Cutting your hair at home not only saves a few extra bucks, but also puts you in full control of the outcome. Especially if you’re particular about how your hair is trimmed, this may be the way to go… or at least worth a shot. Not all of us have the magic touch that hair experts do, but there are a few tips and tricks to make the process a bit smoother and make you feel more prepared when trimming men’s hair. Let’s get into it. While you’re creating your game plan, map out the various hair lengths. On the most basic level: The top of the head should be longer than the sides, so secure the top with clips so it’s out of the way. “This is usually from the temples to just past the round of the top of the head,” says Brook. While most men wear their hair in a short, layered, or clipper cut, each style has its nuances (and those are by no means the only three cuts available to men); feel free to search for some how-to videos of a similar hairstyle before getting started. You might feel more at ease than if you started winging it with clippers. And when you actually go about trimming, start at the front by the temples moving your way toward the back. Then repeat at the other side. The last tip to know when using clippers: the wrist flick. At the end of each stroke of the clipper, flick your wrist up and out. This will create a more gentle fade.