A fresh and sharp haircut helps many guys feel their best. Depending on hair type and hairstyle, some men will get their hair cut as often as once a week. But when this isn’t possible, what can guys do?
Danny Silvestri, a professional barber based in Winchester, gave us his advice on how guys should approach cutting their hair at home. Danny recommends a buzz cut as a good low-maintenance home haircut; there are many variations to choose from such as a classic buzz cut fade, or a buzz cut with a beard.
If you’re new to home haircuts though, Danny recommends starting with an induction buzz cut (short buzz cut), which is a uniform grade all over and leaves a natural or tapered neckline. The buzz cut first emerged with the invention of hair clippers in the 19th century, getting its name from the sound of the clippers.
When we spoke to Danny, he also discussed the importance of what he calls #barbertherapy - barbers aren’t just skilled at cutting hair, they’re amazing listeners too. Read on to discover Danny’s tips for cutting your hair, maintaining a buzz haircut, and using your barber as a support to keep you feeling like the best version of yourself. Here’s what he had to say:
Your Home Haircut Toolkit
If you’re looking to give yourself a haircut, you’ll need:
- Hair clippers or a hair trimmer – for the main part of your buzz cut
- A detailer or styler– for perfecting the edges and giving you a professional look
- A soft brush – to style and check for uniform length
Note: if you’re going to use scissors, make sure they’re hairdressing or barber scissors - no kitchen scissors or nail sets please!
When you’re using hair clippers for the first time, start with the highest numbered setting, as that will be the longest option. Then, work down through the lower numbers until you get to your preferred length. If you want to shave a skin fade buzz cut make sure to attach a fade guard attachment to your clippers. The King C. Gillette Beard Trimmer Pro With 2 Combs comes with 2 fade guards so is a great option for this.
It’s also a good idea to check in with your usual barber - send them a photo of the tools you’ve got, and they may be able to help you to find the right setting and provide you with some top tips.
Top Tips for Your Home Haircut
My number one piece of advice to anyone thinking about cutting their own hair would be not to worry or panic if it goes badly wrong.
Secondly, I’d recommend going as short as possible; a buzz cut is probably your best bet for an at-home haircut. The buzz cut is classically masculine but also low-maintenance and provides very little room for error making it the perfect option for guys who want that sharp, clean style, but with minimal effort.
If cutting your own hair at home isn’t for you, consider using styling products to tame longer locks for the short term. Styling products are a great way to try out different looks and to add extra weight to your hair to keep any flyaways at bay. Gillette’s King C. Styling Range is a great place to start, with a range of products that can keep hair, and the skin underneath it, happy and healthy.
How Often Should I Cut My Own Hair?
How often you need to cut your hair really depends on your hairstyle. A buzz cut can grow out in 1-2 weeks, so you’ll have to cut your hair fairly regularly to keep yourself looking sharp.
In contrast, longer styles and those created with a scissor cut can last 4-6 weeks between cuts depending on your hair type.
Can I Cut My Hair Completely By Myself?
If you are cutting your own hair without assistance, the hardest part will be in the detail. For me, the persistent refining of detail in a haircut is the main focus of my work - it's where I spend most of my time and get a chance to be really creative. If you’re giving yourself a haircut, you’ll have to accept that you’ll have to go without this level of finesse for the time being.
Should I Give Myself a Whole New Hairstyle?
Even a buzz cut can be quite challenging, especially if it’s totally different to your usual look.
Any other whole new hairstyle will require scissor work, so I’d recommend avoiding trying that yourself and waiting to visit a professional barber instead. There are interesting ways to mix up traditional buzz cuts and add some modern flair though, my favourite buzz cut hairstyles are:
The Buzz Cut Fade
The buzz cut fade or skin fade buzz cut is a simple but effective way to add some modern flair to a classic style. Start by selecting a medium-length setting on your trimmer and shaving all over your head, creating a uniform length. Then, by using a fade guard attachment, or carefully decreasing the length attachments on your clipper or trimmer, shave your desired fade into the sides and back of your head.
Perfecting a buzz cut fade can be tricky, so it's good to start with something quite subtle, and move up to more drastic fades like a skin fade buzz cut once you have experience.
The Long Buzz Cut
The long buzz cut is the perfect style for guys who want a maintainable, at-home haircut, without the drastic change that a classic buzz cut brings. The best way to achieve the style is to use the longest setting on your clipper or trimmer all over your head to get a uniform length and professional-looking finish.
The long buzz cut is a great option for men switching from a mid-length hairstyle to something more manageable. It gives you the ease and manageability of the buzz cut, while also allowing you not to compromise on length.
The Buzz Cut with Beard Combo
Buzz cuts are versatile haircuts and pair well with most face shapes and hair types. More than this though, they also pair- perfectly with a well-groomed beard. By using a quality beard grooming set, like the King C Gillette Grooming Kit you can tailor your beard to pair perfectly with your buzzcut. Whether your beard sides fade into your short hairstyle or you keep it long to contrast a short buzzcut, the buzz cut with beard combo is a great option for any guy.
How to Cut a Buzz Cut at Home in 7 Easy Steps
Follow these seven steps to achieve the perfect buzz cut at home:
1. Prepare for your buzz haircut
Clear some space in your day to make sure your buzz cut isn’t rushed. Gather all of your equipment and lay everything out in front of you - this will save you from wasting time later.
2. Decide on a short or Long Buzz Cut
Start by placing a longer guard on your hair clippers and begin trimming one side of your head, taking note of how much hair this is removing. If you want a shorter length, drop down to the smaller guard, keeping going until you find the length for your buzz cut that suits you best.
3. Shave Your Buzz Haircut Every Direction
Once you’ve found your preferred hair trimmer length, use the clippers in every direction across your head, going with and against your natural hair growth.
When you feel as though you’ve removed all of the hair that you want to, it’s very handy if you have someone to check you haven’t missed any sections. Alternatively, try to angle two mirrors so you can see the back of your head.
If you need to do any touching up, take your time and be as thorough as you can, the best buzz cut isn’t always the quickest buzz cut!
4. Brush, Brush, Brush
Brushing allows you to get all of the trimmed hair off your head so you can see exactly what’s left and where your buzz cut may not be uniform. It’s a good idea to brush as you go - try not to worry about the mess you’re creating, it can be cleaned up when you’re properly finished!
5. Shave Again
When you’ve removed excess hair with your brush or comb, go back over your head with the clippers. Keep working over and over your head until your buzz cut looks uniform and sharp, this may take one try or several, so don’t put pressure on yourself to finish your buzz cut quickly.
6. It’s All in the Detail
Use a detailer, precision trimmer, or precision razor (if you prefer a manual approach), to make your haircut look extra sharp. Lots of guys skip this step when they’re cutting their own hair, but it can make a big difference to the final look, especially if you’re shaving a buzz cut fade or a buzz cut for the first time.
The main areas to focus on are around your ears and your neckline. When it comes to shaping the neckline, I always opt for a tapered finish, as this grows out much better than a squared-off or boxy look, and it prevents you from taking your neckline too high. However, the perfect taper can take practice and you might need an extra helping hand.
Make sure you’ve shaved away any wispy bits of hair beneath your natural neckline before you finish.
7. Shower
Finally, take a good look at your new, super-clean, self-cut buzz cut and let yourself feel proud of your handiwork. Reward yourself with a nice long shower and wash your hair thoroughly to remove any excess hair and see your finished result.
If you feel as though you need any extra tips, don’t be afraid to reach out to your barber. I, along with many others, got into this career to help people, so I always have time for my clients if they need any advice.
FAQs
1. What is a buzz cut?
A buzz cut is a classic men's hairstyle that usually refers to a uniform length of hair all over the head. Typically, the style is very short, with hair cut close to the scalp, but in recent years long buzz cuts have also come into fashion.
The name buzz cut comes from the noise that clippers make when cutting the hairstyle.
2. How long does a buzz cut last?
There is no set length for how long a buzz cut lasts, it all depends on your rate of hair growth and your desired length. If you opt for a long buzz cut, the style may last a little longer than a buzz cut fade or buzz cut with a beard which can require more maintenance to keep sharp and fresh looking.
The longer you have a buzz cut, the better you will know your hair, its growth patterns, and how long you should take between each trim.
3. Can I combine a buzz cut with a skin fade?
Yes, buzz cut fades are a very popular modern hairstyle. The fade adds an extra level of personality to the classic buzzcut, and whilst it takes a little more effort to maintain and perfect, a sharp and fresh fade is certainly a worthwhile addition to your buzz cut hairstyle.
Connect with Danny on Instagram, and keep your eyes peeled for his latest venture at www.farsideproject.co.uk and @farsideproject, launching soon.
