Cutting long hair for men is easy enough, but it requires a little extra effort instead of simply cutting all the sides to the same length. If the hair is the same length, it will look heavy and boring, and won't move much. By adding a few subtle layers, you can create medium or long hair that's easy to wash, style and love!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Trim Hair
Step 1. Apply shampoo and conditioner, then dry your hair with a towel
It's easier to make a more precise cut when your hair is still damp, but if it's still too wet, your hair can stretch and appear longer than it actually is. So that you don't cut your hair too short, ask the owner of the hair to wash and apply conditioner to the hair, then gently pat with a towel until it feels slightly damp.
- If your hair is very curly, you will get the best results if you cut it dry. Hair appears longer when dry, so cutting it dry will make it easier for you to visualize the end result.
- You can also spray a little water on your hair to moisturize it, if you prefer. Just make sure the hair is dry enough to look a bit supple like its original shape.
Step 2. Comb the man's hair while it is still damp
Comb the top of the hair into a vertical center. The hair should be in tufts to the sides of the head, while the hair in front of the ears is combed slightly forward. After that, comb the rest of the hair back so that it looks even at the back of the man's neck.
You can try arranging your hair into a horseshoe shape starting at the back of one ear and going around the top of your head, then ending behind the other ear. Comb part of the hair forward so that it hangs in front of the face in men, then comb the rest to the side and back
Step 3. Use the tip of the scissors to trim the hair at the back of the neck
Pull the hair down and hold the clippers so they are parallel to the hair. Place the tip of the scissors in the section of hair you want to cut, then cut the section straight along the back of the neck. This technique is known as point-cutting, and will give the hair a softer look. If you hold the scissors at an angle and cut straight, the result will be very stiff and the hair will not be able to move naturally.
- To leave as much length of hair as possible, simply trim about 1.5 cm to 0.6 cm at the ends. This will help remove split ends. If you cut more than that length, remember to consider the length of the hair that will shrink as it dries. This is because the hair will stretch when wet, making it appear longer. Curly hair will appear shorter when dry than when it's wet, but straight hair will appear slightly shorter when dry.
- We recommend that you use a special shaving scissors to trim hair. You can buy these scissors at beauty supply stores, as well as at grocery stores.
Style Tip:
Pull your hair straight down and keep your fingers as close to your neck as possible so you don't cut your hair too short.
Step 4. Cut the hair on the sides using the back hair as a guide
When you're done trimming the back of your hair, switch to one side. Comb the hair in front of the ear so that it is straight down, then take a little hair from the back so you can see the change in length. After that, hold your hair with your fingers slightly tilted forward, towards the front of your head, then cut your hair so that it is the same length as the part bordering the back area, and slightly shorter when approaching the face area. After that, repeat this step on the other side of the head.
The length of the hair at the back serves as a guide to help you determine other lengths of hair that you want to trim
Step 5. Comb all the hair in front of the ear in a forward direction
After trimming both sides of the head, use a comb to brush the hair toward the front of the man's face. After that, use your fingers to pull the hair as straight as possible.
Cutting hair that's combed to the side can help the length mix with the back more evenly, but combing it forward can make it easier for you to check for accuracy
Step 6. Compare the two sides to make sure they are the same length
After brushing your hair forward, pay close attention to the front of the hair, then pull some hair from both sides to the front of the man's face. For example, you could take the hair that is near his forehead and tie it together. Hair length should be the same. If there are any uneven parts, make slight adjustments until the pieces are symmetrical.
- After making the changes, you will need to brush your hair to the side to make sure the length is still evenly blended back.
- If you want, you can stop here. Blow dry your hair, then check the length to make sure it is even on both sides and there are no more trimmings. However, to create a natural look that looks like a professional cut, add some subtle layers.
Method 2 of 2: Adding Layers
Step 1. Comb the hair according to the part desired by the man
After trimming the hair to the desired length, comb again. This time, part the hair as desired. This can be a center split, or a side split. This will make the cut look more natural when it's finished.
To find a natural parting, comb your hair straight back, then pull it forward a few times with a comb. Look for places where the hair is naturally parted
Step 2. Pull about 1.3 to 2.5 cm vertically from the back area of the hair
Use a comb to separate the section of hair that extends from the crown to the back of the neck. This section should be between 1.3 and 2.5 cm wide. Pinch your middle and index fingers in that section and slide them all the way to the ends so that the hair lifts straight off the man's head.
When a few strands of hair fall from your fingers, stop moving them. This is the guide section that will help you determine the length of the layer you want to cut
Step 3. Use the point-cut technique to trim the hair in a straight line in the area you are holding
Once you see the guide hair falling from your fingers, use the tip of the scissors to cut the area you're holding vertically. Cut all the way up while continuing to hold the section straight away from your head.
This technique creates a smooth, soft layer, and removes weight from the bottom of the hair
Step 4. Repeat the same steps in the new section while using some of the chopped hair as a guide
Drop the trimmed part, then grab the hair next to it. The new section should be the same width as before, no more than 1.3 to 2.5 cm. When separating a new section of hair, take a bit of hair from the previous section. Use the hair as a guide to determine the length of hair that needs to be trimmed in the new section.
If you can't see the shorter hair, you may be picking up too much hair. Drop the part you are holding and try again. This time by picking up less hair
Step 5. Continue the process all over the area behind the head that is behind the ears
Cut the hair in groups from the bottom to the top of the head, from one side to the other. Stop when you get to the ear area as you will need to use a slightly different technique to trim the hair on the sides and top.
- Each time you take a new section, take a small section of hair that has already been trimmed. This will ensure that you create a consistent layer across the entire head area.
- The use of the hair length from the previous section as a guide is referred to as a "travel guide".
Step 6. Lift the hair to a 45° angle while cutting the top and sides
When you reach the sides of your head, instead of lifting straight hair from your head, lift it at a 45° angle. Use the same technique as before to trim this entire section with scissors. Holding the hair at a slight angle can make it follow the curve at the top of the head so that the layers of hair fall naturally. These layers will also blend more subtly with the trimmed parts in the back.
- Continue to use the trimmed hair as a guide when creating layers of hair on the sides and front. The length of the layer must be consistent from back to front.
- Check the sections by matching them to each other when you're done layering the hair. Pull the sections straight, tilt them slightly, then stretch them sideways to compare the lengths to make sure no section is longer than the other.
Style Tip:
To create a more shaped layer, pull the front part of the hair up instead of cutting it at a 45° angle.
Step 7. Dry the man's hair and check to make sure the cut looks even
After the piece dries, if any part of your hair looks different, use a pair of scissors to trim it. Remember, only use the tip of the scissors. Otherwise, you may leave a "line" in your hair and need to trim your hair shorter to fix it.
