How to Cut Hair with Clippers – In 6 Simple Steps

Buying a good quality pair of hair clippers is an investment that will pay for itself in just a few months if you intend to cut your own hair or someone else’s.

The last thing you want to do however, is produce a poor quality finish because you don’t know how to actually cut hair.

This article will explain to you a step by step method on how to cut hair with clippers, resulting in a professional looking and stylish finish. With a little practise you’ll be an expert at cutting hair in no time.

The procedure to cut someone else’s hair is exactly the same as cutting your own hair. It’s not quite as easy cutting your own hair, but with a little practise it will soon become straight forward.

Before You Start

If you haven’t yet bought your clippers or are thinking of investing in a new pair, I recommend you read my reviews of the best professional hair clippers currently available. Make sure the clippers come with comb attachments and lubricating oil. My top recommendation is the Oster Classic 76.

You should also invest in a good pair of hair scissors. Professional hair scissors may sound unnecessary, but again, it is an investment that will pay for itself in no time, and they ensure you obtain the best possible look.

Here are the steps you should follow in order to cut hair with clippers:

Step 1

Make sure the hair is clean and washed before you start. Clean hair makes it easier and smoother to cut and you will be able to see any areas you’ve missed.

Choose the right attachment for the desired length. A 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch attachment is suitable for short hair. Remember, you can always cut shorter if at first it’s still too long… you can’t add it back once you’ve cut it!

Step 2

Ideally the person who is receiving the cut should be sat in a comfortable chair with a towel around their neck to keep clothes from getting covered in hair. If you’re in your home you might want to put a plastic sheet down to catch the hair and then you can shake it off outside when you’re done.

Try and position yourself so that you’re not going to be hunched over for long periods. This might mean raising the person using a pillow or 2 or a higher chair.

Step 3

Ensure you have the correct comb attachment for the desired length.

The ideal starting point to cut hair with clippers is the base of the head and work up towards the top of the head. You should always work against the direction of the hair for a more efficient and even cut.

Tilt the head forward slightly and rest the clippers on the back of the head. Turn on the clippers and apply a firm pressure and start moving up towards the top. You should have a firm grip of the clipper. Repeat this procedure until the hair has been cut evenly. You can use a comb to run through the hair ensuring an even finish and check for any areas you may have missed.

Step 4

Now you can move on to the sides of the head. Again start at the based and move forward to the sides. Pull the ears away to ensure you get the clipper up around and behind the ears. Repeat as necessary working in the opposite direction to the growth of the hair.

Step 5

Now you can move onto the top of the head. Start at the front of the head (the forehead) and work from the hairline backwards towards the top of the head. Continue until the desired length and an even finish has been achieved.

Step 6

This completes the steps needed to cut your hair with clippers. You might want to examine the whole head and comb the hair through, to ensure there aren’t any stray areas you’ve missed, and go over them again. I would recommend doing this throughout the cut, especially when you’re first learning.

Obviously the more times you do it, the easier it becomes.

You should now use your hair trimmer to trim the hairline as necessary i.e. forehead, neck and sides of the ears, so that the haircut looks smart, even and symmetrical.

Finally clean up stray hairs on the back of the neck beyond the hairline using the clippers without an attachment. The bare edge is very sharp, so be careful and work slowly.

Voila! Your clipper cut is complete, to the exact way you like it, and you’ve just saved yourself ten bucks or so.

More Advanced Hair Styles

As well as the basic one length cut as described above, you can also use your clippers to produce more technical styles and looks.

For example, you can fade hair so that it is gradually increased or decreased. This is achieved using the same procedure but changing the guard attachment for different lengths.

Lots of other looks can be achieved and with a little practise you will be adapt at completing them. There’s an excellent set of videos you can view that details lots of these styles including cutting a design into the hair. They are all step by step and in video format by a professional hair stylist. Click here for more info..

Conclusion

After a few attempts, using hair clippers to cut hair, either your own or someone else’s is easy enough to do. The expense of purchasing a good pair of professional hair clippers will be quickly outweighed by the money you will save by cutting hair at home.

With care and attention to detail, you can learn to cut hair with clippers and produce results that are every bit as good as a barbers or hair salon.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to invest in the best pair of hair clippers you can afford. They will make it easier to cut and give a good, professional finish..and last you for years.

If you have any questions or comments about how to cut hair with clippers, drop them below.

Pete