Who knew posting one little picture on instagram with Clara would start a tell-me-more-about-the-bangs frenzy? You guys are a curious bunch, demanding a post about my hair. Haha. There were even conspiracy theories that they weren’t real and I was pulling a Kim K on you guys by flipping my ponytail and faking them. Hilarious! But they are in fact real. Can’t say the same thing about my chest (just kidding). I just got off the sofa on Saturday afternoon, walked into the bathroom and cut them, came back out and sat on the sofa, and waited for John and Clara to notice. They seemed not to mind them (in fact John said they made me look “young and hot” so I’ll take it) and they do very conveniently cover my forehead wrinkles. So… score!
Because I cut them in the bathroom mirror all by myself, they’re definitely not perfect, but they seem to pass as actual bangs in real life, as opposed to looking like a child who took the kitchen scissors to her head. And since many (many) of you guys demanded a tutorial, here she blows.
I guess we should call this the sister post to the how-I-cut-John’s-hair post that I shared here. It’s pretty straightforward so quite honestly the most awkward part was getting these photos taken. Gah, I’m terrible at posing for John. So it went something like this:
John: click, click, click, “Do you need anything else?”
Me: “Ahh, this is stupid. Nevermind! We’re done.”
John: “What? I only took three photos? You sure?”
Me: “Ok, what about one like this? Ahh, too close. Back up! back up! Maybe we need to buy a lens to make my face artfully blurry.”
John: “Um… ok. So we’re done?”
As for the actual tutorial, it goes like this:
All I did was pull the hair in front that I thought should be bangs (which made a soft curved shape at the crown) forward and then I pulled the rest of my hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. My hair might look ambiguously wet/dry in the picture above, but it’s fully dry.
Which leads us to step 2…
I looked up a few pictures on google of people with blunt bangs just to notice where they stopped. The ones I liked most sort of grazed the eyelashes (good thing I looked since my first instinct would have been to cut them above my eyebrows- eeks!). Then I cut them dry while looking in the mirror with the part of hair that I sectioned out just flopping in front of my face. Cutting them dry is key for me since wet hair can look heavier and longer and then dry and shrink up, thereby ruining your life. Well, that’s a little dramatic, but it can definitely pull a fast one on you, so dry hair seems to work best for ending up with bangs at the actual intended length.
Then I dipped my head into the sink to get my bangs all wet and used a blow-dryer to blow them dry in front of my face. This was helpful because after I dried them a few long stragglers stuck out and I snipped them straight across for a more blunt look. I have a ridiculous cowlick, so I’m trying not to be a crazy about how they fall. Although in this instagram picture there was a funny comb-over effect going on since a few from the other side of my head danced over to that side (hence those few guesses that this was a bang hoax I guess, haha).
Thanks to the aforementioned cowlick, sometimes I pull them apart like this. Just if it’s humid and they’re being wonky. Sorry about this bad self portrait, I was past the point of embarrassment after posing for John, seeing the pictures he took, deleting them in horror, and telling him to back out of the room slowly while whispering “it’s not your fault this is just so awkwaaaard.”
I can still pin them all back with two tiny bobby pins and rock my regular old pony (which I did last night for the Austin signing since it was crazy rainy and my hair + humidity = Frizz-fest 2013). So I guess I get three looks from this little snip-fest: 1) blunt bangs, 2)parted bangs, and 3) no bangs at all thanks to Mrs Bobby and her friend Pins.
Anyway, I hope this quick little tutorial helps someone out there save some money on a bang trim or something. Or just gives you all a good laugh at how uncomfortable capturing these photos actually was for me. It might sound crazy but I’m used to taking pictures of the house, not my mug. So it took me right back to high school yearbook photos and I was all clammy and weird about it. Seriously I didn’t know where to look, how to smile, it was a mess. Anyone else tackling some DIY haircuts at home? Or rocking some freshly shorn bangs? Tell $herdog all about it.
CUUUUUUUUUUTE! I wish I could pull this off but my hair is just the right amount of wavy that I would have to blow dry it every day (not going to happen).
Your bravery is awe-inspiring! I trim my own bangs and feel rebellious—I would never have the guts to make the initial chop! They’re very fun and flattering on you; I wear mine in the three looks you described as well. Go $herdog!
I love love love them, and this tutorial! I hate being in photographs especially when people want me to pose… so I get the whole, “this is so awkward” thing. Regardless, I miss my blunt bangs. I had them for a long time, and I felt so hip. Maybe it is time to go back to them… hmmm…..
Sherry, you look so amazing! I love the new look. I vote for a pic taken with your hair down with the new bangs!!!! Pretty please…
Maybe when we’re back from the tour!
xo,
s
I agree with Tracy! Let’s get a picture of the whole look!
Great job on cutting them. Bangs are so fun. (And a nightmare to grow out)
They look great, Sherry, love ’em! I too vote for a pic with your hair down!!
I wear a wig so I am too terrified to attempt full bangs because if I don’t like them Im still stuck with them (until I get a new wig, but them’s pricy!)
I have had wigs with bangs before that were cute, but the bangs always needed to be washed an styled and drove me bananas.
I love yours! They really complement a simple ponytail!
The bangs look great! And your photos don’t scream “awkward!” so perhaps the sweaty palms are unnecessary.
I LURVE the $he-Bangs !! I think it is time we all sing together now : “$he-Bangs, $he-Bangs ! Oh baby when $he-DIYs, $he-DIYs….”. Ok, maybe not…
I used to have them for a while too, but the longer ones – and with my wavy, frizzy hair – I had to blow dry them DAILY. And that was out of the question when my lovely 3 1/2 daughter arrived in this world, and stole my entire time.
Cant WAIT to see you guys in Miami tonight – my book has been reserved with them for AGES now ! Ok, at least it seems like it…. And I will have your SuperHero cape on ! <3
Hahahaha can’t wait for Miami tonight!
xo,
s
They look great! I’ve been trying to work up the nerve (and the emotional stability!) to give my 14 month old baby boy his first haircut! It’s too long and shaggy, especially around the ears, and he need a trim for sure. I cut my hubby’s hair, so I should be able to pull it off…just concerned about getting him to sit still, as well as seeing all that beautiful baby hair strewn across the floor!
There are some great tutorials on YouTube for cutting kids’ hair. They helped me a lot.
I’ve been trimming my little guy’s hair for a while now (he’s 15 months old now!). I’ve done it 4 times and had it cut at the salon once.
I get my little guy to sit still by stripping him down to his diaper, sitting him on the bathroom vanity, and letting the water run into the sink. He plays with a couple different cups while splashing in the water while I trim his hair (using Sherry’s method of usig your index/middle finger as a guide).
It has worked great! My mom-in-law is a retired cosmetologist and she said it looks wonderful!
Good luck!!
I cut my 2 1/2 year olds hair. I strap him into his booster seat, turn on a movie and give him a special treat (oreos, ice cream, anything to keep his hands full). I’m not going to say he loves it, but it works.
I cut my son’s hair. (He is 3.) I bring his booster seat into the living room & put on a t.v. program. My SIL used to put her boys on the patio & give them a popcycle for distraction. If I just use scissors my son barely notices, when I razer around his ears, I sometimes need my husband to encourage him to stay still.
I was just thinking about getting bangs again. They look great! I used to cut my dogs hair. The first few times she seriously looked like Mrs. Dreysdale’s poodle after Jethro cut it’s hair. Totally wacky with puff balls and uneven hair tufts everywhere. It is much harder than it looks.
I wish I was so brave. What scares me the most is having to live with it – regardless of being able to pin them back. Mine would never lay flat or straight. Looks great!
Work it, $herdog! I saw the picture on Instagram and loved it right away. I had blunt bangs when I was younger, and then I went through a phase in middle school and high school where I curled them (wtf?). Then they were long, sideswept bangs for several years until I finally grew them out. But now I’m thinking that was a mistake, because I have trouble doing my hair now that I don’t have any layers in the front! Shoulda just kept them.
I, too, had blunt bangs growing up that started at the top of my head and ended 1/2 an inch above my eyebrows (Mom did love my eyebrows). This paired with my short wide forehead and wicked cowlicks made for some interesting hairstyles. And to trump your middle school bang curling, Paige, mine were actually permed (!!!)…by my mother…For consecutive years. After that I grew them out and my hair never went back to straight so I’ve been rocking wavy hair ever since (perm for life!)
BUT I always am filled with Bang Envy when I see them on other people and nostalgia for the straight bangs of my youth, although those dreams are dashed by all my hair dresser friends whom flat out refuse to cut bangs on my head. Ever. Again. Probably for the best since styling devices and me are not friends…shoot, we ain’t even acquaintances.
of course you look great :) but the question that remains is: is tere a picture of sherry+bangs+hair down? yeah we like to see every angle ;)
you always look cute so no worries about the posing’awkardness ;)
Haha not yet. Maybe next week when we’re back from the tour?
xo,
s
Love the bangs! I was totally on the “Are those real?” train! But I agree you look young, and dare I say, like a hip, European model!
Well let’s not get carried away… haha!
xo,
s
Sherry, you look fantastic with bangs! I like having them–they’re versatile and make even a ponytail look more interesting. And like you said, you can always pin them back if you’re not in the mood to mess with them!
This is exactly how I cut my bangs! Decide on a semi-impulse, then act normal and wait for people to notice haha…people look at me in shock when I tell them that I did it myself but no one’s been able to guess!
One thing I find works for me is for the initial chop cutting them a little longer than I want them to be and then just trimming to get the right length. The most recent time I did it I left the sides a little longer than the rest so they frame my face more which works better for me. But they look great as is on you!
Great tips! I definitely did the slightly longer initial snip and straightened it/worked my way up.
xo,
s
I think the parted bangs look best on you. So cute!!
Your hair looks great! I cut my own blunt bangs, too! It was a totally impulsive decision as I was getting ready to go out for lunch/shopping with my husband a few weeks ago. I’m lucky they turned out because I didn’t do any research (looking at pics was smart, btw) and haven’t cut anyone’s hair since some random high school experiments.
You carry that look of perfectly. You look gorgeous!! I agree with hubby too you look younger and smokin’.
It must be the time for self-cut bangs, as I spontaneously decided on New Years Eve that I wanted bangs so I watched a couple of how-tos on youtube and snipped away.
It was the first time I’ve ever cut my own hair and I’m still suprised I didn’t screw it up!
Your hair looks great Sherry!
You may finally have given me the courage to try this over the weekend. I have a low-ish forhead tho, so I’m afraid. also, my hair is really long right now, so it’ll be a long chop for those bang pieces. eek!
As I like to say, bangs – cheaper & less toxic than botox- love them! well done.
Haha!
xo,
s
Well Sherry, they look soooooo amazing!!! That’s why everyone was curious! Bangs do you justice for sure : )
Aw thanks Steph!
xo,
s
I love your bangs and I am so upset that I missed you in Austin last night! I wrote it one my calendar weeks ago but then last night was the only night all of my bridesmaids could get together to try and find dresses for them. They win and we had fun, but I’m still totally bummed that I missed you guys. I added your book to our Amazon wedding registry! I’ve been tempted to just go buy it now, but this seems like more fun.
Aw that’s so sweet! So sorry to miss you but we hope you love our book :)
xo,
s
So pretty! I’m not at all brave enough to do this, but they look great on you! Do you cut the rest of your hair yourself (if you do, have you posted a tutorial about that?)?
Oh, and where are your earrings from in this post? I love them!
I do trim it myself as well. Will have to take pics of that weirdness one day. As for the earrings, I found them through Pinterest. Maybe search quatrefoil earrings? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Have you heard of, or ever used, the creaclip system for cutting your own hair? I just found it the other day when looking at how to cut bangs at home (on Youtube) because I don’t want to have to drive 30 minutes to my stylist to have him trim my bangs up (though I likely ultimately will when I screw them up…which is why he was like DO NOT DO IT before I left last time). Anyway, it looks like an interesting system to cut hair. I might try it once my hair gets long.
Never heard of it! Anyone tried it?
xo,
s
Ooo I second that one… I hate spending money going to a professional, but can’t figure out how to cut the hair on the back of my head. I love the hair tutorials!
Does Clara have enough hair for baby, matching mommy and me bangs?
Haha she’s going for the wispy bangs right now. Maybe in a year she can rock the bob with blunt bangs a la Suri.
xo,
s
I’ve been cutting my own bangs since I was eleven. It took a few times to get it right, but I kept at it and eventually became a master. Last year I tried cutting ALL of my hair myself! I was able to do a really cute layered look after watching a YouTube tutorial. I wouldn’t even try or recommend trying a short cut, but my hair was shoulder length at the time. People are always astounded that I do it myself, but it’s really not that hard once you get over the fear. No guts, no glory!
That’s awesome!
xo,
s
Think of all the money you have saved as well! :)
I totally feel hip now…I got bangs the day after Christmas and I love them. You look great w/ bangs…we are bangalicious! HAHAHA
I love them! Add me to the list of folks who would NEVER do the initial chop (but secretly does trims, as if my hair stylist doesn’t notice). They make your eyes really stand out. Just lovely. I recently got bangs again but haven’t been super happy with them (as mine only do your #2 and #3 options). Perhaps I’ll go more blunt!
Cute! I tried the blunt bangs thing a few years ago and I agree that I like long ones. However, I couldn’t deal with the way the long bangs looked with sunglasses (which I wear quite often) so I ended up always parting them at the side and eventually growing them out. So my question is: do you tuck your bangs behind your sunglasses or put them in front of the lenses?
Behind all the way! In front they stick out like a diving board. Haha!
xo,
s
look at you working this vibe! very hip & model-esque! unfortunately due to curly hair issues i can never have bangs (or a fringe, as we call it here!), but would be sorely tempted if i could! ;)
SO PRETTY. You were meant for bangs. Aw.
You look so good! Ever had bangs before? It’s a bold move to just say, ” ha! Off with you!” :) cool of you to try. Oh, and where did you get those earrings? I love them!
I found the earrings on Pinterest so maybe search quatrefoil earrings? As for bangs I’ve had then less thick/blunt before but not like this.
xo,
s
Loved meeting you guys last night at the Austin book signing! And thank you for recording a video for my dear friend Ruthie (ruthiehart.com). She said she was smiling all night and is feeling much better thanks to y’alls well wishes (and Sherry’s chicken noodle soup recommendation)!
Hahaha so glad! It was so great to meet you!
xo,
s
I used to be not happy with photos of me and here’s what I did about it (maybe these tips will help someone):
– make a grimace or stick out your tongue, it always makes me laugh afterwards which then makes for a great photo
– take maaaaany photos, just like you would with some object, different light, angle etc. (Even inanimate objects can look from cute to not-so-much depending on things like light or surroundings)
– maybe you want to hold something in your hand (flowers in a matching color work very well) so you’re not all alone in front of the camera
– and as always I try not to take myself too seriously (if there is a bad pic of me on the camera doesn’t mean I need to show it to anybody). Embrace awkwardness!
Great great blog you have here, I really enjoy it!
Love,
Veronika
Great tips!
xo,
s
They look great! You are so brave!!! I would never cut my own hair (never have). I’m afraid of creating crazy uneven hair and ending up with a bob cut because I went too far (ahhh). I just got bangs cut so I think I’m gonna risk it and trim them myself, since they are technically already cut. *wish me luck*
Luck!!
xo,
s
Really nice job on the bangs Sherry, you look bangin’! herdy-her! It’s funny how you are with the photos, my son is the same way, where do i look, what face do i make, where do i put my hands…it’s exhausting! And he happens to be in Miami!
Maybe not the best post for someone as impulsive as me to read. I read it went, okay and went into my bathroom and cut myself bangs… I really should reflect on something a little bit before I jump!!!!
Haha you can always pin them back!
xo,
s
Yours are adorable by the way. I just had bangs for most of my life and forgot that I did not actually want them! HA!
You look so cute in them! I wish I could wear bangs but my hair’s so fine there wouldn’t be anything left for a ponytail.
Yeah, same here. They’re so cute, but you’d probably be able to see my forehead through them.
This post is going to start another string of demands: Where did you get those awesome earrings????
Haha, scroll back in the comments for that info :)
xo,
s
*whistle whistle!!*
I just wrote this and then realized how I phrased my comment before I hit publish (thank God). So let me rephrase that I got bangs on Saturday, and not “banged”. Oh Lord. I needed a change so my hairdresser cut them in (my hair was far beyond help and the rest of it needed a professional). I love wearing them off to the side, but they are full blunt ones like yours too. Best part, it’s one of my husbands favorite hairstyles on me, especially when I wear it up in a bun or ponytail.
Okay let’s discuss your hair: when I saw the instagram photo you put up I thought they were real, then I saw other peoples comments and I was like “oh, I guess, maybe?” Then I remembered you had said you didn’t like your hair in your face so I was like “oh I must be wrong…damn, they are so cute.” and I was kind of bummed that maybe they weren’t real. I’m so happy they ARE real! They look super super cute on you!
Hahaha I’m giggling out loud in the airport about “banged.”
xo,
s
They look splendid on you! And bravo for cutting them yourself!
If a curly haired gal like me attempted bangs, I’m pretty sure I would look like Peggy from Mad Men – on a good day! That would be way more embarrassing than your cute, bang self-portraits. ;)
Living vicariously through your awesome bangs,
Curly in Austin
I’ve had blunt bangs…didn’t work so hot for me. BUT YOU LADY, are adorable. Like Hella Cute. They make you look angular and sassy. I’m a fan.
Oh how I wish I could have cute blunt bangs like that! I’ve got curly hair, so the shortest my bangs can get without looking weird is just below my nose. Right now they are chin-length since it’s time for a new haircut, but that’s something I won’t do myself. I did once and it was horrible.
They look great! Very pretty. I had a love/hate relationship with my bangs all of last year. I loved wearing them with sunglasses but they were just in the way all. the. time. So I’ve grown them back out to a much more manageable side-swept type. Maybe when I don’t feel quite as overwhelmed I’ll switch it up again. I can’t ever stay satisfied with my look for too long!
Oh My Dog… I LOVE you with bangs!! Well, I love you without them too but they are way to cute on you!! love love love!
I looove them. Just upset now b/c I finally grew mine out (can’t make up my mind) (wish I could change hairstyles as fast as paint colors) and now I want bangs again!! aaahh!! I was also on the train that thought they were fake, hahaha!
You look straight up like Lea Michele in these photos. Cute! And I’m impressed, I’m not brave enough to cut my own hair, much less cut bangs!
Love the bangs!Your eye color…is so pretty! I kinda think the bangs draw more attention to them.