To prevent this from becoming a mullet, slide the elastic until a few pieces of hair slide out around the nape of your neck.
If your hair is quite thick, you may have to cut through the ponytail in more than one section. Just make sure you cut each section at the same length, just above the elastic. Be careful not to cut at an angle or let the scissors slip. Cut straight across for even layers.
Make sure that you go slow and cut with caution to reduce the chances of making a mistake or cutting off too much hair.
Layering short hair is more difficult to do by yourself than layering long hair, since you’re creating each layer individually. Keep in mind that this method will only work for pixie style cuts. Take a look at your hair and decide exactly where you want the layers to be and how short you want them before you begin. Plan to cut your hair in a well-lit bathroom with at least two mirrors, so you can check your progress often and see the back of your head as well.
Make a “top box” section by creating a part on either side of the crown of the head where the head begins to round. The two parts create a section of hair in the middle of the head. Comb this “top box” forward and comb the hair to either side straight down, so that the sections are clearly delineated. It may also help to twist your hair before clipping it. Divide the rest into two parts: the first part extends from the crown of your head to your forehead, and the second part extends from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck.
Continue trimming hair from the top until you’ve trimmed the entire front and back sections of the box. Use a spray bottle filled with water to keep the hair damp as you go. If your hair gets too wet, then dry it off with a towel. Pay careful attention to which sections of hair have been cut and which still need to be cut. When you’re working with short hair, cutting the same section twice can make a big difference. All hair should be trimmed to the same length. When the cut is finished, it will be layered in appearance.
