If you’re cutting men’s hair, you’ll need to invest in hair clippers and learn how to use them. Many guys have started to cut their own hair at home. From saving time and money to being able to trim regularly, learning to cut hair with clippers offers many benefits. While giving a haircut may sound challenging for beginners, using clippers is easy with a little practice, patience, and knowledge of the basics. The right electric clippers are convenient, powerful, and durable, allowing the machine to effortlessly glide through your hair for a quick DIY haircut. Whether you’re buzzing your head or fading your sides and back, this beginners guide will help you use hair clippers to cut hair for a professional-looking hairstyle.
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How To Use Hair Clippers
When using hair clippers for the first time, you’ll want to spend time handling the machine and getting familiar with the features. Start by picking up the product, holding it in your hands to feel the weight of it, and experimenting with different grips to find the most comfortable. Turn it on and off to hear the buzzing sound so you know how quiet or loud it will be when you use it.
If you plan to fade your hair, layer your cut, or trim different lengths, find the right combs and attach them to your clippers to make sure they fit securely. For guys with cordless clippers, make sure to fully charge the tool before cutting your hair.
When using clippers to cut hair, you’ll want to keep these tips and tricks in mind:
- Start with clean, washed hair before cutting.
- Make sure your hair is dry or slightly damp to avoid trimming too short.
- Begin with a guard size for longer hair and go shorter, if necessary.
- Always use the electric clippers to cut hair against the direction of growth.
- With a steady hand and light pressure, run the machine up the sides and back.
- Keep the clippers level against the head and trim the same area multiple times to get an even length.
- When cutting your hair on top, start with the front and work your way to the back of the head.
- Use a trimmer to clean up the hairline around your sideburns, ears, and neck.
- Wash your hair and check your haircut.
How To Cut Men’s Hair with Clippers
Step 1
Before you start cutting your hair, you’ll need to decide on a length. If this is your first time using clippers, we recommend you use a guard that is slightly longer than your desired hair length. This will give you a buffer for mistakes and stop you from trimming your hair too short.
A number 3 or 4 is a good length for a buzz cut, and a number 7 or 8 can be long enough for a crew cut.
Here are the numbers and guard sizes:
- Number 1 – one-eighth of an inch
- Number 2 – one-quarter of an inch
- Number 3 – three-eighths of an inch
- Number 4 – one-half of an inch
- Number 5 – five-eighths of an inch
- Number 6 – three-quarters of an inch
- Number 7 – seven-eighths of an inch
- Number 8 – one inch
You can always cut shorter if you need to, but you can’t grow back your hair. Always make sure you have the right comb attachment before you begin trimming.
Step 2
Professional barbers always begin by buzzing the sides. Begin at the bottom, place the clippers flush against the side of your head, and cut your hair against the direction of growth. Run the machine up the side and flick your wrist upward when you get to the end of the area you want to clip.
Pass through the same section multiple times to ensure an even cut throughout as you work towards the back of the head. When one side is complete, switch to the other side and continue the process. Make sure to pull the ears down and work around the hairline.
If you are going for the same length all over the head, you can continue using the clippers to cut the hair on top. To fade the sides and back, attach a slightly shorter guard and follow the same process, except now you’ll only want to begin trimming further up the sides. Remember to flick your wrist and allow the comb to blend your hair gradually.
Step 3
When you’re finished with the sides, it’s time to move to the back. When cutting the hair in the back, begin at the base of the neck and push the clippers up the head. Keep the machine even with your scalp to maximize the amount of hair being buzzed. If necessary, consistently stop and review the area with a mirror. The goal is to have the back match the sides in length and tapering.
Step 4
When cutting the hair on top of the head, start at the front of the head (near the forehead) and run your electric clippers to the back. To create a seamless transition, you’ll want short hair on the sides with longer hair on top, so use the appropriate guard size for the proper cut. Longer hairstyles are also suitable for guys with thinning hair, receding hairlines, and bald spots.
When checking for an even haircut, use a comb to brush the hair in the same direction. For areas with thick coarse hair that are hard to cut with clippers, consider using scissors.
Step 5
Finally, you should clean up the hairline with trimmers. Use quality hair trimmers to shave the neckline, trim around the ears and forehead, and style the sideburns for a fresh look. You can also achieve this by using clippers without a guard.
With time and focus, you can learn to cut hair with clippers and create haircuts that look just as good as the ones you get at the barbershop. When experimenting with cutting hair at home, make sure you invest in the best hair clippers you can afford. A high-quality machine will make it easier to achieve a good haircut and will save you money for years to come.
Hair Clippers For Beginners
If you’re going to start cutting hair at home, investing in the right clippers is essential to getting a good haircut. Hair clippers for beginners are easy to use, powerful enough to cut through all types of hair and come with a complete set of guards.
Affordable clippers can be corded or cordless, but we recommend spending a little extra to get a machine from one of the top brands such as Wahl, Andis, and Babyliss Pro.
Wahl Elite Pro
As one of the most popular Wahl clippers on the market, the Elite Pro Home Haircut Kit offers an excellent balance between performance and value. With sharp stainless steel blades and a powerful motor, this corded clipper will cut through all hair types with ease.
The self-sharpening blades are durable and the kit comes with a complete set of guards for all hair lengths. The combs will be useful if you want a buzz or crew cut on top, or if you want to fade the back and sides.
With a lifetime warranty, you can trust that the Wahl Elite Pro will last you for years and continue performing at a high-level.
Wahl Lithium-Ion Cordless Clippers
The Wahl Lithium-Ion Cordless Clipper Kit is the perfect choice for guys who want to start cutting hair at home. Affordable and easy to use, these cordless hair clippers are made with premium self-sharpening blades. Combined with a heavy-duty motor that offers excellent cutting ability, this machine will glide through your hair without snagging or pulling.
The taper lever on the sides makes this machine great for fade haircuts, buzz cuts, and other short hairstyles.
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers 2 hours of run time on a single charge and comes with a 15-minute quick-charge feature. This complete haircutting kit comes with 12 sturdy guards that will allow you to get any haircut you want.
For a combination of comfort, convenience, and power, you can’t go wrong with these Wahl Cordless Clippers.
Wahl Color Pro
The Wahl Color Pro is another great model for home use. These cordless clippers come with self-sharpening, stainless steel blades that are removable and washable. Cheap and reliable, this machine is powered by a reliable motor and a NiMH rechargeable battery with 60 minutes of run time.
When choosing your hair length, the company made it simple by color-coding the guards. These combs attach snuggly onto the machine and include the haircut numbers and lengths to avoid confusion.
As the best cheap clippers you’ll find, the Wahl Color Pro is a quality product from a trusted brand that will help you cut your hair without issues.