How to Give a Crewcut

You can give yourself a crew cut at home.

Although the US Military adopted the crew cut in WWII, the crew cut actually got it's name from being worn by the rowing crews at Harvard and Yale Universities as far back as the 1890's. You can vary this hairstyle by changing the length at the front and top, but the basic way to accomplish it remains the same.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp scissors
• Hair-cutting cape, garbage bag or towel
• Mirror
• Hand mirror
• Hair-cutting clippers with various guards
• Belt

Instructions

1. Cover your shoulders if you want to be protected from falling hair.

2. Wrap a belt around the head roughly the level of the top of the forehead and pull it snug. The area below the belt will be cut with a short guard on the clippers.

3. Set the clippers at the shortest setting if you want a nearly shaved appearance for the bottom of your crew cut. If you want it longer looking adjust the shaver to a longer setting accordingly.

4. Cut all of the hair below the belt, double checking for missed pieces.

5. Remove the belt.

6. Set clipper blade guard to the longest setting.

7. Cut the top of the hair from back to front. Each time you move the clippers forward, gently pull upward. This will make the hair turn out a little longer in the front than at the back.

8. Change the blade guard to one size shorter and blend the top to the bottom with short, using upwardly angled motions.

9. Use scissors and a comb to correct any mistakes or missed hairs at the hairline.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a hand-mirror to check the back of your head for accuracy.

• You can use a black plastic garbage bag as a hair-cutting cape by cutting a hole in the bottom for your head and using a hair clip to secure the neck.

• Do not operate electric clippers near water.

• Make sure clippers are maintained and sharpened properly.

References

• The Free Dictionary: Crew Cut
• Cool Men's Hair: Crew Cut Hairstyles; How to Do a Crewcut