The Blue line represents where hair would be. The red lines indicate the zones created by cranial features of the skull. Numbers are Clipper guard length references
This article is called how to cut your own hair for men. It’s not called, how to recreate every style known to man and woman. The main focus here is more to inspire you to take the plunge rather than provide comprehensive details to cover all styling angles. So without much further ado, let’s hop right in.
Ok with the disclaimer out of the way, it’s time to look at why you might actually want to learn how to cut your own hair with clippers to begin with. If we assume that an average man might frequent the barber once a month, at the least expensive places ($10 a cut), that a savings of $120 a year. That doesn’t seem like much but, a) it adds up, and b) there are the hidden costs like time and fuel spent getting to the barber. A frugal person figures his time (another good reason to give up T.V.) to have value even when engaged in activities other than work and so your $10 is probably closer to $25.
The hair style I’m wearing these days could be described as the Army’s, “High and Tight,” which is ironic because while I was in the military I hated it. Getting out, I tried to go with longer hair, only to be reminded of the cowlicks that plagued me through the dating years in high school. Anyhoo… the High and Tight is a clipper cut, although depending on how long you’d like your bangs to be, you could use scissors to trim them and clippers to blend it all together.
The first step in cutting your own hair is developing a plan of attack. You need to be aware of the general shape of your head because in a lot of cases, you’ll be using certain, “landmarks,” versus looking in the mirror. For example, the base of your skull, extends away and up from the spine before curving around to form the top of your head. That directional change creates a symmetrical and level mark around the back of the head. In the case of recreating the High and Tight style, this line will represent a transition mark for your clipper guards. Below the transition line, I use a 6mm guard, above the transition line a 9mm guard. The top gets a 12mm guard.
Now that we have a plan of attack, it’s time to assemble and prepare our gear. For a clipper cut, if you’re doing a uniform length, all you’ll need are clippers and the guard for the length you’d like. If you’re doing a high and tight, you’ll need several guards of different lengths. For other styles, you’ll also be including scissors and combs. For clippers, makes sure they are well lubed. They’ll cut more efficiently and your battery will last longer (granted it’s battery powered 
). Oh and speaking of clippers, models that are submersible are easier to clean.
Now that everything is assembled, you’ll need to find a suitable location to cut your hair. Suitable means, well lit, preferably has a mirror, and will be easy to clean. Cutting your hair on the living room carpet, in front of the TV would probably be a bad idea. A drop cloth is also a good idea. In my house, the entire area around the tub is enclosed and I hang a plastic bag off the faucet. Then as hair is cut, it goes directly into the plastic bag.
arrow one represents the clippers following the contour of the head (incorrect). Arrow 2 represents the clippers following up the sides of the head and straight up into the air, no controuring (correct).
Ok everything is prepared and double checked, time to cut. Now cutting your hair with clippers is a lot like mowing the grass. I start with the clippers and a 6mm guard, going just over the left ear and straight down the back of the head and neck. Then holding my hand along the ridge of the lower skull, I trim from the base of the neck, up to my hand. Once everything below the ridge has been trimmed, from ear to ear, it’s time to switch to the 9mm clippers and trim above the ridge. Note that with the 9mm guard, you can trim in the 6mm area without cutting any hair. Along the sides of the head, I trim up without following the curve of the head (see diagram). For the top, it’s a 12mm from front to back, again, like mowing grass. After that, it’s just a matter of using each guard in its own zone, until you hear no more cutting sounds. And you’ve done it.
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