Scissor Guide: The Right Tools For 3 Trending Haircuts

Which Scissor To Use For Fall & Winter’s Biggest Haircut Trends

So often our brushes, color bowls and clips get an upgrade…but what about the tool we rely on most? As you scroll the 2024 Fall and Winter Trend Report for your clients’ next haircut, save this quick guide to match the right scissor selection to the most popular trends this season. 

Read on to learn:

• Why the right scissor can change your haircutting techniques 
• The difference that a blade’s weight, length and tip can create
• Texturizer pairings that make sense
• Plus, save and screenshot trending looks for your clients’ next inspo

#1. Medium-Length Haircuts

Medium-to-collarbone length haircuts are everywhere this season. Clients are taking the popular, voluminous ’90s blowouts and scaling the length back. A custom mid-length haircut could flatter anyone, but clients with natural curls and waves can really benefit from this trend.

Curl-cutting specialists Nubia Rezo (@nubiarezo) and Ethan King (@slickback_buttahtoast) use ARC™ Scissors The Curve to carve, lift and define individual curls. Articulating a medium-length curl pattern requires balance, symmetry and weight removal as well as weight maintenance.

Here’s what to look for in a curl-cutting scissor:

• Slim pointed-tip design to fit into different curl sizes
• Weighted blade to slice through curls to avoid forceful ripping of the hair
• Hybrid wet-to-dry cutting steel that will not rust or dull
• Thick spine construction to balance blade weight with fine-tip point
• 100% Made in Japan with ATS314 steel

Photo credit: Instagram via @slickback_buttahtoast

Photo credit: Instagram via @slickback_buttahtoast

Photo credit: Instagram via @nubiarezo

Photo credit: Instagram via @nubiarezo

#2. Maintainable Layered Length

For several seasons, every part of long haircut trends has revolved around volume and bounce. While the trend remains strong, there is something to say about the spike of “maintainable” layered requests we know are circulating the salon.

If you have a client saying, “I wish I could make my hair look like this at home,” upon leaving your chair—you might want to evaluate the amount of texture within their cut. A huge part of making a haircut wearable is the amount of texture added to the style. 

Pro tip: Soft, edgeless layers create body and movement without the weight of defined layers that require styling for a complete finish. Texturizers are your best friend for maintainable layers, that’s why cutting educator and ARC Artistic Team Member Rachel Williams (@rachelwstylist) and custom color and haircut specialist Jesica Mesa (@jem.hair) combine their go-to Phantom II scissors with the 30/2 Reversible Blender to finish layered cuts.

Photo credit: Instagram via @jem.hair

Photo credit: Instagram via @jem.hair

Photo credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

#3. Contoured Curtain Bangs

While fringe and curtain bangs are no strangers to our clients’ requests, there are a few fundamental questions you should ask no matter how many times you’ve cut a trending fringe.

Victoria Schrager (@victoria.hairart) ARC Scissors Artistic Team Member says, “There are some really important questions to set both the stylist and their client up for success to achieve the desired result and the ability to maintain at home.”

Use Victoria’s go-to questions for your next appointment:

• How short is too short?
• Do you like to see a lot of texture or do you prefer a more sleek look?
• Do you like to air dry, heat-style or both? 
• Do you want to see more volume?
  
  

“I use the ARC Scissors Paragon II and The Curve to carve out tons of little details,” she says. “It wiggles into my client’s super dense hair to help with volume and a lighter grow out” 

Photo credit: Instagram via @victoria.hairart

Photo credit: Instagram via @victoria.hairart

Photo credit: Instagram via @victoria.hairart

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