to start and finish cutting your hair at the same height as you did for the first side of your bangs. If you created an off-center part, that may require you to cut at a steeper or shallower angle.
9
Comb and style your bangs as usual. Once you are happy with your bangs, unclip the rest of your hair. Comb through your bangs, and style them. If you misted them with water, you can dry them using a hair dryer and a round brush with a large barrel.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cutting Textured Bangs for Short Hair

1
Comb your bangs forward. This style will work best on shorter styles, such as pixie cuts. It is quick, easy, and fun to do, and will give you a casual, relaxed look. Make sure that your hair is dry, however!^{[7]
X
Research source}
2
Clip the rest of your hair out of the way. If your bangs are close to the same length as the rest of your hair, the transition may not be as visible. In this case, clip the front edges of your hair, right where the bangs end, out of the way.
3
Divide your bangs horizontally if you want more layers. Slide the handle of a rat-tail comb through your bangs, from one side to the other. Lift the top layer upwards, and secure it with a clip. If you have very thin hair, or want less texture/fewer layers, you can skip this step.
4
Grab a thin strand between your thumb and forefinger. Select a thin strand of hair at random from your bangs. Pinch it between your fingertip and thumb where you want to cut it.^{[8]
X
Research source}
5
Cut the strand using a razor comb. Hold the comb horizontally against the strand. Cut downward using a swift, short motion, just above your fingers.^{[9]
X
Research source} You can use this first cut as a guide for cutting the rest of your bangs.
6
Work your way across your bangs. Use the first cut as a guide and measure all of your hair against it. This will help you to ensure that your hair is all the same length.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- If you need to have a pattern, work your way from one side to the middle, then repeat for the other side.
- Don't worry if some pieces end up shorter than others; some variation works well for this style.
7
Repeat the process for the top layer of bangs, if needed. If you clipped the top layer of your bangs out of the way, unclip them now. Repeat the process of plucking strands and cutting them with the razor comb. Measure the uncut strands against the already-cut strands.^{[11]
X
Research source}
8
Comb and style your bangs. Once your bangs are the length you want, unclip the rest of your hair. Comb your bangs, then style them as you normally would.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cutting Voluminous Bangs for Long Hair

1
Comb your bangs forward. Make sure that your hair is dry and straightened first. If it isn't, take a moment to dry and straighten your hair now to get the best results.
2
Create a V-shaped part and pull back the rest of your hair. Find the point on your center part where your head starts to curve downward. Slide handle of a rat-tail comb through your hair, starting at that curve point and finishing at your left eyebrow. Pull and clip everything behind the comb back, then repeat the process for the right side of your head.^{[12]
X
Research source}
3
Separate and clip off the top two-thirds of your bangs. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to separate the top two layers of your bangs from the bottom layer. Slide the handle of the comb through your bangs. Comb the two layers upwards and clip them out of the way.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Using the razor comb will help create layers, volume, and texture.
4
Measure down where you want to cut your bangs with your fingers. Make a V-shape with your forefinger and middle finger. Close them against the bottom layer of your bangs, then slide them down to where you want to cut. You will be angling your bangs downward towards your jaw. How high you start to cut your bangs is up to you.
5
Cut your hair above your fingers with a razor comb using short, downward strokes. Start from one side of your bangs and finish at the other. Insert the comb teeth through your bangs at a slight angle. Cut from one side to the other using short, feathery strokes.
- A razor comb looks like a rat-tail comb, except that it has a razor inside of it. It's sometimes called a "carving comb."
6
Separate another layer of bangs. Unclip the bangs from the top of your head. Separate them into two layers using your rat-tail comb and the same zigzag motion as before. Comb the top layer upwards and clip it out of the way.^{[14]
X
Research source}
7
Comb through your bangs and measure down to where you need to cut. Slide a fine-toothed comb through the underside of your bangs. This will help smooth out the hair and blend the two layers together. Pinch the bangs between your fore and middle fingers, as before, then slide your fingers down. Stop when you reach where you previously cut your bangs.^{[15]
X
Research source}
8
Cut the bangs using the same technique as before. Keeping your bangs pinched between your fingers, cut into them using short, downward strokes. Start on one side of the bangs and work your way to the other.
9
Repeat the process for the final layer. Unclip the top and final layer of your bangs. Comb through your bangs from underneath, then pinch your bangs between your fingers. Measure down, then cut using a razor comb and short, downward strokes.
10
Gather a vertical section of hair from the center of your bangs. Make a V-shape with your fore and middle fingers, then pinch the section between them. Keep your fingers pointed upwards, and slide them towards the ends of your bangs.^{[16]
X
Research source}
11
Cut the bangs using a pair of blending shears. Texturing shears look like a pair of scissors, except that one of the blades has comb-like teeth. Snip the ends of the bangs with these, then let go.^{[17]
X
Research source}
12
Repeat the process on the sides of your bangs. Pinch the left side of your bangs between your fingers. Keep your fingers pointed upwards, then snip the ends with the blending shears. Repeat this step for the right side of your bangs.
13
Comb through your bangs, then style them. Brush your bangs through using a fine-toothed comb. This will get rid of any snippets of hair left over from the blending sheers. Style your bangs as you normally would.