Your Guide to a Number 4 Buzz Cut (2024)

The buzz cut isn’t new. It’s been around since the Roman times where Roman soldiers adopted this style of hair as a reflection of their culture.

Then came the 19th century when Nikola Bizumić invented manual hair clippers. Traditionally, the buzz cut was used as a way to maintain social norms where there were strict rules about how to look.

In the USA, military hairstyles changed dramatically from the period of The Revolutionary War where it was all about long hair and pony-tails (and that style of hair was hot and uncomfortable) to the World Wars where the standard was short hair. The reason for the buzz cut within the military was to prevent the spread of head lice.

Since the 1950s, this type of cut has risen in popularity and especially in the 1980s where there was a re-emergence of the buzz cut.

Now, rather than as a way of conforming to cultural conventions or as a means of preventing the spread of lice, the buzz cut is a sleek fashion statement for men.

You can choose from having a number 0 through to an 8 cut depending on how short you want your hair. However, in this article, our focus is on the Number 4 buzz cut.

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WHY SHOULD I GET A NUMBER 4 CUT?

Of all the buzz cut options out there, the Number 4 cut is by far the most popular choice. The reason is that it’s an ideal option for men who aren’t too sure if they suit a shorter style. So, it’s the middle ground between having longer hair yet experimenting with a buzz cut.

Also, the buzz cut is easy to maintain which makes self-grooming all that much easier. The main issue with buzz cuts is that you have a tennis-ball like fuzz that is the result of your hair growing at different lengths. To overcome this issue you can either taper the style or go for a number 4 cut which gives you a fuller, thicker look.

Additionally, for those men who are losing their hair or have a receding hairline, the number 4 cut acts as a great transition stage as it disguises the hair loss.

So, if you are wanting to step out and try and number 4 cut the length is ½ an inch or 13 mm and it allows you to mix and match styles.

Here are some of the more popular choices with a number 4 cut

TAPERED SIDES

The top of the hair has the traditional ½ inch of the buzz cut however the back and the sides have a shorter cut with a trimmed-down look. This makes the style look more like a fuller buzz cut than a simple number 4 all over.

MILITARY CUT WITH FADE

This is a more intense buzz cut than the tapered sides style. With the military cut, you have a number 4 style at the top and a much shorter cut around the sides and back. It’s a great option if you want to rock a military cut without a full commitment to the style.

LONG CREW CUT WITH NUMBER 3 SIDES

If you are wanting a more uniform look then this style may be what you are after. It’s a number 4 cut along the top and a number 3 around the sides. This style isn’t as intense as the tapered and military-style so you can have a subdued look while still sporting a buzz cut.

These are just some of the countless styles that you can have when it comes to the number 4 cut, which makes it such a versatile cut. It’s all a matter of your individuality. Own your style!

HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A NUMBER 4 BUZZ CUT

If you are the DIY type and you want to give yourself a number 4, here is how. All you need is a cutter with a number 4 guard and handheld mirror, but there are several things you need to check before your start.

PREPARATION

You don’t want any pain when giving yourself a buzz cut so, before placing the clipper onto your noggin and buzzing away, you have to be aware of the following issues:

Bumps:

Throughout life we have been prone to fall over and bang our heads, sometimes the bumps go away, other times they remain as reminders of our foibles. Also, lumps can be caused by skin conditions. Run your hand over your head and scalp and detect if and where you may have bumps, then proceed with caution when it comes to running the clipper over that area.

Big ears:

Some of us are naturally gifted with large ears and the skin of the ear can get in the way when trimming your hair. Also, if you are tapering the hairstyle be aware that shorter hair can make your ears appear more prominent.

Scars:

Accidents happen in life and we may end up sporting a scar on our head as a result of a head injury. A shorter cut can expose the scar and if you aren’t cool about that, then you need to reconsider your cut.

Once you’ve done the above pre-cut check, and you’re comfortable with everything, it’s time to start buzzing away at your locks.

Place a plastic sheet or paper on the ground to catch the hair as you cut. Also, make sure you have a lint roller so that you can easily pick up the wayward strands that land on the bathroom countertop and basin.

Check that your clipper is clean and ready to go. Even though you may have done so already, give the blade a good clean with the brush that came with your clipper and lubricate the blade..

Have a look at the battery level of the clipper if you are using a rechargeable one. The last thing you want is for the battery to run out on your halfway through your trim!

Once you’re ready to go, clip on the number 4 guard and get ready to cut.

TRIM THE TOP AND SIDES

When trimming your hair it is best to go against the grain (unless you have curly hair then you can go both with and against it). That way you will have a more even cut because your clippers will reach each strand at the same point. However, run your hand over your hair to make sure that it’s uniformly even.

Use straight, repeated motions when trimming.

You may find a lever on your clipper, this allows you to alternate between a 4 cut and slightly shorter trim. A closed lever will give you a shorter style.

When it comes to trimming around the ears, be sure to go carefully. Pull your ears back as you cut around them.

To prevent your clipper from clogging, which will lead to it tugging or pulling at your hair (and that isn’t ideal), shake out any hair that has built upon it. If you want to, give it another clean out with the brush.

TAKING CARE OF THE BACK

The back of the head can be a tricky area to cut, but you can easily take the stress out of the situation with a handheld mirror. Start from the base of the neck and move towards the top with straight motions. Again, cut against the grain.

You will find that the natural contours at the back of your head can cause some frustration when cutting because it’s an uneven surface. Just be patient and persevere.

When trimming around the crown area, run your fingers along the hair to feel which way the grain is and then cut in the opposite direction.

If you feel that working the back is going to be a hassle, some people recommend leaving it alone or get someone to give you a hand.

MAKING SURE IT’S EVEN

It’s highly likely that there will be uneven areas that need to be taken care of after the cut. Patches of hair that you may have missed because they camouflaged while you were focusing on the overall cut.

These areas can be spotted by looking for darker areas of hair in the overall cut. Tilt your head in different directions to see if you can find the patches. Also, use your handheld mirror to look again at the back of your head (which is usually the main area where uneven cuts occur).

If you still find these areas hard to detect, then you can run your hand over your head and feel for them.

FINISHING OFF THE CUT

The neckline is the last part to consider when giving yourself a buzz cut. It’s completely up to you as to whether you want to square or round off this part. If you decide to go ahead, it pays to have someone come and do it for you.

If you think that you don’t want to tackle the neckline, then it’s perfectly fine to leave it as is and rock a natural style.

CLEAN UP

Now that you’re finished, clean up the bathroom by using your lint remover to collect any hair that has fallen on to the countertop and sink.

Carefully step off the plastic sheet (or whatever you have used to catch the hair that has landed at your feet) and then fold it into the center and dispose of it.

If you want to, you can give the bathroom floor a good vacuum.

Go and have a shower and wash out any loose hair.

Dry your hair with a towel and then admire your work in the mirror.

MAINTAINING YOUR CUT

When it comes to keeping your number 4 buzz cut under control, you should run the clipper over your hair once every two or three weeks. It all depends on what kind of hair you have and how quickly it grows. People with curly hair will find that faster-growing strands won’t be as noticeable as opposed to those of you who have straight hair.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I SUIT A NUMBER 4 BUZZ CUT?

Maybe you are contemplating getting a number 4 cut yet there is a part of you that is questioning whether you will look good sporting the buzz cut or if it’s going to be a haircut disaster.

Fortunately, most guys can get away with having a buzz cut. It’s more of which cut will suit you the best and because we’re all about the Number 4 cut, if you have a round face you can be confident that this type of cut will work for you. However, if you decide to taper the style, sadly it won’t look so great with a roundish face. So make sure you stick with a number 4 all over.

Of all the other face shapes out there here is a rundown of if a number 4 cut will work for you:

Oval: You definitely can get away with a number 4 as well as matching it with different styles.

Rectangle: A number 4 crew cut will add fulness to your face. Avoid a style that is too short as it gives your face a thinner appearance.

Square: Go for a short back and sides style with a thicker top that you can style into a quiff, it will make your face appear longer. If you want to highlight the squareness of your face, then go with a shorter cut all around.

Diamond: Avoid a cut that is short on the sides as this will cause your forehead to appear narrower. A number 4 cut that is uniform across the top, sides and back will work.

Triangle: This type of face is only suited for a longer cut on the sides. If you do want to have a shorter style make sure that your taper is cut low.

The whole point of a haircut is to give your face a more oval look. If you discover that your buzz cut gives your face a weird disproportionate look, then it’s time to reconsider the cut. (Just grow it out and start again)

COMBINING YOUR CUT WITH A BEARD

So now you have your number 4 cut, what about adding a beard. Do the two play well together?

Good news, buzz cuts and beards work together. However, what style of beard to goes with your cut is, once again, determined by your face shape.

For those of you blessed with an oval face, any type of beard works. Long, short, goatee or power beard. It’s all up to you because, no matter which style you choose, you’re going to look great.

If you have a round face then go with a more business style beard. Like your oval faced counterparts, you can also have a power beard. Just make sure that your beard creates a more oval look to your face by tapering in the sides.

Square face guys look better with a shorter beard that fades at the cheeks.

If you have an oblong or rectangular face then you can complement your buzz cut with a more corporate style beard. Also, you could have a power beard but keep the length short to medium. Longer beards elongate your face, which is something you want to avoid.

Guys with a diamond face who want to enhance their number 4 cut with a beard can get away with one that has length.

Longer, bulkier beards are the best option for triangular faces. Taper the beard so that it balances out the forehead and keep it well-groomed so that you maintain the overall symmetry.

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WILL I LOOK OLDER WITH A BUZZ CUT?

Gray hairs start to crop up when you are around 34 years old and you may wonder if a buzz cut will make you look older. The truth is that a buzz cut will help you look younger. This is because the gray hairs are hidden through being shortened.

So if you look at yourself in the mirror and think you are looking older than you should be, it could be time to consider having a number 4 cut.

STYLING AND MAINTAINING YOUR NUMBER 4

Because the number 4 cut is the middle ground between a full-on buzz cut and still having a decent length of hair, you can easily style your hair.

SHAMPOO

Instead of using normal shampoo, grab some that cleanse your scalp as well as your hair. Look for a shampoo that contains argan oil as this acts as a moisturizer which helps if you suffer from dry skin, dandruff.

Another option is to look for a tea tree based shampoo which as it’s an exfoliating agent. Tea tree oil works at the root of the hair to reduce the buildup of chemicals and dead skin. It also works as a moisturizer as well as preventing hair from falling out.

CONDITIONER

Have you ever had a bad hair day? Yes, men can have them, too. To eliminate those days that you feel like you are fighting against your hair, use a conditioner. Conditioning softens your hair and allows you to style it more freely without the knots and tangles.

When choosing a conditioner, look for ones that contain natural products such as:

Oat milk – The proteins within oat milk give your hair a shine as well as strengthen your locks. Also, it contains vitamin D which is essential for hair growth.

Red Ginseng – Studies have shown that red ginseng is great for stimulating hair growth as well as preventing fungal growth on your scalp (which is a good thing, right?)

Shea butter – For those of you who have naturally frizzy hair, shea butter helps in minimising the frizz so that you can get some control and shape into your style. Shea butter also acts as an emollient to soften and soothe your skin.

Kokum butter – If you suffer from dry skin or brittle hair, kokum butter is a godsend for you. The fat content within kokum butter is a moisturizing agent for both hair and skin and it’s non-greasy so you don’t have to be concerned about your hair having that ugly oily look.

Though conditioning is more for longer hair, which is where the number 4 cut finds some ground, it can also be done with shorter hair. For those of you who opt for a number 0, 1, 2 or 3 cut, conditioners for your hair allow your hair to smell nice.

SUNSCREEN

Men with a full head of hair may think that sunscreen isn’t needed, after all, you have a thick natural sun protector on your head with your mop of hair. However, when it comes to having a buzz cut, you are thinning out that mop and opening yourself up for sunburn.

It only takes a few hours out in the sun for your scalp to suffer sunburn and damage, so it pays to look after your noggin with some sunscreen. When it comes to scalp sunscreen look for the following:

• At least an SPF of 30+
• Sunscreen that is easy to apply

Also, consider the thickness of your cut. Thicker hair makes it trickier to apply sunscreen to your scalp. In addition, add sunscreen along your hairline.

Don’t forget your hat. Though sunscreen is designed to keep you from getting sunburn, it’s always good to have added protection.

MAINTAINING YOUR CUT

With your cut, you want to give it a once over at least every two weeks to keep it under control and have you looking amazing. If you feel like you want to scrap the cut and start again, then wait around 6 weeks for your hair to grow out and then get your clipper out.

ENJOY YOUR NUMBER 4 CUT

The buzz cut has become more fashionable over the past few years and it’s a great style if you want a low maintenance cut. The great thing with the number 4 cut is it’s a nice starting point to see if you actually suit this style of hair or not. It’s the middle ground between long and short.

Also, you can match any style of beard with the cut, which makes it such the number 4 cut a versatile option.

What made you decide to get a buzz cut? We’d love to know. Leave a comment below.

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