For probably about two years now, I’ve been cutting my boys’ hair. Originally, we went to a local kid’s salon, but with two growing boys whose hair seems to grow faster than I can even blink, the cost was getting to be a bit much. We were really trying to find ways to cut back and save money, and I saw cutting their hair as a way to save potentially $20-$30 a month, which really adds up after a year’s time. So, the last time I took the boys to the salon, I tried to watch everything the  hairstylist did…. then I hopped onto YouTube and found a great teaching video that helped me get a grasp on the basics of cutting hair. All I needed was a good pair of scissors and a pair of clippers. I happened to have an old set of clippers on hand, so that’s what I’ve used up until now.

Thanks to a trip to the Home & Housewares Show, I had the opportunity to meet with Wahl. They generously gave me the Home Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit to try out with the boys. This kit contains a small booklet that gives step-by-step instructions, things I was able to learn and incorporate into my hair cutting regime with Jacob. The kit also contains clippers with steel blades and an adjustable taper control (good for different hair lengths), scissors, several guide combs, both left/right ear tapers, 3 combs, a storage case to hold everything, 3 hair clips, a cleaning brush, and blade oil. Everything we need, besides my water spray bottle and a towel to drape over the kids, is included in this kit. It’s important to oil your blades before you start using the clippers, just an fyi.

So, Jacob’s hair has started to get a bit out of control lately; why do I procrastinate so much? It was time to give him a good trim and make him look like less of a ragamuffin. He graciously agreed to let me take pictures of the entire process, so I can hopefully show my readers that it is possible to cut your kids’ hair at home, thus saving a ton of moolah each year.

We started out  like normal, draping the towel over Jacob and spraying him down with water. His hair is really thick, so I get it good and soaked to help in cutting his hair more easily. He’s content just to sit and either watch a movie or play on his iPod while I work (with Jaden this step is key…. must have entertainment to help keep the wiggles away). Since Jacob’s never wanted a buzz cut, and his hair tends to stay a bit on the longer side, I started out trimming around his head with my scissors…. combing, cutting, combing, cutting…. just making sure it’s pretty well even. Then it was time to use the clippers. I followed the instructions in my little booklet this time, switching things up just a bit. I started out with a bigger guide comb but decided to take it down a couple notches and use a no. 6 guide comb to start out. I took the clippers with the guide comb around the bottom of his head. I will say that the guide combs just clip right on; for some reason, I got a bit impatient, and I accidentally broke the comb (and my nail) trying to force it on (I didn’t have it situated right). I was still able to use it, though. It really gave a nice start to trimming off that excess hair that had grown in around his neckline and up around the side of his head. The clippers felt so light and easy to use…. they weren’t as heavy as my old clippers, so my hand didn’t get as tired, and we zoomed right through this step. I noticed a bit of a cut line, so we switched to the next size up guide comb and went around the middle of his head from right all the way around the back to the left side of the head. This helped to blend and really gave a nice trim. Next I used the left and right ear tapers to trim around his ears, following instructions given in the guide. I never knew how to use these in my old kit; we didn’t have a booklet explaining how to use everything. They made trimming around the ears so much easier!

Finally, I used the clippers to trim around his neck/along his hairline. I also used the clippers in a rocking motion to blend the cut line. Then I took the scissors and just did a little more trimming/blending in the front. Usually, I do more blending with the scissors all the way around his head, starting in the back and moving toward the front. This time, I didn’t really feel the need to do that. I felt like we got a good cut without it. Jacob looked in the mirror and was pleased, as well. Plus, you really can’t argue with a pile of hair as big as this…. goodness!

I do like that this set of clippers has “high-carbon steel blades” that are “precision ground to stay sharp longer.” I love the lightweight feel of the clippers in my hands. They do have a cord, which makes it important to be closer to an outlet when working. I also love the selection of guide combs and other accessories that come in the kit. The instructions, with pictures, are absolutely wonderful and make the hair cutting process much less intimidating. The kit itself is very compact and has a nice carry handle, making it easy to both store and take along. It also gives my Jacob a pretty nice looking head of hair, don’t you think?

You can purchase the Wahl Home Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit for around $34.99, which is definitely a worthy investment, especially considering how much we’d spend on salon visits. Online, a kit similar to this says that it also contains a cape, an instructional DVD, a spray bottle, and hand mirror, none of which were included in my kit…. that may be something new they’ve started to include in the kit since we received ours or it may be because we received a sample at the home show. Either way, I couldn’t be happier about our new clipper kit from Wahl. Be sure to Like Wahl Home on Facebook; you’ll also find lots of tips and tricks on their YouTube channel.

The great news is that one reader will win their very own Wahl Home Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit! You can enter to win by doing one or more of the following; just be sure to leave a separate comment for each way that you enter. I’ll draw the winner, via random.org, on Monday, May 28. This giveaway is open to U.S. only (void where prohibited). No purchase is necessary, and the odds of winning are based on a number of entries. Good luck, and have a wonderful day!

1. What is one way you’ve found to cut back and save your family quite a bit of moolah? Share in the comments.

Other optional ways to enter:

• Follow @WahlHome on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway, one time only.
• Subscribe to MamaBuzz posts.
• Follow @mamabzz on Twitter.

(Disclosure: I received the Wahl Home Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit, free of charge, at the Home & Housewares Show. All views/opinions remain solely my own.)