How To Cut Men's Hair At Home — The Tips You Need To Know, From Expert Stylists

Cutting your own hair is no easy feat (we've got the step-by-step haircut guide to prove it). But for men, in particular, it's even trickier: Men tend to wear their hair in shorter styles, requiring a much closer eye and more precision than simply snipping off frayed ends. However, it is possible to turn your barbershop DIY. Here are some quick tips on what you need to know about trimming men's hair.

Cutting your hair at home not only saves a few extra bucks, but also puts you in full control of the outcome. Especially if you’re particular about how your hair is trimmed, this may be the way to go… or at least worth a shot. Not all of us have the magic touch that hair experts do, but there are a few tips and tricks to make the process a bit smoother and make you feel more prepared when trimming men's hair. Let’s get into it. 

You might want to convince your partner or family member to be your impromptu stylist for the day. They'll have a better angle to shear certain areas from a top-down view. It might not be a totally DIY project (emphasis on "yourself"), but you'll likely fare better this way.

While you're creating your game plan, map out the various hair lengths. On the most basic level: The top of the head should be longer than the sides, so secure the top with clips so it's out of the way. "This is usually from the temples to just past the round of the top of the head," says Brook.

And when you actually go about trimming, start at the front by the temples moving your way toward the back. Then repeat at the other side. The last tip to know when using clippers: the wrist flick. At the end of each stroke of the clipper, flick your wrist up and out. This will create a more gentle fade.

Since these tend to be the longest pieces, you can trim the hairline with scissors if the length warrants it. Just hold the hair tightly between your fingers and position the shears at an angle—so they are not quite perpendicular, nor horizontal. This will give a more natural, textured look, as well as provide a bit more room for error than a straight line would.

"Better to leave it a little longer and go back and make it shorter than just cutting a big chunk out," says Hazan. Remember: You can always go shorter, but salvaging a rough chop is a difficult feat, to say the least.

At the end of the day, haircuts aren’t permanent. If you slipped up and didn’t get the desired look on your first go-around, that’s okay. “Have a glass of wine, a good laugh, and watch some styling videos on YouTube," Brook previously told mbg. "Remember, your haircut is not a tattoo! It will grow out!" She mentioned it may also be a great time to experiment with new styles or products. 

Cutting men’s hair isn’t necessarily the most DIY-friendly project. Nevertheless, if you the right tools, ask a friend for help, and follow expert tips, it can certainly be done. And if you mess it up, remember that hair always grows back, and quicker than you might think.