How to Tell Your Barber What You Want

“Just clean it up” and “short on the sides” mean different things to different people. A few specifics will get you the cut you pictured.

1. Bring photos

A photo on your phone beats any description.

• Match your hair. Pick photos of hair with a similar texture and thickness to yours.
• Show a few angles. Front, side, and back if you have them.
• Say what you like and don’t like. For example: “I like the taper here, but I want the top a bit longer.”

2. Know the guard numbers

Clipper guards are numbered by length:

• #0 (no guard): bare blade
• #1: 1/8 inch (3 mm)
• #2: 1/4 inch (6 mm)
• #3: 3/8 inch (10 mm)
• #4: 1/2 inch (13 mm)
• #5 to #8: 5/8 inch up to 1 inch

If you’re unsure, start longer. Your barber can always take more off.

3. Say how high and how short

• Skin (bald) fade: blends down to bare skin.
• Shadow fade: stops at a very short length, not bare skin.
• Low fade: starts just above the ear and stays low.
• Mid fade: starts around the temple.
• High fade: starts high on the head. It’s a bold, high-contrast look.
• Drop fade: the line drops in an arch behind the ear.

4. Choose a neckline

1. Tapered: fades into the neck skin. It grows out the cleanest.
2. Blocked: a straight line across the base. It looks sharp at first but shows stubble quickly.
3. Rounded: a blocked line with softened corners.

5. Describe your morning

Tell your barber how much time you spend on your hair. If you want to get up and go, they can cut it to fall into place. Mention cowlicks and double crowns, too, so they cut with the growth direction.

6. Speak up during the cut

If something looks too long or short, say so early. It’s easier to fix while the barber is still working.