For this weeks Happy Homesteading post I wanted to talk about how to cut your little boys hair.
Haircuts can be expensive. As a mom of 2 boys and one happy husband, going to the salon every month really adds up to some serious cash. If you can learn how to cut boys hair at home and give the boys a nice cut; you will be save a ton of money for years to come.
My youngest son is 6 years old and I finally decided to take the time to learn how to cut my little boys hair. I was really afraid of messing up his hair, cutting him, or shaving him bald. So the way I learned to do it was by taking some lessons from my sister in law who is a professional hair dresser. Finally one day gave me some lesson and I have been cutting my boys hair ever since. I have only messed up once so far, so like with everything.. there is a learning curve. It’s nice since hair always grows back so you can try, try again.
HISTORY
As you know I like to bring in a couple of pictures from my family history in these Happy Homesteading posts..so I looked through all my albums to see if I could find any evidence of some bad hair cuts. I found a couple for your enjoyment. See… even if you try this out and fail a few times, it won’t be the first time.
This first cut I thought was funny was of this boy Herbert Olson (my great uncle). Looks like a definite bowl cut to me! Plus it’s a little bit shaggy too. 🙂
And of course…this picture of my Grandmother Marilyn in 1935 cracks me up! If that isn’t a haircut done at home I don’t know what is.
She is still absolutely adorable though…
HOW TO CUT YOUR LITTLE BOYS HAIR
I started with the clippers. I purchased a clippers set from Walmart for around $20. I used the clipper guard with the number 3 on it for my son. You can also buy a nice clipper set on Amazon for under $20 as well. You want to have a comb, some scissors, your clippers and the numbered guards.
Next, find one silly boy and make him drape a towel over his shoulders (they hate getting all itchy…).
Start by putting on that plastic Number 3 guard on the clipper and plugging it in. Hold the clippers in a 90 degrees angle and go straight up from the base of the neck. Cut it in an upwards motion. Do this all around his head.
THE EDGING
Take the guard off the top of your clippers, and do some cleaning up around the ears and the back of the neck. You can also use your scissors at this stage as well if you prefer. Be very careful not to nick his little ears, those clippers can be sharp.
Now you are DONE with the clippers. Get your scissors out for the rest! First step is to get his hair wet. My dollar store spray bottle broke (big surprise there…) so I just used a cup of water. My son LOVED that as you can tell (said sarcastically).
MAKING YOUR GUIDE CUT
To begin trimming the top of his hair, take a section in the front and make your “GUIDE”. Choose the length you want his hair to be for this guide.
Then holding your fingers as level across as possible cut the hair away.
Then if once you have your guide you will be cutting the rest of the hair that length.
View the top hair in 3 sections, the middle and the two sides. Starting at the front and working your way to the back do the middle section. Comb a section on his head up level with your fingers and snip away the longer hair to the length of the guide hair you cut. Use the guide cut all the middle section, then the sides.
Your last step will be blending the top of the hair with the shorter sides. To do this you need to cut at a 45 degrees angle like the angle this comb is at in this picture.
I used my fingers and just gently clipped the hair at that 45 degrees angle.
PS – Have I mentioned to you all how much I love this face? I do, I really do.
And then you are all DONE! Woo hoo! Another $15 saved. Here is the end result (just like at the salon!)
My son was thrilled to be done…and get all that hair off him. Time to head on over to shower off!
Because getting a haircut can be ITCHY!
Thanks for reading… I hope you try to cut your own son’s hair too to save some money. I haven’t yet tried to cut my daughters hair, I need another lesson from my sister in law for that one.
And if you are looking for a nice Clippers Kit – check out this one on Amazon for under $20.
For the cost of one haircut (around $15) you can buy some clippers, do it yourself and save lots of money.
Savings Breakdown:
Cost of 1 Haircut around $15 w/tip
My son gets a haircut at least once every 2 months ($15 x 6 = $90 per year)
$90 per year x 2 sons + one husband = $270
Buying Clippers – $20
Final: $250 per year saved by learning to cut your own boys hair!
Final thoughts. If you don’t feel comfortable trying this out yourself first, ask someone who does it to come over and teach you how. Or watch some youtube videos on it. But you can do it! Even if you mess up the first time keep trying. It is so worth it to save all that money.
Do you cut your own boys hair? Any tips or other helpful info you can add to this?
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About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Rebecca Laird says
Thank you for the very helpful information!
3bees- says
I’ve never taken either of my boys to a barber. I’ve been cutting their hair since their first haircuts. I also do my daughter’s trims- if she wants a completely new style, either my sister or my cousin (who are both hair dressers) do it for me. My mom went to school for hair, so she always did our hair, and my dad’s when they were married. Now I do his, and my brothers. The thought of paying for a haircut is ridiculous to me! LOL
Happy.MoneySaver says
I understand. For me it has just been a lot of practice! 🙂
Amo says
I have been cutting my husbands hair for 30+ years now and my son’s hair since he was 1 years old (23 years now). I also took my trimmers to Saudi when I was deployed for the first Gulf War. Which was a good call because there was no barbers in the war zone. I made spare money in tips to pay for any extras I needed while I was deployed. I cannot imagine how much money over the last 30 years we have saved. All I can say to those that have not tried because of fear, get over it. You are going to mess up from time to time (I have), but it is just hair (it will grow back). And as far as the kids being a wiggle worm just wiggle with them. Note: from my experience, try to keep the cut hair out of their eyes, it will go much smoother. I only use trimmers, and have never mastered the scissors. Happy cutting.
P.S. my husband has a pointy head so I have to use one size smaller guard just over the top of his head to make it not look so pointy.
Donna F says
I always gave my sons a burr with short bangs when they were little. Too cute and easy. Later they wanted the spiked hair or flat top. By then I had gained the skills to do it.
Melinda says
Hello! I cut my boyfriend’s hair all the time. You can do the whole thing with clippers, including a fade really easily! Put the #2 or #3 on the clippers. Then cut all the hair at the back of the head in a scooping motion, but ONLY to the cranial nub/ bone thing in the back of the skull. Then do the next number up the rest of the way to the spiral at the back of the head.
You can fade by putting the lower # back on the clippers and holding it at a 90* angle to the head and buzzing straight up along the line between your two cuts.
Then select something longer (a #6 is nice) and do the top of the head. Fade it the same way.
I learned how through practice and this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5AYjyMVfho
Amanda says
I have also been cutting my boys hair for years, it saves a ton of money with 3 boys and a husband. I had a problem with the ear and next areas on one of my boys. It would irritate his skin horribly when I used the razor without the guard, and I was always worried I would cut them. My solution was spending another $20 and I bought an electric bikini razor, I keep it with the clippers and use it every time I cut their hair. It will shave clean to the skin, but has a mess guard to avoid nicks and rashes. It also came with an eyebrow trimmer extension and a mini adjustable comb. I have used the same one for probably 6 years now, so it was not a big cost over all. The one I use, in case anyone is interested is $20 on Amazon, and called Remington WPG-2000 Smooth & Silky Women’s Body and Bikini Kit.
Shana Trahan says
I have been curting my husband’s and our best friend’s hair for a few years now. My son is 18 mo and just starting to get long pieces in the front. But I am a bit apprehensive about it since he moves so much. I have started having him sit in a chair while I comb his hair with the guard, and try to keep him still. Then I will try doing it while the buzzers are on so he gets used to the sound. We shall see, I can’t cut my own, ans still don’t likw to pay one cut a year! Lol
Melinda says
Hi! My little brother loved the clippers but hated scissors. We’re always telling kids that scissors are dangerous, so they become something scary! Plus, it’s easier to get an even cut with your little bug when you’re using clippers.
P.S. Pro-tip- always tell kids you’re giving them a hair TRIM, not a hair CUT. Cutting sounds scary and painful. I saw a children’s haircutter use this technique and a little girl who was hysterical calmed down as soon as the word “cut” was replaced with “trim.”
Pam says
I’ve been cutting my husband’s hair since before we got married almost 30 years ago. I’ve never used clippers before but after seeing this tutorial, I’m gonna get some! Thank you so much, it looks like you just made my job quicker, easier and safer. He gets really mad when I poke him with the scissors trying the cut the neck hairs short. :\
Jlynn says
I know this is old post but I am working up courage to tackle my nearly 3 year olds hair. My niece who is a hair dresser trims it for free but she is busy and getting her to have time to come over can take some work so I am wanting to maybe tackle it on my own. The problem I have is his hair is curly and I do not want to take too much off.
Clarissa Hooper says
Oh man does my toddler need a haircut! I wish he would sit still enough for me to do this!
Sam says
Like my son I was very ticklish and wish my Barber had done this. Use the handle of the clippers and massage around the shoulders, neck, and back of head. This will get them used to the vibrating sensation and keep the pulling away and jumping to a minimum. Also you need something or someone to get their attention and look forward. We use one of those noisy flashing light toys that you get at carnivals and the circus.
Lesley says
That little guy is a-dor-able!!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Kimberly C says
Thank you for this post!! I have two boys, 27 months and 8 months. I’ve been trying to talk my husband into letting me cut my toddler’s hair for MONTHS because I don’t like spending $20+ every 6 weeks or so on haircuts for him. He has been really opposed to the idea because he isn’t sure I’ll know how to do it, so I’m hoping this post with the pictures will convince him. Thank you!
Lauren says
For anyone afraid to try… Unless your paying $30+ on a men/boys cut there is a 50/50 chance the stylist will do a terrible job anyway…now that Ive been cutting for about 6 or 7 years when my boys do get cut at the barber they are unhappy with it …for $15 bucks you will get a very basic and often times sloppy cut. Once you have mastered cutting your boys and/or husbands hair they will thank you. If your pocky like me they may be annoyed about the extra time spent but will thank you later. Best time to try it out is the summer. Start with a longer cut and work your way shorter if needed especially the first few times. If you really mess up at least they will enjoy a buzz cut as a nice summer cool down and you really cant mess those.l
Emily says
Great tutorial! And can I just say that your windows are amazingly clean! Wow!
Karrie says
Why thank you! I wish the windows always would stay that clean… 🙂
Lisa says
I’ve been cutting my husband’s hair for the past five years. Usually we are in a hurry, so we just buzz it (#5 guard), but occasionally I trim up the top like you explained. We try to stick to a tight budget so I can’t imagine spending $15-30 a month on hair cuts! If I ever have sons I will be doing this too!
Donna says
I’ve cut my son’s hair and my husbands hair for years. They all wear it short, and I only use the clippers on them. But I use 3 different guards. First they decide how long they want it this time and I cut it all that length, then I use the next size down and do from around the side of the head to down the neck, then I change the guard to the next size down and do the back of the neck. My guards come in 8 (1″), 7 (7/8″), 6 (3/4″), 5 (5/8″), 4 (1/2″), 3 (3/8″), 2 (1/4″), and is 1 missing? Hmm. It also has right and left ear tapers. Cutting it in 3 stages using the clippers means I don’t have to try to cut their hair with scissors, (which I can’t do!) That might be less scary for anyone new at cutting their fella’s hair! (I only use the ear taper guards when they choose shorter blades or it tends to take too much off.) For my husband, his hair has gotten so thin on top that we just buzz it off all one length, which is super simple! Anyone can do that!
Ashleigh says
Oh man, this post gave me a serious case of the giggles! Liam’s face and all the pictures just cracked me up. Brought a smile to my face. I just cut my hubby’s hair last night, thinking of doing the little man today. That’s for all the great tips!
Kim Button says
I learned to cut boy’s hair when I had my first son and then we had 4 more boys so we saved a ton of money! I also cut my husband’s hair. We’ve never paid a barber so I spend the savings on MY hair!=)
Karrie says
That is awesome Kim, I wish I would have conquered my fears about this earlier, my oldest son is 13 and I am just starting to cut his hair too. But I will be saving for sure now. 🙂
becca P says
I’m going to save this for when my son is a little older. He’s 1 and quite a wiggle worm
Momof2 says
When my son was little I would wait till he was napping and then go outside and sit in the grass and cut his hair with him sleeping in my lap! Worked like a charm! But my kiddos can sleep anywhere and through anything!