Electric Shears: A Guide To Cutting Hair At Home

how to cut hair with electric shears

Cutting your hair with electric shears can be a convenient way to clean up your locks and maintain a well-groomed look. While stylists use professional-grade tools and undergo extensive training, cutting your own hair at home is not as hard as you may think. With the right equipment and some simple techniques, you can achieve decent results. Electric shears, such as the Wahl Elite Pro Clipper, offer power and precision for a smooth and efficient haircut. This guide will cover the basics of using electric shears, including choosing the right tools, understanding different hair types, and employing specific cutting techniques to achieve the desired style.

Characteristics and Values

Characteristics Values
Hair length Short hair is more difficult to cut with clippers.
Assistance It is helpful to have someone assist with the back of the head.
Clippers Start with the longest attachment first and guide the trimmer in multiple directions.
Clippers The Wahl Elite Pro is a powerful, precise, and convenient option for cutting hair.
Clippers The Philips Norelco MG7750 is a powerful, easy-to-use, and versatile option for beard grooming.
Clippers Use a rocking motion to help with blending and cut in fluid motions to prevent an uneven blend.
Clippers Pull down on the tops of your ears to avoid missing spots and leaving patches of longer hair.
Clippers Use the #2 attachment guard for the sides and the #4 attachment guard for the top of the head.
Clippers Cut in the opposite direction of hair growth if you have a cowlick.
Clippers Use the inverted clipper technique to clean up sideburns, the neckline, and the area around the ears.
Clippers Touch the skin with the clippers but do not push too hard to avoid irritation.
Clippers Clippers can be used for the entire haircut, but shears can provide a good finishing touch.
Shears Use sharp shears designed specifically for cutting hair, such as the ARC Professional Scissors.
Shears Bring hair to the front and snip at an angle or straight, depending on the desired shape of the cut.
Shears Section hair and make angled cuts for graduated layers.
Shears Secure hair with small elastics before trimming the ends for a lob, bob, or shoulder-length haircut.
Shears Clean up choppy ends with small, precise cuts.

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Using the right tools

Firstly, do not use household scissors to cut hair. Kitchen scissors or those used for cutting open packages are not suitable for cutting hair. Hair-cutting shears, also known as barber shears or hairdressing shears, are specifically designed for cutting hair. They typically range in size from 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) and have a finger brace or tang for additional control. Look for sharp shears made from durable stainless steel, with a comfortable design that includes a built-in finger rest to prevent hand fatigue.

For example, the Craft X Series 5.5" Shear is recommended by stylists for trimming bangs or removing split ends. These shears are lightweight, sharp, and come with a lifetime warranty. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Javenproliu Haircutting Shears also feature a finger rest, a lifetime warranty, and stainless steel blades.

If you're cutting your hair with clippers, the Wahl Elite Pro Clipper is a powerful and precise option. It has self-sharpening blades that cut hair 40% faster and is suitable for various haircuts, including the classic fade cut. The kit includes guide combs and a long cord, making it convenient for home haircuts. The Philips Norelco MG7750 is another versatile option, offering a combination of power, ease of use, and versatility for at-home grooming.

Additionally, texturizing shears can be used to reduce hair thickness, create texture, or blend layered hair. These shears have teeth on one or both blades, allowing for a more precise cut. The number of teeth on texturizing shears can vary, determining the amount of hair that is thinned out.

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Cutting technique

Cutting your hair with electric shears can be a convenient way to clean up your locks and maintain your hairstyle. Here are some detailed techniques to help you cut your hair effectively with electric shears:

  • Start by investing in a good pair of electric shears or clippers that are specifically designed for hair cutting, such as the Wahl Elite Pro Clipper. These tools offer power and precision, ensuring sharper and faster cuts.
  • If you have long hair, pull your hair to the front and secure it with small elastics before trimming the ends. This technique is useful for maintaining styles like a lob, bob, or shoulder-length hair.
  • For those with straight hair, consider bringing your hair to the front and snipping at an angle or straight, depending on your desired shape. This technique allows you to create either a rounded or blunt shape to your cut.
  • To cut graduated layers in long hair, section your hair, pull it to the front, and make angled cuts into the length using professional shears. This technique adds movement and texture to your hairstyle.
  • When working on the sides and back of your head, use a rocking motion with the clippers. Arch them away from your head as you cut in an upward direction. This helps blend the hair seamlessly and prevents jagged, uneven cuts.
  • Remember to use fluid and continuous motions while cutting to avoid patches of uncut hair. Pull down on the tops of your ears when working near them to ensure you don't miss any spots.
  • For a fade cut, use a clipper guard attachment (such as #2 or #4, depending on your desired length) and start at the hairline on the side of your head. Cut upwards toward the middle of your head and work your way around. This classic cut is tight on the sides and leaves a little extra length on top.
  • To clean up your neckline, sideburns, and the area around your ears, use the "inverted clipper technique." Remove any attachments and flip the clippers over so that the top is facing your head. This provides agility and precision in these sensitive areas.

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Blending

The number of teeth on blending shears varies, typically ranging from 25 to 40 teeth. The spacing of these teeth can also differ, with some shears having wide-spaced teeth and others featuring teeth that are closer together. Additionally, blending shears can come with either straight or toothed blades. Choosing the right type of blending shears depends on personal preference and the desired hairstyle.

To use blending shears effectively, start by carefully sectioning the hair you want to blend. Then, hold the section between your fingers and a comb, and position the shears perpendicular to the hair. The correct cutting technique involves opening and closing the shears while moving along the length of the hair. For a textured look, cut into the hair at an angle or in a zigzag pattern. For a blended look, cut diagonally across the hair section.

When using blending shears to cut hair with electric clippers, such as the Wahl Elite Pro Clippers, start at the hairline on the side of your head and cut upwards toward the middle, working your way around. Use a rocking motion to help with blending, arching the clippers away from your head as you cut upwards. Ensure you use fluid motions to prevent a jagged, uneven blend. Pulling down on the tops of your ears when cutting around them can help ensure you don't miss any spots and leave patches of longer hair.

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Finishing touches

Once you've finished cutting your hair with electric shears, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your haircut looks neat and polished. Here are some tips for the finishing touches:

  • Clean up your neckline and sideburns: Remove any attachments from your electric shears and push the taper lever to the close-cut position. Use the "inverted clipper technique" by flipping the clippers over so that the top is facing your head. This will give you more precision and agility. Gently touch the skin but avoid pushing too hard to prevent irritation.
  • Blend the hair: Use a rocking motion to help blend the hair and create a smooth, even finish. Arch the clippers away from your head as you cut in an upward direction. Use fluid motions to prevent a jagged, uneven blend.
  • Target problem areas: Pay attention to areas around the ears and sideburns. Pull down on the tops of your ears when cutting near them to ensure you don't miss any spots and leave patches of longer hair.
  • Snip stray hairs with shears: After using the electric shears, use a pair of sharp styling shears to tidy up the look. Snip any sections that need extra attention and target stray hairs that may have been missed by the clippers.
  • Maintain your tools: Regularly clean and oil your electric shears to keep them in good condition. This will help ensure they remain sharp and effective for future haircuts.

Remember, when cutting your own hair, it's always a good idea to start with longer attachments or smaller sections of hair. You can always cut more, but it's difficult to undo a cut that removes too much hair. Take your time, work in sections, and use the right tools to achieve the best results.

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Safety considerations

Electric shears can be a great way to cut hair, but it is important to keep some safety considerations in mind. Here are some key points to ensure a safe hair-cutting experience:

Firstly, be cautious when cutting around the ears. Even with properly adjusted clipper blades, the back or top of the ear can be accidentally cut if the blades come into contact with it. To avoid this, simply hold the ear forward while clipping up the side behind the ear, and hold it down while trimming the hair above the ear. This is especially important when cutting a child's hair, as a slight cut can be a traumatic experience that may make them fearful of haircuts in the future.

Additionally, always ensure that your scissors or shears are appropriately designed for haircutting. They should not have sharp points at the end of the blades; instead, opt for blunt points, which are safer for edge-cutting when the tips touch the skin. When using the "comb-away" cutting method, remember that the points of the scissors will move towards the face as you cut paths on the upper left side of the head. Thus, extra care should be taken to avoid any mishaps.

It is also important to maintain control of your scissors at all times. Always be aware of what you are cutting as the blades are being closed. This will help prevent any accidental cuts. In the same vein, if you happen to drop your scissors or comb on the floor, be sure to clean, sanitize, or replace them before continuing.

Lastly, don't forget to pay attention to your own posture and positioning while cutting hair. This will help minimize fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. Remember to sweep up any loose hair immediately after finishing, and preferably before you start blow-drying.

Frequently asked questions

You will need a good pair of electric hair clippers, such as the Wahl Elite Pro, and a pair of sharp hair-cutting shears.

Before you begin cutting, use a comb to remove any tangles from your hair.

It is recommended to use a rocking motion when cutting hair with electric shears to help with blending. Make sure to use fluid motions to prevent a jagged, uneven blend.

Electric shears can be used on various hair types, including straight, wavy, curly, thick, and short hair. However, it is important to note that cutting hair with electric shears may be more challenging for certain styles, such as layers or shapes.

It is important to regularly clean and oil your electric shears to keep them in good condition. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific care and maintenance guidelines for your particular model.

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