Perfect your hair cutting style by learning exactly when to use which tool.
Length
Scissors are ideal for longer haircuts since they allow more control over the length the stylist allows for each section of hair. For shortcuts or cuts that are all one length, clippers are cleaner and neater, since they can be set to one specific length and applied to all parts of the head.
Since clippers only allow several inches of length, scissors are essential for haircuts longer than two to three inches. Otherwise, a client might end up with hair that is much shorter than desired.
Texture
Stylists adjust the tools they use depending on the texture the client seeks for their new hairstyle.
Scissor Cut vs Clipper Cut: Which is a better option for you?
If a client wants choppy, highly textured hair, a skilled stylist will use scissors, or even a razor scissor technique, to leave some hairs long while trimming others, providing a choppy stylized look.
Meanwhile, if a client seeks a more traditional look and wishes to keep all of his hair close to the same length, clippers on a consistent length setting are the ideal choice.
Purpose
When deciding whether to approach a client’s desired look with scissors or clippers, stylists should first hold a consultation to learn about the lifestyle of the client and the kinds of occasions he is most likely to attend. Learning more about the events a client must participate in can help decide between the setbacks and benefits of both clippers and scissors.
For example, if a client wants a low-maintenance haircut and does not need to capture a specific aesthetic for his job or social life, a simple clipper cut will be easiest for him to maintain and style.
Style
Stylists tailor the tools they use to the style of cut desired by the client. For example, if a client wants a cut that involves longer hair in the front and short buzz hair in the back, the hair cutter will likely use scissors to cut the stylized portion in the front and clippers on a short length setting to razor the back to achieve a short, even length.
Meanwhile, if a client wants a buzz cut or a low-maintenance cut of a uniform length, using clippers with adjustable settings is the best option.
Clippers or Scissors: A Matter of Preference
Depending on your beard or your hair, clippers or scissors are going to play a key role in the best look and the best outcome when trimming or clipping up your hair. There’s really no right or wrong answer, it just comes down to preference and comfort.
Hairstyle clippers are a different style than traditional beard trimming clippers, with an adjustable guard and a lever.
Comparing Scissors and Clippers on Facial Hair
With scissors, trimming becomes a finer trim, giving a finer cut, since one little motion of the clippers can take too much off at once.
Using clippers is a more advanced way to trim, requiring care not to go too fast and finding where to rest the clippers, such as resting on the lip for a test clip, or resting on the ear as a guide on both sides. Scissors and clippers are not too expensive, with a good pair of scissors running about 15 to 20 dollars and clippers about 20 to 30 dollars, though it all depends on where you’re looking.
Clipper Over Comb vs Scissor Over Comb
A clipper over comb technique is a faster technique, while a scissor over comb technique leaves a very custom kind of feel and look, nice and smooth if done right. Learning both techniques is valuable, since a clipper over comb can be used for speed, then a scissor over comb can be used to polish things up in small details.
Understanding Clipper Guards
If using no guard whatsoever, the clipper has a lever that, when pushed down, raises the blade up, and when pushed back down, closes it, making the cut shorter when the lever is towards you and longer when pushed away. Using no guard results in a very short cut, close to the skin.
A number two guard, about six millimeters or a quarter of an inch, is great for a short haircut without looking super skin tight, showing a little bit of scalp only in bright lighting. A number three guard is a great transition for blending in going towards the top, going from shorter into longer.
The guards go up to a number eight, about 25 millimeters or an inch long, which gets the job done much more quickly and efficiently, leaving hair on the shorter or spikier side depending on preference. The lower the number, the shorter the hair, and the higher the number, the longer the hair, with all those different lengths mattering a lot when cutting hair.
