Pay attention to what you like about different haircuts. Look at where the layers originate, and picture how this would translate to your own hair. Keep the pictures handy as you’re cutting. Wet hair is longer than dry hair, since it’s pulled down by the weight of the water. This means if you try cutting wet hair, you’ll probably end up with a style that’s shorter than you wanted. Start cutting on clean, dry hair for the best results. Now’s not the time to pull out your craft scissors. Invest in a decent pair of haircutting scissors from a beauty supply store.  Professional scissors can be over $100, but you should be fine with a pair in the $15-$20 range. You’ll need to be able to see the front and back of your hair, so have a mirror in front of you and one behind you. If you have more mirrors available, set them up so you can clearly see the sides of your hair. Comb your hair so that it’s parted how you plan to wear your hair. Section out your bangs and clip or pin them so they’re out of your way. Next, separate out sections of your hair to become layers. Use your inspiration photos to determine how many layers you want and where they should begin. It can be tempting to cut straight across to get that blunt emo look, but this can make it hard to blend the layers. Hold your scissors so the point goes upwards into your hair and make small cuts across the layer. You can also use a straight razor to cut your hair into blunt layers. Hold the razor at a 45 degree angle to your hair and only cut a little at a time. You can always cut more as you go, but you can't make the hair longer if you accidentally cut too much. Cut your hair a little longer than you think you want it, then take off a little more until you reach your desired length. Leave some of the bottom layers extra long to get an authentic emo look. Emo bangs are usually long, so plan for them to fall below your eyes. Use the same technique as you did for cutting your layers. If you plan on teasing your bangs, you might want to leave them a little longer to account for the extra volume.
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One-sentence summary -- Study inspiration photos so you’ll know what look you’re going for. Wash and dry your hair before you cut. Use good haircutting scissors. Have at least two mirrors. Part your hair into several sections. Trim your hair using the points of the scissors. Cut a little at a time. Cut your bangs so they hit at about your cheekbones or your chin.


Put money aside throughout the year so you can purchase your tickets for the festival as soon as they’re released. If you miss the ticket sales, you may have to purchase your passes through an official ticket exchange, which is the recommended method, or a reseller, which can be more risky.  Avoid purchasing tickets from an independent seller unless you can verify that the tickets are real by providing you with an order confirmation or receipt for their purchase. Unfortunately, if you buy a fake ticket, you won’t be able to get into the festival. In addition to your fun festival clothing, pack a raincoat or poncho, some light tank tops, and a sweater or sweatshirt. Don’t forget longer pants for cool evenings or bad weather. In general, it’s best to leave your umbrella at home because they can be dangerous in large crowds. Most people end up throwing their tent away after long festivals, since they normally break from the use. Pick up a less expensive tent with enough room for you and your friends at supermarket or outdoors store, and pack a comfortable sleeping bag for yourself.  For added comfort, you can bring a cheap foam mattress pad or air mattress to lay on the floor of your tent. If you don’t want to camp at the festival, remember to book an AirBnb or hotel room nearby, so you can easily get to the venue! Due to all of the people at the festival, lines for the bathrooms and showers can be long. Bring wipes to quickly clean off your body every day before applying deodorant, and pack toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, and body wash to use when the shower lines are shorter. Before the festival, purchase a small, portable first aid kit with band aids, antibiotic ointment, and any medication that you need to take. Keep it in a safe place that’s easily accessible, like your bag, tent, or car. You might also want to bring some sort of anti-inflammatory medication, in case you get a headache or minor sprain. If you have allergies or asthma, be sure to pack any medication that you’d need in case of a reaction. If you can bring outside food into the venue, pack a cooler with your favorite drinks and snacks. Make sandwiches for lunch, and healthy salads for dinner to keep your energy up. Remember to bring bottles of water so you don’t have to buy them.  Food can be extremely expensive inside of the venue, so you can save a lot of money by bringing your own. You can also skip out on waiting in line for food trucks and vendors! Keep in mind that not all festivals allow this, so be sure to check the rules before you pack up your cooler. You’re probably going to be using your phone a lot during the festival, and if it’s outside, you might not have access to an outlet. Charge your phone and the battery pack the night before the festival, and plug your phone into the charger when the battery gets low. Then, when you need it, you can use it and not worry about draining the battery!  If you’re having trouble finding a portable battery pack, try ordering one on Amazon or from eBay, which sell small, inexpensive chargers that are perfect for the festival! You might also want to get a short USB cord to use with the battery pack. Having a shorter cord will prevent tangling in your bag or backpack. During performances and while you’re walking around, you want your phone, money, and other items to be close to your body. Choose a bag that’s lightweight and wraps around your body so you can have both of your hands free. Be sure to check the venue’s rules before selecting a bag, as some require festival goers to bring clear bags for all of their items. If you’re worried about your items getting wet in your bag due to rain or water features during the shows, place your wallet and phone into a resealable bag, and then stow the plastic bag in your purse or fanny pack for extra protection. For single-day festivals, plan to park in the venue lot, which can be expensive. For multi-day festivals, check the festival website to see if you need to reserve a parking spot in the venue where you can set up your tent. If they don’t have parking in the venue, park in a nearby lot, and be sure to pay for every day that you’ll be at the festival. If you’re attending a festival in a large city, it’s best to use a ride sharing app or public transportation to get to the festival, since parking will likely be limited.
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One-sentence summary --
Purchase the tickets well in advance to avoid price gouging and scams. Bring clothes that you can layer to keep warm or cool. Get a cheap tent and sleeping bag for multi-day festivals. Pack personal hygiene items like wet wipes and toiletries. Place a first aid kit in your bag or car in case of minor injuries. Bring your own food to save money and time if the venue allows it. Carry an extra phone charger or battery pack with you. Opt for cross body bag or a fanny pack to carry your items with you. Research the parking and travel options for the venue to avoid traffic.