Cut a Bob with Clippers

Hair stylist cutting a bob with clippers
Photo: Bystrov/Shutterstock
Q: How can you cut a blunt bob with clippers? Can you cut layers with clippers?
 
A: Well, cutting almost any hairstyle is technically possible using clippers, although why you would do so for certain precision cuts is questionable. Clippers are primarily designed to cut swaths of hair to a uniform length, thereby creating an even, very short cut more quickly and cleanly than can be achieved with scissors.
 
That being said, there's nothing that says you can't use clippers to create a bob style. It's simply a matter of maintaining the cutting line and elevation necessary for creating a bob. You should work on dry, straightened hair, as wet hair tends to slip, clog the blades, and result in crooked lines.
 
Use a wide, flat comb or your fingers to pull the hair taut and provide a firm, straight guide for the clippers to run along. Because clipper blades move quickly back and forth, they can push the hair away instead of cutting it cleanly on the spot. To get that crisp, straight edge at the bottom, you need to pull the hair tight and hold it firmly in place while you cut.
 
The same holds true for creating a layered cut with clippers. You need to make sure that you have complete control over the hair in order to maintain proper elevation and angle. Pull each section up to your desired angle (like 90 degrees for uniform layers) and use a clipper-over-comb technique to slice off the ends.
 
Be aware that clippers cut very bluntly, so layering with them can easily produce harsh, visible steps if your sectioning and tension aren't rock-solid. You may need to go back over the ends with point-cutting shears or texturizing shears to make the layers melt seamlessly into one another.
 
I don't recommend that you approach this lightly, but given that many innovations in styling and hair fashion come as a result of someone thinking outside the box, and if you have people willing to let you experiment on their hair, then by all means give it a go. You may end up creating the hottest new trend!
 
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See also:
 
How to create a bob style
 
How to cut a bob with bangs and razor texturing
 
How to cut hair with clippers instead of scissors