I don't cut my own hair. IT would probably more convenient for me to learn but IM too lazy to mess up and try to fix my hair over and over. Plus my hands aren't very steady.
Going to a barber, you just have to know what you want. It took me a while, but now I can pretty much go to any barber and get the right thing. 1.5, against the grain, no sideburns, square the back, and use a straight razor on the shape up.
However you can still go to a barber, know what you want and they'll still mess it up.
I did recently go to a barber who gave me a temper fade for no reason. He did it on one side and then asked me if it was ok. Like I was going to walk around with a fade on one side of my head. F***ing idiot.
He did trim my facial hair perfectly though.
I am currently debating getting a new barber and it's a little nerve wracking, but it seems like all the barber's in my area are $18-$22 which I feel is way to expensive for a simple cut.