However convenient, cutting your boys hair at home can be quite a daunting task...
The key is practice, practice, practice! I promise it does get easier every time you do it.
Whether it is to save money, time or because you just want to learn, this article will give you all the necessary knowledge to complete a boy’s haircut.
Firstly, I am going to give you a little insight into some cutting theory:
Now you understand the basics, let’s get started.
Having the correct tools are essential as they will determine how successful your haircut is.
You will need:
My favorite are Wahl Corded Clipper Color Pro, they are great as they are lightweight, easy to use, and they come with combs, neck brushes, clipper guards and cutting scissors.
You can use the scissors that come with your clipper kit; however, these are also a great pick. The reason I chose these is because they are slightly sharper and cut the hair more easily.
You may want some thinning scissors to hand if the hair is fairly thick, they are also great to help you blend the hair.
You may also want a water spray, towel or neck collar and a hairdryer to hand.
Clipper guards can tend to range from 1-12. See the table below for a rough guide on sizes and hair lengths.
This table is based on the Wahl Clippers and Guards.
Clipper Guard | Hair Length (In Inches) | Hair Length (In MM) |
1/2 | 1/16 | 1.5 |
1 | 1/8 | 3 |
2 | 1/4 | 6 |
3 | 3/8 | 10 |
4 | 1/2 | 13 |
5 | 5/8 | 16 |
6 | 3/4 | 19 |
7 | 7/8 | 22 |
8 | 1 | 25 |
10 | 1-1/4 | 32 |
12 | 1-1/2 | 38 |
If you’re not feeling that confident, I recommend starting with a longer length, you can always go shorter.
Make sure that the hair is freshly washed and dried to ensure that there is no product or oils in the hair, this will make the hair much easier to cut.
Wrap a towel or gown around your boy’s shoulders to prevent any hair getting on them.
It is ideal to get them to sit on a chair that you are at eye level with, this will stop you getting a bad back and make it a more comfortable experience.
Now if you have picked a 2 guard, also pick up a 3 & 4, this is going to help you blend.
I always recommend starting at the centre back of the head, place your free hand on the head to give you some stability, then with your clippers at a guard 4 and at a 45-degree angle work up to the occipital bone. Repeat this around the head stopping at the same imaginary line.
Once complete repeat the same technique working down to a 3 & then a 2, stopping 2 inches below the previous ‘line’.
To finish you can always style the hair with some products – two of my favourites are, Redken Rough Paste as it gives great hold without being too heavy and sticky, and it is also good to add texture to the hair.
Congratulations! You will have now finished a boy’s haircut using clippers and scissors!