Trickier than cutting hair for someone else, you can still come up with a credible trim, if you follow a few basic rules.

Getting Started

The first thing you will need to do is gather the basics for cutting hair. A brush, comb, two mirrors and a sharp pair of scissors are all essentials. If you have clippers, make sure you have the right blade attachments for any thinning you may want to do. To help you stay on track, have a ruler at your disposal. A simple wooden or plastic model works just fine. Also, keep a spray bottle of water handy. Hair is much easier to cut when it is damp.

Before you begin to cut, wet your hair and use the comb to straighten out any tangles. Using the ruler, get an idea of how much to cut all the way around at a time. Seeing the marking on the ruler for a eighth to a quarter inch will help you gauge the amount much easier.

Beginning to Cut

Divide your hair into sections, arranged in horizontal layers. If necessary, pin back the sections you are not currently working with. Using the ruler, measure out around an eighth of an inch of hair to cut out of the section closest to your forehead. The object is to ensure all the hair in that section is the same length when you are done. Start with an eight of an inch first. You can always do a second round of the same cut if you do not think the hair in the section is short enough. Repeat this process until you have done each section over the crown of your head and are proceeding to the back.

Handling the Back

Remember how that eighth of an inch felt when you ran the comb through and had it between your hands to cut. You will now do the same thing with the back of your head. Divide the back of the head into horizontal bands and repeat the process you’ve already developed. Use the second mirror to monitor your progress. Do not hurry, as that could lead to uneven gaps on the back. As with the front, make sure the length for each layer is uniform.

Alternate Methods for Shorter Haircuts

Using clippers, it is possible to achieve a buzz cut. Simply attach the right clipper for the length you want, and then comb your hair forward. Starting with the back and at your hairline, move the clippers up and over in long even strokes. In no time, you will have a closely manicured head of hair. For the ultimate in a haircut, you can then lather your head and use a razor to shave the remaining hair from your scalp. Make sure that you use a clean razor, not the one that you use for your face. Take even strokes, and use the two mirrors to make sure that you have not overlooked any spots. Stop periodically and feel your head, locating any small areas that you may be overlooking in the mirrors. When you have finished shaving, make sure to wash your head with warm soap and water, to remove any residue of cut hair from your head.

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