Cutting your own hair saving money, guards and tecnique.

[DEGuy]

Try the Panasonic ER224S Cordless Hair and Beard Trimmer. It's inexpensive and works great! Stays charged for a long time and cuts from about 1/32 to 13/16 in 14 increments. The head slides to corresponding settings and locks when the unit is switched on. Cutting the back and sides of back requires one stationary mirror and one like a mirrored medicine cabinet door, pretty much directly opposite on another. It's a bit tricky, but you can do it. Thing to keep in mind is begin cutting on one or two settings longer than you desired length--this will give you feel for the cutter and a better idea of just how short you want to go. Another thing to remember is if you cut it a bit too short, it will grow back. That does little to temper one's dismay when an 'Oh, no!' happens--a bit of hair-cutting empiricism being shared here.

Photo borrowed from Amazon.com -- my clipper purchased from same.

[Joey Anton]

I started cutting my hair about three years ago when I grew tired of paying top dollar ($30-40) at nice male-focused salons in the Philly area. I started with a cheap Remington Shortcut clipper. Just last year, after realizing how long I had gone without paying for a cut, I upgraded to something a bit nicer - the Andis Master clipper. These clippers cut hairs like a hot knife through butter, and will last a lifetime! It seemed like I was splurging until I realized that they paid for themselves within 3 cuts (when compared to what I was paying before)!

Anyway - I am pretty bald up top (sucks for a 29 year old, but I seem to wear it well). Because of this, I rock a "summer" style cut all year round. I start with a #2 guard at the shortest blade length and go over to my entire head to level the playing field. Then I bust out the #1 guard and set the clipper blade to ~ 1/2 extended. I go up to around a 1/2" above my ears, all the way around my head. Then I extend the blade just a touch and cut the next 1/2" above that all the way around. Reduce the blade length somewhere between the previous two, and erase the line between those sections. Then go up and extend the blade a bit again, and blend into the section you have remaining that was clipped with the #2.

Basically, fade it up. It is important to learn your guards and their lengths. A #2 with the blade drawn in is just almost the same as a #1 guard with the blade extended out as far as it will go. Also, the direction of your cut (with the grain, across the grain, against the grain) can also impact the amount of hair that is cut off by upwards of 1/16". Just practice. You can't screw it up - at the very worst, you will have to go to the shortest length you used and buzz it down.

Have fun!

[Bluebriz]

Thats a good career choice it will depend on tuition costs I'll check them out thanks.

I meant that the people studying there will need people to practice their skills on. You could get free or very cheap haircuts there.

[LazycatEB]

You'll probably mess up the first few cuts you try, so be prepared for that and don't get discouraged! Once you find what works for you, it goes pretty quick and easy. I started about ten years ago when I was making minimum wage, and realized I could get two meals or so out of a haircut. I absolutely love doing it now, and it's almost as relaxing as shaving.

I use a 6 on the back and sides (a little above the top of my eyebrows, slight dip in the back), then an 8 on the top. Then I switch to a two for my sideburns and to bring the bottom edge in the back up a little. All of this is across or against the grain, btw. After making sure everything is straight with a mirror, I'll feel my way around (especially the back edge) and try to even things out with some small scissors. Takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes, plus a quick shower/cleanup.

[JonnyVain]

1) If you don't want it REAL short on top, don't use the clippers on top. They follow every bump in your head and it will be a bad cut. I usually trim the sides a couple times between hair cuts.

2) After you trim the sides, you may need to thin out the faded area near the crown of your head with scissors. Use the scissor tips facing in towards your head and trim a very small amount. Barbers will do this or use feathering shears.

3)For the front of your hairline (sides, not top), comb hair towards your face, then trim with scissors or clippers to a clean line. Do the same thing on the back side of your side burns - comb towards ear and trim.

4) Don't forget to clean up around your ears and back of the neck.

Doing 3 and 4 alone can greatly extend your time between haircuts.

Overall, I recommend leaving the top alone or only lightly trimming it. You can trim your sides to keep it clean, then when the top gets too long after 2-3 months, pay for a haircut.

Source of info: I've been cutting my hair own for about 10 years.

[zammboss]

at first I was thinking the same. My gf thought i would look good with short buzzed hair. Coming from long flowing curly hair which the ladies loved, i was reluctant to try. Finally gave in after a few months of dating her knowing even if i looked bad after, she would stay with me :) Turned out it looked really good on me. Realized how much money I would now save by buying a cheap trimmer and buzz it myself once a month. That was about 3 years of 0$ spent on hair products, hair cuts, etc...

I started to miss my long hair over the past several months and decided to let it grow back. I was a bit sad that I would now have to spend money to get my hair cut once every few months. My gf decided to ask me to give her a chance to cut my hair the way I wanted as it was starting to get out of control and due for it's first cut since I started growing it out. Turned out exactly what I was hoping for and from now on, I am lucky to have her cut my hair at another cots of 0$! however I may invest in a good pair of scissors for her as the ones we use now hurt sometimes while cutting.

My advice, should you be so lucky to have a significante other, give them a chance to cut your hair for you. Only cost now is for hair products which I cut down on amount used in my hair compared to what I used to put.

[rob_NH]

Since posting my first response in this thread a few days ago, I decided tht shaving every day has made me want to keep my hair trimmed more frequently than every 8 weeks. I upgraded my clippers to a pair of Andis 64850 Ceramic Bgrc+ clippers. I figure with the extra cutting strength, maybe I'll ge tthe same kind of experience as I do from DE shaving. My hope is less irritation because they actually cut through my hair instead of struggle their way through it requiring countless passes. I got them at amazon, so they go back if I don't like them. Plus, their cordless, so that will be a little easier to use. I'm hoping to shave my hair weekly instead of bi-monthly now. Keep it down to the optimum comfort level.

[CMan0928]

at first I was thinking the same. My gf thought i would look good with short buzzed hair. Coming from long flowing curly hair which the ladies loved, i was reluctant to try. Finally gave in after a few months of dating her knowing even if i looked bad after, she would stay with me :) Turned out it looked really good on me. Realized how much money I would now save by buying a cheap trimmer and buzz it myself once a month. That was about 3 years of 0$ spent on hair products, hair cuts, etc...

I started to miss my long hair over the past several months and decided to let it grow back. I was a bit sad that I would now have to spend money to get my hair cut once every few months. My gf decided to ask me to give her a chance to cut my hair the way I wanted as it was starting to get out of control and due for it's first cut since I started growing it out. Turned out exactly what I was hoping for and from now on, I am lucky to have her cut my hair at another cots of 0$! however I may invest in a good pair of scissors for her as the ones we use now hurt sometimes while cutting.

My advice, should you be so lucky to have a significante other, give them a chance to cut your hair for you. Only cost now is for hair products which I cut down on amount used in my hair compared to what I used to put.

No offense, but you sound like the ultimate cheapskate.

[mspk1111]

In college my roommates and I use to cut each other's hair. None of us had buzz cuts or very simple cuts. They required both scissor and razor. There were 3 of us and I was proficient and taught the other 2. I've learned a few lessons from that.
1-unless you have a super simple cut you will fail at cutting your own hair, guaranteed. However after numerous attempts you will eventually be proficient, just be prepared to either shave your head or live with a horrible hair cut for quite a while until you learn.

2-In all honesty its worth going to great clips or super cuts, they have coupons all the time for 8 or 9 dollar hair cuts. The frustration, time, effort it takes to invest in this is not worth it for a monthly hair cut. However in college we could barely afford beer so we chose to use our money for beer and cut each other's hair.

3-learn from someone who knows how to cut hair, it may seem simple and easy but unless someone is there to help you there will be a lot of trial and error. A hair cut isn't exactly the type of thing you want someone else to be learning on you.

[Ukchris]

I've used clippers on my head for about the last 15 years. I have a shaving mirror that pulls out of the wall and I open the bathroom cabinet so I can see the front and back of my head. I don't use a guard and in fact in the last 12 months have often used a DE razor to shave it off completely.

Whatever length you have it use a mirror in front and one behind then once you've finished take a razor to your neck at the back and tidy up all the fuzz otherwise it will look terrible.

[raccoonandbrush]

I've been cutting my hair for probably 5 or 7 years. I can't really remember. For all that time I would just use a #3 or #4. I very recently taught myself how to properly do a fade.

[Kentos]

at first I was thinking the same. My gf thought i would look good with short buzzed hair. Coming from long flowing curly hair which the ladies loved, i was reluctant to try. Finally gave in after a few months of dating her knowing even if i looked bad after, she would stay with me :) Turned out it looked really good on me. Realized how much money I would now save by buying a cheap trimmer and buzz it myself once a month. That was about 3 years of 0$ spent on hair products, hair cuts, etc...

I started to miss my long hair over the past several months and decided to let it grow back. I was a bit sad that I would now have to spend money to get my hair cut once every few months. My gf decided to ask me to give her a chance to cut my hair the way I wanted as it was starting to get out of control and due for it's first cut since I started growing it out. Turned out exactly what I was hoping for and from now on, I am lucky to have her cut my hair at another cots of 0$! however I may invest in a good pair of scissors for her as the ones we use now hurt sometimes while cutting.

My advice, should you be so lucky to have a significante other, give them a chance to cut your hair for you. Only cost now is for hair products which I cut down on amount used in my hair compared to what I used to put.

I tried. Never again brother. Looked like a pit bill was gnawing on my head.

[AverageJoe]

It's all been covered pretty well by now!! You can't screw up too bad if you're using the clip-on 'depth gauges'. That's what they're for, after all. The instructions included in the Wahl set are very good, but you can always YouTube for more info. Start with clean hair and go 'against the grain' and you'll figure out the rest. A short/buzz style doesn't get much easier.

[rob_NH]

Just grab some clipper with a #1A blade, and take it down. Any shorter, and you may as well shave it. It feels great that short. You'll be addicted.

[deoxy4]

I have been cutting my own hair for 10 years or so. I would recommend a good quality clipper made by Wahl, Oster or Andis. They generally make a clipper with a rotary motor which is more powerful than cheaply made clippers. You can generally pick up a good quality clipper for $60-$75, if you shop carefully.

I do a buzz cut. In the winter I run over my entire head with a #3 comb and then trim up the sides and back with a #2. In the summer I just use a #2 all around. I trim up my hair weekly and make sure the clipper is cleaned and well lubed after each use. It takes only a minute to brush clean and lay a few drops of olive oil on the blade.

I have a Wahl Peanut trimmer which works very well for cleaning up the neck area and around the neck. I think the trimmer was $30.

Having no experience with cutting hair I was pretty anxious when I first cut my hair. I can honestly say it is pretty easy to do a buzz cut. Just make sure the combs are secured to the clipper head. You can't really screw it up.

For $10 a year you can cut your hair quite easily and it will always look fresh.

[dieselfuel79]

4½ guard all the way around, except the bangs....they're flipped up at the front. Easiest haircut ever.