The Mane Man

Today was haircut day at our house. I grew up in a family of all girls, so I had no idea that I would one day be responsible for cutting and styling four little heads of manly hair. I have to thank my husband for insisting early-on in our marriage that I learn how to cut HIS hair. The curl in Matt's hair made it a very forgiving practice mane, and after 16 years of doing this, I am very thankful for the small fortune we save each month in getting these guys trimmed.

As my boys have grown older, they've become more interested in more cutting edge styles like Zach's spikes

or Gabe's Faux-hawk.

But after they managed to talk me into trying them, we realized that these styles required some SERIOUS product. We tried a dozen before we found our favorite.
Got2Be Glued.

The name says it all. But it's the only thing I can find to hold their silky-fine hair in place for the day.

Lookin' good, guys!

*This amendment is in response to Rachel's comment and question about cutting the boys hair.

This is our home salon...

These are my supplies:

• 2 aprons from a beauty supply store (one large for ages 8 & up, one small for 7 & under,) 
• Haircutting scissor, 
• Grooming brush (the white bristled one for brushing hair from ears, faces, & necks when finished,) 
• Comb & Spray bottle with water
• Full size electric trimmer
• Small "Peanut" electric trimmer. 

Both trimmers are made by Wahl, but Matt had an Oster brand trimmer that lasted for 12 years prior to this, and it was great. Each trimmer comes with a set of 'guide combs' of different lengths (the black set for the large trimmer & the cream set for the Peanut.) I recommend trimmers with cords instead of cordless ones for more power and no recharging hassles. The cords on these trimmers are long enough to get the job done without any trouble. I usually have the boys sitting an a bar stool near the kitchen counter and I can manage just fine. You can find these trimmers in stores or online at Walmart.com or Amazon.com. Sets range from $20 to $60 depending on the accessories and some kits have both the large and Peanut trimmers together.

CUTTING SIDES: I begin by using 5/8" guide on the large trimmers to cut all around the sides of the boys' hair (the hair is dry at this time.) I use a 1/2" guide on the Peanut for Jared.  In fact, the "Peanut" Wahl trimmer is ideal for small children (BUT Rachel, with your boys THICK hair, you MAY HAVE TO use the regular trimmers on them.) I also use the Peanut without a guide to trim the bottom edges of everybody's hair (the neck line, around the ears, sideburns, etc.) It's designed to not pinch or hurt when using quick strokes in these areas.
CUTTING THE TOP:   During the school year, I always trim the tops of the boys' hair with scissors. I wet it first. Each of my boys has different cowlicks, hair texture and hair lines, so I've just learned to do what works best on each of them.

• Gabe's hair cooperates best when left a little longer than his brothers (about 2" in the front and tapering to 1 1/2" at the back) - that length is also why it works in a faux-hawk. 
• Zach has a bit of Matt's natural curl, so I like it longer on top too (about 1 1/2" in the front and tapering to 1" near the back.) 
• Max & Jared still have baby fine hair and funny hairlines that don't cooperate with spiking or flipping up in the front, so we just go short (about 1") on them.  

*Finally, I use the scissors to go around the 'crown' area of the head to blend where the trimmer cut hair meets the scissor cut hair. I hope this helps, Rach, and I'd love to see pics of your handsome boys with their new "Do's." :D