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The 1-inch buzzcut is one of the most common short haircuts for guys, and for a good reason. It not only delivers a bold and provocative design but is also the longest buzzcut you can get. This makes it a very attractive choice, as the most discouraging thing about buzzcuts is how short they are.
So if you have been thinking about trying a buzzcut but thought they were too short and might not suit you, the number 8 buzz cut is a good cut to get a feel about them.
To learn more about the number 8 buzz cut, keep reading.
What Is The 1-inch (Number 8) Buzzcut?
The 1-inch buzzcut is a buzz cut variation where all hair is cut with the number 8 guard to 1-inch (25,4 mm). And while in buzz cuts, most of the time, all hair is cut at the same length; in longer versions like the 1-inch buzzcut, you can play around and combine them with a fade or shaved side and back hair.
Related Article: Buzz Cut Lengths: Complete Guide from 0 to 8
What Are The Benefits Of The 1-inch Buzzcut?
If you are not sure if the 1-inch buzz cut is the right choice for you, let’s talk about some of its benefits and help you make a choice.
1. It is Low Maintenance
The 1-inch buzz cut significantly reduces your in-front-of-the-mirror time as it is one of the ultimate low-maintenance hairstyles. With this haircut, it is possible to just roll out of bed without a shower (as long as you don’t skip the shower part too frequently, nobody would know). But even if you choose to shower, you won’t need to spend more time blow-drying, styling, or conditioning your hair.
When it’s summer (or you’re on holiday), you can go from the beach to the swimming pool to the bar without having to go to your room to take care of your hairstyle.
But the number 8 buzzcut is not only a summer-friendly cut. In the winter, you won’t need to be concerned about your hair getting tangled on a windy day. Or when you are in your car on the highway, you can roll the window down without worrying about damaging your hairstyle. I can go on forever, but you got the idea; it is a maintenance-free haircut that will make your life easier.
2. It will Save Your Money
Men are investing more money than ever before in grooming supplies, and the longer your hair gets, the more costly it is to maintain a nice appearance.
If you have longer hair, you will need styling products, creams, hydration masks, and, more importantly, a regular visit to your barber or stylist.
On the other hand, the buzz cut basically erases the need for most products. For example, on a 1-inch buzz cut, conditioner is not necessary. Buying styling tools? Pointless. The only product you’ll need is a good pair of clippers, but other than that, the 1-inch buzz cut is a very cost-effective haircut.
3. It will accentuate your facial characteristics
Strong male characteristics are generally attractive to women, which is why the buzz appearance works well. If you don’t believe us, just look at the guys who are featured on magazine covers, and you’ll see what we mean.
So, if you already have a more masculine face, it can help by accentuating your natural proportions.
4. It will change The Way People See You
One of the first things we observe about anyone is their hair, and we unconsciously and occasionally intentionally develop our first impressions of them based on their hair. So hair undoubtedly has a role in how we initially see someone.
But what the 1-inch haircut can tell about you?
It is commonly perceived that guys with buzzcuts are more athletic, carefree, and masculine. As you know, we hate stereotypes, but they are called stereotypes for a reason, so we just wanted to let you know.
Related Article: Number 4 Buzz Cut: Complete Tutorial With Photos
What Face Shapes Work Best With A 1-inch Buzzcut?
There are generally six distinct face shapes:
- Round: Round faces are relatively short, and the width is about the same as the length. They have short features and not any sharp angles.
- Rectangle: The rectangle face shape is a variant of the square face shape. The forehead, cheeks, & jawline are around the same width, just like in the oval face, but the characteristics are sharper and more defined.
- Oval: Oval is considered the most balanced face shape. It is longer than wider and has soft facial features.
- Square: In this facial shape, the width is consistent across all face. Another characteristic of the square face shape is its harsh angles.
- Diamond: The diamond face shape has the characteristics of a diamond. This means that the cheekbones are the widest part and the forehead and chin are relatively narrow.
- Heart: The heart’s face shape, as its name suggests, looks like a heart. The forehead is the widest part, and the chin is the most narrow.
Now that you know about the different face shapes, it is time to discuss which ones work best with a 1-inch buzzcut. But before mentioning the specific face shapes that work best with the 1-inch buzz cut, we think it is important to understand what the 1-inch buzz cut will do to your face.
As we have already said, the 1-inch buzz cut will make your face appear slightly wider, not hide any imperfections, and give you a more masculine appearance.
So, with all that being said, the best face shapes for a 1-inch buzz cut are:
The long face shape: If you have a long face, then a 1-inch buzz cut will make it appear shorter because it will add width to your face. So, it is a great choice. To see more haircuts for the long face shape, check out this article.
The oval face: The 1-inch buzz cut won’t really change the proportions of an oval face, but it will give you a more masculine look, so again, it is a great choice. Check out this article for some hairstyles that go well with the oval face shape.
The square face: The 1-inch buzz cut will accentuate the sharp features of a square face and make you look even more badass, so if you have a square face, go for it.
The rectangle face: The 1-inch buzz cut will make a rectangle face appear shorter and more proportional, so it is definitely a good choice.
The diamond face: The 1-inch buzz cut will make your cheekbones pop out even more, so if you want to accentuate your best feature, this is the right choice.
The heart face: The heart face isn’t such a great choice for a 1-inch buzz cut because it will make your forehead look even wider, but if you don’t mind that, go for it.
The round face: This is the less-than-ideal choice for a 1-inch buzz cut because it will make your face appear rounder, so you should probably go for a different hairstyle.
As you can see, most face shapes work well for the 1-inch haircut, but keep in mind that in haircuts, there are no hard and fast rules, so unless you experiment and find what works best for you, you’ll never really know.
Related Article: Number 3 Buzz Cut: Top 5 Styles [With Photos], Length, and More
How To Get The 1-inch Buzzcut At Home?
The good news is that you don’t have to sift through year-old magazines at your neighborhood barbershop cause you can give yourself a 1-inch buzzcut of professional caliber at home. In this section, we will guide you on how to do it step by step.
1. Examine Your Scalp
Examine your head for the kinds of odd lumps & bumps that can make a 1-inch buzz cut unsuitable for the shape of your head. Remember that no one has a head that is totally smooth or rounded. However, a 1-inch buzz cut will make all of your scars, skin tags, & pimples obvious. Simply run your fingertips slowly over your scalp to look for anomalies you would not want a buzz cut to reveal.
2. Get The Proper Tools
All you need for a good 1-inch haircut are a hand mirror, a vacuum cleaner, and hair clippers.
An excellent set of hair clippers will speed up and simplify the process. Avoid attempting to make yourself a 1-inch buzz cut with your beard clippers, as they are not strong enough for this job.
You will need the hand mirror to view the back of your neck for the finishing touches in addition to your bathroom mirror. If you don’t already own one, you can pick one up for a few dollars online.
Finally, buzz cuts leave hairs on practically every surface in your bathroom, and this is where you will need the vacuum cleaner.
3. Wash your hair
Clean, slightly moist hair is ideal for clippers. The blades of a clipper will have a hard time cutting through oily or greasy hair, resulting in an uneven cut. Additionally, you’ll find yourself repeatedly cutting the same slick follicles in the same spots. After washing your hair, pat it dry, and you are good to go.
4. Trim The Sides
After gathering the necessary tools, select the guard size (number 8) and plug it into your clippers.
Once you’ve plugged your guard, begin by working the clipper at the sideburns with an upward motion. Go from one side to the other and slowly and steadily buzz your head*. After finishing the sides, you can move on to the top. Start at the hairline and trim backward to the top of your head.
*As soon as you’re prepared to trim the back, stand facing away from the bathroom mirror while holding your hand mirror in front of you. Make sure you can see your reflection inside the bathroom mirror when you adjust the hand mirror. Maintain this posture while you run the clippers up your head, starting at the back of your neck.
7. Finish By Doing The Details
Once your 1-inch buzzcut is finished, you should trim the back of the neck plus your sideburns. To begin, remove the guards and use your clipper with no guards on.
Set the base of the clipper just below your sideburns to trim them. Slide the clippers slowly until the blades are at the desired sideburn height. The most difficult element of a 1-inch buzzcut is trimming the neck area at the back; we recommend either asking for help or using a neck template.
8. Clean Up The Hair
The last step is to clean up the residual hairs with a vacuum cleaner. Make sure you go over every surface, as these small hair pieces can be quite irritating if they end up on your bed sheets.
Related Article: The Number 1 Buzz Cut: Complete Tutorial With Photos
1-inch Buzzcut FAQ
What Do The Haircut Numbers Show?
The haircut numbers show the guard number used to get the specific haircut. For the number one haircut, you will use the number one guard; for the number 2 haircut, you will use the number 2 guard, and so on.
Are Buzz Cuts Beneficial For Hair Growth?
You will be dissatisfied if your goal is to grow more hair through haircutting because haircuts have no effect on hair growth. Therefore, getting a buzz cut WON’T fix your hair growth issues.
How Frequently Do I Need To Have A Buzz Cut?
Buzz cuts don’t need a lot of upkeep. However, cutting your hair every two to one and a half weeks helps keep it looking smooth and glossy.
Do Women Prefer Buzz Cuts?
It depends, just like any other hairstyle. While some girls might find a man with a buzz cut hot and sexy, others might find him repellant. What matters most is whether a buzz cut complements your facial features and head shape.
Conclusion
Buzz cuts are a blessing in disguise in the time we live in when one hardly has enough time to take a full nap. With this haircut, you can always snooze for an extra five minutes in the morning while still looking lovely.
They are also a great way to exhibit your uniqueness in today’s environment because they require very little care. Furthermore, there’s a good explanation for why they have been common since the 1980s.
So, if you’re considering a new look, definitely go for the 1-inch buzz cut! It’s a great way to show off your unique personality and requires very little maintenance.
Thanks for reading!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
