Anatomy of a haircut
If you insist on using words you have heard or read online to describe the haircut you want (instead of showing your barber pictures), it's safer to get it right down to a T, so there are no communication mishaps.
We've broken it down by sections; you're welcome.
BACK & SIDES
Fade
Hair length starts longer at the top and gets shorter as you go down.
Length of taper can vary.
Comes in High, Mid and Low.
High Fade
Fade starts in the top third of the head
The edgiest look out of the three
Not suitable for people with long heads
Mid Fade
Fade starts half way up the head - between a third to two thirds of the side of the head
Usually just above eyebrow height
Elongates the appearance of the head
Low Fade
Fade into longer length starts at a third of the way of the head
Great for those who want a softer look
Skin Fade
Like a fade but it is blended all the way down to see skin
Arches
The spaces between your hairline and your ears.
Comes in High Arch and Natural Arch
High Arch
More space between ears and hairline.
Great for men with smaller ears
A very neat finish
It will look messy and untidy as the hair grows out
Dorky looking when done incorrectly
Natural Arch
Follows the natural shape of the hairline around the ears
Most common type
Looks neater compared to High Arch as hair grows out
Side Burns
The way the hairline finishes under the temple with varying possible lengths & thickness
Comes in Top of the ear, Mid-ear, and Bottom of the ear.
Neckline/Nape
The way the back of the neck looks.
Just because you don't see your neckline doesn't mean it is not important - remember those who stand/walk behind you will be staring right at it.
Keep your neckline neat and tidy, so you don't appear unkempt.
Comes in Blocked, Rounded and Tapered.
Blocked
A straight line is cut across your natural neckline, giving it the appearance of a squared block.
Good for thin necks as it makes it look wider and thicker.
Requires frequent visits (ideally once a week) to your barber for a tidy-up
Rounded
Corners of a Blocked neckline are taken off - ie. less angular
Requires frequent visits (ideally once a week) to your barber for a tidy-up
Tapered
Most common neckline type & often paired with a fade
Follows the natural hairline - gradually shortens as the hair gets closer to the bottom of the neckline.
Less frequent touch-ups compared to Blocked & Rounded as neckline looks more blended and neater as the hair grows out.
It also makes thick necks look thinner.
TOP
Different textures and layers give the haircut a different finish
Choppy
Hair is cut at 45° angles at different lengths
Provides a varied texture and look more volumized
Great for styling the 'messy' look
Layered
Hair of varying lengths - longer hair resting on top of shorter ones
Great for thinning / balding hair
Emphasise the appearance of depth & volume of the hairstyle
Thinned-out
Reduces hair's volume by removing selective strands of hair
Great for thick bushy hair
There you have it - the simplest way we can explain various haircut terms. It might be a lot to remember, but trust us, read this through and then go talk to your barber - before you know it, you will remember them off the top of your head.
