I'm a fan of the do-it-yourself movement and I'm cheap to boot, so here's a short list of tips on how to cut your hair yourself instead of going to some fancypants salon that will charge you double or triple just because you have girly bits instead of boy parts (as if the contents of your pants has anything to do with it!*):

1. Summon your courage! I'll be the first to admit that this is easier if you have curly/wavy hair which does not require straight cutting. Not only does crooked cutting not show when curly hair is dry, a straight cut is actually not a great choice for this hair type.

2. Want layers? Hair long enough for a ponytail? Easy. With your head upside down, make a ponytail on the very top of your head (or a bit lower if you want less drastic layers). I like to tie one elastic close to the head, and another closer to where I want to cut. Tied like this, it will look like you have layers already, because the hair from the top of your head will be much longer than the hair from the bottom of your head. These things happen when your head is upside down. Cut it evenly and the opposite will happen — when your hair is down, the higher hair will not fall as far as the lower hair. That's all there is to layers, really. Also, if you are of the curly-headed persuasion, layers are a very good idea if you want to avoid the triangle-head look.

3. Cutting curly hair: DO NOT CUT IT STRAIGHT ACROSS. Bad. Curly hair does not hang straight down, let's not pretend that it does. I know your hairdresser always does it that way, but it's incorrect and unhelpful. So here's how we're going to do things: Get your hair wet, grab a curl, and cut the end of it. Curls don't all need to be the same length (see point 2). Curls form naturally and have a habit of forming in the same places, so treat them as separate units. Straight hair is all one unit, curly hair is multiple units. They don't fall the same way, they shouldn't be cut the same way. If you can find a hairdresser who understands this, you have been blessed by the universe, as they are very rare.

4. Cut conservatively. You can always cut more, but it takes damn near forever to grow more. Conversely, see point 1.

5. Wait until you're relaxed, you've got a night off, and you've got some private time so you don't have to worry about some crazy roommate asking you incredulously what you think you're doing. Think about what you want to do. Maybe read some DIY forums about how to cut different styles. Be willing to try things!

6. Treat yourself to some ice cream with the money you saved. (This step is crucial for a truly good haircut.)

*Note: I know, boys tend to have shorter hair. However, I find it a million times easier to cut girl hair. But you argue, some girls have more difficult haircuts. Then again, some boys and girls have the same haircut. So why aren't we charged based on our haircut preference instead of our genitalia? Because hairdressers are thieves, that's why, and that's why I've cut my own damn hair for the past two years.