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Woody Lovell
Professional Barber
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Forum Comments (2)
You're also going to need a really good, clear shaving cream or gel—something that will allow you to still see the hair after you apply it, so you can shave a sharp line. And to create that sharp line, you're going to need a small, sharp razor. Even the cheap, disposable razors are really good because they're small, and the goatee is small, meaning any hairs you take off will be noticed.
The number one common mistake that men make when trimming and grooming their beards is making funny facial expressions. A guy will look in the mirror and he'll turn his face very firm to the right and then he'll put his razor up. But you do not want to make any unnatural facial expressions when you're trimming facial hair, because if you do, wherever you put that line when you're making that funny facial expression will be in a different place once you go back to a natural expression.
What You’ll Need:
• Sharp hair-cutting scissors (even high-end kitchen scissors will work)
• A good-quality comb
• A handheld mirror and a wall mirror to see the back of your head
• Electric clippers (for short styles or fades)
• A cape or towel to catch the hair
• Spray bottle with water, if you have straight hair on top.
General Tips Before You Start:
1. Start Small: Cut less than you think you need to.
2. Start in the back, from low to high.
3. Cut clean and dry hair.
4. Using clipper guards, start with the lowest guard, working your way up to the largest guard.
5. Good lighting and patience is a must.
For Short Hair (Clippers or Scissors):
1. Use the Right Guard: Start with a larger clipper guard than you think. You can always go shorter.
2. Blend in Sections: Move from the bottom up and gradually fade with smaller guards or scissor-over-comb.
3. Back of the Head: Use a handheld mirror and go slow. Use short strokes and check frequently.
For scissor work on top:
1. Spray the hair down with a water bottle.
2. Start in the front, working your way to the back, pulling hair up and cutting desired length off.
Photographs speak a 1000 words, so don’t hesitate to find an image of a haircut that you want to recreate. Finally, be realistic and don’t choose a photo of a celebrity with hair that doesn’t resemble yours.
Q&A Comments (18)
Co-authored Articles (18)
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