5 Tips From a Master Barber to Help You Get the Haircut You Want

Getting a haircut you actually like that looks good is crucial to feeling confident and stylish. However, there are times you didn’t express yourself clearly enough to let the barber know what you want. There’s also a possibility that you went to a bad barber. Either way, you’re the one who ends up getting a haircut that you’d rather keep to yourself. If you don’t want this to happen, here are some tips for getting the haircut you want.

Bring a Photo Reference

If it’s your first time meeting your barber, better bring a photo reference to give them an idea of what style you want. It’s perfectly normal to bring a photo whenever you visit a gent’s barbershop. Since you’re sure to have your phone with you all the time, a quick Google search of the latest hairstyles will give you all the references you need. Show it to your barber, and make things easier for the both of you.

Know Your Haircut Terminology

Since you’re already looking at your phone browsing hairstyles, you might as well give yourself a crash course on haircut terminology. Knowing the terms will help you adequately express what you want with your barber. Some basic terms you should know include:

  • Tapered or Face Cut: These terms are commonly used interchangeably in most haircut places for men. Technically speaking, a fade is a cut that blends into the skin and is much shorter than tapers. A taper isn’t necessarily buzzed as short hair as a fade cut.

  • Haircut Numbers: Also known as guard sizes, these numbers help your barber determine the correct length of your fade and haircut style. Haircut numbers range between 1 and 8, with #1 being the shortest size.

Remember the Minor Details

Once you’ve communicated to your barber the kind of style you want, don’t forget to mention the minor details left to complete your look. If you want shorter or longer sideburns, let your barber know of your desired length. Don’t ever assume your barber knows what to do with all these little details. Doing so will most likely lead to a disastrous look that nobody would want to have.

Ask Your Barber for Suggestions

A professional barber knows everything there is to know about haircuts, styles, and looks. Now that you’ve made yourself clear about what you want, you need to get your barber’s opinion of your chosen style. It’s always worth hearing the advice of a professional. Use the wealth of experience that they’ve acquired so you can get the best possible haircut there is for someone like you.

Become a Regular Customer

Since you and your barber have finally agreed on what looks best for you, succeeding visits will definitely be easier. If you come out having the greatest haircut you could ask for, then it’s only practical to come back and get the same haircut from the same barber. After a few more visits, you’ve probably built enough rapport with your barber to ask for “the usual.”

Conclusion

Getting the perfect haircut is only possible if you work well with your barber. Any style that you want will not be possible to achieve if you don’t communicate it properly. Let your barber know about the style that you want, including the tiniest detail. It takes a clear vision from you and the expertise of a master barber to bring out a haircut that you can be proud of.

You can easily find a master barber that you can work well with at Scotch & Fades. We are a modern barbershop in Vancouver with an old-school industrial-themed location. Experience premium service from one of our master barbers with every visit. Book an appointment today!

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