How to Make Sideburns Straight

Co-authored by Tiffany Carnevale-Russo

Last Updated: February 5, 2022 References

Sideburns can accentuate a face shape and add style to your look. Sideburns are easy to grow, but they aren’t always so easy to tame. Shaping and trimming your sideburns so they're even, however, can be hassle-free with the use of a few simple techniques. The use of a razor, mirror, electric trimmer, and even a piece of thread can help you even out your sideburns so they look professionally done.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Accomplishing a Straight Line

1
Face the mirror straight-on. Stand in front of a mirror that shows all of your face. Do not angle your face up, down, or to either side. It will actually be easier to achieve a straight line looking straight ahead rather than turning your face to the side to see the full sideburn.^{[1]
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2
Apply shaving cream. Shaving cream is necessary because it provides hydration to your skin and lubrication during the shaving process. Use the shaving cream of your choice and lather up your sideburns. You can also lather up any other facial hair you may have if you plan to shave more than your sideburns.^{[2]
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3
Line up your razor straight with the mirror. Hold a straight razor with your dominant hand. The tip of the razor should be facing the mirror. The actual blade should be parallel with the ground.^{[3]
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4
Take a single stroke with the razor. Bring the razor to the top of one the sides of your sideburns. Then, bring the razor all the way down in one stroke. This will get rid of any bushiness, leaving your sideburn hair neat and trim. Repeat this on the other side of your sideburn. Then, repeat this again on the unshaven sideburn.^{[4]
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5
Make short strokes with the razor until the sideburns are straight. Once you’ve made single strokes down the sideburns, lather your sideburns again with shaving cream. Then, begin to make smaller strokes starting from the bottom of your sideburns. Take this time to even out the lines so that they are straight.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting the Sideburn Lengths Even

1
Choose a length for your sideburns. You can have very long sideburns that reach towards your chin, or you can have shorter sideburns that line up with your upper cheekbones.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Tiffany Carnevale-Russo
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 14 September 2021.} When deciding on a length, consider your face shape. Longer sideburns are better on shorter faces because they make the face appear longer. Shorter sideburns are better for long faces for the opposite reason.^{[7]
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- Longer sideburns can balance a long chin, while shorter sideburns can make a weak chin appear stronger.
2
Imagine a line between your sideburns. To help even the length of your sideburns out, imagine a line running across your face, reaching from the bottom, outer edge of each sideburn to the other. Keep this line in your imagination as you even out your sideburns.^{[8]
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Tiffany Carnevale-Russo
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 14 September 2021.} Keep facing forward as you even them out.^{[9]
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3
Use a thread to make evening up sideburns easier. If imagining a line is too difficult you can use an actual thread. Hold one end of the thread in each hand. Pull it so that it reaches the bottom, outer edge of each sideburn. Make sure the thread is straight and taut. Take note of how much hair you need to take off of each sideburn to make them even.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Touching up Sideburns

1
Use a trimmer with a guard. Your sideburns will inevitably need a touchup within a few days or a week, depending on how fast your hair grows. Always use an electric trimmer with a guard when dealing with growth and bushiness. A guard will prevent you from shaving off more than you intend to.^{[11]
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- Use a razor for straightening out lines.
2
Shampoo your sideburns once a day. Your sideburns won’t look as straight and neat if you don’t keep them clean. Clean your sideburns once a day, preferably at the start of the day. Apply a moisturizing shampoo to your sideburns, rub it into your facial hair, and then rinse it out thoroughly.^{[12]
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3
Comb sideburn hair in the direction it grows. Trying to comb your sideburn hair in a direction it doesn’t grow is bound to make it look unkempt. Instead, comb it in the direction it naturally grows. Figuring out which direction it grows shouldn’t be difficult because combing it in the correct direction will feel most comfortable.^{[13]
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#Comb sideburn hair in the direction it grows. Trying to comb your sideburn hair in a direction it doesn’t grow is bound to make it look unkempt. Instead, comb it in the direction it naturally grows.}
4
Go to a barber. Making sideburns straight isn’t an easy job. It’s usually a good idea to seek the help of a professional if you don’t feel comfortable handling them on your own. You can go in just to have your sideburns straightened out, or you can ask for a trim during a haircut.^{[14]
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