How to Trim With a Hair Clipper
Investing in an electric hair clipper and a set of clipper guards will save you a lot of money in the long run by cutting out visits to the barber to get a simple trim. The guards make it easier to achieve the lengths you want, but you may need a friend to help you reach the areas in the back of your head that you might not be able to see or reach yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose the right guard for the length that you want. Most barber clippers come with a set of guards ranging from #1 to #8. A #1 guard is the shortest and will give you a 1/4-inch cut, while a #8 guard will give your hair a 1-inch cut. You can use the same guard all over your head for a uniform length, or use a shorter guard on the back of your head and a longer one on the top for a "faded" look.
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Wrap a towel or poncho around your shoulders to keep the falling hair off of your clothes and place some newspaper on the floor for easy cleanup. If the weather permits and you have a spot outside to do the trim, this would be even more convenient and reduce your cleanup work. If possible, plan to take a shower afterward to make sure you don't have any small bits of hair on your neck, which can be irritating to the skin.
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Plug the clippers into an electrical socket or extension cord and snap your chosen guard on the end. Make sure the guard is securely in place and turn the clippers on. To trim the top of your head, hold the clippers with the edge of the guard facing toward you; start at your hairline and run the clipper back across your scalp. The flat part of the guard should be right against your head. The guard will prevent your hair from being trimmed any shorter than the guard length.
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Change the guard if you want a shorter-length trim on the back of your head. You will be running the flat side of the guard up from the the nape of your neck and lift up gradually right before you reach the top of your head. You may need someone to help you reach the back of your head (or you can place a mirror behind you and in front of you so you can view those areas yourself).
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To clean up the edges around your neck and ears, switch to the shortest setting or use the blade of the clippers itself. Work slowly and trim off just a little at a time to make sure you don't overdo it. To work around your ears, hold your ear out of the way with one hand and gently touch the sharp edge of the blade against the longer hair around the ear. If you have sideburns, choose a guard that you want for their length and simply run the clipper against the fold of your hair. This same method is also used to trim the rest of your facial hair if you choose.
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