Let’s talk about DIY haircuts, shall we?
This is one of those posts I never thought I’d write (it’s definitely not very home related) but due to a surprising amount of requests, here it is. I guess anything that has to do with saving money and doing something yourself is fair game, right? I have no idea how I got into cutting people’s hair, but throughout high school and college I just played around, cutting off a guy’s mullet here and giving my BFF a super short pixie cut there (all at my “client’s” requests, of course). Why did they trust me? I have no idea. Maybe I just have a trustworthy face? I most certainly don’t have any formal training. I just sort of treat hair like I’d imagine I’d make a butter sculpture. You just remove the extra stuff so you’re left with the shape you want. Confidence inspiring, huh? But a bunch of people actually noticed my latest work of haircut art on John’s head in party pictures yesterday, so… score! Haha.
The funny thing is that we realized I’ve been cutting John’s hair for seven whole years! And I’ve probably dished out 50+ other haircuts to other friends and family members throughout the last ten years (why yes I have cut my brother in law’s hair in the backyard of John’s parents beach house). So take this post for what it is, one not-professional gal’s take on how she grooms her man. An above the neck manscaping lesson if you will.
But since it’s extremely impossible to tell you how I cut John’s hair and a lot more descriptive to just show you, we actually made a video, thanks to the help of our handy little tripod. Look at that shaggy hair John had going on in this “setting up for the video” shot:
It’s amazing what a little at-home clippage can do. How YOU doin’ hubby?
But on with the video! Let’s get up close and personal with those light brown locks, shall we? Oh yes, and I have primer/paint all over my hands from Clara’s birthday dollhouse (more on that tomorrow). You can watch it below or here on YouTube.
For anyone who can’t watch the video with the sound on (mehaps you’re at work?) it’s actually still pretty easy to understand on mute (since you just have to see what my hands are doing to get the gist). And I’ve included a few written tips in bullet form below, just to help anyone with a sucker on standby who’s ok with you experimenting on their head. I say that in the most kind and loving way, since all of my friends and family who have let me go to town on their hair are pretty darn awesome. I actually haven’t had an oopsie since college (I went a little shorter than I meant to on a gal in dorms, but she totally had the bone structure to work it). Although now that I’ve made that claim I feel like I should knock on wood. Or John should, since he’d be the most likely person to have to walk around with a potential hair snafu if it ever were to happen. Anyway, on with the tips:
- I cut hair when it’s dry or very lightly misted with water because my experience when cutting wet hair has been that it “shrinks up” and is always shorter than I mean for it to be – which can lead to profuse apologies. Also hair that’s wet might not “lay” the way it does when it’s dry (ex: a cowlick might make itself known when hair’s dry and result in an uneven effect).
- I cut John’s hair at night after Clara’s off to bed so we can get ‘er done without distractions (no toddler running through the hair pile on the floor- which Burger thankfully avoids like the plague).
- I don’t use a buzzer and just shave John’s neck for him after the haircut with a regular shaving razor. That always makes things look nice and polished, and this way we don’t have to store a big hair buzzer (or pay for one).
- I just use hair-cutting scissors that I got for like $5 from CVS. They don’t even have a brand name on them to pass along. Sorry!
- I use my fingers to keep things even. For example, when I cut John’s hair I cut it one-finger-length from his scalp, so it all stays that length. I go a little longer on top – maybe two finger lengths (see the video for more on this).
- I always try to cut hair vertically (ex: parallel to John’s spine) – except for trimming the line around his neck – since it can look dorky and block-ish if you cut things horizontally (parallel to the shoulders). It’s really hard to explain in words, but the video makes this much more clear.
- I’m not a pro, so this isn’t real hairdresser scoop. Haha. I’m just a crazy girl with a penchant for pickles and cutting hair – so this is just what works for me (and John, my sweet hair-model hubby).
Oh and here’s an after pic from the back, since that might help you guys visualize it from that angle.
Hope that helps any DIY-haircutting-hopefuls out there! Does anyone else host haircuts at their house? The craziest thing is that I just calculated that we have probably saved at least $700 in the past seven years just by me cutting John’s hair (not counting all the times that I cut my own hair or ask John to snip a straight line in the back when I need a little trim and can’t reach – which might be an additional $500 in savings over the years). That’s a lot of cheddar ceramic animals…
Jill says
Man if only my husband would trust me… it all stemmed from a time I trimmed my own bangs and well I cut a lot of them off by accident because I was startled by something and I looked up…. I even once tried to liquor up my husband and then sweetly ask if I could cut his hair. I’ve watched my mom for the last 25 years cut my dads hair and I guess I always loved the sweet interactions between them so for me its more sentimental and for him its sheer terror… :)
Cherie says
Very cool! Thank you sharing! I love your posts ????????
Leslie says
I started cutting my hubby’s hair a year or two ago because he has crazy thick, wavy hair that he just wants cut short all-over, no specialty cuts here! I got a pair of clippers at Macy’s with Christmas money one year and it has paid for itself over and over. In fact, we just cut his hair this morning! (Added bonus for hubby – we do ‘naked barber’ when we cut his hair so that neither of us have itchy hair stuck in our clothes for the rest of the day :)
Jacque says
I cut my husband’s hair twice a month for nearly 4 years before sending him back to a salon – I couldn’t handle the pressure, haha ;) Kudos to you for sticking with it!
e says
I do cut my husband’s hair. Although, I notice that it turns out best when I’m the one who says, “Want a haircut?” rather then him asking me to do it when I’m not really in creative mode. I cut my own hair as well. There is nothing better than the power of being able to cut it exactly how you envision it. I have yet to cut any of my friends’ hair even though they have requested it. Some people don’t have that it’s-just-hair-it-will-grow-back attitude. What if you mess up? Or if they don’t clearly articulate the look they are going for? So much pressure. :)
cait says
thanks for posting this! had never thought about cutting my husband’s hair (only just started trimming my own bangs thanks to a youtube video!). we tried it this morning (he is brave, my husband :) ), and had great success with your technique! even trimmed my mom’s hair and gave her bangs after the first hair cut success! and only cut myself once! (husband got zero cuts- yay!!!). thanks again!
deb says
As promised, my husband let me cut his hair on Friday and it came out great! He was so pleased with it that he said I can do his cuts from now on! yay! Thank you so much for your awesome video!
Lenore says
Your post totally inspired me to try cutting my husbands hair! I did it this weekend, and it worked out! It’s not perfect, but looks just fine. My husband was super nervous and kept asking “Do you need to watch the video again? I don’t think Sherry was doing it this way.” In the end, he was happy, and we never have to pay the barber again! Thanks!
Casey Severinghaus says
Just wanted to let you know that I saw John’s haircut on your blog the other day. Tonight my husband said he needed to get a hair cut tomorrow. Ding, ding, ding!!! “No, honey… I can do it! Sherry cut John’s hair and now I know how!” Much to my surprise, he agreed to let me try. I watched your video one more time and then 30 minutes later… VOILA! A success! My husband actually liked it better than the haircut he usually gets. Looks like I’m on the calendar every 4-6 weeks. Thanks for another money saving tip!
Casey
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooooo! So happy for you. And so glad to help. I’m beaming like a fool over here. Haha.
xo,
s
Sara says
Sadly, my husband will not let me cut his hair. He’s very particular over it (and it’s really nothing that special.) My mom used to cut my dad’s hair (he doesn’t have much). As my hair continues to grow longer, I hope to be able to cut it myself. I wait now for a coupon for Great Clips and go get the ends trimmed for $5.99. Not a bad deal (every three months. $2 a month. I’ll take it!) I did cut my bangs once and when I went for a cut, the stylist asked who cut my bangs. Oops. :-(
Lisa K says
Just finally watched this – with the sound on mute ;)! We took my 21-month old boy and almost two year old girl for their first haircuts at a chain that does children only and we were so disappointed. The place is like a factory and it really seems that the hairdressers think of the kids as just another client to get in and out ASAP. Now I might try to cut their hair at home instead of paying $16.95 each plus 20% tip to someone who doesn’t even seem to care about all of their adorable clients (not just my kids)! Great post!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, good luck with those cute kiddo cuts! Hope it works!
xo,
s
Hannah says
I’ve been trying to convince my boyfriend for MONTHS to let me learn to cut his hair so that we can save money (and so I can learn a new skill), but he’s been apprehensive. I watched your video and thought for the first time, “I could totally do that!” He agreed, and now his hair looks even better than usual!! Now I just gotta figure out how to make less of a mess next time… but thank you SO much for the help!
YoungHouseLove says
Yay! So excited about the DIY haircut!
xo,
s
Judy Wilson says
Thank you so very much for the video on cutting hair. I’m 66 years old and have been married for 45 years. For years my husband has asked me to learn to cut his hair. I didn’t know how to actually learn without going to a cosmetology school and that was out of the question years ago and now as well. I’m too darn old. Anyway, the last two hair cuts my husband had from professionals were terrible. So after watching you video about 10 times, I cut my husband’s hair for the first time and it turned out well. Not perfect, but it was actually better than the two hair cuts that he had before. Thanks so much for the video and most of all your time.
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! That’s awesome. So glad to help!
xo,
s
haverwench says
I really like the longer length, too. I’m always trying to persuade my husband to keep it closer to that length–the main reason I would like to cut his hair myself is not to save money (15 bucks three or four times a years isn’t that big a deal), but because I *always* think it looks too short when he comes back from the barber, even if he specifically asks them not to take too much off. Waah. I’ve tried cutting it myself–keeping the scissors vertical just like you demonstrated–but it was still a fiasco, and I still can’t figure out what I did wrong.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, so sorry Haverwench! Maybe try using an electric razor since you can put it on a longer setting (ex: 4 or 5) and not worry about getting too short since there’s a guard? Good luck!
xo,
s
Danielle says
Followed your tutorial and love the results!!!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo,
s
Molly says
After I showed my husband this video, he gave me the go-ahead, and I successfully cut his hair for the first time tonight! It took a solid hour (mostly because I wasn’t sure how far to go up in the back/sides at first), but it turned out great and he’s happy! Thanks for sharing your mad hair-cuttin’ skillz!
P.S. Does John call you Sheardog when you cut his hair? Cuz he should.
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe next time, Molly! :)
-John
Marlayna says
Every time my husband sees new pics of John he says something about how awesome his new haircut looks. I started out using scissors on my hubs hair years ago but it’s so pin straight and shows all unevenness so now it gets the clippers every time. I think he wishes he had hair that could work in a cut like John’s! Great job, Sherry!
I love saving the money on haircuts but I am really afraid to cut my own. Will you do some kind of tutorial (could be photos and not a video if your more comfortable) on cutting your own hair? I’d like to learn!
YoungHouseLove says
I’ll have to see if I can capture that. I’m so bad about staying on it (sometimes my hair just gets one trim every 16 months or so!).
xo,
s
Kristin says
My hunny’s hair grows so fast that he would prefer to get it cut every 6 weeks or so, but that is just too much money so we invested in clippers. I usually just go with a 4 all around his head – sometimes ill fade into a 3 – but the shape of his head actually looks fine w/ all the same length hair so thats the usual. 7 years later and the only accident ive had is going too high up around the ears, but other than that im just messy.
Jessie says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This gave me the confidence to cut my boyfriends hair and it looks great! You are awesome :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yay! So glad!
xo,
s
Katelyn says
I loved reading this post. I started cutting my husband’s hair 12 years ago when we were dating. It was not to save money; I did it because his really hot female stylist had eyes for him.
I had cut hair before and used a method similar to the one in the video, but I had to use drastic measures to keep my man from going back to her for cuts. I buzzed it off like a Marine entering boot camp and discovered he looked incredible with it shaved to peach fuzz. It’s stayed that way ever since. I do it every Friday night now to start our weekend. I bought an Oster 76 and use an Andis Outliner blade that takes it down to 0.1 millimeter. It feels incredible. He doesn’t mind, because he knows how sexy I think he looks that way. A shaved to peach fuzz head can really make a man look hot.
Jennifer S says
I too have cut my husband’s hair since before we were married. I love cutting hair, and I love it short like Katelyn above. I have to check out that Andis blade. I use a Wahl Clipper with no guard attachment and buzz my sweetie to fuzz. He was beginning to thin, and it looks better buzzed to nubs. Like the post above, the tactile feel of his buzz is very sensual.
I think your husband would look great with a crew cut. You should try taking it short all over with just one finger on top. Crew cuts are very flattering and masculine looking on most men.
I have an angled bob with a partial buzzed nape, and my husband and I second
Mary from MN says
Bravo to all women who cut their lovers’ hair. I was an amateur stylist and decided to become a professional for over a decade. I am now working on a PhD in psychology, and I have used the psychology of haircutting frequently in my research. It can be a mind-controlling move for us women to cut the hair of our lovers. Personally, I have used my hypnosis training to covertly entrance lovers in my past as well as my husband into letting me cut their hair the way I want them to look. I like it very short and love taking it away from guys who like it long. My advice for the most fun: incorporate haircutting into dominatrix (no physical pain) role playing. It is super fun foreplay.
Bobbi says
Late to the conversation, but thank you for posting this video! Ever since you posted I have been trying to find the time to tackle my 10 year olds hair with scissors! I used to cut it with clippers when he was little, but it’s been years. About once a year I get sick of long hair and will cut myself a bob with my large Fiskars…my friends think I’m crazy, but it never looks too bad, so I keep cutting it.
My son’s hair turned out pretty ok today and I’ve got a couple of months before school pictures so we’ll get some practice in this summer!
Stephanie says
Your husband is a real cutie, and I think he would look really sexy with his hair cut really short. Have you ever taken it down to a crew cut like you mentioned when you were cutting the top?
My boyfriend lets me cut his hair, and I place the scissors directly on his scalp on the sides and back and gradually give it a tiny bit of length as I go up. I do one finger on top just like you do on his sides and back. There is something really sexy about being able to see scalp.
Megan says
My boyfriend had plans to go get his haircut tomorrow but we were on a tight schedule as we are on vacation…
He asked if I would just cut it as a joke and I of course blurted out that “Sherry cuts John hair and made a video about it” (I talk about you both as though we are friends and my dear Brett has stopped questioning my weirdness). Well since he knows how in love with you both and your blog I am he decided to watch this post and then let me cut his hair.
Lets just say there was a lot of “Sherry said she did it this way… do it like that” amongst the cutting from Brett :)
Overall it came out perfectly! THANK YOU!!
YoungHouseLove says
So happy to hear it worked out! That reminds me… I’m in need of a cut!
-John
Hannah says
Thank you for this post Sherry. I read it at the time and have now used it to successfully cut my husband’s hair for the first time!
We kept referencing the video. My husband would say ‘How did Sherry do it?’ ‘Channel Sherry!’ And we laughed each time you said ‘Protect the orifices!’ ‘Gross.’
Thank you! x
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! Glad it worked out!
-John
Heidi says
I totally cut my husband’s hair this weekend based on your tutorial. He normally goes to a manly man barber shop which i’m sure is a fun old-timey experience for him, but we moved further away from his usual place, so the gas plus the $15 haircut every month was starting to become annoying.
We bought a scissors/buzzer/cape kit for the cost of a haircut (so it’s already paid for itself!) and we both loved the way his hair turned out! Thanks for the video!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!!
xo,
s
Michelle says
Had to write, as last night we did my husband’s fifth haircut using the patented Petersik method!! He used to just use a pair of clippers by himself in the basement and I would touch up the neck… not bad, but nothing to write home about. When I asked if I could go after his head with a pair of scissors after watching your video he only agreed because of all the other DIY ideas we’ve swiped off of here – and he LOVES the Petersik-cut!! Thanks for putting this up – it’s creepy how similar my hubs and John look when long-haired!
YoungHouseLove says
Yay! So glad!!!
xo
s
Carly says
I used this to cut my husband’s hair today. I didn’t even screw it up! I calculated we can save $100 a year at a minimum. He wouldn’t have let me but we moved and it’s hard to find a new hair person. Now he won’t have to if we move again :)
Lauren says
Great tutorial! I recently started cutting my husband’s hair in an effort to save money and his time to go to get it done. With him in medical school, every bit of extra time and money counts! Unfortunately, our little pup thinks any bit of something on the floor is free game for her to devour, so we’re not as lucky in that department as you guys with Burger.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man! Maybe give her a treat or toy to play with to try to distract you? Burger used to try to eat everything on the floor too, but he thankfully outgrew it and now snubs his nose at anything that’s not delicious. Haha.
xo
s
Sarah Hedengren says
I’ve been cutting my husband’s hair for twelve years+. Crazy! I have five kids and cut their hair, too. And sometimes my own, also. (Although I need help on the back…)
I do it very similar to yours. Love this post!
Heather says
Loved this video. Have you ever used clippers on his head for really short haircuts? I have cut my husband’s hair for the two years we have been married. His hair is beginning to recede, and I want to eventually coerce him into going the totally buzzed route to prevent a combover like his older brother.
Do you think an amateur could learn how to give a flattop? They work well on receding hairlines.
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I’ve never used a buzzer, so I’m not sure. Good luck with everything!
xo
s
Naomi says
Been cutting my hubby’s hair since we were dating. I was sooooooooo nervous at first, but my mom stood by my side and gave me tips. She’s cut all the guys’ hair in our family (dad & 4 brothers) so that was helpful. I’ve been using clippers but think it looks too “uniform.” I’ll have to give it a go with just scissors. My hubby is sweet with everything I want to try :) And yes, he’s sported more than a few bad cuts :(
Sharon says
My husband wouldn’t even consider letting me cut his hair, and he is the most frugal person in the world. A while back, he mentioned that he could cut my hair! Yeah, right! I have naturally curly (and very thick) hair. Even professionals have a hard time cutting my hair well. I haven’t let him get near me with scissors. Our toddler didn’t have much hair for the longest time, but eventually her bangs got to the point of needing to be cut. I intended to take her to a kids salon. But, one day I came home from running errands and it was obvious that my husband had butchered her bangs. He cut them WAYYYY too short. And he didn’t even use my fancy hair cutting scissors! (Which I have because I cut my own bangs). He used our crappy regular scissors.
keni says
This was SO helpful. I cut my husband’s hair tonight for the first time solely based off this! it was kinda hard since his hair was to his shoulders, but i think it’ll be easier now that i can keep up on it before it gets that long again! thanks so much for this, gonna save us some serious $$$
Toni_D says
After reading this last year, I noted one of the comments below that talked about incorporating haircutting into foreplay. I figured the only way my boyfriend would ever give up his hairstylist and the $30 + tip every trip would be to turn it in to a romantic encounter. Cutting hair is very sensual, and I never really liked his very attractive female hairstylist.
I took a page from the woman that commented about playing harmless dominatrix, and I tried it out on my boyfriend. I purchased the equipment on sale at Sally’s and received helpful instructions from the clerk who told me that she routinely buzzes her boyfriend’s hair.
After purchasing the components for my domme costume in three online purchases, I figured I would see if I could give him a buzzcut. I told him I wanted to have some fun and I wanted him to take a seat in the kitchen chair. I placed a blindfold on his head and went to change. Before removing the blindfold, I told him to place his hands behind the chair. Click! He was handcuffed and then the blindfold came off for him to see me dressed to kill, to kill his need for going to the skanky hairstylist that has eyes for all her male clients.
After placing a piece of ducttape over his mouth to show him I was in control, I brought forth the clippers with the 1/8-inch cutting guard. I told him that his hair never did anything for me, and I told him it was time to become my submissive slave. Off went all his hair in about 7 minutes, and even though I was really nervous, I held it together. It’s not like you can mess it up as long as the guard stays on.
After an incredible night of lovemaking, he awoke the next morning and told me it was the most incredible night of his life. So, I became his domme barberette. After the third “forced” buzzing, he got on his knees and proposed. So this blog is partly responsible for our getting married in December.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, congrats Toni! May you joyfully cut his hair for the rest of your days :)
xo
s
Andrea says
After watching this video (more than once!) I decided to cut my 14 month old son’s hair (because my husband wouldn’t be my guinea pig). It was so easy and his hair turned out great!!!! I am super excited – thanks for the video!
PS I am in love with your website. I have finally been inspired after 2 years of living in our house and have used many of your ideas – window treatments, paint colors (loving the gentle tide & cool cucumber), framing, refinishing furniture, and now hair cuts. Thank you!!!
Andrea says
Oh dear I just read Toni’s post above mine – not sure I’m willing to go that far to get my husband to let me cut his hair, LoL. At least he just goes to BoRics for a $10 cut!!
Lindsey says
Ahhh! You guys are such lifesavers!! After attempting to cut my son’s hair tonight and giving him the “3 stooges” haircut you mentioned in the video yeah, it was bad….lol) I came rushing to your blog since I knew you had a tutorial. Your method is fool-proof and so quick (a must with a wiggly toddler!) I just plopped him in the booster seat, clicked on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, gave him a graham cracker and went to town on his sweet little head! He looks so adorable and I am just so grateful (yet again) for one of your many tutorials! Your posts are one of the highlights of this stay-at-home mom’s day! Thank you!!
YoungHouseLove says
SO GLAD!!
xo
s
hairstyleupdo says
This is a LOL tip on how we cut our hair on our own and at the same to save money going to a salon for a short trimming. I would like to try one of these now. Thanks for sharing.