How to give yourself a buzz cut

Cutting your own hair has never been so easy. And figuring out how to give yourself a buzz cut can be even simpler because you don’t need to fade, blend or layer any hair. As one of the most timeless haircuts for men, the buzz cut can be easy to get and low-maintenance to style. With clippers, a mirror, and scissors, you can learn to get a clean buzz cut at home. Here’s everything you need to know to buzz your own hair!

Get good hair clippers

Owning a good pair of hair clippers can mean the difference between an embarrassing cut and an awesome cut. Getting your own buzz cut cannot be done properly without a quality pair of hair clippers.

The best clippers have sharp blades, a powerful motor and run reasonably quiet. You don’t have to break the bank on this one; you can find a respectable set of clippers in your local drugstore or online for under $50.

According to reviews by MHT, look for machines that offer self-sharpening blades, fast motors, and long battery life complete with kits that provide attachments and combs. Clippers that come with a storage case or bag are essential, as it’s easy to lose the accessory pieces without a storage system in place.

There are pros and cons to corded and cordless designs. For instance, corded clippers come with more powerful motors while cordless models offer better, lightweight designs perfect for DIY cuts.

Check your scalp

Before you go to town on your hair with your new set of clippers, take a minute to check out your head for all those secret lumps and bumps that your hair’s been hiding. While no one has a perfectly round head, you may find that you have some bulges or irregularities left over from your rough playing childhood. Note that skin tags, scars and bumps will all be centre stage after your hair is cropped super short.

Run your hands thoroughly around your scalp checking for lumps and bumps. Examine your ears: pairing a buzz cut with a set of larger ears may draw attention to their size. Any setting lower than a #3 clipper guard will allow your scalp to show through, so if you have any scars, birthmarks, or skin tags you don’t want to show off to the world, cut hair at a longer length.

Wash your hair

The best way to get a fresh buzz cut is to start with a clean, dry hair. If your hair is greasy or oily, the clipper blades will have a harder time slicing through your strands, which will end up giving an uneven cut.

Don’t ever buzz hair with product in it or if it’s lying flat or matted down from having a hat on or sleeping on it-this is a sure recipe for a bad cut.

To ensure you get a precise and clean cut, lather the hair with shampoo, paying close attention to the roots to remove any oils, product buildup or dirt. Towel dry hair thoroughly and let it dry completely before you start in with the clippers.

Start with the long hair on top

Now that you have your tools, your hair is freshly washed, and your head passed the bump inspection, you can get started. You’re going to begin with the long hair on top of your head and make your way down.

Barbers go by a 3-2-1 rule, meaning a #3 guard for the top of the head, a #2 on the sides, and a #1 to go over the edges of the hair. It’s safest to start with a #3 on top since this is the shortest length you can go before you start showing skin.

Start at the top of your head and move against the grain from front to back in a repetitive motion. The clippers should move smoothly along your scalp as you move the clippers back. Once you’ve finished with the top, you can start to work on the sides.

Use a mirror to buzz the back

Make sure you have a large handheld mirror to help guide you with buzzing the back of your head. Holding the hand mirror so you can see your reflection in the bathroom mirror, work the buzzer from the nape of the neck up in a straight line all the way up the back of the head until it reaches the part up top you just clipped. Repeat in straight strips until you’ve cut the entire back of the head.

This part of the cut can be tricky so if you have a girlfriend, buddy or family member around, you may want to call in for reinforcement. If you can’t find an extra set of hands, just focus on the up and down motion and don’t worry about getting it perfect.

Cut the sides

The buzz cut rule to live by is this: always cut the sides shorter by one guard length. Hair tends to stick out more on the sides when it’s growing in, so if you use a #3 on the top, always use a #2 on the sides, and so forth. Or you can always learn how to fade your hair like a barber.

Trim down the sides, moving from the bottom front by your temple, moving upward, making your way behind the ears. Repeat on both sides of the head in strips, being careful to go over any missed spots.

Trim your sideburns

For a polished and professional look, you’ll need to detail your cut by trimming your sideburns and the back of your neck using a #1 guard on your clippers. To trim the sideburns, the clippers should be held in a vertical position and lined up at the height you want to trim them at. Slowly move the clippers downward in the direction of the hair growth, loving away from the face.

Detailing the back of the neck may be the biggest hurdle of cutting your own hair, but with a little practice, it can be done with ease. Using a hand mirror, carefully trim a line straight across the back of your neck, rounding the corners on either side of the head.

Shampoo and condition your hair and scalp after

Your hair is buzzed and you’re feeling good, now there’s only one thing left to do: hop in the shower to shampoo and condition your fresh cut. Make sure you get a good lather, paying attention to your scalp and washing away any stray hairs.

Run your fingers through your hair with a small amount of conditioner, massaging the scalp and enjoying the feel of your cropped cut. To keep your look fresh, expect to buzz your head about every two weeks.

The editorial unit