Shaving your head is one of the ultimate power moves. (Just think of how many movies have shown a woman buzzing her head to mark a turning point in the plot.) It's no wonder so many people at home are giving the bold hairstyle a try [1]. Why not, right?
But there's trimming your hair [2], and then there's shaving your head [3]. A trim leaves room for error — worst-case scenario, you need to take a little bit more length off than you originally intended to fix a mistake. Shaving your head, on the other hand, is a bit more high stakes.
More people than ever are playing at-home hairdresser while salons across the country are closed. Whether you're shaving your partner's head [4], attempting a DIY [5] haircut on yourself because your hair has just gotten too long, or in Bruce Willis's case, giving your daughter a buzz cut [6], you want to make sure you're fully prepared with not only the right tools but also expert tips and a step-by-step on the process.
Before you grab the hair clippers, there are a few things you should know about shaving your head, especially if it's for the first time. Nunzio Saviano [7], salon owner and master stylist, walks us through them.
Step 1: Gather the Right Tools For Shaving Your Head
To shave your head at home, you need a pair of hair clippers, preferably with multiple guards. "Use clippers with a guard for different lengths," Saviano told POPSUGAR. "If you want to cut the hair closer to the scalp, no guard is necessary, but if you want longer hair, choose guard number four or higher." You'll also need a pair of scissors and a towel.
Step 2: Start With Dry, Clean Hair
Like with all haircuts, you'll want to work with clean hair that's "free of any product build-up like gel or pomade," said Saviano. But note: hair must be dry before cutting it with clippers. Then, cover yourself with a towel to keep hair from getting all over your body, and find a comfy spot in front of a large mirror.
Step 3: Cut Hair Before You Shave, If Necessary
If you have short hair already you can dive right in with the clippers, but if you have longer hair there's an additional step you need to take. "If your hair is longer, chop it off with scissors before starting the buzzcut with clippers," said Saviano. Trimming your hair back before shaving your head will allow the clippers to move better through the hair.
Step 4: Trim Longer At First
When it comes to selecting your hair guard length, don't take this step lightly. The number, or length, you choose will effect how short your haircut turns out. "Always start with a higher number guard, remember you can always go shorter," said Saviano. If this is your first time shaving your head, a few practice runs on a longer length can't hurt before you attempt to go for your end-result.
Step 5: Hold the Clippers Flat and Go Against the Growth
"Work with small sections at a time, move the clipper with gentle and small strokes and holding it flat against the head, going against the direction your hair grows," said Saviano. "For cutting the back, top, and sides, move the clipper from the hairline to the crown." To ensure you don't miss any areas and that it looks even, you'll want to go over the same section multiple times.
Word to the Wise, Don't Attempt Anything Fancy
Shaving your head is fairly straightforward, but don't attempt anything too fancy if you're inexperienced. "Fades are not recommended and extremely difficult to do," said Saviano. The results can be really bad." Stick to the basics.