Cut the simple haircut at home first

A haircut is a small bill that comes back every few weeks. You could stop paying it, if cutting your own hair were not the kind of thing that goes wrong in public.

If your haircut is short and simple, you can cut it yourself with clippers on one guard setting, and get a second person or a second mirror for the back.

If you work in a formal or client-facing job, or your cut has layers or a taper, read the section on that before you pick up the clippers.

Why the short cut is the place to start

Many people say home clippers work for short styles and buzz cuts, and that they pay for themselves quickly. One person says keeping the cut simple, with a single guard number all over, makes it much easier and leaves less room for mistakes. One person says short styles are more forgiving, and so are long or curly ones, where a little unevenness hardly shows.

On the clippers themselves, people differ. One says cheap ones are fine for plain cuts and keep the upfront cost low. Another says a mid-range pair lasts longer, cuts better and earns back its price. What decides it, they said, is how often you use them. One person says cleaning and oiling matter more than the price you paid, and that a blade that pulls may only need oil. One person prefers a corded pair because rechargeable batteries wear out, while another prefers cordless ones that keep their power.

One person describes the method they use: wash the hair beforehand, use one guard setting for the bulk, scissors for around the ears and the front, and bare clippers for the very back.

The back of your head

The back is the part people give up on. One person says that the hardest thing is getting an even cut where you cannot see, and that this is why people pay.

Some people say that having a spouse, partner or family member do it takes the money out of the job entirely and makes the habit stick. One person says they can see the back better than you can. Another warns that results vary with the helper’s skill, and that one partner may be less willing than the other.

On your own, some people suggest two mirrors, so that you can see the back and the front together. One person goes by touch with the clippers to hold the line. One person says cutting the back alone is almost impossible without help or a special tool.

Longer, thicker or layered hair

This is harder, and the people who have done it disagree about how hard. Some people say longer or more complicated styles can be kept up at home with scissors and online tutorials, and give layers and the butterfly cut as examples. One person describes tying the hair in a high ponytail before cutting to make layers. Another warns that this kind of trim can go wrong.

Is it possible with thick or wavy hair? One person says home cutting suits short, thin or straight hair, and gets difficult once the hair is thick, wavy or layered. Another says it is possible with wavy or thick hair if you accept imperfection or use a method like the ponytail trick. One person says that for very long or thick hair it is not realistic, because you cannot reach the back and the risk of ruining the style before a work event is too high.

One person says a professional’s years of experience cannot easily be copied at home, especially for layers or a taper. Another says some styles, fades among them, are hard to copy at home without mistakes. For complex cuts needing layers or fancy styling, home cutting may not be suitable.

Cheaper than the salon, without doing it yourself

Some people say a cosmetology or barber school is much cheaper than a salon and often gives an acceptable cut, because an instructor supervises. Other people warn that school cuts can be poor and that the wait for an appointment can be long. One person had a terrible experience at one school, while another calls it close to free but slow. One person adds that you are being used as practice.

One person says local barbers charge much less than salons if you look for the right kind of shop. Another says chain quick-cut places rush you and suit only very basic trims. One person says using a coupon to lower the price while still tipping fairly is a balanced way to save without underpaying the stylist.

The other lever is how often you go. Some people say a style that grows out well needs fewer cuts, so the yearly total falls even if each cut costs the same. One person says stretching the gap between cuts, or growing the hair out, cuts the bill. One person warns that a stylist may push you to book the next appointment in four weeks, which may not suit your budget. And some people point out that if you need a cut only once a year, paying for it makes more sense than it does for monthly upkeep.

Some people who were losing their hair say that shaving the head removes the cost and the upkeep altogether. There is a page here on that decision.

If the salon is where you go

Many people say they started cutting their own hair not only for the money but after repeated bad experiences with professionals who ignored what they asked for. One person says that even with photos and a clear description a stylist can still misread the request. Some people suggest checking the cut before it is finalised.

Not everyone thinks the price is the problem. Some people say a professional cut is a fair price once you count the shop’s rent, utilities and the barber’s time, and that frugal means choosing where to spend, not never spending. Another says prices have gone up from what they used to be and that there are cheaper routes. One person says spending on a good cut is an investment in how you are seen at work.

How people weigh it

The big question is whether a home cut is worth it at all. People who have tried both disagree, and the decider is on the page above: how complicated your style is, how practised you are, and how much the finish matters to you. Some people say they cut their own hair to avoid small talk, booking and the sensory load of a salon.

Who this page is not for

If you work in a formal job, or one where you are seen by clients, one person says a professional haircut is an investment because an uneven one can change how you are seen. If your style has layers or a taper, it may be unsuitable for doing at home. If you could not stand to walk around with an uneven cut while you learn, home cutting is not for you yet. And if you have tried it and given up, that is allowed: one person says it is hard, messy and slow, and that some people give up and prefer to pay for the convenience and the result. None of that is a failing.