How to Ask Your Barber for the Perfect Haircut

At ConairMan, we consider ourselves pretty damn manly, but nothing sends shivers down our spines like the thought of good guys all over the country falling victim to a terrible haircut.

See, what makes a really good scary story is that it has to be relatable, & “bad haircut” has happened to the best of us at the worst times…

Tried switching up your style before your brother’s wedding? Yep, you’ve somehow lost 90% of your hair.

Thought you’d get a trim before your night out with the boys? Introducing your new style icon, Spock.

Bad haircuts claim good men every day, & what’s so frustrating is that they don’t have to happen. They can stop with you.

We’re going to talk you through how to get the best haircut from your barber, what to watch out for when you’re in the chair, & how to take matters into your own hands at home with effective, easy-to-use men’s grooming products. 

How Can I Get a Good Haircut?

Having a great haircut is like perfecting a great handshake – it gives people an immediate sense of who you are, especially to the, ahem, fairer sex. A good haircut shows people that you take care of yourself & take pride in the way you look, which gives off a sense of confidence.

Unfortunately, sometimes the vision in your mind of what you want doesn’t come out of your mouth the same way. So, your bad haircut isn’t always your barber's fault. Sometimes it’s your own inarticulate fault. If you don’t want to head out of the barber looking dazed, confused, & dishevelled, you’re going to have to learn how to talk the talk on men’s grooming.

How Do I Talk To My Barber?

So, you want to speak the same language as your barber? It’s probably a good place to start when it comes to breaking down barriers of communication. Researching the exact names of what you’re looking for can really help – because how many ways can you describe “Ermmmermmm, short at the back, &, um, also short on the sides. A bit longer on top. Cheers.”

One term to tuck into your toolbelt is haircut numbers or comb guard sizes. The haircut number you ask for will determine the length of your fade, undercut, or buzz cut. For those not yet fluent in haircut numbers, we’ve made a cheat sheet (remember, 1 is the shortest & 8 is the longest)

Number 1: One-eighth of an inch

Number 2: One-quarter of an inch

Number 3: Three-eighths of an inch

Number 4: Half an inch

Number 5: Five-eighths of an inch

Number 6: Three-quarters of an inch

Number 7: Seven-eighths of an inch

Number 8: One inch

How Do I Ask For A Good Haircut?

Now you know the lingo, it’s time to take the plunge into actually putting your vision into words. Our main tip? Planning.

Whether you’re testing out something new, going to a new barbershop for the first time, or have emerged from the jungle into society & blades have never touched your hair, you’ll need to have done some prep. It’s always a good idea to have a firm idea about the following:

Have a hairstyle in mind: we can’t stress this enough, because there’s nothing that bothers barbers out more than “Hmmmmhmmmm, I dunno, whatever you think.” Ok, a pink mohawk it is! If possible, bring in a picture that matches what you’d like & avoid an awkward difference in tastes.

Pick your fade: it’s really helpful to know which haircut number you’re after for your fade, & where abouts on your head your fade will be starting. Fades can be taper fades, low fades, mid fades, or high fades, but more specific looks have more specific names. 

Don’t forget the neckline: decide if you would like a blocked, rounded or tapered neckline.

What Style Haircut Should I Get?

To get you started, here are some of the most popular styles that guys have been trimming, combing, & clipping their manly hair into.

Undercut: The undercut is the classic short back & sides & leaves the top to be styled into something sophisticated. Unlike a fade, the undercut doesn’t taper out & leaves a lot of length on top & then is the same short length the whole way down.

Buzz Cut: One of the best known, low maintenance do’s, the buzz cut is clean, no-fuss & easy. This one you can even skip the barber for & just tackle the buzz cut at home. 

Crew Cut: Crew cut haircuts are a bit less intense than the buzz cut & have a little more length. Also known as the Ivy League haircut, this is a great style for pretty much any face shape. When it comes to crew cuts, you need to pick in advance the type of fade you want on the sides & how much you want to be left on top.

Caesar Cut: The Caesar cut is the brother of the crew cut, but adds on a fringe. It’s styled after your favourite Roman Emperor & just as good for 2020. All you need to do for the Caesar is to pull your longer top hair forward to sit on your forehead, which is why the Caesar is a great haircut for uneven hairlines. This cut doesn’t have too many variations, so if you mention the name your barber will know what to do.

Comb Over: Unlike the one Uncle Ted on your mum’s side used to have, the modern comb over pairs sleek lines with a fade for a really schmick look. The comb over has short sides & a longer top that is combed to one side.

Quiff: The quiff has a lot of volume up top & is brushed back, textured, & loose, making it the classic men’s choppy haircut. Guys with straight, thick hair, this one's for you.

How Do I Maintain My Haircut At Home?

Nothing ruins a great haircut as quickly as that haircut growing out, & for clean looks that are close to the head this happens quicker than you can say “hey, wait, how long does a fade last?” That’s why after a great cut, it’s important to know how to maintain your look & clip your hair at home in between barber visits.

Luckily with the right men’s grooming toolkit, even guys who never graduated from safety scissors can keep themselves looking a little bit fancy. You can use a versatile clipper like the XPERT Clip for this job. Here’s how to maintain your haircut between barber visits:

• Keep your hair clean — Wash your hair regularly to maintain a healthy scalp that keeps your style looking neat. When you get your haircut, don’t be afraid to ask your barber for a routine & product recommendations that suit your specific scalp, hair type & style.
• Touch up with the right men’s grooming products — Use the XPERT Clip or another multi-grooming product to trim sides, neaten the neckline or keep your fade in shape.
• Don’t forget your facial hair — Balance your cool locks by keeping your beard, moustache or stubble in check with a quality trimmer. Remember, your sharp haircut deserves an equally sharp beard (or jawline), my man!

Style is not optional. Get to it.

For personalised advice on choosing the best men’s grooming products, contact us. Our team is here to help you find the perfect tools for your style & the ideal men's grooming kit so you can confidently step up your look at home.