Alright, so check it, today I’m gonna walk you through my recent obsession: flat top haircuts for men. I know, I know, sounds kinda old school, right? But trust me, when done right, it looks killer. Here’s how I tackled it.
First off, I did a bunch of research. I mean, YouTube became my best friend for a solid week. I watched like, a million videos on different techniques, blade sizes, fading… the whole shebang. I wanted to get a solid grasp on the basics before even touching my hair.
Next up, gathering the gear. You absolutely need a good set of clippers. I already had a decent Wahl set, but I decided to splurge a little and get some professional-grade Andis clippers. They make a HUGE difference, seriously. Also snagged a comb, some barber scissors, and a spray bottle with water. Oh, and a mirror, obviously. Two mirrors, actually – one to see the front and one to see the back. That’s crucial.
Okay, so here’s where the real fun begins. I started with clean, dry hair. That’s super important. Wet hair clumps together and you can’t get a clean, even cut. I sectioned my hair off – top, sides, and back. I used clips to keep the sections separate, makes things way easier.
I started with the sides. Using a #2 guard (that’s 1/4 inch), I buzzed upwards, against the grain, stopping about an inch or two below where I wanted the flat top to start. This is all about creating a good foundation for the fade. I went over it a couple of times to make sure everything was even.
Then, I switched to a #1 guard (1/8 inch) and repeated the process, going up a little higher than the #2. This creates the first layer of the fade. Remember to flick the clippers outwards as you reach the top of the section – this helps blend it in smoothly.
Alright, now for the tricky part: the top. This is where the comb comes in. I used the comb to lift my hair straight up, and then used the clippers to cut off the ends, creating that flat, level surface. This takes practice, man. The first few times, I ended up with a bit of a slope, but I kept at it. The key is to keep the comb perfectly horizontal and to take your time.
Once I had the basic shape of the flat top, I started blending the top into the sides. This is where the barber scissors came in handy. I used a technique called “point cutting” – holding the scissors vertically and snipping into the hair at an angle. This helps soften the line between the flat top and the faded sides. I also went back over the sides with the clippers, using a #0 guard (no guard) to clean up the edges and make the fade even smoother.
Finally, the finishing touches. I used a hand mirror to check the back of my head for any stray hairs or uneven spots. A little more snipping here and there, and I was done!
Honestly? The first attempt was… rough. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have left the house. But I kept practicing, watching more videos, and refining my technique. Now? I can give myself a decent flat top in about 45 minutes. It’s all about practice, patience, and not being afraid to mess up. So, grab some clippers and give it a shot! You might surprise yourself.
