Slide cutting hair shears are extremely versatile and convenient. They can help you in developing new skills and mastering different styles of haircutting.
However, it is important to mention here that slide cutting shears are not basic tools and as a beginner or a new stylist, just out of school, you might not be able to use them properly at first. With the growing popularity of innovative and creative hairstyles, learning to use slide cutting hair shears is a very good choice.
Slide cutting shears can be used to provide hair with a less formal look, with a little more flair and flamboyance. These shears can easily shift the whole volume of your client’s hair and cut and focus on natural textures with a soft finish.
The best part of using these professional hairdressing shears is that they can cut wet or dry hair. However, what remains the most important part is that you will need to use the correct type of slide cutting shears. If you do not have the proper tools for the job, then your technique will be sloppy and you will not be able to get a smooth finish.
Chapter Overview
Using Slide Cutting Shears on Dry Hair
Most of the time, while cutting dry hair, the end result is not as smooth as you would like. This is because the cuticles often get harmed while cutting through the length and breadth of the hair.
But when you use slide cutting hair shears on dry hair, they cut the hair without causing any damage to the cuticles. This will ensure that the appearance of your client’s hair will be a lot less chunky and much more elegant after you are finished.
Slide cutting hair shears help you to master your skills when it comes to creating textures. It is extremely important to create textures and softness when you are cutting dry hair. When you are able to do that, the cutting technique becomes better and you will be able to get the desired style easily.
Many shears (usually the traditional ones) come with heavy blades that drag along the surface of the hair and result in rather blunt or often uneven lines, especially if you are using them on dry hair.
However, the blades of a pair of slide cutting shears have a specific design that allows you to cut without negatively impacting the quality of the hair. This is why slide cutting shears are the most suitable tools when it comes to styling and cutting dry hair.
Using Slide Cutting Shears on Wet Hair
While learning to use slide cutting shears, you will mostly be asked to practice on dry hair. Many believe that these shears are designed specifically for cutting dry hair. But, if you are experienced enough, then you can definitely use them on wet hair as well.
There is, however, a little problem in using slide cutting shears on wet hair. When you use them, you will not be able to understand the final look before the hair dries.
Now if you are someone who is completely confident about their skills, then you can definitely go ahead and use the slide cutting shears on wet hair. But if you are a beginner who has just started learning how to use these shears, you might not want to take the risk.
What you can do instead is use these shears to slide cut a bit of the hair when it is wet and then add the final touches, once the hair dries. This way there will not be much room for error and you will be able to achieve a proper finish.
Choosing the Right Pair of Slide Cutting Shears
Slide cutting is definitely the best step towards improving your haircutting and styling skills. But with this technique, you will have to be very careful.
If you are not able to control the angle of the blades or if the speed or pressure is not correct, then you will end up doing a lot of damage to the hair. While having enough practice is obviously a big part of the deal, you will also need the right pair of slide cutting shears to avoid any mistakes.
The right pair of slide cutting hair shears should have curved blades. If your shears have full blades, then they will damage the hair shafts.
The problem with poor quality blades is that they will appear to work well, but once you finish, you will notice uneven lines and split ends. Therefore, choose your shears carefully and make sure the grip, tension and range of motion are suitable for your skills. Once you have a perfect pair, your skills will definitely reach new heights.