Should I get a buzz cut? Why and how to buzz cut your own hair

What is a buzz cut?

A buzz cut is about as short a haircut as you can get. There are a few different variants, but it normally involves taking your hair down with clippers until it’s less than an inch long. Typically, electric clippers make a buzzing noise, hence ‘buzz cut’.

The classic buzz cut is a uniform length all over, making it the easiest at-home buzz cut to get, but you’ll also sometimes see a taper or fade. This is when the hair gets shorter as you go down the sides.

Should I get a buzz cut?

This is completely up to you! The fact that you’re asking ‘Should I get a buzz cut?’ in the first place suggests that you’re at least tempted. To help you decide, here are some of the benefits of a buzz cut:

• Buzz cuts are simple to maintain. Washing your hair becomes quick and easy, and it’s hard for a buzz cut to look messy.
• You won’t get hair in your eyes on windy days or during sports.
• A buzz cut doesn’t just make you look cool; it makes you feel cool. On hot days, a buzz cut will help keep you stay cool.
• If you’re losing your hair, you can take control and get a more even look by going for a buzz cut.
• Clipping your hair down allows your facial features to take the stage, without any distractions.

Still, there can be some downsides to getting a buzz cut. Here are some points to consider:

• There’s one area in which buzz cuts need regular maintenance: you’ll want to buzz it back down every week or two. If you don’t want to visit the barber that regularly, you might want to look into cutting your own hair.
• A buzz cut keeps you cooler on hot days, but bear in mind that you might miss that extra insulation when winter rolls around.
• A buzz cut doesn't leave you with much hair to style. If you like wearing your hair in different ways, a buzz cut can limit you. That said, there’s a whole world of hats, wigs and accessories out there, and the regular regeneration of hair on a buzz cut means you can experiment freely with hair dyeing.

If you’ve decided against getting a buzz cut and want to experiment with some other hairstyle but you’re not quite sure which one to pick, take a look at our guide to finding the right hairstyle.