How to Cut Your Own Hair (Men)

To look suave and well-groomed, you don't have to go out and spend money on a haircut. Whether you’re social distancing or just on a budget, with some practice and the right tools, you can cut your own hair at home. Trim carefully with a pair of clippers or styling scissors as you work your way from the sides to the back and top. With patience and an eye for detail, you'll be rocking a sleek and stylish new 'do in no time! Check out our quick and easy tutorial for cutting your own hair at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Getting Your Hair Ready

Download Article

Wash your hair before you cut it. Your hair will be easier to work with if it's clean and snarl-free. Get your hair wet under running water and use shampoo and conditioner, rinsing both out after you've worked them through your hair.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Detangle your hair with a comb. Run the comb through your hair and work out any knots with the comb or with your fingers. Ridding your hair of tangles beforehand will result in a cleaner, more even cut.
- If your hair dries out while you comb it, spritz it with water until it's damp again.
- Use a detangling product or a natural remedy to tackle particularly stubborn snarls.
Advertisement
3
Towel dry your hair. The best time to cut your hair is when it's damp, but not soaking wet. If your hair's still dripping, dry it off with a towel. Comb your hair again to get rid of any tangles made from drying it.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you cut your hair while it's still wet, it may not lay the same way it does while it's dry.
4
Find a comfortable place to cut your hair. Cutting your hair can take up to several hours, especially if you've never done it before. Choose a spot where you can sit down and work without worrying about making a mess.^{[3]XResearch source}
- The best place to cut hair is the bathroom, where you'll have access to running water and a mirror.
5
Position yourself near a mirror. You’ll want to be able to see what you’re doing as much as possible.^{[4]XResearch source} A large-sized mirror on your bathroom wall or medicine cabinet will help you see what you’re cutting in front or on the sides.
- If possible, set up a second mirror so you can see the back of your head, either hanging from the wall opposite or as a hand mirror held by someone else.
6
Section your hair into parts. Run the comb back through your hair right about where your head curves, then comb the hair between the part and the ear down. Do this on both sides to section off both sides of your head.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If your hair is long enough, you can use clips to hold the top section away from your sides.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Cutting the Back and Sides with Clippers

Download Article

1
Use clippers on a small guard setting to cut the back and sides. Clippers are the best for the back and sides for beginners or those who want a basic haircut. Set your clippers' guard, which controls how much hair you can cut, to 1 (3 mm or 1/8 inch) or 2 (6 mm or 1/4 inch) to make conservative cuts while you work.^{[6]XResearch source}
- The shortest setting for a clipper guard is 0, which is essentially shaving down to the skin.
2
Cut one side at a time. Use a low clipper guard around the sides and, with the blade's edge, trim from the bottom of the sides to the top. Tilt the clipper blade at an angle as you work to create an even fade with the rest of your hair. Then, repeat this process on the other side of your head before moving to the back, making sure to transition between lengths at the same point on both sides.^{[7]XResearch source}
- To blend short hair on the sides with longer hair on the top of your head, pull your clippers further away from your head as you get towards the top of your head.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Going against your hair's grain will result in a cleaner cut.
- Some clippers come with ear tapers, which help you cut above and around your ears. Use these, if available, to make cleaner cuts around the ears.
3
Start the initial trim for the back of your head. Stand with your back towards a large bathroom mirror, and hold a smaller mirror in front of you.^{[9]XResearch source} Use the same blade guard length that you used on the sides of your hair. Run the clippers from the bottom to the top of your head, just like you did with the sides.^{[10]XResearch source} You’ll start at the bottom and do your initial cuts up to the occipital bone, which is where your skull starts to curve.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Then, as you approach the top of your head, stopping about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the crown of your head, use scooping motions to pull the clippers away from your head.
- Scooping the clippers away from your head helps to blend your cuts evenly.
4
Fade the lower half with a shorter setting. Swap out your clipper guard to one setting shorter than you were using before. For instance, if you were using a 4, move to a 3. Trim your hair from the bottom to top with the shorter blade guard. Stop about 1 inch (2.5 cm) under where you cut with the longer blade.^{[12]XResearch source} Lift your hair with the clippers as you approach your temples and earlobes.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Work slowly while using clippers to ensure as even of a fade as possible.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Using Scissors to Cut the Top

Download Article

1
Use styling scissors on the top of your head. Using styling scissors instead of clippers will help you make more precise cuts and give your hair more texture. You can buy styling scissors online or at most hair care stores.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Do not use household scissors to cut your hair, as they aren't sharp enough to properly cut hair so you're more likely to make mistakes.
2
Trim the top in sections. Use your fingers or a comb to raise the hair from the top of your head. Work slowly and carefully in 1/4 in (about 6 mm) sections. These should be parallel to the front of your hairline. As you trim, pull a little of the previously cut section into the new section as a traveling guideline.
- Cuts to the hair on top of your head are more noticeable than cuts to the hair on the sides of your head. Always start with conservative cuts. Remember, you can always cut more, but you can't add back lost length.
- When you've finished with this area, you can check your guideline by holding up a section of hair that is perpendicular to your hairline. Your hair should be the same length across the entirety of this section.
- Be gentle on your head while cutting the crown, which is usually more tender than the rest of the head.
Trim your bangs, if applicable, with styling scissors. If you have bangs, section them into smaller parts. Brush your comb through each section the amount you want to cut pokes through the end and trim it off with your scissors.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Making Finishing Touches

Download Article

Use a mirror to check your sides and make sure they are even. Comb your hair straight out and grab a horizontal section from about the same point on each side of your head. Check to see if these sections are the same length. If they are not, trim away any extra length and bumps, taking off small amounts at a time. Remember, it's always easier to cut a little and touch up more later.
2
Cut your sideburns to your desired length. You can trim your sideburns with either a safety razor or with your clippers. If you want long sideburns, trim from the bottom of your ears. If shorter, you can use the depression below your cheekbone to determine where the bottoms of your sideburns should be.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Place your fingers underneath each sideburn to check that they’re even after trimming.
Comb the top of your hair down toward your sides. Holding your sheers vertically, cut into the corners to remove bulk.
4
Taper your neckline. Use your clippers or a beard trimmer to cut the hair growing on the nape of your neck. Start with a grazing cut at the top of the neckline, then cut progressively closer as you work toward the nape of the neck.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Use a handheld mirror to examine your neckline after tapering it to make sure it looks neat and even.
5
Style your hair immediately after cutting it. After cutting your hair, rinse it in the shower to remove any strays. Towel dry, then, part it with a comb and style it as you usually would. Decide whether you're happy with your new style and, if not, either cut it again or visit a hairstylist to make extensive changes.
- If you notice any mistakes or uneven areas while styling, trim these areas again as needed.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
How do you trim around the edges?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
Flip the clipper over and hold perpendicular to the skin. Carefully trace along the edge of your hairline.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 19 Helpful 57
Question
What clipper do you need to get zero on sides or do you use the open blade?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
If you want a skin fade you should use an unguarded clipper for the edges.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 20 Helpful 48
Question
I cut perpendicular to my finger, but I cut my finger instead of my hair! Where did I go wrong?
Community Answer
The writer of this article used the wrong word. As the pictures show, the instructions should read "Cut parallel to your fingers or the comb."
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 42 Helpful 171

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Put on an old shirt or fabric covering to catch the cut hair before you start.
Thanks
Helpful7 Not Helpful0
If cutting over your bathroom sink, close the drain to keep hair from falling into it.
Thanks
Helpful8 Not Helpful1
Have someone you know cut your hair instead if you're worried about making mistakes or getting hard-to-reach spots.
Thanks
Helpful6 Not Helpful1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

The first few times you cut your own hair, don’t cut it quite as short as you normally have it cut. That way, if you make a mistake, you can correct it without having to buzz your hair.
Thanks
Helpful37 Not Helpful2
If you make a mistake while cutting, don't worry—you can always go to a hairstylist or salon. They can assess the cuts made and blend your hair into a new, clean hairstyle.
Thanks
Helpful13 Not Helpful1