Long, big afro hair is glamourous. Trimming afro-hair is not so glamorous, but it has to be done at some point! (Check out this article for why I think trimming can be very critical to maintaining length).
In this video I show you how I trim my hair using the search and destroy method and another method I’ve coined the “twist and clip” method.
I realize that the only way we’re going to achieve fabulous healthy hair is by keeping each other accountable. By sharing our hair “to-do” list we empower others in the community to step up to their plate and reach their goals!
Some people like to be able to read a transcript while watching the videos, or just read the transcript without even listening. If you are one of those people, not to worry – We’ve made the transcript available for you below.
Hey ladies! It’s Cassandre from cassandrebeccai.com. Today, I’m going to show you how I trim my hair.
It’s not a very hard method. Actually, two weeks ago, I cut off about two inches of my hair because it really needed a very good trim. So, today, I’m just going to show you exactly how I did that and another method I pull into my regimen that helps me to just keep my ends healthy.
I’m just going to take my hair out here. I twisted them last night because they need to be twisted before I went to bed, and there you go. My hair is in a twist.
The ‘Search and Destroy’ Method
What I do is, well, I call it the “search and destroy” method. I’m sure many of you out there have heard of this method of cutting or trimming your hair.
What I tend to do is just literally look through my hair as it is twisted in this twisted state, and find the hairs that are split, or the hairs that have knotted or the hairs that just don’t look good to me.
What I do is I look though my hair, my ends…
Okay, I found a knot… Well, well, well…
What I Use
The scissor that I use is called the Tweezerman Stainless 2000 5 1/2 Styling Shears. You can find this on Amazon. I think I put a link to it to another video of mine. You can check that out. I’ll put the link below. I like this scissors because they are truly high performance blades and they’re very nice and sharp.
How I Do It
What I do is I find a knot, or whatever I want to trim off, and I just cut it. It’s really that simple. This process really just take a lot of time, but I don’t do it. There are times when I’ll do it and I’m doing it while I’m styling my hair, for example if I’m putting my hair in twists, and I’m noticing some knots, I’ll just cut.
There are weeks when I cut almost everyday. It’s not that I’m cutting a whole lot of hair. It’s just that I’m cutting specifically hairs that I notice are completely damaged.
Another way that I cut my hair is what I did about two weeks ago, was actually twist my hair like so, and go through each one and literally cut this much off. I know that that does not create a straight across hairstyle, but the truth is that I don’t wear my hair straight often at all. So, I don’t need a straight style. What I need is for the damage to go away.
When Afro-textured hair is in styles like this, you really can’t notice any unevenness. It’s not even a problem for us. So, I totally suggest doing it that way.
Another method you can use is to trim your hair is to get your hair straight in and then, cut, go to a stylist and cut. I totally recommend that for individuals that do wear their hair straight very often, or often enough that they want a beautiful straight style.
I search and destroy or I just take one part of my twists and find how much I want to cut off, and literally just cut it off there.
I recommend a really good scissor, and once you have a really good scissor, your process will be very easy.
There you have it. If you have any questions, leave it below. I’m ready to answer them. I’m not like this person that doesn’t care for comments or corrections.
So,please, if you have a different way of doing it that you think would be helpful to me, and everyone else, please do share. I’d be interested in knowing that.
That’s how I trim my hair. Thank you so much for watching. Check me out at cassandrebeccai.com. Like, subscribe, share. You know the deal. Thanks for watching. Bye!
Ou! Lord KNOWS i need a trim!! MERCY!!!
lol
-Rochelle.
How is it that you make the youtube comments show up over here on your blog? THAT IS SOOO kewl. Is it a plugin?
Anyhoo i was coming over here to check out your scissors. I see it there in the resources
Thank you Ma’am.
<3 Rochelle
ROCHELLE!
YES, you guessed it! It is a plugin. Search “youtube comments”
Between December and April, I always flat iron my hair about 4 different times. So, in April, I do an all around 1/2 inch trim to get any possible damaged ends from the heat. In July and October, I sit down for 3 hours and search and destroy which merely helps me to stop the splits before it reaches to far up my hair. The, again in December, I do another 1/2 inch trim so that when I start flat ironing my hair it gives me a more even and healthier look.
@zbrobinson- your plan is on point!!! I need to get up on your level! thank so much for sharing how and when you plan to trim your hair.
@Rochelle-trimming is no fun but oh so neccessary when you have split ends!
@zbrobinson- your plan is on point!!! I need to get up on your level! thank so much for sharing how and when you plan to trim your hair.
Very informative!
I’m am actually planning on trimming tommorrow! I’ve just combed out my locs and therefore am in GREAT NEED of a trim. I will probably twist & cut off about 1″ (if not more).
thanks so much for commenting Petrice! Let us know how it goes
Cassandre you’re adorable. I miss youuuuu!
Does it matter what kind of scissors you use?
A close view of you-You are naturally beautiful!!! Love your clips. I know I already said it!!! Smile!
haha! thx hon! it’s much appreciated
Hello Can’t believe I’ve never seen your vids on here. I love your hair. Question: Do you ever trim up the strand or up the length of your hair? I’ve notices some vids where they are twisting the strands and then snipping up the stand to ensure they’ve gotten everything.
hi godsflame2! Yes, I often do trim up the strand and length of my hair. It usually depends on how badly I think I need to do it, or on my mood
Okay.. Interesting.. Bare with me : ) because I want to really understand this. I can see trimming up the strand if there are splits all the way up the strand t sticking out. But what if its just short peices of hair within that section that we are trimming. The girls that I saw trimming their hair that way would do a single strand twist and then clip everything that is sticking out?
I trim up the strand what I notice needs to be trimmed- i.e. splits, breaks, knots.
Thanks that makes sense! Thanks for your prompt responses.. I subscribed to you today!
no problem! I’m just glad it makes sense. See you in the comments of the next video
I’m on video 11 and so glad I subbed! I’m constantly searching and destroying these days. As my hair has grown a bit, it seems to knot more :-\. So I try to stay on top of it before things get too bad. This is the first time since I returned to being natural that I am consciously *trying* to grow my hair out (just until December) so I don’t want the headache that can come with more hair. Your videos are so encouraging! Thanks for sharing. Blessings…
yeah- I def hear you on knots with more growth! so glad these videos are good to you. all the best on your hair journey!
Hey Cassandra,
I would like to know when you trim your hair if you do it on stretched or nonstretched hair? In the video I couldn’t really tell if that’s your hair in its stretched form or not. If not, girl hi-5 to you because my shrinkage would have mine so short.lol
Hey LaShay I rarely stretch my hair when I trim. I trim in whatever condition my hair is in since my method gives me that flexibility. I didn’t start trimming my hair until it reached about neck length. Hope that helps!
Oops sorry for the mispelling of your name.
Great way to search and destroy. I have cut my ends the same way. Thanks!
I’m still transitioning for now…….so I just dust off my ends every 6-8wks. But I’ll be trying d search n destroy method on my next trim. Thanks cass
P.S: Cass, your videos have been really helpful with my transition. You’re a genius.
Tobe- sounds like you’re already doing a really good job with your hair. thanks for the BIG compliment!
thats what i do dust them ..twist and snip..lol thankyou .. no more salons for me
I will answer this based on my experience. I originally chopped off my relaxed ends in July with….. paper scissors (the horror!) And within about 2 months I began to notice ragged ends. I immediately went and bought hair scissors and dusted my ends to get rid of the ragged ends before they could do any harm. So, just make sure you are using hair scissors. I didn’t buy the most expensive pair, but not the cheapest pair either. I was not about to spend $70 or more on hair scissors. LOL
what’s again the link for the scissors at amazon? thx! love your videos they help me a lot
hey hon- check out my blog for that link!
soo beautiful lovely!!!
Im dusting while watching your vid….You have this great white background:)
Thank you Cassandra love your tutorials.
Luar