How to Trim Men's Hair at Home: A Stylist's Tutorial

The back of a man's head as he gets his haircut by hands that have a comb and clippers in them — Getty Images

Cutting hair is a refined skill—one that takes a delicate hand, a precise eye, and years of experience. Needless to say, it's a craft best left to the pros. But for those equipped with both hands and nerves steady enough to take on a simple men's trim, you'll need the right technique. Notice we said a simple refresh. "Messy cuts are definitely easier to refresh, even if they get a little messier, they still work. Just embrace the vibe!" says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante. "Do not try to do a fade at home. Seriously, don’t. It usually ends in disaster. The safest bet is to clean up the hairline and avoid any drastic changes." Still up to the task?

Whether you're subbing in as a barber for your sibling, your partner, or a friend, we tapped the pros to take us through all of the steps for the perfect at-home men's haircut. Ahead, watch celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook's men's haircut tutorial demonstrated on her husband, Miki Bauer, plus additional professional tips from her and Cavalcante.

Meet the Experts

Sunnie Brook is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. Over the past 20 years, she's worked with celebrities like Jared Leto, Colin Farrell, and Noah Centineo and her work has appeared in publications including Vogue, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist, dry haircut expert, and the owner of The Second Floor Salon.

What You'll Need to Trim Men's Hair:

To give an amateur trim an expert finish, Brook says it's all about the tools. The first step: invest in quality clippers that won't pull on your strands. Using said clippers alongside sharp shears and a precise trimmer—plus fine and wide-toothed combs—is the ideal starting lineup for a DIY cut.

To maximize your kit (and your results), be sure to have the following on hand before you start:

Spray bottle
Comb
Alligator clips
Clippers with guards (recommended: Wahl Professional Senior Clipper)
Trimmers (recommended: Andis CTX Corded Trimmer)
Haircutting shears

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How to Do a Men's Haircut at Home with Celeb Stylist Sunnie Brook

01 of 10

Spray the Hair With Water

Before getting the clippers out, hydrate the hair with some generous spritzes of water. Be sure to only wet the sections of the hair that you want cut with shears. The parts of the hair that will be getting buzzed with clippers should stay dry.

02 of 10

Part Hair Into Sections

Use your comb to separate the hair into three parts: the longer portion at the top and the two shorter sides. Use your clips to secure each section.

03 of 10

Begin Clipping at the Back of the Head

After making sure that the hair is tangle-free and ready to be cut, begin clipping the length off of the back section, near the nape of the neck. "Use hair clippers (buzzers). They’re way easier to handle than scissors," says Cavalcante. Move up the hair gradually using a scooping motion.

04 of 10

Even-Out the Sides

Once the back is at the desired length, gradually clip forward, making your way up and over the ears. "Start by trimming the sides and going upward slowly with the clippers," instructs Cavalcante. Repeat on the opposite side, but make sure to stay symmetrical.

05 of 10

Refresh the Top

"For the top, use scissors: comb the hair upwards, decide how long you want it (you can use your fingers as a guide), and cut horizontally across," says Cavalcante.

06 of 10

Trim the Longer Pieces at the Back

Using the bottom of the occipital bone as a guide, trim the back layers using upward strokes. "Keep it simple—just clean up the existing style instead of reinventing it," says Cavalcante.

07 of 10

Clean Up the Sideburns

Comb the sideburns forward and use the edge of your trimmer to gently clip overgrown strands along the edge of the ears. For cleaning up the neck and edges, Cavalcante provides sage advice: "Never go too high! Start as low as possible and slowly work your way up to the desired hairline."

Byrdie Tip

Cavalcante suggests using tape or a ruler to get clean, straight lines for the neck and sideburns.

08 of 10

Buzz Extra Length

To tackle extra length, pull the comb out to a 45-degree angle at the desired point and buzz off what's left out of the comb. To clean up the nape of the neck, follow the natural hairline and gently trim.

09 of 10

Even Things Out

Using a wide-tooth comb and scissors, point cut into the sides to blend. Use the comb as a makeshift guard and lightly snip to create a more blended look.

10 of 10

Give a Few Final Snips

Start with the longer pieces at the top and make your way down to the shorter pieces. Then all that's left to do is add a spritz of leave-in conditioner and let your subject delight in your handiwork!