I personally went from shaggy to none but thats me. I think if you cut it down by half then just keep doing that every week or two then go smooth. Or you could just go smooth now, get it done and out of the way and let the shock and awe get out of the way. People will make a deal out of it for like a week then be done. And if you go smooth now you can get headrubs right away instead of getting them months from now.
My experience with scraping the dome went like this. One day I had hair down to my shoulder blades, the very next day I was shaved smooth. At the time my wife and I were in a coffee delivery business and I literally went in one day with a foot long braid and shaved smooth the next day. A woman at one of our regular stops said to me something to the effect of "there's something different about you but I can't put my finger on it. Did you lose weight?"
So for me going from really long hair to a zero guard followed by a blade was no big deal. My opinion is it's better to just jump in with both feet, you can always grow it back later.
Welcome Rogozhin. The route you plan on taking is just fine. Best to do what feels comfortable with you. The gradual buzz is a good way to go, and I did it myself.
You're at a #3 now so the next time take it to a #2.
Are you buzzing it yourself, or going to a barber?
Went to a local barber at first, more out of laziness and speed than anything. Gah, overpriced isn't it? I'll probably buy a decent set of clippers after xmas and cut'er back myself (according to the advice elsewhere on here). The only bit I'm uncomfortable with is the very front peak of the hairline, where the thinness is more noticable the shorter it is. I can stick it out, despite the even deeper flop in female attention. I'll post an avatar pic if I ever get this bitch fully tamed...
Ha, also: beard styles. Already a topic on this, I know, but any quick suggestions as to what would look good, what doesn't make you look like a big 'bear'?
Ha, also: beard styles. Already a topic on this, I know, but any quick suggestions as to what would look good, what doesn't make you look like a big 'bear'?
Goatees are always good. There are a few guys on the forum that rock the sly with a full-on beard. Depends most on the face shape, I guess. I have sported either a goat or a fu manchu for most of my adult life.
I had the barber do the first buzz, that day he did a 4 and I settled on a 3 and walked out the door. Then, I started on my own. If you don't have one an electric clipper, at least in the US, costs around $10 at Wal-Mart--you're not opening a barbershop so you don't need to spend a bundle! I wound up taking it to a 2 for a week or so, then I did a #1 for three days. That felt so good, three days later I did a no guard, went to the gym, and after showing at home I applied the blade--Never looked back. Loving it, and you will too.
Note: as you referenced briefly, there is absolutely nothing like doing the final work yourself, it will be a slow firsst shave, there might be a nick or two--I'd use a razor you're familiar with first. But when you rinse your newly shaved head, the feeling of freedom is just one of the most incredible experiences--it's a special thing you should if possible do yourself, IMO.