How to Trim Men's Hair at Home: A Stylist's Tutorial

close up of chris appleton with freshly trimmed hair — @chrisappleton1 / Instagram

Any amateur stylist will tell you that the at-home haircut is a delicate art. Just one overzealous chop or misdirected buzz can lead to awkward re-growth; so for any major updates, we always recommend seeing a professional stylist. With that being said, a simple men's trim is something that anyone can learn to master at home—just a few snips can bring an old cut back to life.

To give an amateur trim an expert finish, LA-based celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook says it's all about the tools. According to Brook, it starts with investing in quality clippers that won't pull on your strands. Using the clippers alongside sharp shears and a precise trimmer—plus fine and wide-toothed combs—is the ideal starting lineup for a DIY cut. Then all you need is the right technique.

Whether you're subbing in as a barber for your sibling, your partner, or a friend, nobody wants to be responsible for a lopsided cut. That's why we tapped a pro to take us through all of the steps for the perfect at-home men's haircut. Ahead, watch celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook's men's haircut tutorial demonstrated on her husband, Miki Bauer.

Meet the Expert

Sunnie Brook is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. Over the past 20 years, she's worked with celebrities like Jared Leto, Colin Farrell, and Noah Centineo and her work has appeared in publications including Vogue, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar.

What You'll Need to Trim Men's Hair:

Spray bottle
Comb
Alligator clips
Clippers with guards (recommended: Wahl Professional Senior Clipper)
Trimmers (recommended: Andis CTX Corded Trimmer)
Haircutting shears

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How to Do a Men's Haircut at Home with Celeb Stylist Sunnie Brook

01 of 09

Spray the Hair With Water

Before getting the clippers out, hydrate the hair with some generous spritzes of water. Be sure to only wet the sections of the hair that you want cut with shears. The parts of the hair that will be getting buzzed with clippers should stay dry.

02 of 09

Part Hair Into Sections

Use your comb to separate the hair into three parts: the longer portion at the top and the two shorter sides. Use your clips to secure each section.

03 of 09

Begin Clipping at the Back of the Head

After making sure that the hair is tangle-free and ready to be cut, begin clipping the length off of the back section, near the nape of the neck. Move up the hair gradually using a scooping motion.

04 of 09

Even-Out the Sides

Once the back is at the desired length, gradually clip forward, making your way up and over the ears. Repeat on the opposite side, but make sure to stay symmetrical.

05 of 09

Trim the Longer Pieces at the Back

Using the bottom of the occipital bone as a guide, trim the back layers using upward strokes.

06 of 09

Clean Up the Sideburns

Comb the sideburns forward and use the edge of your trimmer to gently clip overgrown strands along the edge of the ears.

07 of 09

Buzz Extra Length

To tackle extra length, pull the comb out to a 45-degree angle at the desired point and buzz off what's left out of the comb. To clean up the nape of the neck, follow the natural hairline and gently trim.

08 of 09

Even Things Out

Using a wide-tooth comb and scissors, point cut into the sides to blend. Use the comb as a makeshift guard and lightly snip to create a more blended look.

09 of 09

Give a Few Final Snips

Spritz the remaining hair at the top. Then pull sections out and use scissors to lightly trim them, starting with the longer pieces at the top and making your way down to the shorter pieces. Then all that's left to do is add a spritz of leave-in condition and enjoy!

How to Trim Men's Hair at Home for a Fresh, Crisp Look