How to Cut Your Own Hair for Men Who Are Total Beginners

Not all of us have the barbering skills of a professional hairstylist, but that's not to say learning the basics of how to cut your own hair is out of reach.

Whether you just don't have the time to schedule in your regular barber appointments or you want to take up a new skill, learning to cut your own hair is a useful and practical skill to have.

And with the right tools, techniques and guidance, you'll be able to achieve a more-than-pretty-decent haircut at home.

Sure, you're unlikely to be a whizz with the clippers straight away (unless you're a born natural), but with patience and practice, you'll have the basics on how to cut your own hair down in no time.

So, with that in mind, let's start on those basics...

Cutting your own hair is most certainly possible, and it's become a lot more common for men to get their trim done at home since lockdown hit (remember all the slightly dodgy, lockdown DIY haircuts that did the rounds on social media?).

But there are a few things to consider before you go snipping away:

• Time: Cutting your own hair will take longer than going to a professional, especially at first.
• Tools: You'll need the right tools for the job: scissors, clippers, and combs are all must-haves.
• Technique: It's important to learn and practise proper techniques for cutting hair in order to achieve a good result.
• Patience: Cutting hair can be tricky for a total beginner, so it's important to have patience and take your time to avoid any mistakes (although you should be prepared for maybe a mistake or two when you're just starting out).
  
  

But, in short, yes, cutting your own hair is definitely doable.

There are several different methods for cutting hair, but the easiest and most practical for beginners is using clippers.

Unlike a razor, clippers are straightforward to use because they come with guards that allow you to easily control the length of hair being cut. This means less room for error and a more consistent result.

The first step of cutting your own hair is to get everything you need ready. You'll need:

Once you've got your arsenal of tools ready, it's time to get started:

Washing your hair will ensure there isn't any leftover product or dirt in it, which can affect the way it looks after cutting. Plus, clean hair is easier to work with and will give you a more accurate idea of how your hair looks and falls.

Use a good-quality shampoo and conditioner which gently cleanses and nourishes the hair, such as our Thickening Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner. These formulas contain natural hair-caring ingredients, like Aloe Leaf and Vitamin B3, which help promote hair growth and smooth your hair.

After washing, towel dry your hair until it's damp. Cutting hair that is still slightly wet is easier than trying to snip away on dry hair.

Rather than scrubbing your hair with the towel, gently pat it dry to avoid causing any frizz or tangles.

You should also detangle your hair with a brush or wide-tooth comb to make sure there aren't any knots that could affect the cutting process. At this point, you should part your hair where it naturally does so or where you usually style it.

Stand in front of a larger mirror, like in your bathroom, and hold a smaller one behind your head. This will give you a clear view of the back and sides of your head so you can see everything you're doing while cutting.

Depending on how long you want your hair to be, start with an attachment that will give you the desired length.

If you're not sure what attachment to use, it's better to err on the side of caution and go with a longer length first.

The table below shows the different clipper attachments and their corresponding lengths:

You can also read more about different haircut lengths in our guide, which we recommend for beginners.

Now comes the fun part (or stressful, depending on your level of confidence). Start by trimming the sides of your head with the clipper attachment, working from the bottom to the top.

Glide the clipper upwards against the direction of hair growth. Make sure to keep the clipper flat against your head for an even cut.

Move slowly around your head, regularly checking in the mirror to make sure you're cutting evenly.

Once you're done with the sides and back, you'll want to trim the top of your head.

The way in which you do this will depend on how much length you want on top.

If you're going for an all-over length, just use the same clipper attachment as you did for the sides.

If you keep your hair longer on top, use a higher-numbered attachment, or simply comb your hair upwards and use scissors to trim any excess length.

You should take sections of hair and place them between your fore and middle fingers to give yourself a guide for cutting, holding the hair up and away from your head as you trim.

Position your fingers so that the ends of the hair stick out between them, which will give you a guide as to how much you want to cut off.

Repeat this process until you've trimmed all the hair on top.

If you want to add some texture or take off any excess length, use hair scissors to do so.

Take small sections of hair and trim the ends at different lengths.

But if you're not confident doing this step just yet, it's best to skip it, otherwise you risk making the top look uneven or choppy.

Once you're happy with your cut, use your mirror to take a look around your head and make sure everything looks even. Trim any stray hairs or fix any uneven areas.

You might want to give your hair a quick rinse under the shower to get rid of any hair clippings or use a towel to wipe away any excess.

Give your hair a final comb-through and style as desired with your preferred products, like adding some texture with our Marine Mist or holding your style in place with our Compound Clay.

The chances of you getting a perfect cut on your first try are pretty slim, so don't panic if you make a mistake. It tends to never be as bad as we think it is, and it might very well be fixable.

Some of the most common mistakes when cutting your own hair include…

If all else fails, you can always seek professional help to fix any mistakes or if you're not happy with your results. Or, you can wait for your hair to grow out, which shouldn't take too long.

Cutting your own hair may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and techniques, it's definitely doable. Just remember to have a little patience, take your time, and practice really does make perfect.

Over on our blog, you'll find plenty more hairstyle inspiration for men, including trending trims, styling tips, and hair care advice.