How to Explain The Perfect Haircut To Your Barber
We all have one - that perfect hairstyle that suits us exactly. The idea is so easy to picture in our minds. So why can it be hard to explain to your barber when you’re in the chair? Because (for most of us) we only spend a little bit of time describing such things throughout our day. But there’s good news. We’ve explained how to communicate that stellar look to your barber. Some of you know exactly what you’re after. If that’s the case, book in a chair at our barbershop and show off your eloquent descriptive skills already. This article, for the rest of us, shows ‘how’ to articulate that look you’re after and avoid walking out with anything less than the perfect haircut. Researching your style
Many of us are guilty of not even reaching this stage. We get it - you’re busy, on the move, and sometimes not even initially planning on getting a haircut today. But, like all good things, the more you know about outlining your style, the better the result. Here are some tips that can help.If you get a great haircut one day, go ahead - take that selfie from the front and side. Not only do you have a spiffy new DP, but you’ve got yourself a visual guide to use if you ever want to revisit the look. Ask your barber what they’ve done to make it look great - you may be surprised how easy it is to pull off by yourself.Gather visual inspiration
If articulation isn’t coming naturally, let pictures talk for you. There are epic websites out there with images of haircuts for all styles. Using them when you come in to describe what you’re after helps your barber REALLY see what you’re saying.Be realistic
Tip - the same haircut can look different on different people. Try using images of people with similar features, build, and complexion to you. If you have straight, strawberry blonde hair, be honest with yourself - are you sure you’re a lookalike to Jason Mamoa? If not, its likely his hairstyle will look different on you. If yes, congratulations are in order.Make sure you check out our inspiration page.Be specific about length
It’s hard to know exactly which words to use and when, so we recommend you use numbers to communicate the length you need.
Here’s a handy table guide to help you know exactly which length your barber should adjust their clippers to.| Guard Number | Length in Millimetres |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3mm |
| 2 | 6mm |
| 3 | 10mm |
| 4 | 13mm |
| 5 | 16mm |
| 6 | 18mm |
| 7 | 22mm |
| 8 | 25mm |
Be specific about style
Remember, you can always tell your barber to start long and take away more length. Our barbers are pretty darn good at what we do, but getting it to regrow back if you regret going straight for a 3mm shave won’t work. Buzz cut
A short haircut, known as a military cut or a clipper cut, is done using a pair of clippers with the length of hair uniform across every angle of the skull. Popularised due to its low maintenance levels and versatility, this suits people with round face shapes.
Undercut
Undercuts commonly involve ‘disconnecting’ the hair on the sides and back to the hair on the top of your head by cutting them at intentionally different lengths without a transition. 
Faux hawk
This one is in the same family as the infamous mohawk, but more PG13+. Suppose you want to avoid the questions over the family Christmas table. In that case, the faux hawk allows the sides to be cropped at a shorter length than the remaining hair on the front, top, and back of your head. This creates a channel of longer hair stripped down the middle of your head and can look classy AF.
Taper
The taper is where your hair gradually changes from one length to another. This isn’t necessarily a fade, which ends when it reaches the skin in a ‘fading’ effect. Tapered haircuts can be done with clippers at different lengths. 
Fade
A popular haircut that ‘fades’ the hair into the skin. This is done through gradual layering with a set of clippers at different lengths. You can specify further with a high fade (higher up on the sides and back), a lower fade (where the transition is closer to the level of your ear), or a Brooklyn fade (done at the level of the temples).
Top Knot
Ah, the top knot. Where the hair on the top of your head is much longer than the sides and back, enough so to tie it up on top. The normal look is in the centre of your head, depending on your hair length. 
Short back and sides
A classically easy order for many involves keeping the hair on top at a longer length than that on the sides and back of your head. ‘Short’ can be anything from a few inches, to a full skin fade. 
Be specific about texture
First, what on earth does ‘texture’ mean?This means adding ‘body’, or volume, to your hair. Your barber can use texture to control the volume - for example, if you’re thinning out, texture can make your head look fuller. If your hair is thick and dense, this involves taming the beast down to a manageable body. Thinning
This one is for the gentlemen with a thick, untamed mane. Ask your barber to thin it out, and they’ll reduce the overall volume (without touching the length, unless requested) using a pair of thinning scissors. 
Layered
Layering involves your hair length being ‘sectioned’, with longer, medium length, and shorter hair lengths being used at various points of your head. This can help create an appearance of fullness. 
Choppy
Like the messier look? Point cutting the tips of your hair at a 45 degree angle helps your barber achieve a rougher, uneven texture that makes your hair look naturally and stylishly messy. 
Still unsure? Talk to the professionals
It’s great to give us an idea of your preference, but being open to suggestions goes a long way too. We’ve cut countless haircuts, so it's likely some of our Prahran barbers have the expertise to recommend adjustments based on the type of hair you have, the shape of your face, and the look you’re going for. Find out more about our team.That’s a wrap
When it comes down to the perfect do, it's active and clear communication with your barber that'll make your look a reality. First, understanding your style and the types of haircuts that inspire you and familiarising yourself with a bit of the terminology is a great place to start.Give us a call or book in with The Bearded Man. Together, we’ll create that d*amn fine look that will have you strutting out of the chair.