A gentleman's guide to cutting your own hair

There are moments in history when humanity takes a definitive step forward. [The Journal]( | [Click here]( to view online version [Mr Porter]( [What’s New]( [Designers]( [Clothing]( [Shoes]( [Accessories]( [Watches]( [Grooming]( [Sports]( [What’s New]( [Designers]( [Clothing]( [Shoes]( [Accessories]( [Watches]( [Grooming]( [The Journal]( [What's Happened To The The Journal]( [Grooming]( [A Foolproof Guide To Cutting Your Own Hair]( Words by Ms Jessica Punter [So, who feels like their world has turned upside over the past few weeks? If you’re anything like us, you’ve likely gained a new appreciation for once simple pleasures like grabbing a coffee, going for a swim or that routine trip to the barber.]( [Certainly, anyone currently cohabiting with a hairstylist has hit the jackpot for the foreseeable future, because now is not the time to call out a mobile hairdresser. However, self-isolation does not mean we have to forgo all creature comforts, nor emerge resembling Mr Leonardo DiCaprio’s hirsute frontiersman in The Revenant. While we wouldn’t typically recommend cutting your own hair, these unprecedented times call for practical solutions. As the world gets busy making sourdough starters and learning Portuguese, it’s wise to add personal barbering skills to your repertoire. To wit, we enlisted the help of session stylist, Mr Lee Machin, who gave us the below tips.]( [Read more]( [01. Prep your kit]( [Daily]( [Before you embark on your first home haircut, may we suggest that you invest in the proper tools. If you don’t have a suitable rearview mirror set-up in your living quarters, a handheld mirror will be essential to get a good angle on the back of your scalp. Mr Machin advises getting “a decent set of clippers, such as the Wahl Cordless Super Taper. The cordless feature makes using them a dream – in the bathroom or outside for less mess – and you can also use them as a beard trimmer.”]( [02. Don’t rush it]( [Categories]( [Once you’re suitably equipped, be sure to carve out an adequate amount of time for your first attempt. Unnecessary pressure usually leads to mistakes, so don’t be tempted to squeeze in a quick chop if you’re likely to be pulled into a Zoom meeting halfway through. Similarly, you will get better results with clean hair, so a thorough shampoo is an essential part of the preparation. Start by removing any dirt or product build-up by using a purifying shampoo (Christophe Robin and Horace do brilliant ones), then rinse and repeat for a deeper cleanse. You might be tempted to skip it, but always dry the hair thoroughly before you start – this will make the work easier for the blade and give an accurate view on the length that you are cutting.]( READ ALL ABOUT IT [SHOP THE STORY]( [VID1]( [Doers of London]( [Shampoo, 300ml]( [VID2]( [Lavett & Chin]( [Daily Conditioner, 236ml]( [VID3]( [Horace]( [Hair Kit]( [VID4]( [Christophe Robin]( [Cleansing Thickening Paste, 250ml]( [Latest]( [Read More]( [Grooming]( [Read More]( [Watches]( [Read More]( [Travel]( [Read More]( [Lifestyle]( [Read More]( [Fashion]( [Read More]( [Health In Mind]( [The Journal]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( [Pinterest]( [Download the app] [Download on the App Store]( [Get it on Google Play]( MR PORTER is a registered trademark of THE NET-A-PORTER GROUP LTD 1 The Village Offices, Westfield, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GF. UK company number: 3820604 To view our Privacy Policy [click here]( unsubscribe [click here]( [Mr P.]