by While, for many, the thought of sideburns will conjure up images of seventies lotharios, bootcut jeans and cowboy hats; when managed properly – they can actually become quite a defining feature on the face. Wondering how to approach the sideburn situation properly? Here’s everything you need to know before trimming your sideburns.
How to Trim Your Sideburns
A relatively straightforward job, once you’ve nailed how to clean up your sideburns once, after that – it’s just a quick once weekly maintenance job to maintain your chosen length. Here’s our quick guide to trimming your sideburns:
- To make your sideburns a lot more manageable, it’s best to start with hair that contains no product.
- Adjust your clippers to a number 3 or equivalent and begin shaving from the bottom up.
- Consider blending around your temples/behind the ears if the sideburn length is dramatically different.
- Now reduce your clippers to a number 2/shorter length and trim over the bottom section of your sideburns again.
- Apply a little shaving oil around the ends of the sideburns and use a blade razor to create a sharp finish.
- Last up, add a little hair oil or leave-in conditioner to soften and nourish the hair.
Types of Sideburns
Short Sideburns
The shorter look is probably the most popular and easy to integrate sideburn length. This is what most guys will already have as you can see below so there’s not really much explaining to do. This shorter style works well when you have less facial hair and want to keep a clean, formal look.
Long Sideburns
Long sideburns tend to finish just below the bottom of the ear, although they can extend further depending on the look you’re going for. This style can be perfect for merging your beard or facial hair with the top of your head. Ideal for broader face types, longer sideburns create an unbroken stream of hair which will elongate the face. That being said, without the facial hair to merge into, a longer sideburn can really give off those seventies pornstar vibes… approach with caution.
Tapered Sideburns
Tapering describes hair that gradually shortens in length, starting from the top of your head to the nape of the neck. In the case of sideburns, the thickest part of hair will be near your temple before reaching the thinnest part in line with a specific section of your ear. For those with short to medium length hairstyles, or men who struggle to grow much facial hair, a tapered sideburn can be used to detract from the lack of growth.
How to Trim your Sideburns
Wondering how to shave sideburns? Start with hair that contains no product, adjust clippers to a number 3 and shave from the bottom up. Then, reduce clippers to a number 2 and trim over the bottom section of your sideburns again. Finally, apply a little shaving oil around the ends of the sideburns and use a blade razor to create a sharp finish.
On That Note
There you have it! If you came here wondering how to cut your sideburns, safe to say, we’ve given you all the hints and tips you’ll need to do so with ease. More importantly, it’s all about working out exactly what style will suit you best; be that longer styles or no sideburns at all – take your face shape and hairstyle into account. Just be sure to take your trimming sideburns at a steady pace, especially the first few times, and you’ll be fine.
Feature image from Pinterest
