How to ask for the cut you actually want

Most bad haircuts aren't the barber's fault. They come from "just a bit shorter on the sides", which can mean almost anything. Here's how to say exactly what you want.

Know your grades

Clipper guards go from 0 (skin) to 8 (an inch). The lower the number, the shorter the hair. A fade is just a blend from a low grade at the bottom to a higher one on top.

The four words

Tell us where the fade starts, low, mid or high, and what grade it starts from. "Mid skin fade, number three on top" tells a barber everything.

Bring a photo. It beats a thousand words, every time.

And if you're not sure, just ask. We'll talk it through before the clippers come out.