 |
| How to Use Clippers to Cut Hair |
Cutting hair at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the right tools and a little practice, you can achieve a professional look without visiting the salon. Clippers are a common tool for haircuts, especially for shorter styles. This guide will walk you through the process of using clippers to cut hair.
What You Need
Before starting, gather all the necessary tools. You’ll need:
- Hair Clippers: A good pair of clippers is essential. Make sure the blades are sharp.
- Clipper Attachments (guards): These come in different lengths. They help you control how short or long you want the hair to be.
- Scissors: You might need them for finishing touches or trimming around the ears.
- Comb: A comb helps keep the hair even while cutting.
- Cape or Towel: To protect clothes from hair clippings.
- Mirror: A mirror helps you see what you're doing, especially when cutting the back.
- Towel or Brush: To remove cut hair from the neck or face.
Step 1: Prepare the Hair
Start by washing and drying the hair. Clean hair is easier to cut and style. Make sure the hair is completely dry before using the clippers. Wet hair can cling to the clippers and cause uneven cuts.
Next, comb through the hair. This will remove tangles and make the cutting process smoother. Use the comb to separate the hair into sections if needed. This will help you stay organized while cutting.
Step 2: Choose the Right Guard
Clippers come with different-sized guards. These guards control how much hair the clippers cut. The larger the guard, the longer the hair will stay. Smaller guards cut hair closer to the scalp.
For beginners, start with a longer guard. This will give you more room to make adjustments. You can always shorten the cut later if needed. If you're unsure, it's better to start longer and work your way down.
Step 3: Start Cutting the Hair
Begin by turning on the clippers. Start with the longest guard attached. Hold the clippers at the bottom of the head near the neck. Gently push the clippers upward, moving along the sides and back of the head.
Use your other hand to pull the hair taut. This makes the cut more even. Move the clippers in slow, steady motions. Don’t rush. Work your way from the neck upward, then move to the sides. Remember to keep the clippers flat against the scalp to avoid creating uneven spots.
When cutting the top, you can switch to a slightly shorter guard, depending on the style you want. Move from the front of the head toward the back, following the natural direction of the hair growth. Be careful around the ears. Use the comb to pull the hair down and trim around the ears gently.
Step 4: Blend the Hair
Once you've cut the sides and back of the hair, you need to blend the layers. To do this, you’ll use the clippers without a guard or with a shorter guard.
Start from the bottom of the hairline and move upward. Work in small sections. Use a technique called "clipper over comb" to blend the hair on the sides and back smoothly. This means you hold the comb at an angle and use the clippers to cut the hair that sticks out above the comb.
Blending is important for creating a natural, seamless look. Take your time to make sure there are no sharp lines between the longer and shorter sections of hair.
Step 5: Trim the Edges
After blending, it’s time to tidy up the edges. Use a smaller guard or no guard at all for precision cutting. Focus on the neckline and around the ears. You can also use scissors to trim small areas if needed.
When trimming the neckline, tilt the head forward and carefully follow the natural shape of the hairline. For the ears, use the clippers at a lower setting to avoid cutting too much. Trim slowly and check the results frequently.
Step 6: Check for Evenness
After finishing the main cut, it’s important to check the overall look. Step back and look at the hair from all angles. Check for any uneven areas or missed spots. You can use the clippers again to touch up any areas that need more trimming.
If you see areas that are longer than the rest, use a smaller guard or scissors to trim them. Don’t be afraid to go over certain areas more than once to ensure everything is even.
Step 7: Clean Up
Once you are satisfied with the cut, remove the clipper guards and clean your clippers. Turn them off and wipe them down with a towel or cleaning brush. This will help keep them in good condition for future use.
Brush away any hair clippings from your face and neck. Use a towel or a small brush to remove any remaining hair. Finally, have the person stand up and check the haircut one more time from a fresh angle.
Step 8: Style the Hair
After cutting, you can style the hair as you like. Apply some hair gel, pomade, or styling cream to add texture and hold. Comb through the hair to arrange it into the desired shape.
Tips for a Better Haircut
- Go Slowly: Don’t rush through the process. It’s better to take your time and check for evenness than to try to finish quickly.
- Practice Makes Perfect: If you're a beginner, practice on yourself or a mannequin head first. This will help you get comfortable with the clippers.
- Use the Right Guard: If you’re unsure about the length, start with a longer guard. You can always go shorter later.
- Ask for Help: It’s easier to cut the back of your head if you have someone else helping.
Conclusion
Using clippers to cut hair may seem tricky at first, but with practice, you can achieve a clean and professional look at home. By preparing properly, choosing the right guards, and taking your time with the cutting process, you can get great results. Whether you’re giving yourself a trim or cutting someone else’s hair, remember to go slowly, check your work, and clean up properly. With these tips, you’ll be cutting hair like a pro in no time!
0 Comments