The present invention relates to a hair cutting appliance (10) comprising a blade set (20), and to a blade set (20) of a hair cutting appliance (10). The blade set (20) is arranged to be moved through hair in an assumed moving direction (28) to cut hair. The blade set (20) comprises a stationary blade (22), a movable blade (24), and a lateral protecting element (56). The stationary blade (22) comprises at least one toothed cutting edge (32, 34), a lateral end (30), and a first surface (48) that is arranged, when in use for shaving purposes, as a skin-contacting surface. The movable blade (24) comprises a toothed cutting edge (32, 34). The stationary blade (22) and the movable blade (24) are arranged to be reciprocally moved with respect to each other in a cutting direction (Y) that is basically perpendicular to the assumed moving direction (28). The lateral protecting element (56) is associated with the lateral end (30), thereby defining a lateral end cap of the stationary blade (22), wherein the lateral protecting element (56) laterally shields a lateral edge (40) of the lateral end (30), such that, when in use, skin contact of the lateral edge (40) is prevented. The lateral protecting element (56) and the lateral end (30) cooperate so as to prevent hairs from being trapped therebetween. The stationary blade (22) and the movable blade (24) are at least partially made from steel, and the lateral protecting element (56) is made from plastic material. The blade set (20) configured to pivot or swivel with respect to a housing of the hair cutting appliance (10).