What to Ask for at Your Next Haircut

The haircut you walk out with usually depends on the thirty seconds before the clippers turn on. A good barber will ask questions, but you can make the whole thing easier by knowing a few plain terms.

Start with the length on top. Say it in inches or as a guard number if you know it, or just point to where on your head you want it to sit. Then say how you want the sides, faded or blocked, and how short. A fade blends the hair down to the skin. A block cut leaves a clean line at the bottom.

Mention the neckline. Natural follows the curve of your hairline. Square cuts a straight line across. Tapered keeps it soft. Most guys have a preference once they hear the options.

Finally, talk about how you style it. Whether you part it, push it back, or wear it forward changes how the barber shapes the front. A barber who has cut your hair a few times will remember all of this. That is the whole point of coming back to the same chair.