Whats the difference?

When I used to have my hair professionally cut at about grade 1.5/2 the sportin' waves would hit my hair instantly even with lots of water on it and it used to thicken up real quick while rubbing in. I used to find that my waves would be real deep. However ever since I've been cutting my own hair even at the same height, I can never achieve this effect. Surely the barber can't be doing anything different to me? Anyone who cuts their own hair now noticed anything like this?

like i said brush before every cut, and cut your in the direction you brush it. like when you cut the top some people start from the for head and go back. If you got waves it is cutting it off like from the roots, and more hair comes off that way. If you do it like you brush it it will be on point.