How To Cut Your Hair With Clippers
Using great men’s hair clippers, you can create your ideal hairstyle at home and save on hair cutting costs
Historically, men’s hair styling was a case of one size fits all. You would go along to the salon or barber and choose a hairstyle worn by nearly every man you passed in the street. Luckily, men’s fashion has evolved and men today have much more flexibility over their personal style. Team this with advances in grooming technology and you have the opportunity not only to choose a unique style but to create it yourself. If you’re nervous about taking control of clippers for the first time, don’t be. We have all the information you need to create a professional looking hairstyle at home, below.
Equipment
First things first, you are going to need a set of high-quality, electric hair clippers. The better the quality, the more precision and polish you can create in your hairstyle. The ER-SC40 Professional Hair Clipper from Panasonic is the great choice. With an ultra high speed linear motor , advanced comb shaped blades and cordless technology, it puts you in control of your personal style.
It’s also useful to have a comb, hairdressing scissors, spray bottle filled with water and towels handy. You should also keep a portable vacuum cleaner close at hand to keep any mess and stray hair under control.
It’s incredibly frustrating to get part way through a haircut and realise you have forgotten a key piece of equipment so make sure you have everything to hand before you start.
Preparation
You need to choose the right space to get started. The ideal spot should have a mirror, plenty of light and a power outlet (if you aren’t using a cordless hair clipper like the ER-GP21 or the ER-SC40). Cover your clothes and neck with a towel if you are concerned about stray hair.
It’s also essential that you choose a style before you start clipping. This isn’t something to decide as you cut. In fact, an unstructured approach usually leads to a clipping disaster. Deciding on a style should include thinking about your face shape and what cuts are going to be suitable for your professional and personal style. If you’re new to clipping your own hair, it is sensible to start with a low complexity style to begin with. You can progress to more complex looks as you get to grips with how your clippers feel and react.
Clipper Cut Styles
There is a huge spectrum of styles that can be created with men’s hair clippers. From a traditional buzz cut to more intricate undercut or stylish Mohawk - you are limited by only your imagination and skill. The good news is that an online tutorial exists for almost every cut you can imagine. This means you can spend time familiarising yourself with the cut you choose before you start to trim. Stuck for clipper cut inspiration? Check out the ideas below to find your perfect look.
The Induction Cut
The induction cut is a variation on the buzz cut and one of the most straightforward styles to create at home. Use your clipper with no guard attached and cut hair all over the head to the same length. For a slightly less severe take on the cut, opt for a Burr Cut, here guards are used to trim hair to a slightly longer overall length.
The Regulation Cut
This is a great vintage style hair-cut that was popular with soldiers in WWII. For this look, hair is left long enough through the top to part and style. Hair at the sides is trimmed in a high to low fade. A fade simply means that the clipped hair varies in length. For this style, a guard is used for the portion around the top of the head switching to a shorter guard or no guard around the lower head, moving towards the neck.
The Undercut
The undercut is one of the most on trend haircuts around right now. Hair on top of the head is worn long enough to slick back or even tie into a ponytail. The hair around the sides of the head is clipped very short without fading - creating a stark contrast. The trick here is achieving perfect symmetry as this distinctive haircut leaves no room for error.
The Mohawk
The Mohawk is one of the most recognisable clipper styles. Here, sides of the hair are clipped very short, leaving a thin strip of longer hair down the centre of the head. You can personalise the Mohawk by changing the length and width of the longer section of hair and the tightness of the clip through the sides of the head.
The Fade
The fade hair cut is very popular and allows for an intense level of precision and control. The fade haircut tapers from the top of the head to the neck and is often tightly styled around the hairline and ears. This haircut requires great precision and control, so cordless hair clippers are ideal. The new Panasonic ER-SC40 clipper has a unique ergonomic design, making them ideal for precision cutting.
Clipping Tips
A few simple rules can help you elevate your clipper cutting technique. Try these straightforward tips to help you create the perfect clipper cut:
• Dampen your hair with water before you cut – this will make it easier to control and trim. Continue to dampen as you cut to maintain control.
• Always cut in the opposite direction of hair growth. Remember this can change around your head. To check the direction of growth run your fingers through a section of hair and note the direction of least resistance.
• Get to know your electric hair clippers. Play around with turning them on and off, manoeuvring them and adjusting guards before you get anywhere near your hair. This will give you greater confidence when you start to cut.
• The back of your head is the trickiest part of your cut to get right. Use an additional mirror to keep your style on point.
• Don’t forget your hairline – use a razor or clippers to create clean lines around your face.
• Use a diagram or online tutorial as a style reference while you cut.
• Take your time – rushing your haircut will lead to mistakes and a less polished result.
Make your haircut as individual as you are. Invest in any clippers from our Men's Trimmers range and start creating your own style today.