Many clippers will come as a kit, including not only the clippers but the charging station, guards, combs, and barber scissors. Keep your clipper well-oiled so it lasts longer. If your clipper didn’t come with oil, you can buy some online or at your local department store.
Cut the hair in a place that’s easy to sweep up, such as an open room with hard floors, a bathroom, or even outside.
If you’re cutting your hair yourself, you’ll want to make sure you have a good grip with your thumb on the bottom of the clippers. Stand in front of a mirror so that you can see what you’re doing. Most clipper kits come with 8 guard lengths. A #1 guard will cut the hair the shortest, and a #8 guard will leave most of the hair in place. If you want a really short buzz cut, use the clippers without a guard. When you get to the crown, you may need to move the clippers in different directions, as hair grows circularly at that spot.
For example, if you used a #1 guard on the top, you could use no guard on the sides. If you’re buzzing your own hair, work slowly around the edges to maintain an even cut. Follow the same pattern of going in an upwards motion. Hair tends to look puffier on the sides when it grows back, which is why the sides and back are kept shorter.
Make sure the guard is flat against the neck/head the whole time so that the cut is even. Since you can’t see the back of your head, you’re going to need access to 2 mirrors to be able to buzz the back of your hair yourself. Stand in front of a mirror while holding a handheld mirror to be able to see all angles of your head.
You’ll want to clip all the way around each ear. Pull the ear inwards to keep it out of the way while trimming. If cutting your own hair, you’ll want to use 1 hand to move your ear away from the clippers while the other hand does the tapering. Make sure you’re using a mirror.
If you’re not confident that you can detail the back of your head, ask someone to help you.
If you’re not sure which length is best for you, start with the highest number — you can always cut your hair shorter.
Be aware that this cut often shows the scalp since it’s so short.
If you were to draw an imaginary line from the middle of each of your eyebrows to the back of your head, this is the line you should use to buzz your hair. Instead of leaving the entire top of your head with longer hair, you’ll shape it in so that most of your head is shaved.
