Haircut styles have never been shorter for the majority of men these days. This will make it easy to learn how to cut men’s hair because you can accomplish this with a few inexpensive and easy-to-use tools and techniques. Not only that, but you can also give yourself a haircut in this manner. Let’s talk about it.

First you need to purchase the proper tools for the job. We’re going with electric hair clippers, combs, scissors and cutting guides for the clippers called “guards” in the trade. These come in various lengths to control the depth of hair cutting, resulting in a uniform trim. Kind of like the depth of cut set on any lawn mower to leave a smooth looking cut. You can use one length on the top of your head and another on the sides or just one length all over, the choice of course would be yours.

Another little piece of equipment is all but essential if you’re self-barbering. You’ll need a trim comb. This little gadget is a razor blade in a plastic guard that, like a face razor, is pulled down the back of the neck while looking into two mirrors. It’s the trickiest area to clean up while learning how to cut men’s hair.

You probably won’t need to buy new brushes and combs so those two things are all you need to get started. Together, they shouldn’t cost more than $40. A lot of money for some, but think of what you’re paying now for just one haircut. Add the tip and divide that into the money you just spent. Won’t buy too many haircuts will it? That’s why we’re learning how to cut men’s hair, we want to ultimately learn how to save a lot of money.

First off, try to determine what length hair you want to end up with. Try to match one of the guards to this length and snap it onto the clippers. The longer the guard, the higher it is numbered.

You’ll fair better doing this in front of a large mirror like above the bathroom sink. You might want a towel or something around your shoulders to catch falling hair. Pick up the clippers with guard attached and bring it up to the top of your forehead. Beginning at the hairline, start cutting by placing the guard against your skin and pushing the clippers toward the back of your head. Once there, bring them back and do another pass, cutting right next to where you just finished. Keep doing this until the whole head on top is clipped. You might want to make more passes from several different directions to make sure the hair is cut evenly all over.

Some people change the guard length for the hair on the sides and some don’t. Your choice. Just remember, you can always cut off more hair, you just can’t stick it back on! Turn on the clippers and start cutting at the hairline next to your face, going from bottom to top. Use the mirror to help guide you. Make consecutive passes until you get about halfway around your head, then starting from the front again, do the other side until you meet up with the hair already cut. You’ve now completed the bulk of learning to cut men’s hair. Feels good doesn’t it?

Let’s trim it up now. I should have mentioned earlier that another tiny set of clippers some call a Peanut would be very handy about now. They only cost $15-$20 and are invaluable to get into tight places to trim. You can use scissors too if you’re very careful. Trim around the ears and make the hairline even from the ear down to the neck.

Now go grab that trim comb and a small hand mirror. Facing away from the large mirror, hold up the small one until you can see the back of your neck in it. Using the mirror to guide you, put the trim comb at the hairline and pull it straight down your neck with light pressure until you’ve shaved as far down as you like. Then do it again and again across the back of your neck until you’re satisfied it looks good.

If your first time doing this will be anything like mine was, the next thing that will happen as you finish up your trimming will be your wife standing at the doorway, hands on hips spitting out, “You’re cleaning up this mess!”

As the vacuum is roaring away later on as you work to clean the bathroom, you might just find a smile on your face. You won’t be able to keep from catching another quick peek in the mirror as the thought goes through your mind, “I just learned how to cut men’s hair!