How to trim your own fringe

- Linda Evangelista, from perfectpeople.net

- by Julien Farel, from Vogue
Farel, owner of Julien Farel Salon in New York City, had been cutting hair for 20 years. His clients include Lauren Bush, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista and Paris Hilton.

A fringe can be difficult to maintain - it can be tidy one day and overgrown the next. Some salons don't charge for touch-ups, but many women find it more convenient to trim their fringe at home. Just remember: you are not a hairstylist. Always take your time, and don't do anything drastic.

Get sharp
This may sound obvious, but don't try to trim your fringe with paper-cutting scissors. They're too big and too dull and set you up for a mishap. You can find reasonably priced salon scissors at any beauty store. Even straight manicure scissors are a better alternative.

Stay dry
It's best to trim your fringe when it's dry. When hair is wet, you run the risk of making it too short or having it fall badly. When your hair is dry, you can see exactly where - and how much - to cut.

Be blunt
For a simple, straight-across fringe, separate the hair into three sections; middle, right and left. Taking one section at a time, lift the hair out in front of you and twist it. (You should look as if u have a unicorn's horn.) Carefully snip off about three centimetres, and repeat with each section. And remember, it's better to make several small passes than one big mistake. If your fringe is still too long, retwist and recut as needed.

Know all the angles
Although a blunt fringe shows mistakes, a side-swept one is tricky too! And there's no way to make it easier - just take it slowly, arrange the hair where you want it to lie, cut along the angle the fringe falls, and hope for the best. Fortunately, this can look good even if it's not perfect.

Visit the ER
If you have an Edward Scissorhands moment, go directly to the salon. Your stylist should be able to salvage the situation for you.