How to Boil a Weave

Boiling your weave is a quick and easy way to revitalize it. Boil the weave in a saucepan with some olive oil and leave-in conditioner, and allow it to dry. Apply extra conditioner while the weave is drying to give the weave extra shine and moisture.

EditSteps

EditBoiling the Weave

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Place a large saucepan on the cooktop and half fill it with water. Turn the cooktop element on high and wait for the pot to boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the element down to a medium heat so that the water simmers rather than bubbling vigorously.
   
   • Put a lid over the saucepan to speed up the boiling process.^[1]
   • Make sure that the pot is clean before pouring in the water.
2. Mix 1 tsp (5 mL) of olive oil or coconut oil into the water. Gently pour 1 tsp (5 mL) of extra-virgin olive oil into the saucepan. If you decide to use coconut oil, you will need to scoop out 1 tsp (5 g) using a spoon. The oil will sit on top of the water so you will need to use a spoon to mix the oil into the water. Stir the mixture using circular motions. Continue mixing until the large oil bubbles on the surface of the water have broken up.^[2]
   
   • Avoid substituting olive oil for a processed vegetable cooking oil. Natural and unprocessed oils penetrate the hair cuticles, deeply moisturizing the hair. Natural oils will work well on all weave types (natural and synthetic)^[3] If your weave is synthetic, however, it won't benefit from boiling, and the heat could harm it. If it's very dirty or damaged, you may need to replace the synthetic weave.
   • Stir the water and oil gently so you don’t get burnt by any splashes.
3. Stir in 2 tbsp (30 grams) of a creamy leave-in conditioner. Measure 2 tbsp (30 grams) of your favorite leave-in conditioner into the pot. A creamy conditioner will give the best results as it is more concentrated than liquid conditioners. Stir the leave-in conditioner into the water and oil using gentle circular motions. Keep stirring until the leave-in conditioner has dissolved into the mixture.
   
   • If you are using a small pot with less water, use a smaller amount of leave-in conditioner.^[4]
4. Place the weave into the water. Gently drop your weave into the boiling water. Do this carefully so that the boiling water doesn’t splash and burn you. If you have multiple weaves that haven't been dyed or are the same color, place them in the same saucepan.
   
   • If the weave doesn’t submerge by itself, use a spoon to push it down into the water.^[5]
   • If you are boiling weaves that have been dyed, it is best to boil them one at a time to avoid the dye leaking onto the other weaves. As an alternative, you could place each weave in it's own pot on a separate burner. This would allow you to boil them all at the same time.
   • If your weave has been dyed and you want it to retain its color, you may want to reconsider boiling it, as this process will likely remove the color.
5. Leave the hair to boil for 10 minutes. Make sure that the water is lightly boiling. If the water has stopped boiling, turn the heat up. Let the hair boil for 10 minutes before turning off the heat.
   
   • The high temperature of the water will soften your weave, making it softer to touch and silkier.
6. Remove the weave from the water using tongs. Carefully grip the weave with tongs and pull it out from the water. Be careful not to splash yourself as the water will burn you. Place the weave onto a clean, dry towel.^[6]
   
   • If you have placed multiple weaves into the saucepan, remove them one at a time.
   • Don't use a light colored towel if you have boiled a dyed weave, as the color may drip onto your towel and stain it.

EditDrying the Weave

1. Blot your weave with a towel to remove excess water. Gently press the towel against the weave, but don't rub the towel against it. Choose a microfiber towel to minimize damage and frizz.
   
   • You can also use a clean T-shirt in place of a towel. T-shirts are softer than towels, so they don't cause damage to hair.
   • Don't use a hair dryer on sopping wet hair.
2. Dry the weave using a blow-dryer for 3 minutes. Lay the hair out straight on the towel. Turn the blow-dryer onto a medium heat and direct the heat over the weave. Hold the blow-dryer about away from the weave. Move the hair dryer up and down the hair. This will help to prevent heat damage from occurring. Dry the hair for about 3 minutes, it should still be slightly damp when you finish.^[7]
   
   • If you have boiled multiple weaves, dry them individually.
3. Comb 1 tsp (5 grams) of leave-in conditioner through the hair. Measure approximately 1 tsp (5 grams) of your favorite leave-in conditioner into the palm of your hands. Rub your hands together and then smooth the condition over the whole weave so that it is evenly distributed. Comb the weave from the ends up to the roots, detangling as you work your way up the shaft. Comb as gently as possible to avoid damaging the weave.
   
   • A wide-tooth comb is a good option if your weave is tangled.^[8]
4. Hang the weave up to dry. Hang the weave over a drying rack. Avoid using pegs, as these can create kinks in the weave. The drying time will vary depending on how thick your weave is. It will generally take at least 1 day. Leave the weave to dry completely before attaching it to the hair.^[9]
   
   • A clothes rack or clean dish rack works well for drying weaves.
   • You will notice the weave feeling much softer and less tangled.
5. Apply a hair serum if the weave is dry or frizzy. Use a serum to add shine to your weave. Squeeze a few drops of your favorite serum into your hand. Rub your hands together and glide them over the surface of the weave.^[10]
   
   • Use a natural hair serum to avoid residues building up in your weave.
6. Curl your weave if it has lost its curl. It is likely that the hair will lose its curl when you boil and dry it. This is an easy fix, simply curl your weave as you normally would in order to restore the curls.^[11]
   
   • Make sure the hair is completely dry before you use any heat styling tools. Styling your weave while it is wet will damage the strands of hair.

EditThings You’ll Need

• Saucepan
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Leave-in conditioner
• Spoon
• Towel
• Tongs
• Towel or T-shirt
• Blow-dryer
• Comb
• Hair serum

EditWarning

• Boiling your hair can strip any hair dye from your weave. Proceed with caution if you want to keep the hair dye in your weave.

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

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via Peter

How to Be a Good Employee

Whether you work in an office, a call center, or at a fast-food restaurant, it’s important to work hard at your job and be a good employee. Dedicate yourself to the tasks you’re assigned and participate in any training that’s offered to you. Always treat your co-workers, clients, and supervisors with professional respect. Being a good employee demonstrates to your supervisor that you’re dedicated to your work and will show your eligibility for a promotion or raise.

EditSteps

EditSucceeding at Your Job

1. Model a strong work ethic and cover the basic requirements of your job. As soon as you start a new job, make it your business to learn the ropes as soon as possible. Many employees settle into a comfortable routine once they become proficient at a job. To set yourself apart and stand out as a good employee, always meet assignment deadlines and demonstrate a strong work ethic.^[1]
   
   • As a good employee, never make excuses for why you didn't do a task that was assigned to you.
2. Show initiative by going above and beyond tasks that you're assigned. This will show your boss that you're able to work hard and serve as a model employee. Take the initiative to complete tasks on your own, so your supervisor doesn’t have to micro-manage your work. If there's a way you can do more than complete the minimum requirement on a task, show that you're a good employee by putting in extra work.
   
   • If you don't know how to do a certain task that your employer expects you to perform, ask your employer or co-workers.
3. Learn new skills and take advantage of training opportunities. Many employers offer periodic on-site training or online training courses. In some instances, you may be expected to travel to a conference for company-side training. Take advantage of these valuable opportunities, as they'll allow you to pick up new skills and become a better employee. Picking up new skill sets and work-related education shows that you value improving your workplace performance.^[2]
   
   • Also, if the office has a budget crisis and lets people go, highly-trained employees stand a better chance of being retained than those who can only do one thing.
4. Take criticism gracefully when it concerns your work performance. Constructive criticism from a supervisor, client, or co-worker can give some good ideas about what people expect from you. Criticism can also show you areas in which your performance has room to improve. This is a good thing! View criticism as an opportunity to improve as an employee.^[3]
   
   • For example, say that a client points out that you made numerous grammatical errors on advertising copy. Instead of becoming defensive or blaming someone else, take this as an opportunity to brush up on your writing skills.
5. Ask your supervisor what their expectations are when you’re in doubt. While the overall expectations should have been laid out clearly in the job posting and the interview, you may find that the nature of your work changes as months and years pass. Or, you may occasionally be asked to perform tasks around the workplace that you haven’t been trained for. Clear up any confusion by asking your supervisor exactly what they expect of you.^[4]
   
   • For example, if you work in an advertising agency and you’re assigned to a type of client you haven’t worked with before, find out from your boss what you can do to succeed at the assigned task. You might say something like, “I’ve never represented a car company before; do you have any advice on what types of ad strategies work best?”
6. Recognize and volunteer for opportunities around the office. Volunteering for not strictly required work around your workplace allows you to choose the part you will play in a workplace assignment. It also shows that you care about the company and are willing to go the extra mile to help out. This shows dedication and ambition, which are 2 qualities that bosses look for in good employees.^[5]
   
7. Cooperate well with others in group assignments to show initiative. Being a team player and cooperating with others on projects shows that you care about your job and the people you work with. On the other hand, if you pass on opportunities to work on projects, you'll seem like you're not interested in the job you were hired for.
   
8. Use the last 15-20 minutes of your shift to be productive and prepare for the next day. While other employees may leave their shift 15 minutes early or browse the internet for the last 20 minutes, show that you're an excellent and hard-working employee by making productive use of this time.^[6] One of the best uses of this time is to organize your work space for tomorrow.
   
   • Take a moment to put away loose papers, clean up your work space, and locate things you'll need for the next day.

EditCultivating Workplace Relationships

1. Develop good relationships with the people in your office. An important aspect of being a good employee is working well with the people in your office or workplace. Having a positive attitude will help improve office morale overall and demonstrate to your co-workers that you’re interested in working together as a team. Treat all co-workers with courtesy, respect, and kindness.^[7]
   
   • Even if you work from home and don't see your co-workers in person, you can still develop working relationships by being polite over email.
2. Avoid participating in workplace gossip to show professionalism. Your employer is not paying you to gossip or to kill time talking with your workplace friends. Keep the majority of your workplace interactions focused on the task at hand. This will show that you’re a good employee and that you’re dedicated to remaining focused while at work. It will also keep you out of unnecessary office politics and cliques.^[8]
   
   • Of course, you want to establish a good rapport with your co-workers, and a little chatting is inevitable and can help the time pass. But, keep this chatting professional and positive, and avoid talking about other employees behind their backs.
3. Offer junior employees guidance and encouragement to build morale. Serving as a workplace mentor, whether officially or unofficially, is a great way to excel at your own job. Offer to show new employees the ropes or offer training tips. If you are not sure someone understood something, be willing to ask if they need assistance. Don't do the work for them, teach them instead.^[9]
   
   • Be careful what you say to new employees, and always keep your conduct professional. Don't air your grievances, frustrations, or interpersonal conflicts.
4. Have a positive attitude around the office to boost overall productivity. A positive attitude is a sure sign of a good employee and goes a long way with many supervisors. So, when you talk to your boss about a work-related problem, go with at least one suggestion in mind for a solution.^[10] Even if your boss doesn't take your suggestion, you will look like a problem-solver, not a complainer.
   
   • If you walk around the workplace with a negative attitude and spend your time griping or complaining, you’ll lower the morale of the entire staff.

EditModeling Workplace Conduct

1. Behave professionally around the workplace. Good employees model professionalism by treating others around them with respect. When talking to your office-mates, avoid making any inappropriate or off-color remarks to coworkers or supervisors. Avoid wasting your time joking around, being frequently off-task, or standing around in the common areas instead of at work in your workspace.^[11]
   
   • If this is your first job out of high school or college, it may help to imagine that everyone you interact with is a teacher or professor.
2. Maintain a clean job-performance record. Do your job well, stick to the allotted time for lunch breaks, and avoid having any disciplinary marks put on your workplace HR record. As much as it's within your power, avoid arguments or disagreements with other employees. If you do have an in-office conflict, sort it out by talking to your boss and HR department.^[12]
   
   • Frequent absences, missed deadlines, reprimands for unprofessional behavior, or too many complaints from customers may cause you to be dismissed from your job.
3. Arrive at your job on time every day. Punctuality is an important part of being a good employee. It allows you to start your work day on time and will impress your boss and other co-workers who work the same shifts that you do. It's also a good way to show clients that you're a good employee. Coming to work late, on the other hand, shows a lack of interest or motivation, or may show that you’re easily distracted from tasks.^[13]
   
   • If you struggle to be on time, try planning to get to work 15 minutes early. That way, even if you're running late for your intended arrival time, you'll still arrive at work on time.
4. Dress appropriately for your job and office space. Every workplace is different; some supervisors expect you to wear a suit or skirt, while others don't mind jeans and t-shirts. Find out from your boss or the HR department what the company dress policy is. Dressing appropriately shows that you take the work seriously and are dedicated to the job, and it may boost your performance as well.^[14]
   
   • Examples of inappropriate attire for any workplace include: stained or torn clothing, unwashed clothes, and shirts with inappropriate words or images on them.

EditTips

• Don't spend a lot of time on personal phone calls. Work is for work. If you need to make a personal call during the day, do it over your lunch break.
• Promotions are most commonly based on your ability to do your job, loyalty to the company, your aptitude, and your educational background.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Be a Good Boss
• Be a Good Manager
• Retain Good Employees
• Be a Successful American Eagle Outfitters Employee

EditSources and Citations

EditQuick Summary

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How to Use a Shampoo Bar

A shampoo bar is a solid, eco-friendly alternative to liquid shampoos. They can last for a long time (around 80 washes), and they do not harm the environment since they do not come in plastic containers. In addition, a shampoo bar is a great idea for traveling since they are solid and compact. You can choose a shampoo for any scalp need, including removing oils, helping dandruff, or hydrating the follicles. Simply wet your hair, rub the bar over your scalp, and lather up!

EditSteps

EditWashing Your Hair

1. Wet your hair in the shower. Rinse your hair in warm water from your shower so it is completely saturated. The wetter your hair is, the easier it is to apply the shampoo.^[1]
   
   • On average, this should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Get your shampoo bar slightly wet in the shower. To easily apply the shampoo, it is helpful to lather it up slightly before use. Hold it under the stream of water from the shower head and rub it around in your hands. You can also warm it up in your hands a bit as you get it wet.^[2]
   
   • Do this for about 10 to 30 seconds.
3. Rub the shampoo bar directly onto your scalp with gentle pressure. Once the shampoo bar is slightly wet and warm, bring the bar to the top of your head. Rub the shampoo bar back and forth across the top of your head until your hair and scalp are very soapy. If you have very thick hair, you may also need to part your hair down the middle and/or ear-to-ear so you can reach all areas of your scalp.^[3]
   
   
   • The amount of shampoo you need will depend on your particular hair type. On average, you have enough shampoo when your scalp is very sudsy.
4. Work the shampoo through your hair after it is lathered up. Once your scalp is covered in a base layer of soapy bubbles, focus on massaging the shampoo into your scalp. The shampoo will move on its own to the ends of your hair. Evenly distribute the product across all of your hair for a thorough clean.^[4]
   
   
   • For a massaging effect, move your fingertips (but not your nails) back and forth across your scalp as you do this.
   • If the shampoo bar you are using has essential oils in it, this helps the oils penetrate into your scalp.
5. Rinse your hair completely. Once your scalp and hair are clean, place your head under the stream of water, and wash out the shampoo bubbles and residue. Continue rinsing your hair until all of the shampoo is removed.
   
   
   • This may take a few minutes depending on how thick your hair is.
6. Use a conditioning bar if you want extra nourishment. Commonly, all you need is a shampoo bar to get soft, silky hair. However, you can also use a conditioning bar in place of liquid conditioner while you’re on the zero-waste lifestyle. To use, rinse your hair, rub the bar onto the middle section of your hair, and distribute the conditioner to your ends. Then, rinse the conditioner out thoroughly.
   
   • If you want a more thorough conditioning option, let the conditioner sit on your hair for 1 to 5 minutes.
   • Do not apply the conditioner to your scalp because it may cause your hair to look and feel greasy.
   • While you can surely use liquid conditioner if that is what you prefer, conditioning bars work great to soften and strengthen your hair.

EditStoring the Shampoo Bar

1. Let your shampoo bar dry completely before putting it away. After your shower, place the shampoo bar on a clean towel for 5 to 20 minutes so it can dry completely. If you put the bar away when it is still wet or damp, it will disintegrate over time.^[5]
   
   • Avoid leaving your shampoo bar in the shower.
   • You can also place your bar on a small dish or on top of your other cosmetic bottles.
2. Place your shampoo bar in a reusable tin for long-term storage. Purchase a reusable tin to the size of your shampoo bar. Then, place the dry shampoo bar inside to keep it clean and preserved.^[6]
   
   • Shampoo bars work great whether you are on a road trip, flying to a vacation getaway, or taking a train across the country.
   • To prevent the shampoo bar from sticking to the bottom, cut a piece of wax paper to the size of your tin, and place it along the bottom. Then, put your shampoo bar on top.^[7]
3. Wrap your shampoo bar in a plastic baggie as a water-tight option. To preserve your shampoo bar without using a tin, place it inside of a clean plastic bag when the shampoo bar is dry. Then, wrap a rubber band around the top several times to keep out any air. As an alternative to a bag and rubber band, you can also use a resealable bag, such as a Ziploc bag.^[8]
   
   • Keeping the shampoo bar in a plastic bag seals out any moisture, so your shampoo bar will stay fresh in between uses.
4. Use your shampoo bar until it runs out. On average, a shampoo bar will last about 80 washes, depending on the frequency of use and your hair type. Since the shampoo bar is all natural, you don't have to worry about it going bad. Simply use the bar until it disappears!
   

EditTips

• Your hair may feel slightly waxy after the first few times you use a shampoo bar. This is absolutely normal. Shampoo bars are made from all-natural ingredients, and it takes some time for your hair to adjust if it is used to chemical shampoos. Once your hair dries, your hair will feel soft and lovely!^[9]
• After using a shampoo bar over time, you may not need to wash your hair as often. It is common to go 2 to 4 days without washing your hair.
• You can also use a shampoo bar as a body wash, laundry detergent, or hand soap, but it won’t last very long if you use it for all of these things.

EditThings You’ll Need

• Shampoo bar
• Water
• Conditioner bar
• Tin or plastic bag

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

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via Peter

How to Get Glue Off of Plastic

There are few things more frustrating than pulling a price sticker off a plastic container and being left with a sticky residue that seems impossible to peel off. Luckily, there are a few tricks to removing the goo. A mixture of baking soda and oil will work on all types of glue, including super glue, or you can try using another household item like vinegar or even peanut butter. If all else fails, opt for a tough cleaning product to get the glue off.

EditSteps

EditUsing Baking Soda and Oil

1. Combine 1 part baking soda with 1 part oil. You can use any type of oil, like coconut or olive oil. Mix together equal parts of the oil and baking soda in a small bowl until they form a paste.^[1]
   
   • The baking soda will act as an exfoliant to scrub off the glue.
   • Other oil options include canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil.
   • How much you mix up depends on the size of the glue spot. For glue left by a label on 1 plastic jar, for example, of baking soda and of oil should work.
2. Rub the mixture into the area that has glue on it. Use your hands to apply the baking soda and oil, making sure to saturate all of the glue by rubbing in small circles. Add enough of the mixture so that the sticky spot is completely covered.^[2]
   
   • If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wear gloves to do this as baking soda can dry out your hands.
   • You can also use a dry cloth instead of your hands to rub in the mixture.
3. Let the mixture sit on the jar for 30 minutes. This allows the baking soda and oil to soften the glue so it won’t be as tough to remove. The longer you leave the mixture on, the more easily the glue will come off.^[3]
   
   • Set a kitchen timer or use the clock app on your phone to keep track of the time.
4. Scrub off the glue with a scouring pad. If you have a standard kitchen sponge, use the more abrasive side. You need something rougher to pull up the glue residue. Continue rubbing vigorously until all of the glue is removed.^[4]
   
   • For a little extra scrubbing power, you can use steel wool instead of a scouring pad.
   • If the glue isn’t coming off, apply more baking soda and oil, then let it sit for another 30 minutes before trying to remove it again.
5. Wash the plastic with soap and warm water. This will get rid of any leftover tacky residue or oil. Wipe down the plastic with soap using a damp cloth, then rinse it until it’s no longer sticky or greasy.^[5]
   
   • Dish soap will work well because it’s designed to cut through grease.
   • Dry off the plastic with a clean cloth or let it air dry once you’ve rinsed it thoroughly.

EditRemoving Glue with Other Household Products

1. Opt for a plastic scraper if the glue is already soft. For glue that isn’t completely hardened, or if you’ve already softened it with a liquid or oil mixture, use a plastic scraper to lift off the remaining residue. Be careful not to scratch the plastic as you gently wedge the scraper underneath the glue to remove it.^[6]
   
   • Options for scrapers include a plastic knife or the edge of an old credit card that you no longer use.
   • Avoid using a glass scraper or anything metal, like a razor blade, because it could damage the plastic.
2. Soak larger spots in vinegar to dissolve the glue. If you don’t want to endlessly scrub a bigger sticky area, douse a cloth or paper towel in vinegar and lay it over the glue. Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes, then wipe off the now-loosened residue.^[7]
   
   • To remove the vinegar smell, wash the plastic with soap and warm water afterwards.
   • An alternative is to place the plastic in a bowl filled with vinegar to let it soak instead of using a cloth.
3. Try alcohol as a chemical-free solution for hard-to-remove glue. Douse a cotton ball in the liquid, then apply it to the glue. The residue should pull up as you scrub the spot. Continue rubbing it until all of the glue is removed, re-applying liquid as needed.^[8]
   
   • You can use rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or vodka.
   • To remove super glue with alcohol, let the liquid sit on the glue for 15 to 30 minutes to dissolve it before trying to scrub it off.
   • If you’re using nail polish remover, make sure you’re using one that’s non-acetone. It’s gentler and safer for your skin.
4. Rub in mayonnaise or peanut butter if your plastic isn’t porous. Since both of these foods are primarily fats, they contain a lot of oil, which can seep into porous plastic, like reusable containers, and stain them. For sturdier plastics, coat the glue spot with a thick layer of mayonnaise or peanut butter, then let it sit for 30 minutes before removing it.^[9]
   
5. Use a rubber eraser if there’s only a thin layer of glue. For example, if you’ve already removed a label, and there’s just a tiny bit of residue remaining on the plastic, rub an eraser over it. You’ll have to apply firm pressure so that the eraser rips up the glue.^[10]
   
   • You can use either the small eraser on the end of a pencil or a larger rubber eraser.
6. Apply a store-bought cleaner if you have tough spots. Products specifically for removing glue, like Goo Gone or WD-40, are highly effective at getting rid of sticky stuff on plastic. Follow the directions on the package to make sure you’re using it safely and properly.^[11]
   
   • Most cleaners require you to apply the product to the glue, wait for it to set, then remove it with a damp cloth.
   • You can buy these cleaners at a hardware store or from an online retailer.

EditThings You’ll Need

EditUsing Baking Soda and Oil

• Baking soda
• Cooking oil
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• Scouring pad
• Soap
• Warm water
• Cloth

EditSources and Citations

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via Peter

How to Cut Sideburns

Sideburns can be an afterthought when you’re planning your hairstyle or managing any facial hair you may have. However, properly thinned and evened-out sideburns help balance your whole look, and can make your face appear longer and thinner. It only takes a few moments to use clippers to blend sideburns into the surrounding hair and give them even, defined edges—so give it a try!

EditSteps

EditSetting up the Cut

1. Trim sideburns when the hair is clean and soft. Sure, you can get passable results trimming sideburns when the hair is dirty, sweaty, and/or full of product. That said, clean, soft hair cuts more easily and is easier to shape evenly and properly.^[1]
   
   • If you cut your sideburns after a shower, the hair will be clean, and the warm water will have softened both the skin and the hair follicles.
2. Do a haircut or beard trim (but not a shave) before the sideburns. Think of the sideburns as the transition zone between the hair on top of the head and any hair on the cheeks and face. By trimming the hair both above and (if present) below the sideburns first, you'll be able to blend them all together seamlessly.^[2]
   
   • If you're shaving off facial hair, however, do this after you trim and define the sideburns.
3. Grab your clippers and other trimming supplies. For the best results cutting sideburns, use electric hair clippers (corded or cordless) with multiple clip-on guards of differing lengths. You can choose full-size clippers used for cutting hair, but you may get better results with smaller clippers intended for use as a beard trimmer.^[3]
   
   • You’ll need a good mirror, especially if you’re cutting your own sideburns, and it can be helpful to work over a sink to minimize the mess. Because of this, a bathroom is the best place to cut your side burns.
   • Get a razor, shaving cream, aftershave, and a clean towel if you plan to shave defined edges to your sideburns.
4. Comb the sideburns in the direction the hair grows. Use a beard comb or other fine-toothed comb to smooth out and align the hairs that make up the sideburns. Follow the grain of the hair, which means you’ll mainly be combing downward--although some sideburns may have hair that angles slightly toward the ears.^[4]
   
   • Combing before cutting gives you the best perspective on the overall length, thickness, and evenness of the sideburns. Additionally, running a comb through your hair will detangle it.

EditBlending Sideburns into the Hair

1. Choose a clipper guard that matches the surrounding hair length. Even if you want the hair of the sideburns to end up shorter than the hair above them, start by clipping them to the same length. If you’re not sure which clipper guard corresponds to the length of the hair above the ears, start with a higher (or even the highest) numbered clipper guard. You can keep going over the sideburns with lower numbered guards until you reach the correct one.^[5]
   
   • Clipper guards are numbered (#1, #2, #3, #4, etc.), with lower numbers cutting off more of the hair--for instance, a #3 will cut hair shorter than a #4.
   • They also usually have corresponding hair lengths marked on them—e.g., for #4. So, if you wish, you can measure the surrounding hair with a ruler to determine its length and match up the correct clipper guard.
   • Clipper guards usually just snap onto the end of the clippers.
2. Clip from the bottom up to blend the sideburns into the hair. Turn on the clippers, and place the flat side of the clipper guard against the skin at the back of the cheek. The tips of the guard’s “teeth” should be just below the sideburn and pointed up. Glide the clippers upward while maintaining contact with the skin. Once the tips of the teeth reach a line that’s roughly parallel with the top of the ear, angle the clippers away from the skin while still gliding upward.^[6]
   
   • Repeat this maneuver 2 or 3 times to make sure you don’t miss any stray hairs.
   • If the hair over the ears is longer than the highest clipper guard, use the highest guard number and angle the clippers away once you reach about above the ear canal. If the hair is especially short above the ears, you can instead continue gliding upward until you reach the temple, curve the clippers over the top of the ear, or do both with multiple passes.
3. Thin the lower part of longer sideburns with a smaller clipper guard. The sideburn hairs should now be an even length with the surrounding hair, but most hairstyles typically keep them a bit shorter. Move down to the next lower numbered clipper guard (e.g., #4 to #3) and make the same upward gliding motion. This time, however, angle away from the skin at a point slightly above your ear canal.^[7]
   
   • This way, the upper portion of each sideburn will blend into the surrounding hair, while the lower portion will be thinner.
   • Work on angling the clippers away slowly so you create a seamless transition between hair lengths.
   • You can keep thinning the sideburn further with the next lower guard (e.g., #2) if desired.

EditCreating Even Edges

1. Use your fingers to establish the desired sideburn length. Cutting sideburns straight can be a bit more challenging than it sounds. Place your index fingertips against both sideburns at the point where you want the bottom to be, then identify corresponding landmarks on your ears that you can use to visualize the cut.
   
   • If you’re cutting your own sideburns, make sure you keep your head level and use a good quality mirror. If you’re cutting someone else, make sure they keep their head level and look at them straight on.
   • You can also use a barber’s pencil to mark lines where you want to cut the sideburns. Barber's pencils are available at beauty supply stores or online.
   • For most modern hairstyles, the length of the sideburns should fall somewhere between above the ear canals and above the earlobes.^[8]
2. Clip without a guard to define the bottom edges and sides. Remove any guards from the clippers, turn them on, and place the vibrating blades against one of the sideburns at the determined spot to define the bottom. Pull the clippers straight downward for about to create the bottom edge. If there are also stray hairs along the sides of the sideburns that need trimmed, carefully touch the clipper blades to the skin, or use cosmetic scissors to trim away the hairs manually.^[9]
   
   • Work carefully near the ears with unguarded clippers, as they can easily scrape or nick the sensitive skin there. Smaller grooming clippers or cosmetic scissors may be the safer choice.
   • In most cases, the bottoms of sideburns should be parallel to the ground, though angled bottoms may suit some hairstyles.^[10]
   • Don't define the bottom of the sideburns if you are blending them into an existing beard.
3. Shave with a razor to sharpen the bottom edges, if desired. If you want to create a clean, finished look for the sideburns (and there isn’t a beard to contend with), use a manual razor. Rub a small amount of shaving cream into the bottom of the sideburns, then place the razor right at the bottom of each sideburn and glide down the skin slowly and smoothly. Repeat this 2-3 times, then rinse with cool water and apply an aftershave balm.^[11]
   
   • Don’t use an old, nicked, or dull razor blade. Switch it out for a fresh one, which is less likely to cause cuts or skin irritation.
4. Shave any facial hair after tackling the sideburns. If there is facial hair that needs shaved, you can work on it right after finishing the sideburns. Just continue shaving down from the bottom of the sideburns and cut off whatever facial hair needs removed.^[12]
   

EditTips

• Check out hairstyle guides in magazines or online to get ideas for how to craft sideburns that suit your overall look.

EditWarnings

• If you're not sure how long you want your sideburns to be, trim them to be a little longer than you might end up wanting them at first. You can always cut more off later, but you can't add more on (until they grow back)!

EditThings You’ll Need

• Clippers with numbered guards
• Beard comb (or other fine-toothed comb)
• Mirror
• Razor, shaving cream, and aftershave (optional)
• Cosmetic scissors (optional)
• Barber's pencil (optional)

EditSources and Citations

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from How to of the Day http://bit.ly/2B6FN50
via Peter