I HAD BEEN cutting my own hair long before I became a grooming editor. It started in high school to save money, but in those early days, there was really only one style I was comfortable attempting with my minimal (read: none) hair-cutting experience: the buzz cut.
While the first few tries ended up as patchy messes, it ultimately proved to be an easy-to-achieve and maintain hairdo. More importantly, it was flattering, leaving me looking equally like I was put together and confident enough that I didn’t need a flashy haircut (two things that, to be clear, could not have been further from the truth at that time).
That combination of simplicity and style is why the buzz cut never really goes away. In the past week alone, Heated Rivalry star Conor Storrie was spotted with a fresh buzz, social media personality Jake Shane posted a picture on Instagram showing his new buzzed hairdo, and Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland—who recently ignited a conversation on the underrated merits of the man-bun—chopped his famous locks off. Clearly, the buzz cut is having a moment.
The good news is that a buzz cut is the easiest haircut you can pull off at home. It’s not quite as simple as grabbing clippers and letting it rip—but it’s not too far off either. With fall on the horizon (aka beanie season), now is the perfect time to try the simple cut. To ensure your buzz looks even and, crucially, intentional, follow these steps.
Step 1: Wash Your Hair
It may seem counterintuitive to wash your hair minutes before chopping most of it off, but I promise it’s worth it. Washing your hair softens the strands, making them easier to cut. It’ll also help remove dirt, oil, and product buildup that not only clogs blades but also makes the hair lie unevenly. If you’ve tried cutting your own hair before and it came out patchy, not washing it beforehand may have been the reason.
Step 2: Take Your Clothes Off
Now it’s time to strip—at least to just underwear or shorts. I’ve given myself a lot of haircuts throughout the years on various terrains. Whether I was in my bathroom, outside, or a Vegas motel after a botched bleach job (swear I wasn’t trying to hide my identity, despite all signs to the contrary), there has been one constant: hair gets everywhere.
Step 3: Grab a Handheld Mirror
Don’t rely on fate to trim the back of your head; it will almost certainly come out uneven. Grabbing a handheld mirror will ensure you can see how you’re doing back there. Plus, you can get decent ones on Amazon for barely $5.
Step 4: Start Small
As you begin trimming your head, you may have the impulse to dive in with your desired guard length. If you’re new to cutting your own hair, fight the urge. Start with a guard one or two mm longer than your goal length. This leaves room for error because you can always go shorter, but you’ll need time before patchy hair grows back.
Step 5: Cut Against the Grain
If you’ve ever had a conversation with me about proper shaving technique, for one, I’m sorry you had to suffer through that, but also you know how passionate I am about shaving with the grain. Cutting against the grain is one of the most common mistakes men make and the quickest recipe for irritation and razor burn. However, when you’re buzzing your head, this is not a concern. In fact, cutting against the grain—that is, opposite of the direction your hair grows—will actually help you get an even, close trim.
Step 6: Double Back and Neaten
Now it’s time for your victory lap. Take a look at your newly buzzed hair to make sure it’s even throughout. Go back over any spots you may have missed before cleaning up around your ears and neck with the clippers, this time without a guard. After that, enjoy never needing to style your hair again—or at least until it grows back.
The Best Hair Clippers for Buzz Cuts
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Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean’s not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
