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Hairstyles featuring sloping lines, drastic change in length, and geometrical interest really catch the eye. If you want all eyes on you, your hair has to be dramatic. Short, stacked layers in the back and sloping, plunging length up front are the hallmarks of the inverted bob, a.k.a. A-line bob. If you already have a bob and want to spice things up a bit, it's as easy as raising the back an inch or two -- or three. How short will you dare to go?
1.
Shampoo and condition hair unless you have curly hair -- you don't want to cut curly hair wet. Towel dry your hair just a bit, but leave it damp. Remove tangles and comb it straight down with it parted down the middle.
2.
Part off your hair just behind your ears, combing the hair in front of the part forward and clipping it out of the way. Make a horizontal part across the back near the bottom. Leave about 2 inches of hair loose at the bottom and pin up the rest.
3.
Tilt your head down and carve out a narrow strip of hair -- about 1 inch or so -- in the center of the nape. Cut this strip to the length you want. This strip will be the shortest spot, so make sure you get the length right. Don't be afraid to make a couple of snips to make it perfect.
4.
Cut from the center out toward one of the sides with a diagonal cut, starting at the center strip. The cut should connect the length in the middle to the length of the hair that's just behind your ears. Do the same for the other side.
5.
Remove the clips from the sides of your hair. Comb the sides straight down and make sure they line up with the hair just behind the ears. If there is a drop off, fix it with a horizontal cut, connecting the two lengths.
6.
Layer the back by starting in the middle once again with the same 1-inch strip. Comb it straight out from the head. Clamp the hair between the first two fingers of your non-dominant hand. Hold your fingers at a 45-degree angle with your fingers pointed toward the head. Make a 45-degree cut that connects the bottom length with the longest length found at the bumpy bone in the back of your head.
7.
Move slightly to the left or right, carving out another strip of hair. Comb the strip to the center of the head -- where you made the last cut -- and cut the hair following the same lines. Continue working your way out to the side, pulling strips to the center and cutting until none of the hair reaches the center. Do the same for the other side.
Getting the right angle is difficult when you're trying to cut your own hair. Ask a friend to help when you're cutting the back.
Curly hair shrinks dramatically when it dries. You might end up taking off more than you want if you cut it wet. If you have curl, always cut your hair dry.
