
How to ask for a haircut – Hair Terminology for Men
It’s critical that you have the hairstyle you want to be confident and stylish. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to talk to their hairdresser, let alone how to ask for a haircut! While the terminology and the names of the hair can be complicated, it is important that men know what to tell a hairdresser and how to describe the hairstyle they want to get!
Below we give you everything you need to know before you visit the barbershop. Whether you are looking for a taper Fade, Comb, Quiff, Pompadour, Buzz Cut or Caesar haircut, here are the terms to use to get a good cut.

How to talk to your barber
If you’re going to the barbershop for the first time or trying a new haircut, you may be worried about talking to your barber. In particular, you may be curious about which hairstyle to get and how to properly ask for this haircut. Here is a basic guide to the hairdresser talking about long and short men hairstyles!
- Have a hairstyle in mind before visiting your hairdresser. If possible, research the different types of haircuts and find an image that matches your style.
- If you ask for a crossfade, you should know what type or number (eg guard size refers to length)] Decide how you want to style your hair at the top. Which hairstyle you choose determines the length of your cut and which parts of your hair must be layered, thinned, straight or shortened.
- Finally, choose how to trim your neckline. Your neckline can be cut in several ways – blocked, rounded or tapered.
As much as we wish it was simple, the demand for a rejuvenated haircut actually demands a bit of detail. This is because there are many different types of conical cuts – some vary in terms of where the faded sides begin and others depend on how short or long your hair hums.
For example, there are high, medium, low, skin or bald, temp, burst, razor and drops faded. For beginners we recommend the choice between high and low cone. Alternatively, guys can get an undercut.
General haircut terminology
Here are some barber and haircut terminology that you want to clean up before you feel comfortable your barber.
- Taper vs Fade – Generally, these terms are used interchangeably in most hairdressing salons. But technically, a fade is cut with clippers and fits into the skin. A rejuvenation is not necessarily so short and usually involves more hair on the sides.
- Undercut Fade – This style on the sides combines two very popular cuts.
- Haircut Numbers – Also Known As Protected Sizes, The Class You’re asking about the length of your fade, undercut or buzz cut.
- Structured – Structured hairstyles look natural and contain no styling with pomade, gel, wax or putty.
Haircut grades or numbers are between 1 and 8, with a number 1 being the shortest
- Number 1: One-eighth of an inch
- Number 2: a 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
Types of haircuts for men
With so many different types of haircuts for men, it’s important to keep up with popular hair trends. Here are the best long, medium and short men’s hairstyles to choose from.
Undercut
Instead of a faded haircut on the sides, men can ask their barber for an undercut. While still short, the undercut hairstyle does not gradually taper and instead starts high and leaves a length. It’s a style that works well with many cool hairstyles, including the smooth back.
Buzz Cut
The Buzz Cut is probably the easiest and gentlest gentleman cut to get. In fact, some guys are buzzing their own hair at home with high quality clippers.
Crew cut
The crew cut, aka the Ivy League haircut, is cut like the buzz, but slightly longer in length. This classic style looks good on almost everyone. If you ask your barber about a crew cut, pay attention to what kind of fade you want to have on the sides and how long you have to stay up.
Caesar Cut
The Caesar haircut resembles a crew cut, but with fringes. To style the Caesar, the guys pull their hair forward and rest their pony neatly on their forehead. Fortunately, getting the Caesar is easy. Since most stylists are familiar with this popular cut, it is easy to ask the barber for a Caesar haircut.
French Crop
The French Crop or any trimmed haircut requires a short, but defined edge. In contrast to Caesar Crop Tops do not hang over the forehead. With cut hairstyles, the only thing your hairdresser has to say is how to rejuvenate the sides.
Comb over
The modern comb over hairstyle or comb over fade haircut is a cousin of the side part. With short sides and a longer top, men can style the look by combing their hair on one side. As a rule, the styling is structured and loose for a simple yet stylish finish. Ask for a comb and show one of these pictures and your barber knows exactly what you want!
side panel
The sidepiece represents a classic hairstyle perfect for business or casual attitudes. As with combing, you must share your hair with a comb and pull it aside. The difference between the combo and the side panel is that the latter offers a decent look, like a gentleman’s haircut.
Pompadour
The Pompadour comes in both classic and modern variations and offers a lot of versatility. For example, this medium-length hairstyle can be turned into a cowl or combed over if you’re bored with the same look. In addition, we recommend a high skin fade or undercut on the sides for a high-contrast style you will love!
Quiff
Like the pomp, the modern quiff is brushed back, structured and flowing. If you have smooth, thick hair, the Quiff haircut is certainly worth a try!
Slicked Back Hair
The smooth back is a retro style, often paired with an undercut. Originally a Greaser look, modern, supple hair uses a styling product and a comb to pull your hair back for a classic, but hipster-like look.
Curly hair
Some people find it hard to tame curls, the secret is to find good curly hairstyles that work for your hair. Instead of struggling to control your waves, we believe you should adopt the unique styles available to you. Keep your curly hair short and easy to care for.
Skin and bald fading
The fading of the skin is a cool way to cut the hair your sides and back. Bald transitions require the barbers to hum slowly on the skin for a very short look. Finally, the contrast of shaved pages and a full head of hair stand out particularly well.
Faux Hawk
The Faux Hawk, also known as a hawk, is a version of the mohawk. As a less extreme cut, Faux Hawk styles have short sides and hair on top that slide toward the center to create the appearance of a mohawk.
How to ask for a haircut
What you should tell your hairdresser and get a good haircut should be the last things that scare you. With this simple guide you should know exactly how to order every haircut in a hair salon with confidence. These simple steps are also the question of a haircut:
- Before you visit your barber, you should know what kind of haircut or hairstyle you want. Research to find examples.
- If you want to have a fade, you know how short (hair clipper size) and where to start (high, medium or low).
- Think about the length of hair you want. If you are not sure, tell your hairdresser how to style your hairstyle and ask for your feedback.
- Make sure you are satisfied with your neckline, sideburns and hairline!
For ideas, look at the best new hairstyles of the year!