How to Angle Cut Hair

Co-authored by Ambia Elms

Last Updated: July 13, 2023

Angled haircuts are a great way to make blunt cuts look more dynamic. For a face framing cut, you want to have the angle point upwards towards the face. If you want to step up a bob and make it appear longer in the front, you want to have the hair angle downward towards the collarbone. Once you know the basics of angle cutting hair, you can experiment with adding more layers.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Face Framing Cut

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This method will give you a haircut that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. The around your face will be cut at a steep, downward angle, creating soft, face-framing layers. The rest of your hair should already be cut or trimmed to the length you want it to be.
Secure the ponytail with a clip or a hair tie; you can also pull your hair into a bun instead. Leave the hair in front of your ears (on both sides) loose.

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3
Cut a point guide in the middle-front of your hair. Gather a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) wide, ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) thick section of hair from the center-front of your hairline. Slide your fingers down the section to where you want it to end. Cut your hair below you fingers with a pair of hairdressing shears.^{[1]
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- How much you cut off depends on where you want the layers to start. Decide where you want your shortest layer to be—your nose or chin, for example—and cut there. The higher you cut, the steeper the angle will be.
4
Begin cutting the left side of your hair at a downward angle. Take a strand of hair to the left of the point guide. Slide a comb down the length of the strand, stopping 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) below the point guide. Cut the strand at a downward angle, towards your left ear.^{[2]
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- This part is known as "rough" cutting and will give you the general length.
- You can also hold the strand between your forefinger and middle finger.
Take another small section of hair, to the left of the one you just cut. Slide the comb past the length you cut, then cut the strand at another downward angle. Keep going until you reach the far side of that hair section.^{[3]
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Refine the angle by cutting upwards into it. Take a ½ to 1-inch (1.27 to 2.54-centimeter) section of hair to the left of the point guide. Pinch it between your forefinger and middle finger. Measure the strand against the point guide, then cut into it, angling the shears upwards.^{[4]
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- Refine the rough cut by measuring the next strand against the previous one. Constantly refer back to the previously cut section of hair so your haircut is even.
- Hold the scissors loosely in your palm while doing this.
Begin by rough cutting it into a choppy angle, then refine it by cutting upwards into the strands. Take a moment to ensure that both sides are even. You can do this by pulling matching strands from either side of your face, and making sure that they end at the same level (cheekbone, nose, jaw, etc.).^{[5]
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Straighten your hair and refine the haircut further. Mist your hair with a heat protectant first, then straighten it using a flat iron. Refine both sides of your hair by cutting upwards into it, using the same technique as before. If there are still any pieces sticking out, trim them off.^{[6]
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- Consider trimming the rest of your hair. Even if you already did this, it would be a good idea to give it a quick pass. This will ensure that it blends into the face-framing layers better.
Once you are happy with your haircut, unclip the hair you sectioned off in the beginning. Style your hair as you usually would.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cutting an Angled Bob

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1
Start with dry hair that's already cut to the length you want in the back. This style will end up looking like a bob, except that there is a steep angle between the front and the back. The hair should already be cut short at the nape, from corner to corner; everything from the nape-forwards should be left alone. If your hair isn't cut, do so now.^{[7]
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- This method is easier to do on someone else. You can try doing it on yourself, but it will be more difficult.
Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to create a clean, even part. Pick a side to start from, then place a comb horizontally across the hair. Make sure that the end of the comb is level with the short hair on the back.^{[8]
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Make a V-shape with your fore and middle fingers. Close those fingers against the front part of the hair, just above the comb. Try to gather the entire hair section between your fingers, from front to where the short lengths start.^{[9]
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Pull the section away from the head and back. The easiest way to do this would be to simply spin the client in the chair until your hand is next to the back of their neck. Your fingers will slide naturally down the hair shaft, and keep them parallel to the floor.^{[10]
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- If you can't spin the chair, pull their hair away at a 90-degree angle, like opening a door.
5
Cut the hair across using a pair of hairdressing shears. Start from the outside edge of the hair section, and work your way towards the back. Cut just below your fingers.^{[11]
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- If you can find them, a pair of dry cutting shears would be even better for this.
Use the same process as before: use the comb to measure out a horizontal guide along the client's hair, pinch the entire section between your fingers, angle it back, and cut it.
Take a moment to look at the haircut from the front. Measure the two long lengths in the front against one another, and make any necessary adjustments. Once you are happy with the cut, style the client's hair as usual.

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Tips

It is easier to cut hair on someone else than yourself. If you can, have someone cut your hair for you, preferably a trained stylist. If you need to cut your hair yourself, get a handheld mirror so you can see the back of your head more easily.

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Consider taking a shower right after your haircut to get rid of any short snippets of hair.

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If you are cutting your own hair, consider investing in a three-way mirror. This will allow you to easily see the back of your hair.

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