How to Cut Short Hair During Lockdown

If you’ve found yourself embarking on Lockdown 2.0 with a boyfriend, particularly one who prides himself on keeping his hair slick and trim, chances are you’ve had the discussion already. With barbers forced to remain shut (once again!) until December 2 at the earliest, many men are concerned about the prospect of a possible lockdown extension and the subsequent length that’ll add to those locks…

While some relish in the opportunity to see what they’d look like with a slightly more undone, rugged ‘do, others are anxious to keep their hair looking slick and trim – with several looking to their partners once again to step up and perform.

But how (HOW!) do you trim short hair? Even if you have a super short pixie cut yourself, performing such precise work – particularly when armed with basic kitchen tools and your natural scissor-happy instinct kicks in – feels surprisingly daunting. After all, a couple-too-many centimetres snipped off our own tumbling tresses by our hairdresser feels like a betrayal. A centimetre too much on this already barely-there bonce could spell disaster.

STEP 1

Decide the gradient. It’s a good idea to choose between three and four different gradients, depending on the desire height of the fade. If he likes to keep more length on top, you’ll only need to opt for three.

STEP 2

Starting with the shortest gradient (lowest number) first, run the clippers through the hair from the neck to the top of the ears, not forgetting the sideburns. Sweep in an upwards motion, and once you reach the ears lift the clippers away from the hair with an upwards, outwards flick. This will give the slight, opening gradient and avoid any blunt edges.

STEP 3

Ensure you shake the clippers every so often to remove any hair lodged between the blades, as this could cause them to clog and malfunction, resulting in an awkward ten minute recharge whilst your partner’s hair looks like a mushroom.

STEP 4

Begin your second gradient (second lowest number) and continue with an upwards, outwards flick 2-3cm higher than your previous, ear-height line. This is your first look at the ‘fade’, so keep an eye on the graduation and make sure there’s not an obvious line. If there is, go over it again with this gentler blade length.

STEP 5

If you’re going for a higher fade, continue Step 4 with your third choice gradient (third lowest number) for another 1-2cm.

STEP 6

Select your final gradient (highest number) and blend the most recent section with the fuller top. This blade length will be very subtle and will serve only to thin and blend the bulk on top with the previous level.

STEP 7

Ta-da! Depending on the result, either apply for your salon apprenticeship immediately or run and hide from your partner for the reminder of isolation.