My barber recently raised prices to $45 per cut, and honestly it’s starting to feel hard to justify for what I get. I usually just do a simple buzzcut (1/2 guard on the sides and top, nothing fancy). I’m thinking about switching to cutting my own hair at home to save money over time.
Has anyone here made that switch and stuck with it long term? Was it hard to learn?
I’m planning to buy a mirror and electric clippers for about $100 total. Besides that, what else should I get (guards, cape, cleaning supplies, etc)? Any beginner mistakes I should avoid?
How do I cut my own hair at home? Barber is expensive
byu/duckwolf8097 inFrugal
Posted by duckwolf8097
29 Comments
Flowbee
I did this for awhile. Found using two mirrors to do the back to be a pain.
So a few years ago I just started shaving my head. Can check my progress by feel.
I’d get a kit from Wahl. They have plenty of tutorials online on the basics of hair-cutting.
I’ve been cutting my own hair with a skin fade for over a decade. I could get a weekly haircut cheaply back in the military, but then I moved to the city… the quality was lower and the prices were outrageous.
90% luck 10% skill. Trust me, end up with a buzz cut half the time.
Yes. A bit before Covid. Already had the clippers so I started cutting my own. Got decent at giving myself a cut, short on the sides little bit longer on, cut with scissors in front. Then have someone check.
Now I’m just a straight 1/4 a1/8 all around.
Still have someone check my job cause whatever reason clippers will cut a little mange/uneven.
If using just one guard all over , it’s easy. Buy a decent set of clippers with the guards and good to go.
I’ve been cutting my own hair since Covid. Get a set of Wahl home clippers. they come with guards 1 thru 8 and tapers for each side around your ears. I taper from 1 at the bottom to about 4/5 at top of sides and back. I use an 8 on top and cut both front to back then back to front. Comb it back, it looks pretty good. I get my girl or a buddy to clean up my neck…the parts I can’t see!. It’s cheap , easy , and you get better each time. Worst thing that could happen, mess up and just do a #1 all over. It will grow back!
It can be tricky to do well without a good mirror or camera setup.
Ive tried a few times but always end up missing spots, luckily for me my wife hits the spots I miss.
I had a manager that did his own hair and came to work one day with a long patch on the back of his head that he missed.
I dont have any extra stuff, just the trimmer. I put a towel over a stool in my bathroom (just to keep hair off it) and then sweep up all the hair after im done.
My wife has been buzzing my hair for years at this point. We bought a $30 Wahl kit, a cape, and a small bottle of oil and that has been more than sufficient for me.
I tried home haircuts a few different ways and the results were not great. Then I found a local beauty college that offers $15 haircuts, $10 pedicures, facials (starting around $30 I think), etc. and it’s working out great for me so far! Might be worth seeing if there’s one in your area too?
$100 will get a basic kit and will do a decent job. But I’ve found quality will go a long way with haircuts. I used to do a one level and used an Oster Fast feed and an Andis outliner, each one was $100, but they did a really good and quick job.
Eventually my wife got me a babyliss cordless set, which will run at least $400 but being cordless makes the hair cuts quicker and easier, I do it at least once a week.
Aside from quality stuff, you’ll need a stiff nylon brush to clean the clippers, and a big hand mirror to see the back yo do a lineup, both of these you can get from the dollarstore. For maintenance get andis cool care spray, it will help lubricate and disinfect the blades. I use it before and after I cut my hair and brushing it out. A stiff bristle brush to help comb your hair if it’s really short or a comb to help sort your hair as you cut it.
For me I was saving $50 a month by cutting at home so buying high quality stuff was paid off in less than a year of savings.
my husband does it with no issues. you can get a clipper, guard and some clean/lubricate spray for the clippers. be sure to brush out any hair from the blades and spray them down when you put them away. easy peasy just using the same guard all over, you can do by feel and then double check with a second mirror at the end.
#2 #3 buzz cut.
Vacuum clippers. Remington makes the clippers I use.
My own thoughts, but I’m no expert.
-Trim around ears w scissors
-Go over the same area a couple times
-I maintain some hair length on top still so I never follow my head contour on top of my head which I think helps blending anyhow
Buy Wahl professional clippers. They came with spacers. Start with the biggest spacer. Once finished, go with the next sizes down slowly.
If you are seriously only getting a 1/2 cut all over, you can do it yourself easy!
The clipper set will have most everything you need with most sets. Blade oil, blade cleaning brush, basic cape, scissors, comb and most importantly, guards are usually included. Add a handheld mirror and you’re good.
Just snap the 1/2 guide comb over the blades, and run it over your head untill you don’t hear the “blade hits hair” sound anymore. Then inspect for leftovers. Go in segments and take your time. Use the hand mirror to check the back and top.
I do a faded 1/2 sides to 1.5 on top for my husband, with extra trimming around the ears, nape, then scissor work for the bangs and anywhere at the edges that need it. Easy peasy with guide combs.
I upgraded to the cape that has a pop up cone thing, it looks goofy but saves me cleaning. But If you are cutting your own head than the cape and hair is going to go everywhere anyway when you move your arms, so don’t sweat it for now.
I just put on like a 3 gaurd. Then shave it until I don’t feel any long hairs. Its best to have someone else line up the back of your neck and behind the ears.
Been cutting my own hair for 25 years. It’s easy though I just cut it all off a couple of times a week. Starting going bald back then so what’s the point? Just buzz if off. My wahl clippers finally gave up the ghost last year. Lasted 24 years. Now I bought tpob clippers. Very happy so far.
Step 1. Buy waterproof electric shaver.
Step 2. Shave head in shower.
Step 3. ???
Step 4. Profit!
In my adult life I’ve paid for 1 haircut, and that was for my wedding. You can stick with a buzz cut or practice some other cuts. If they go bad you can always buzz it, it’ll grow back.
I used to do it myself (and for a few friends) in high school and college, started again during COVID. It is pretty easy.
My biggest advice is to just don’t try to get too close. If your barber did a #1 for the back and sides, you should start with a #2. Same thing all around, just leave it a little longer. Reasons being (1) the biggest mistake you will make is cutting closer than you want (not leaving it too long), and (2) you can cut it yourself again for free anytime, so no need to chase the perfect fade. Fades can be done but they are less forgiving till you get good, better to just wear your hair a tiny bit longer.
Just fade the sides and line the front. I learned that 99% of women (if you’re into women) don’t even notice the difference in a nice haircut and a bad one. Men are generally the only ones that notice and in my case only black men or Hispanics notice a nice fade on other black men and Hispanics.
First thing to know is that you’re probably going to fuck up a few times. Just be okay with that and it makes everything easier.
Second. Don’t try to replicate your haircut first round. Try to cut as if you are going for a trim. Remember, you can always cut more later.
Just have to dive in and do it. You’ve seen it done an every time your hair has been cut. Just mimic what you’ve seen. It’s really that easy. I’ve only been cutting my own hair for a few years now but it’s easier than you think.
As others have said get a wahl. Also order some good thinning shears and scissors online. Don’t use scissors you cut paper with, using the correct scissors is key. It even feels more natural.
If you’re doing a simple buzz cut with variations you can definitely do it at home.
$45 per cut is insane unless you live in a really HCOL, find another place.
I’ve been cutting my own hair for more than 20 years, and not buzzing.
You need to begin on the back and sides by grabbing hair at your scalp using two fingers, and then pull out slightly. Be careful to pull out the same amount all the way around your head.
Cut just a safe distance away from your finger.
Slowly move from the base of your neck up to the crown of your head, increasing the distance you are pulling away from your scalp, this having longer hair that is slightly layered.
You could also get a Wahl electric clipper and do this same principle with increasing shield sizes.
There are some good YouTube tutorials. I taught myself during lockdown in 2020 and have only been to a barber a few times since. With some practice you get pretty good at it. Just be prepared for not caring what it looks like for the first few tries. It does take practice.
Been shaving my head for almost 10 years. It’s saved me a ton of time and money for sure. I gave up using an electric razor and moved on to using the disposable cartridge type. I can shave by feel without the use of a second mirror. Worst case scenario I’ll get the spot I missed tomorrow.
Why are haircuts so darn expensive now? A few years ago, $45 could get you some crazy style
My 30 year old Flowbee. It’s a trimmer to attach to your vacuum, that pulls the hair inside and cuts it at a precise length, determined by a variety of spacers and standoffs. With a little practice you can get a tapered cut. Makes cleanup effortless.