Top-Rated Products For Cutting Men's Hair At Home
The Best Products to Use Before, During, and After Cutting a Man’s Hair At Home
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Even if you've now added hair stylist (and manicurist, facialist, and waxing technician) to your staying-home skillset, actually putting scissors to someone else's head is daunting nevertheless. It's not just the (semi) permanence of the results, but you're probably also hoping that the person you love will still, well, love you once you set the trimmers down.
On the plus side, you've probably never had so much in common with celebrities like Sarah Hyland and Gwen Stefani, who are also navigating this new normal of at-home haircuts and seeking advice from trusted experts when helping the men they love with the snip.
Once you have your clippers and/or scissors ready, there are some obvious and not-so-obvious things that are good to have on hand throughout the trimming process. The products ahead can prep a man's hair for cutting, and help ensure both of you are pleased with the results in the end.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo to Start With Super-Clean Hair
Instead of standard shampoo, swap in a scalp-treating alternative like the Christophe Robin Thickening Shampoo Paste with Rassoul Clay for Men ($53). It features clay (to absorb impurities and oils) along with algae (to naturally strengthen hair), and helps build volume over time, too.
Consider a Salt Scrub For Extra Exfoliation
Or, surprise your new client partner by gifting this Christophe Robin Detox Hair Ritual Kit ($39), including a purifying shampoo with jujube bark to soothe a dry, itchy scalp, a sea-salt scrub to exfoliate and rebalance, and an oil-rich cream that helps reduce breakage and leaves hair super moisturised.
For an extra-special treat, couple the scrub with this soothing, scalp-stimulating Mount Lai Jade Massageing Comb ($52) to help reduce tension . . . and any nervousness he may feel about his upcoming haircut.
Soften Hair With a Moisturising Conditioner
If your partner is typically more inclined to wash his hair with a body wash-slash-shampoo combination product, actually using up a separate conditioner can help his hair be healthier than ever before so you are starting from its best possible state.
Take this popular Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Conditioner ($18), for example, which is infused with a biotin complex and vitamins C, E, and pro vitamin B5 for soft, shiny hair. Or, there's the nutrient-packed Verb Hydrating Conditioner ($18-$40) with moisturising amino acids plus vegetable keratin protein and quinoa protein to smooth hair and keep it strong.
Make Sure Hair Is Totally Dry
If he's currently got a lot of hair, especially thick hair that will take a long time to dry, you can always blow-dry it with your favourite hot tool and the Verb Blow Dry Brush ($18). Or, have him wrap his head in the Aquis 03 Prime Rapid-Dry Hair Turban ($30) first (since most clippers work best on dry hair). This lightweight towel doesn't grab hair cuticles like normal bath towels, and can reduce drying time by up to 50 percent so you can get started sooner.
Detangle Before Grabbing the Clippers or Scissors
Make sure hair is fully combed out before you start trimming, and detangle it with something like the Drybar Lil' Lemon Drop Daily Detangler ($12). As an alternative, this Tom Ford Beard Comb ($40) can not only rake through any tangles (on his head), but also helps separate hair while you're cutting it later, too.
Section Off to Focus on One Area at a Time
If his hair's gotten so long that you need to start with a scissor trim before grabbing the clippers, something like the Sephora Collection Hold it Together: Alligator Jaw Clips ($10) or these Drybar Hold Me Hair Clips ($16) can get other sections right out of your way so you can work your magic.
Repurpose a Large Beauty Brush to Get Rid of Fallen Strands
While you're cutting or clipping, a clean, large beauty brush like this Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Face and Body Kabuki Brush 160 ($20-$34) can sweep away fallen hair from his neck as you go.
Prime Hair for His Preferred Style
Another product he may not normally use is hair primer but what better time to try it out than right after a fresh cut? This Bumble and bumble Tonic Lotion ($26) is packed with nutrients like antiseptic tea tree oil to help detangle hair and soothe his scalp. Or, the Sachajuan Leave In Conditioner ($36) also doubles as an oil-free primer that takes care of his scalp at the same time as it offers added shine.
Finish Things Off With the Styling Product
Depending on his hair texture, he may prefer a lighter finishing product like this Jack Black Sleek Finish Texture Cream ($15) which is good for dry, wavy hair or an oil like the Jack Black Epic Moisture MP10 Nourishing Oil ($35) to tame flyaways. For something more defined, there's the gel-like Bumble and bumble Bb. Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme ($31) for a tousled look, or a thick paste like Bumble and bumble Bb. sumoclay ($29) for a more textured, spiky style.
