If you're contemplating a DIY haircut, a buzz cut is a great option to consider. Many have become comfortable with the idea of at-home buzz cuts, and some have even become quite skilled at it. Making the bold choice to cut all your hair off can be liberating, no matter the reason. Whether you're embracing hair loss or simply like the way short hair looks, a buzz cut is a universally sharp and low-maintenance look.
Before you grab your clippers and get started, it’s important to know the proper procedure for giving yourself a buzz cut.
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools. This will make the process smoother and ensure a professional-looking result. Here's what you'll need:
Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve a professional-looking buzz cut at home:
Start with freshly washed hair to remove any dirt, grease, and hair product. This ensures the hairs are in their natural state and easier to cut. It's more difficult to slice through product-clogged hair. Give your hair a shampoo, and maybe hold the conditioner until you rinse all the clippings away. Dry your hair thoroughly before you start cutting.
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Before you start trimming, carefully examine your scalp. Look for any moles, skin tags, scars, or bumps. You may not want to buzz too closely to these areas. Consider relaxing the guard a setting or two to avoid any issues.
If this is your first time, play it safe. You can always trim more, but you can’t add anything back. If you think you want a quarter-inch buzz, a #3 guard, then start with a half-inch #5 and see how it looks. Then, work your way down if you still want it shorter. Slow and steady on that first time out the gate. Using your Wahl® clipper, select an attachment guard for the desired length you'd like. The smaller the number on your guard, the shorter the cut. If this is your first buzz cut, start with a higher number guard for a longer buzz cut. You can always cut off more hair with a shorter guard if a short cut is desired.
Using an upward rocking motion, start cutting the sides and back of the head. To help you review your progress in back, use a hand-held mirror. To touch up the sides, take your time and use concise strokes. You can always use the ear trim guards to build your confidence around your ears.
McMillen advises that you buzz against the grain of the hair growth, so that you're pushing the hair upward as you cut it. Buzzing with the grain might allow some of the longer hairs to lie down and avoid being cut altogether. It’s easiest to start at the sideburns and buzz upwards, keeping against the grain. “Once you get to the back of the head, then work your way up through the crown,” McMillen says. “This is a good time to stop and clean out your clipper, to make sure it keeps cutting smoothly.”
Now that the sides are done, you’ll move onto the top of the head. Run the clipper back and forth, then once again after that initial pass. Next, do it side to side, too. Repeat as needed.
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Using your Wahl® trimmer, touch up the neckline with careful, concise strokes for tight, straight lines.
If you want it shorter, then start with a smaller guard and do it all again. You’ll need to do a good dozen passes or so around the dome to make sure you don’t miss any spots.
If you’re content with the length, just do a careful spot-check around the whole cranium, looking for any sneaky hairs that stand out. Buzz or snip them with a pair of scissors as needed.
Fading the ends requires skill and precision. If you're determined, size down one guard. You can buzz the sideburn and around the ear on this length, says McMillen-and have someone else do the neckline. If you want to take it a step further, you could even go down one more guard size and snip ever so slightly into that line, to fade things even more closely into the perimeter. If you go too high up on your neck, you'll immediately have an unsightly shelf of hair built up-the only real option is to make that your new base buzz. On the plus side, it'll probably grow out in a week or two.
Most clippers come with a tiny brush to sweep away any hair clippings. Use a spare toothbrush if yours didn't. They should have also come with some oil to keep the metal pieces gliding together happily. Soon as you're done buzzing, brush the blade off well and hit it with a little oil, as per the directions. Don't rinse the blade off under water-that's a solid way to watch your nice buzzers rust. Then, hop in the shower to rinse everything away. After letting your new cut dry out (which happens delightfully fast), do another spot check and nip any last hairs that stand up and out.
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A buzz cut is easy to do at home. Its military beginnings make it a masculine look for every guy. It saves money on haircare maintenance. And time. With a Buzz Cut, you can literally roll out of bed in the morning and go.
To make a buzz cut look its best, you should:
There are interesting ways to mix up traditional buzz cuts and add some modern flair though, my favourite buzz cut hairstyles are:
The journey to grow out a buzz cut is unique for each person, with hair typically growing about ½ inch per month. Transitioning to a longer style can span several months, influenced by your hair’s original length and personal growth rate. Genetics, health, and diet are key factors that affect how quickly your hair grows.
To navigate the grow-out phase and maintain a good look, consider regular trims to shape your hair and keep the sides and back shorter than the top. This strategy helps avoid awkward stages and ensures a balanced style. Use products like dry paste or clay wax to manage texture and appearance as your hair grows.
Patience is essential during this period. Embrace the growth journey and experiment with different styles and lengths.
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