Here is my question. :)
I have two boys ages 3 1/2 and 5. I usually take them to a place for haircuts, get it cut pretty short, and it lasts a couple months. Well, we are due for a cut and it's getting hot out. My husband has suggested doing it himself in the yard with his clippers to save money. Cuts for the two of them (plus tip) usually cost about $30. My husband is working reduced hours right now (his office is really slow - and they are trying to avoid more layoffs) and we'll be dipping into our emergency savings to make ends meet until he is back to regular hours.
It seems like a no-brainer to me - of course we should save the $30 and just cut their hair ourselves... but I am hesitating because I'm afraid they will look terrible... his sister is getting married the first week in August, if we screw it up now, could it be fixed before the wedding or will it still be too short? Will I be too embarrassed to take them in public if we make them look totally stupid? :)
I know there are more important questions out there... but someone please advise me. Do we save the cash or take them in? My husband is ready to go with the clippers this weekend :)
J.
Well OK! :) We'll do it! My husband said he does have the guards, and he'll do it this weekend. Thanks ladies! Especially thanks to the person who posted the links to videos. Very helpful!
I have always cut my son's hair. My concern would be if his clippers are hair cutting clippers with guards. With a guard, you really can't mess it up. Start with a 3 and move to a 2 than a 1 if you want. Then it won't be too short from the start.
I'm a hairstylist and I say go for it! The hair should be dry when using clippers, and the lightly wet the top if you plan on using scissors there.
Use a 2 guard from the base of the neck to the top of the ears. Then, use a 4 guard from that point to about the point of the eyebrow.
Then for the top, either use scissors and a comb to cut it and texturize a bit so you can spike it, or use the largest guard you have (about an 8, it will be pretty short).
If you do that and it messes us, by August, it should be grown out enough to have it cleaned up at a salon for the wedding.
Here's a little video on a similar haircut for boys. It's the same cut I give my 2 and 4 year old sons as well.
Use this technique for blending areas with scissors, and texturizing the top:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpkO0_F0XZo
Cut it yourself!!! It is so easy you will be wondering why you've been paying the $30 all along. Use the guards and you'll be fine!
My husband has been cutting my son hair (6yrs old) and even his own hair. He has a clipper and than all the different size guards. My husband does his shorter than our sons, but we like it better that way. No one can believe my husband cuts his own hair, its fun to watch him do it....it's one thing to make it one lenght, but to fade it all together....I call that talent....lol
Start with a #6 guard and work your way down and find a lenght you like. We make the sides and back longer than the top, but not a dramatic change. Just fade it in nicely....it is always easier to cut more off than to put it back on....
Yes you have plenty of time if it doesn't turn out for it to grow out.
Both of my boys wear buzz cuts year around. They love it because they never have to worry about taking care of their hair. They will have time to grow and adjust by August. It will be great memories for them also.
i never thought i could cut hair but i have been cutting my husbands hair for 5 years and i cut my son hair too. they both have fast growing hair and i have to cut it for them every 2 weeks. i cannot imagine paying someone else to do it that often.
Flowbee
Yes, the as seen on TV thing. We have been using it on our two boys for years. My husband uses it. My father uses it. My brother-in-law uses it. It is a bit pricey ($70 if you have your own shop vac). You can do really short or longer. Lots of lengths. You can't accidentally cut your kids and there is no clean up.
Hi J.,
I also cut my boys' hair on my own... and it's definitely worth saving the money! A few times I've broken down and taken them in for haircuts and I always regret it! I end up cutting more once I get them home! Like others have said, use the guards. Start larger and move smaller until you find a length that you like. I use a 2 on the back and sides and then cut the top with scissors (about a finger width)... I keep my boys' hair pretty short... so if you want it a bit longer... move up on the guards. Good luck - you'll do great!
-D.
we've always done our own haircuts. it's really simple, and you can always go to a hair stylist to "fix" it if it really is that awful.
It's worth it to cut yourself. It will grow out a little by the wedding. We do buzz cuts on the boys in the summer because it is so freakin' hot here. They will be fine.
I cut my son's hair myself. I have paid the $15 + tip, and come home every time dissatisfied, and ended up re-cutting it myself.
We use the regular store bought clippers with guards. In the summer, we go really short, just shy of a total buzz cut.
If you want a place to start, what I do is start with the top, and a #4 guard (I think they are pretty standardly numbered for length.) Then, I do a #2 on the back and sides. Then, we blend with a #3. You could try that first, and see if it seems to be ok. You can always go a little shorter if this isn't short enough for you, but it also leaves a tiny bit of room for fixing, if you don't like the way it turns out.
Definitely - do it yourself. Little boys are so easy, and I agree with the short cut for summer. Too hot, too sweaty for long locks!
Like the other poster mentioned you need to be sure the clippers have a guard and also make sure the blades are well oiled. My husband cuts his own as well as our son's hair and one time the blades were not oiled and the clippers pulled at my sons hair as it was cutting which he said hurt him.
