How to Cut Boys Hair at Home (Video Tutorial)

April 09, 2020

My dress is old, but this one is similar

Trying to figure out how to cut boys hair at home? It’s actually easier than you think! This video shows you step by step how to do it, plus I show you all the tools I use.

Everyone’s trying to figure out how to cut boys hair at home – you’re not alone!

We’re a few weeks into quarantine, and suddenly everyone is trying to figure out how to cut boys hair at home. Are your kids and husbands starting to resemble Wookiees too??

You’ve come to the right place.

I’ve got an easy video tutorial to show you how I cut my boys hair at home, with just a few simple tools. Boy hair cuts are actually easier than you think!

So many women have used this tutorial to learn how to do boy hair cuts

I first shared this tutorial a few years ago and since then I’ve hadhundreds of moms and wives successfully cut their sons and husbands hair.

Yes, they were all terrified to do it too, but then they did it! I promise, boy hair cuts are easy.

How I decide on the boy hair styles

For my husband and my two blondies, I do a shorter side and longer top.

#2 on the sides and back, scissors on the top

For B, we do a buzz cut with the same length all over:

#1 guard all over

When I first started cutting Philip’s hair, I used his previous professional hair cut as a guide, and just cut it down proportionally in each area. He’s changed his hair style a few times over the years, and that first cut is just kind of our best guess, and we cut slowly and carefully until we get what we want. Then it’s easy to just copy each time after that.

For the little blonde boys, I like their hair long on top because their hair is pretty fine and if I buzzed it they’d look bald.

B has tried growing his hair out several times, but his hair is really thick and dark and course, so he prefers a buzz cut.

Our best tips on how to cut boys hair (especially with wiggly little ones):

Put on a movie. We let them pick what they want to watch on the YouTube Kids app on my phone, and it distracts them and keeps them pretty still during their cut.
Make sure your tools are sharp to avoid pulling their hair. The kits that we’ve purchased come with oil for the blades to keep them from getting dull, and we replace our clippers every few years. You’ll know it’s time to replace when complaints get louder 😉 we own THIS CLIPPER SET, and after buying many cheap sets, we finally bought one that was nicer and it’s held up so well for years. It’s out of stock right now, so I’ve linked some other ones below.
Work quickly. We try to keep their entire haircut around seven or eight minutes. That’s about all they can handle.
For little toddlers, have Daddy hold them. San is finally old enough to sit during his cut, but up until recently I always made Philip hold him so he could keep his arms pinned down if needed, and move and turn him around as needed.
Get their hair wet. This makes it easier to cut and maneuver as you trim it. Have them stick their head under the sink before you start, or use a spray bottle with warm water.

These are the tools you’ll need for cutting boys hair at home

Oster Hair Clippers. I recommend getting a kit like this one that comes with all the different guards, scissors, and even a carrying case. They’re selling out everywhere, but THIS ONE is in stock!
Micro Groomsman Trimmer. This is such a handy tool for around their neck and ears. So quick and easy, although it is a little noisy so it kind of freaks Sanny out.
Hair cutting scissors. If you purchase a kit that includes scissors, you won’t need another pair. But if you do need a pair, these ones are $15 and have great ratings.
Medium width tooth comb. I don’t like the super fine tooth ones, and the super wide ones don’t work either. Something like this is perfect.
Spray bottle. You can cut dry hair, but wet hair cuts better!
Towel or hair cutting cape.Hair falling down on their shoulders and lap is really itchy and annoying. Definitely consider putting a towel or cape around their shoulders.

A few other highly rated hair clippers:

Watch this video to see how I cut my boys’ hair at home

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28 Comments

Nikki haymons says:
January 26, 2018 at 7:40 am
May i ask where your dress came from, very cute!
Reply
- Merrick says:
  January 29, 2018 at 4:39 pm
  It’s from a shop called Daisy Love Boutique, but it’s a few years old and not available anymore!
  Reply
Kristine says:
January 26, 2018 at 8:09 am
that was helpful! I’ve also been cutting my husband’s hair since we got married -almost 15 years ago! and now I cut our son’s hair, and it can be pretty tricky with super fine, blonde hair, just like your boys. I have the little trimmer too, and I’ve never thought to use it the way you do. I’ll give that a shot next time. 🙂
Reply
- Merrick says:
  January 29, 2018 at 4:40 pm
  That little trimmer is so quick and easy – you’ll love it!
  Reply
Sara says:
January 26, 2018 at 10:33 am
See Also
3 Ways to Cut Boys' Hair - wikiHow Boys Haircuts | 30 Trendy Styles to Rock This Year The 67 Best Haircuts for Teenage Boys for 2024
You’ve inspired me…I think i’m going to try it! 2 boys going every 4 weeks and caring about style…it’s too much! love his little faces!
Reply
Joanna says:
January 26, 2018 at 1:08 pm
You did this, but I wanted to make mention-when cutting little boys hair place your hand on their head and hold their hair in your fingers, then when they move it’s not a big deal. Looks great!
Reply
- Merrick says:
  January 29, 2018 at 4:40 pm
  Thank you!
  Reply
Alaina says:
January 26, 2018 at 2:36 pm
this was great! thank you! i have 3 boys around the same age as yours ans cut them myself too, similar to how you do it. BUT i struggle big time blending the shaved sides with the top. i know you mentioned small snips to blend but how? hah! i can never seem to do it really well without it looking like a bowl cut!
Reply
- Merrick says:
  January 29, 2018 at 4:38 pm
  Watch the video a few times on that part when I’m doing the small snips. You can see how I’m taking those pieces perpendicular to the “bowl cut line” and snip them shorter toward the short hair on the sides, and longer toward the long hair on top. Then comb it down and see which pieces are still not blended. Keep doing it til the whole side is blended. Hope that helps!
  Reply
Nicole says:
January 26, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Such a cute little face! I cut my HUSBAND’s and boy’s hair, TOO. Both my boys prefer a buzz because it’s faster and then I don’t have to “do” it every day. It works for me!
Reply
- Merrick says:
  January 29, 2018 at 4:40 pm
  Ha yep, same for my oldest!
  Reply
McKenna says:
April 19, 2018 at 10:03 am
Merrick, do any of your boys have cowlicks? My son has one in back and one in front and im wondering how that will affect a cut?
Reply
- Merrick says:
  April 19, 2018 at 1:23 pm
  Yes! They all have cowlicks. I just cut over them with the clippers to keep them short.
  Reply
  - Brit says:
    December 16, 2019 at 7:34 pm
    Thank you!! This was such an easy video to follow!
    I’m bad with scissors so I used a #8 on top and blended a tiny bit with a #4. I have to say, this is the best cut I’ve ever given my son!
Vida says:
May 5, 2018 at 8:37 am
This Video is so helpful! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Do you use product To stYle san’s hair? If so, what do you use? His hair is always so cute.
Reply
Robert Chase says:
October 28, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Here is a good tutorial for hair cutting. It would be a better help for me to apply DIY at home. Your advice works fine. Fantastic blog post about hair caring.
Reply
TARa says:
June 17, 2019 at 2:13 pm
What song is this?
Reply
A Few of the Best Amazon Prime Day 2019 Deals | Merrick's Art | Merrick's Art says:
July 31, 2019 at 3:02 pm
[…] HAIR CLIPPERS to cut your kids’ and husbands’ hair. (My hair cutting video tutorial is RIGHT HERE) […]
Reply
Christmas Gift Ideas For Men (Husbands, Dads, Brothers) | Merrick's Art says:
November 5, 2019 at 1:01 am
[…] This hair clipper is under $20 and has so many good reviews. I cut my husband’s hair – you can see a tutorial right here! […]
Reply
Missi says:
March 21, 2020 at 6:18 am
Your littke boy is so cute! His face during this hair cut is PRICELESS! My boys hate when i try to cut their haur and i mess it up all tge time Gonna try this and see if it Goes faster Thanks For posting
Reply
Amy says:
March 31, 2020 at 7:56 pm
Hi Merrick! Did you ever cut your boys’ hair when they were babies? I was Hoping to take my son for a first haircut Before his first birthday coming up in may, but it looks like we may be QuaRantined until then. I just want to trim around his ears and in the back, but i’m so nervous! Do You have any tips for babies? Thank you!
Reply
??? says:
April 10, 2020 at 12:32 pm
hi I thought ur video was SUPER useful!
:d
Reply
Jane says:
April 10, 2020 at 12:59 pm
I’m loving Sydney Cummings youtube channel. She posts a new workout everyday. Each workout requires little or no equipment.
Reply
Marissa says:
April 11, 2020 at 7:32 pm
Thanks!
Reply
Anna Birr says:
April 12, 2020 at 7:16 am
I have very short hair but I am starting to look a little shaggy too, I thought this would help me to maybe just clean up my hair a bit and it was a great help.
But what I really wanted to say is your family is so lovely and watching you with them is just an easter morning treat for me. I am older and have been quarantined for a month now and am missing family very much. But seeing you cutting your boys hair was wonderful…then your husband walks through and it was just so family! thanks for cheering me up. I never expected such a treat when I saw your email but this whole experience is teaching me that it really is the little things that make things great. you are wonderful for sharing
sincere regards, ambirr.
Reply
- Amy says:
  April 24, 2020 at 9:55 am
  I just cut my 15-month–Old’s hair, and he looks great! Thanks for the help!
  Reply
Emma says:
August 13, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Great video, in fact, the most important thing is to catch up and watch a few lessons, buy a good clipper. I used this review https://wisebarber.com/best-andis-clippers/ when I was looking for a good semi-professional clipper. After all with a good tool you can achieve better results and learning will be easier
Reply
Polly says:
September 17, 2021 at 5:59 am
The result often depends not only on the professionalism of the hairdresser, but also on the tools that he uses. The masters use the hair cutting scissors kit, which allow them to fully show all their skills and provide the best result
Reply

How to Cut Boys Hair at Home (Video Tutorial) - Merrick's Art (2024)

April 09, 2020

Trying to figure out how to cut boys hair at home? It’s actually easier than you think! This video shows you step by step how to do it, plus I show you all the tools I use.

Everyone’s trying to figure out how to cut boys hair at home – you’re not alone!