Approved Guide
How to Handle Give Yourself a Buzzcut Step by Step
When give yourself a buzzcut leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
Share:
Link copied to clipboard!
Part
1
Getting the Tools
1
Invest in a pair of quality clippers.
Buying clippers is a one-time investment and since you’ll be saving tons of money cutting your own hair, it’s worth getting the best pair that you can afford. You can get a decent pair for $30-$50. If cutting your own hair is going to be long term thing, consider getting professional grade clippers (usually $100-$120).
- High-quality clippers will last longer and perform better.
- Consider the type of hair you have when choosing clippers.
- Investing in good clippers will save you money in the long run.
- Buying clippers is a one-time investment and since you’ll be saving tons of money cutting your own hair, it’s worth getting the best pair that you can afford.
- You can get a decent pair for $30-$50.
Part
2
Buzzing Your Hair
1
Get to know your clippers.
Before you even get near your hair with the clippers, get familiar with them. Find the power button, turn them on and off, practice changing out the blades, clip the guards on and off, run through the speed settings, etc. Clippers tend to be heavier than people expect, so get a feel for their heft first.
- Get comfortable with the weight of your clippers.
- Practice changing blades and adjusting guard sizes.
- Familiarize yourself with the speed settings and power button.
- Before you even get near your hair with the clippers, get familiar with them.
- Find the power button, turn them on and off, practice changing out the blades, clip the guards on and off, run through the speed settings, etc.
2
Cut long hair off before buzzing.
Use a comb or rat-tail comb to remove excess hair. Cut all hair to the same length before buzzing. Be careful not to cut yourself while removing long hair.
- Use a comb or rat-tail comb to remove excess hair.
- Cut all hair to the same length before buzzing.
- Be careful not to cut yourself while removing long hair.
- Use a comb or rat-tail comb to remove excess hair.
- Cut all hair to the same length before buzzing.
3
Buzz in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Run your fingers through your hair to determine the direction of growth. Cut against the grain for a neater finish. Be careful not to buzz too much at once, as this can be difficult to correct.
- Run your fingers through your hair to determine the direction of growth.
- Cut against the grain for a neater finish.
- Be careful not to buzz too much at once, as this can be difficult to correct.
- Run your fingers through your hair to determine the direction of growth.
- Cut against the grain for a neater finish.
Part
3
Styling and Maintaining
1
Maintain your blades.
Always remove any hair after using the blade. Keep the guards tidy and in order. Store all of the pieces in a case together with the clippers. Rub a few drops of oil into the blade every few times you use it. Always use a guard to cover the blade whenever the clippers aren’t in use.
- Regularly clean your blades for optimal performance.
- Store your clippers properly to prevent damage.
- Use oil to keep your blades running smoothly.
- Always remove any hair after using the blade.
- Keep the guards tidy and in order.
2
Invest in hair gel or wax for styling.
To style shorter length buzzcuts, apply a pea-sized amount of gel or wax on the top of your head. Run your fingers up through the hair to distribute the product. This will give it texture and spike it up.
- Use a light hand when applying gel or wax.
- Experiment with different products to find what works best for you.
- Be careful not to over-style, as this can lead to an uneven finish.
- To style shorter length buzzcuts, apply a pea-sized amount of gel or wax on the top of your head.
- Run your fingers up through the hair to distribute the product.
3
Watch for overheating.
Once you’re done cutting, always unplug the clippers and put them away. While you’re in the middle of cutting, pay attention to the heat the clippers are generating – some clippers can become too hot to handle during use.
- Take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
- Monitor your clippers for signs of overheating.
- Unplug your clippers when not in use to prevent accidents.
- Once you’re done cutting, always unplug the clippers and put them away.
- While you’re in the middle of cutting, pay attention to the heat the clippers are generating – some clippers can become too hot to handle during use.
4
Invest in hair gel or wax for styling.
Use a light hand when applying gel or wax. Experiment with different products to find what works best for you. Be careful not to over-style, as this can lead to an uneven finish.
- Use a light hand when applying gel or wax.
- Experiment with different products to find what works best for you.
- Be careful not to over-style, as this can lead to an uneven finish.
- Use a light hand when applying gel or wax.
- Experiment with different products to find what works best for you.
Community Q&A
Be the first to ask a question about this guide.
Was this guide helpful?
20 people found this helpful
HowDadDo Around the World
Subscribe to the HowDadDo Newsletter
Get expert tips, weekly how-to guides, and dad wisdom delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, just good stuff.
Help us build the world's best
dad manual.
Every guide on HowDadDo is written and fact-checked by real people — no AI-generated fluff. Join our community of experts helping dads figure life out.