I'm a guy who wants to learn how to cut my own hair
Haircuts have gotten so expensive and I really don't feel like paying for one when all I need is a basic trim. I'm pretty confident I could cut my hair on my own, but I'm a little afraid I'm going to screw it up. Any tips for trimming hair at home and making it look good?
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For a complete guide to this topic, read the wikiHow article How to Cut Your Own Hair (Men).
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My advice when cutting your hair is to pick a simple haircut like a buzz cut. This way, you can use clippers instead of shears (shears are more challenging). Look for tutorials online to help you, and consider investing in a mirror that can show you the back of your head. Don't expect to get to barber-level quality cutting your own hair. But, I do tell everyone to learn to clean up their sides between haircuts to extend the time between barber visits and save some money!
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It’s definitely possible to successfully cut your own hair at home, (though it doesn’t hurt to have an artist's hand!). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
What You’ll Need:
• Sharp hair-cutting scissors (even high-end kitchen scissors will work)
• A good-quality comb
• A handheld mirror and a wall mirror to see the back of your head
• Electric clippers (for short styles or fades)
• A cape or towel to catch the hair
• Spray bottle with water, if you have straight hair on top.
General Tips Before You Start:
1. Start Small: Cut less than you think you need to.
2. Start in the back, from low to high.
3. Cut clean and dry hair.
4. Using clipper guards, start with the lowest guard, working your way up to the largest guard.
5. Good lighting and patience is a must.
For Short Hair (Clippers or Scissors):
1. Use the Right Guard: Start with a larger clipper guard than you think. You can always go shorter.
2. Blend in Sections: Move from the bottom up and gradually fade with smaller guards or scissor-over-comb.
3. Back of the Head: Use a handheld mirror and go slow. Use short strokes and check frequently.
For scissor work on top:
1. Spray the hair down with a water bottle.
2. Start in the front, working your way to the back, pulling hair up and cutting desired length off.
Photographs speak a 1000 words, so don’t hesitate to find an image of a haircut that you want to recreate. Finally, be realistic and don’t choose a photo of a celebrity with hair that doesn’t resemble yours.
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What You’ll Need:
• Sharp hair-cutting scissors (even high-end kitchen scissors will work)
• A good-quality comb
• A handheld mirror and a wall mirror to see the back of your head
• Electric clippers (for short styles or fades)
• A cape or towel to catch the hair
• Spray bottle with water, if you have straight hair on top.
General Tips Before You Start:
1. Start Small: Cut less than you think you need to.
2. Start in the back, from low to high.
3. Cut clean and dry hair.
4. Using clipper guards, start with the lowest guard, working your way up to the largest guard.
5. Good lighting and patience is a must.
For Short Hair (Clippers or Scissors):
1. Use the Right Guard: Start with a larger clipper guard than you think. You can always go shorter.
2. Blend in Sections: Move from the bottom up and gradually fade with smaller guards or scissor-over-comb.
3. Back of the Head: Use a handheld mirror and go slow. Use short strokes and check frequently.
For scissor work on top:
1. Spray the hair down with a water bottle.
2. Start in the front, working your way to the back, pulling hair up and cutting desired length off.
Photographs speak a 1000 words, so don’t hesitate to find an image of a haircut that you want to recreate. Finally, be realistic and don’t choose a photo of a celebrity with hair that doesn’t resemble yours.
It definitely takes a little bit of practice, but you can easily trim your hair at home. All you need are an electric trimmer, hair-cutting scissors, and a comb. Here are the basic steps to follow:
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- Start by washing and drying your hair so it's clean and easy to work with.
- Use electric trimmers with a guard for the length you want.
- Trim the hair on the sides of your head. Start near your temple and move your trimmers up and pull them away from your head as you reach the top.
- Use a hand mirror to see what you're doing while you trim the back of your head.
- Install a shorter guard on your trimmers to fade the sides and back of your head.
- Pinch the hair on the top of your head between your fingers and cut it shorter with a pair of scissors.
- Check for any stray long hairs and trim anything that you missed to wrap up!
The hardest part of cutting my own hair is getting the back of my head looking right. But then I learned about the tip to use a belt to get a straight line, and it's not so hard for me anymore! Just wrap the belt around your head and use it as a guide to get the line you want. So much easier.
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If you're feeling anxious about cutting your own hair for the first time, you can start with just a trim. Use guards one or two sizes bigger than you actually want and when you're using scissors, cut less than you think you need. You can always trim it down more, and taking it slow reduces the chance of you making a mistake. And if you mess something up, since you're just cutting a little, there will probably be enough hair for a barber to work with if you decide to go to a shop and get it fixed. Also remember that the difference between a bad haircut and a good haircut is just a couple weeks! It'll grow out. Good luck, you got this.
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For basic trims at home, use quality tools like proper hair-cutting scissors—companies like Japan Scissors offer reliable options. Go slow, follow video tutorials, and start with small cuts to avoid mistakes.
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I've been cutting my hair at home for years! It can take a bit of practice to get right but the good thing is that your hair will grow back. Here are some tips:
- Wet your hair a bit before you cut it, so that it's damp. It'll be easier to work with
- Use a larger guard than you'll think you need, then work your way down if you need to. Soon you'll know which guards you like to use for your haircuts and different parts of your hair
- Use clippers and guards for your sides and back. Use a comb and scissors for the top
- Use a second, handheld mirror to check the back of your hair. You can also use your phone camera
- Make sure your clippers are fully charged before you start
- Do your haircut when you have an open schedule, so you don't end up rushing because you have to go somewhere
You got this!
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- Wet your hair a bit before you cut it, so that it's damp. It'll be easier to work with
- Use a larger guard than you'll think you need, then work your way down if you need to. Soon you'll know which guards you like to use for your haircuts and different parts of your hair
- Use clippers and guards for your sides and back. Use a comb and scissors for the top
- Use a second, handheld mirror to check the back of your hair. You can also use your phone camera
- Make sure your clippers are fully charged before you start
- Do your haircut when you have an open schedule, so you don't end up rushing because you have to go somewhere
You got this!
Getting the back of the head correct is the hardest part. I suggest either buying a trifold mirror designed specifically for self cuts or setting up three mirrors that allow you to easily see the back of your head.
Another tool that I have found immensely helpful for longer styles is a v-style hair straightening comb that can be used as a straight line cutting guide. The best one I've found is a single piece (not hinged) black abs plastic comb that pinches hair tightly when closed. Currently it only seems to be available on AliExpress or Temu, but the amount of help it offers is worth the long shipping time.
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Another tool that I have found immensely helpful for longer styles is a v-style hair straightening comb that can be used as a straight line cutting guide. The best one I've found is a single piece (not hinged) black abs plastic comb that pinches hair tightly when closed. Currently it only seems to be available on AliExpress or Temu, but the amount of help it offers is worth the long shipping time.
I find using a Grip and Trim with hair clippers gives me amazing control when cutting my hair at home. It grips sections of hair, lets you select the length you want, then you run your hair clippers across the cutting guide area for an even precise cut.
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Totally get it! Haircuts have become so pricey, and a simple trim shouldn’t break the bank. If you're going DIY, start small—trim less than you think you need, as you can always cut more. Use sharp scissors (not kitchen ones!), work in sections, and trim dry if you wear your hair straight, or damp if it’s curly. Watching a few tutorials can help too. You got this!
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