Shave your head

Tips for trimming your hair or shaving your head at home

With limited (or no) access to the barber shop right now, lots of guys want to learn how to cut their hair at home. If you’re one of those guys, don’t worry: we have you covered. The good news is that the buzz cut, the fade haircut and even a shaved head are a few looks that you can totally achieve at home, plus they are also “on-trend” right now.

How to cut your own hair with clippers

This is easier to do than you think. With a little prep and practice, you’ll master at-home hair cuts in no time.

To start, you’ll need some powered clippers. Once you have clippers and are familiar with the settings, choose your desired style (see below). It’s important to note that your barber’s clippers may have different settings than your clippers, meaning your usual “4” at the barber may not be the same as a “4” on your clippers.

Important notes and tips:

  • Don’t try to cut wet hair with clippers!
  • Be aware that your barber’s clippers may have different settings than your clippers, meaning your usual “4” at the barber shop may not be the same as a “4” on your clippers.
  • For easy cleanup afterwards, drape a towel across your shoulders.
  • To see all around your head as you work, use angled mirrors if you have them, or a handheld mirror so you can see the back and sides as you go.

The buzz cut

The easiest, most straightforward home haircut is probably the buzz cut, and may be a better option if you are just now starting to cut your own hair. This classic style features a uniform length and is sometimes referred to as a “military cut” or “crew cut.”

  • Choose your clipper’s guard length that matches the length you want to achieve. If you’re just starting out, you may want to start with the longest guard and ease into shorter guard lengths as you gain confidence with each new haircut.
  • Hold your clippers with the blades pointing downwards while the tip of the guard is lightly touching your scalp.
  • Work slowly in the direction of your hair growth and keep a steady pace to avoid making mistakes, tugging on your hair, or hitting your scalp.
  • Feeling like a pro? Slowly run the clippers in the opposite direction of your hair growth and let the clipper guard feed hair into the blades with each new stroke.

The fade cut

The fade haircut — with its very short hair near the neckline and ears that gradually gets longer toward the top of the head — is a more complicated look that can require a degree of practice and skill to achieve. But a natural-looking fade is do-able with clippers, a comb, and patience.

  • After you’ve decided where you want the fade line to begin, choose the shortest clipper guard and start at the bottom using short strokes while you carefully work your way up.
  • When you are ready for the next longer guard length, start right where you left off with the previous guard length for seamless blending and continue to work your way up.
  • Once you get to the longest part at the top, you can use a comb to lift the hair away from your head a bit and run your clipper across the comb.

How to shave your own head with a razor

Maybe you’ve been thinking about going clean-shaven “up top” for a while. Shaving your head could be a great look to go with, and right now is the perfect time to try it.

Here are some tips to help you achieve a smooth comfortable head shave:
  • First, hydrate your scalp and the hair you have before you shave. If the hair on your head has grown beyond a stubble length, shorten it down with a trimmer or clippers before you shave. We recommend shaving during or just after a hot shower.
  • Next, apply shave prep to improve razor-glide and help protect your skin against irritation.
  • Be sure to check your lubrication strip for dull blades and replace them as needed.
  • Then, start shaving using light, gentle strokes. Once you have some practice, you’ll find a pattern that works for you, such as starting from the sides just above your sideburns (if you have them) or from the back/bottom of your head near your neck.
  • Use your non-razor-holding fingers on your other hand to help guide the razor as you go along. Gillette’s FlexBall technology allows the blades to pivot over the contours of your scalp with ease.
  • Remember to fold down your ears when shaving near that area to avoid cuts or nicks.
  • Be sure to rinse your blades often during this process.
  • If you need to re-shave any areas, make sure you apply more shave prep.
  • When you are done, pat your head dry with a towel (don’t rub!), and apply a moisturizing aftershave.
  • Pro Tip: Run a cotton ball or pad across your newly shaved head. If cotton fibers remain anywhere, you may have missed a spot.
For more tips and tricks for shaving and trimming your facial hair or body hair, check out our “Stay-At-Home Grooming and Self-Care Tips For Men.”

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