DIY: Cutting My Own Hair Super Short with Updates

written 12/29/25, updated 4/12/26

What

DIY haircut. I am a female who likes super short hair

Why

Saving money and time, getting the cut I want not what the hair person thinks

Time & Effort

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Effort: Easy-Moderate

Directory

Click to Navigate!

Materials & Cost

Bought Supplies

Wahl Prof Magic Clip V9000 Corded

Philips Norelco 3000 Multi-Groom*

The 360 Mirror

Alligator Hair Clips

Total

$82.99

$29.99

$39.99

$5.99

$158.96

Highly Recommended: Hair Scissors

*Note: I don’t recommend this trimmer. The button is difficult to slide. Should’ve sprung for a more expensive one

Owned Supplies

Hair Cutting Cape

Comb (clippers come with one)

Water Spray Bottle

Broom and/or Vacuum Cleaner

Process

What follows is the original, very first haircut I did myself December 2025 where I was really nervous. Skip to the bottom for Notes and my subsequent cuts

Prepping

Gather supplies and clear any rugs or anything else in the cutting area. Little hairs will fly! Keep everything within easy reach

Secure the cape

Follow manufacturer’s instructions on oiling the clipper. The thing I read beforehand said to put one drop on either side of the blades and then back

Grab the spray bottle and comb, then mist the hair so that it’s mildly damp but not sopping wet

I couldn’t find a spray bottle, so I used a wet comb and that does not work very well

Then comb straight so that all the hair lays flat

Know the gameplan. Apparently, the rule of thumb for close cuts is to do the sides then the back first. Because I wanted to keep the top a bit longer, I needed to alligator clip the hair there out of the way so I could deal with it later

The problem with such large clips is that they get in the way of the clipper

Cutting!!

Starting time!! The recommendation is to use the clipper guards and to go more conservative first. You can take away hair but not put it back.

To start, I used a #4 guard to address the sides. The technique is cut straight into the air and to NOT follow the curve of the head just yet.

Deep Breath! LET’S DO THIS!

Right Side

Hmm… Didn’t wet the hair enough, so it was really difficult to cut the strands

Left Side

Wet it more this time and it was easier. The only hard part was using my left hand instead of my right

Now for the trimmer! Using the trimmer and/or the corner edge of the clipper (no guard), fold the ear and trim around the contour

This trimmer was TERRIBLE. The on/off switch was literally impossible to flip and for the number of times you need to do that, it was super obnoxious and hurt my fingers. That’s what happens when I decide to go cheap

Interestingly, my hair is different on both sides. In the end, I knew I’d need the help of scissors to polish it off

Now for the back. I stuck with the #4 guard to take the bulk off. Utilizing the side mirrors by turning either left or right to see more (you have to use the mirror in the mirror effect), I was able to take off the bulk of the length. The straight back, I used a two-handed motion similar to that dumbbell exercise

Now there are those little strands in the back. I decided to use the trimmer again. This part was super hard because I couldn’t see anything and no amount of phone or mirror could help me. In the end, I just used the comb as a straight edge. I knew I’d want another person to help me out later.

They sell these back of head guides that you can secure around your forehead

And for the riskiest part: Fine tuning. With the bulk gone, it was time to do detail work. If the length was good for a trim, I would’ve been fine, but I didn’t want that. I want shorter!

Stupidly, I went straight from the #4 to a #1 for whatever dumb reason. If I was seasoned, it’d be fine, but I was brand new to this!! So, of course, I made a mistake.

Whoops. Too much, too fast

After laughing nervously, I decided to fix it. Slowly this time. I went from a #3, to a #2, then a #1. Each guard number I went all over with until I got used to wielding the clipper.

I actually wasn’t intending to ever go back to the #1, but I did in the end because it was the only way to get the bottom of the back to hug the skin and look more natural.

Helpful: Just because you use a guard doesn’t mean you’re limited to it. On the side of the clipper is a lever that further controls the length. So, using a #3 plus the lever effectively gives you #3.1 – 3.9. This allows more control to fine tune and is how I ended up fixing the hair and feeling comfortable with the rest of the fine-tuning process. It ends up being a trial-and-error/practice thing.

After fixing everything, I felt much better and things were looking good as a whole. Now for the mid-tier! I swapped to the #6 to do the curve of my head, then the #4, and eventually #3 (only a little)

For the other side of my head, I removed the clips, combed, then added the clips the other way this time. Time to cut!

More fine tuning all the way around. This is where I finally figured out how to properly use the tri-fold mirror.

The female head has a much more pronounced dip/roundness in the back than a typical male head, so I had to take that into account

Happy with the sides and back, normally, this is where Hair Scissors come into play. Alas, I did NOT have any. I also knew better than to use regular scissors or the clippers. I would have thinned and layered the top using a 2-finger hold and cut method, then fine-tuned the contours of the ears.

And DONE!

Go clean up and take a shower!

Before and After Pictures

Notes:

1st Cut 12/27/25

Very freeing and so much easier than I thought it would be! A few hiccups in the learning process, but overall, I can see myself doing this for years to come. The tri-fold mirror was instrumental in all of this! I would highly recommend it! I’m already imagining other styles I can try in the future! It’s nice to not only save money, but do this at my own leisure, in my own house!

I needed someone else’s help for the scissor-work and contouring of the back and ears, so I have yet to try that myself. Shouldn’t be too hard. I’ll update whenever I do that in the future.
While the longer top style-wise wasn’t too bad looking, I can’t staaaaand hair in my face, so it just got annoying
If using the large hair clips, make sure to push them way up high or they’ll get in the way of the clipper
Definitely use a spray bottle
I didn’t realize the back of my head is so bumpy. If the pictures look like I chopped to much in some places, it’s actually because of my head structure

2nd Cut 2/21/2026

Cut in the kitchen this time which was much better and brighter than the bathroom. Mess up AGAIN in the same spot because I forgot to return the clipper lever to the lowest level which means that, yet again, I needed to use the #1 guard to smooth it out. It went much faster than the first time because I not only felt more comfortable as a whole, but I properly utilized the 360 Mirror. Vacuum cleaner is much easier than broom and dustpan. Shorter to start this time around and shorter to end with. Also did not have scissors and had help for the final touches yet again.

LEFT: Pre-cut; CENTER: Messed up in the lower corner, so had to cut on guard #1 to smooth it out; RIGHT: Post-cut

3rd Cut 4/12/2026

Hair was shorter to start with, but longer to end with than previous iterations (mostly because I didn’t mess up as badly). This time employed scissors to help, so it took a bit longer to complete. Still messed up when trying to use the comb + clipper method to detail towards the top. Looks bad, but not as bad as the bottom of the hairline. It’s really nice to be able to cut whenever I feel like on my own. This time, I’m going to add some more notes to the process now that it’s more streamlined.

Wet and comb throughout the process
Pin hair as desired
Choose a Guard – Used #3 with the clipper level on the shortest setting
Clip the sides and the back using the 360 mirror – Use the middle to start, then the mirror-in-the-mirror images (i.e. When cutting the right side, look to the left; When cutting the left side, look to the right). Use an underhand hold and cut upwards.

Ear and Back Detail – Wet, comb, then use scissors and/or mini clippers. BE CAREFUL!! This is the easiest place to mess up!
Shorten and Fade as desired. Used #2 guard ON THE LONGEST CLIPPER LENGTH first, then at half lever for the middle, and then the shortest on the lowest portion of the head. Use a scooping motion with the clipper to prevent sharp edges

Detail Time – I removed 2 hair clips and then went in small increments with the clipper level. Be careful if you’re trying to use the comb as a guard to help. That’s where I messed up this time… heh… heh… Sigh.

Scissor Work – First time using scissors. I read somewhere that the best way to cut bangs is to use the comb as a guide and do vertical snips to make it look more natural. I’m not going for bangs here, but I figured it worked similarly?

Final Touches – Look all around for evenness. I ran the guarded clipper around again to make sure all the areas were cut and found that I’d missed the upper back corners near the top of my head

Complete!

True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 3 – ACT 3 (END) – Written Walkthrough Guide (Switch)

written 2/22/26, updated 2/28/26

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Read ACT 2

Published: Digital Lounge
Platform Played: Nintendo Switch 2
Price: MSRP: $9.99
Rated: T (Mild Violence)
Genre: Adventure
Date Released: February 16, 2026

I played the original games (2018 and 2019) and LOVED THEM so much! Those games are the direct reason why I love these puzzle adventure games so much. It’s been a long time in the making and release, but it was well worth the wait! Often these series types of games skimp out on endings, but this was AMAZING!!! HIGH, HIGHLY recommended series! Fine details and fun quips are always big points of appreciation for me as a player and this does not disappoint. It’s best to play them in order as the quality greatly increases with each game and you need to know the first two to get the references in the last one to make it that much more enjoyable. I will eventually go back and write the first 2 guides, but here is the 3rd game (NOTE: there are plenty of guides on the internet and I usually save my guides for games that don’t have them, but I love these games so much that I’m going to just write them to show my support)

Game Start – Act 3: Temple Redux

NOTE: The puzzle solutions are for CASUAL mode. Also, this game is so long that I have split up the guide into different ACTS

WARNING: This game’s autosave function isn’t the greatest, so if you want to save your game, make sure to back out to the Menu

Fraying at the Edges

If you played the other games, you would immediately recognize this location

From the ground, take the Note and Hook Part
Go to the back of the house and look at the tree; Take the Wire and Broken Plate
Look at the car window and use the Wire
Take the Screwdriver and Blanket; Don’t forget to take Heather Stonehouse Figurine II

I still don’t know where I keep missing the first Heather Figurine

Pull the emergency brake
Use the Screwdriver on the dented cabinet; Take the Tin Soldier, Double Barrette, and Note
Use the Double Barrette on the backpack before; Take the Zip Ties, Hook Parts, and Hedge Clippers
Look at the falling water tower; Use the Hedge Clippers and take the Trowel
Use the Trowel under the tree for a Wrench and Hook Part
Connect the Chain and Hooks to the red tank, then connect it around the water tank
Use the Wrench and watch destruction
Down in the Cellar, take the Stethoscope from the cabinet
From the worktable, take Sledgehammer Handle, Oil Can, and Sharpening Stone
Use the Broken Plate and Tin Soldier on the table
Use the Domino on the cabinet window

Domino Cellar Cabinet Puzzle

Swap the pieces so that all the sides match

Use the Sledgehammer Handle on the head in the box
Use the Sledgehammer on the broken wall

Entry

Look at the gold safe, take the Note, then use the Stethoscope

Safe Cracking Puzzle

Turn the dial and pay attention to the beats to break the safe

Remove the bow, take the Swing and Organ Card; Don’t forget to take Heather Stonehouse Figurine II
Look at the red tank; Click the Pipe until you get it
Look at the area with the broken axe head; Take the Note, then use the Pipe, Zip Ties, then Sharpening Stone to make an Axe
Use the Blanket in the puddle in the middle of the path to get a Wet Blanket
Go up the path and down to the temple
Use the Wet Blanket on the temple door, then click on it
Click the arched window 3x, then use the Swing

Inside

Look at the bench to the right; Take the Bunch of Keys, Note, then click on the arrow
Go back out to the front of the temple and use the Bunch of Keys on the car trunk
Take the Rope and Canister
Go back inside the temple to the bench; Use the Axe then Rope on the arrow for an Arrow with String
Use the Axe on the bench for some Firewood
Take the Rubber Boot from the bottom of the broken staircase
Look at the furnace to the left of the doorway; Use the Firewood, Canister, then Lighter inside the stove door (somehow not burning yourself…)
Use the Lighter on the wood piece sitting on top, click it, then turn the valve to light the temple
Go through the doorway; Take the Gutter from the ground in the middle
Go straight twice and pick up the Piece of Metal from the gate lock
Go back once, then go to the right into the Organ Room
Look at where the green toolbox has been crushed by a column; Remove the plastic bottle, then take the Organ Card, Medallion, and Note
Use the Piece of Metal on the plastic bottle; Take the Key to the Chest and Funnel
Go back out to the front of the temple
Look at the generator; Remove the fuel cap then use the Funnel and Canister
Press the red button, then go up the hill
Look at the refrigerator and plug the cords in so that the cords run left and right
Take the Note
Go back down the path; Press the “up” button on the elevator
Take the Red Part of Statue and Rubber Glove
Look at the gold safe; Use the Arrow with String to get Bow and Arrow with String
Go into the temple; While in the entry way, use the Bow and Arrow with String on the broken staircase to the right to get a Rubber Boot
Look at the ground where the time capsule was; Use the Rubber Glove to get a Water Glove
Go back out and up the hill to the refrigerator
Swap the plug so that it’s only connected on the right side; Use the Water Glove on the refrigerator then open it for an Ice Glove
Go back inside to the temple entry way
Look at the blue crystal behind the grate; Use the Lighter and Ice Glove on their respective locks
Take the Glass Sphere
Head forward through the doorway; Use the Medallion on the iron maiden

Iron Maiden Medallion Puzzle

Rotate the board so that the medallions fit into their specific color spot

Solution (Click to Expand)

Click the Left (L) button and Right (R) button as indicated below

Casual: L, L, R, R, L, L, R, R, L, R, R

Left x2, Right x2, Left x2, Right x2, Left, Right x2

Advanced: L, L, R, R, R, L, R, R, R, R

Left x2, Right x3, Left, Right x4

Open the iron maiden, undo the red string, then take the Glass Sphere
Go forward, then left towards the Throne Room
Look at the table in the back left; Take the Clue and Amulet Mold, then Use the Bunch of Keys on the box
Go to the Organ Room and use the Glass Spheres on the two statues
Go down into the Dungeon
Look at the brown chest; Use the Key to the Chest then Take the Bellows, Gutter, and White Part of Statue
Go forward into the Crypt; Use the Oil Can on the left wall
Use the Rubber Boots on the electrified water
Take the Gutter, Organ Card, and Note
Click the other side of the room, then press the button on the statue 3x for a clue
Go to the Dungeon; Use the Gutters x3 on the running water to the right
Take the shirt from the flooded cell; Take Letter Button and Yellow Part of Statue
Go left into the Torture Room; Use the White Part of Statue, Red Part of Statue, and Yellow Part of Statue on the statues

3 Statue Puzzle

Move the joints and heads to put the statues in their proper positions according to the earlier clue

Go back to the Throne Room with the chessboard; Use the Oil Can on the brown door to the left near the demon bust
Go up to the Pulpit; Take the Bronze Figurine
Go to the newly opened Secret Room

Don’t forget to take the Christopher Smith Figurine II from where the big statue used to be

Take the Cactus, Engraved Stone, and Organ Card
Look at the brown cabinet on the right; Use the Bellows on the top for an Organ Card
Look at the book display; Take the Letter Button
Try to look at the projector
Look at the desk top; Take the Candle, Organ Card, and Clue
Don’t forget to take the Real You Figurine from under the book
display
Go back to the Throne Room; Use the Engraved Stone on the box in the back left

Moving Stone Box Puzzle

Pull the pieces to create paths between numbers and symbols

Hint: this is a code key puzzle. You’re trying to figure out which symbol goes with which number

Go to the Organ Room; Use the Organ Cards x6 on the organ

Organ Puzzle

Place the music cards in the correct locations according to the clue. When you’re happy with the order, click on the gold thing on the bottom right of the organ

Take the Diamond
Go back to the Secret Room; Use the Diamond on the book display
Take the Clue and Tweezers
Look at the broken lantern; Use the Tweezers for Letter Button, then use it again on the broken glass of the lantern
Take the Candle and Ring Pull
Look at the drawer under the desk; Use the Ring Pull
Take the Letter Button, Black Chalk, Video Switch, and Note
Look at the brown cabinet; Use the Letter Buttons x4

Letter Button Puzzle: Redux

Huh. This is familiar, yet different!

Press the buttons in order to create a message according to the clue

Solution (Click to Expand)

In order: I, Blank Space, ?, M, Blank Space, A, H, O, W

Take Forging Tongs, Audio Tape, and Plate
Go to the Dungeon
Look at the furnace to the left; Use the Amulet Mold, Bronze Figurine, Bellows, then Forging Tongs
Use Forging Tongs again, then quench the Heated Mold in the flooded cell
Open the mold for Mother’s Heart
Back in the Secret Room, look at the desk top; Use the Cactus, Black Chalk, Plate, and Lighter
Look at the cabinet; Use Mother’s Heart and take the Candle and VHS Tape
Use the Lantern on the player, then the Audio Tape, VHS Tape, and Video Switch
Take the Figurine II from the bottom of the statue
Look at the statue; Take the last Candle and use it in front of the broken mirror to the right

Yellow Vs. Purple Candle Game Puzzle

Click on a candle to turn it your color. Try to get the most color on the game board

Just do your best. This was a surprisingly nail-biting game. Thought I was going to lose!

Take the Special Dagger
Look at the statue; Give mother back her Heart
Use the Special Dagger to silence this nightmare!

GAME OVER!!

I’m so happy they did such a great job on this game! I know it’s a good puzzle game when I actually play 90% of the puzzles instead of skipping them. I only ran into one glitch which is in the bonus content when you try to play for the figurines you missed before where it crashes the entire game. As of 2/28/2026, I have reported it to the group. I ended up missing… 2-3 of them, I think. Even in the 2nd playthrough, I’m not sure where they are!

Read ACT 1

Read ACT 2

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