Top Tips from Barbering

In these extraordinary times, it’s difficult to have a decent hair cut unless you are going for a number 6 with the barbering clippers that you managed to get from Amazon before the rush or are secretly enjoying your good fortune because you happen to live with a hairdresser or barber. If you are in the same boat as the rest of us, you might want to read the tips from Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering student Aimee Elizabeth Finlay on how to cut men’s hair.  

Equipment required:  

• Cutting comb - different from a regular comb as it has a wide edge to section and finer edge to blend the hair  
• Clippers 
• Scissors
• Two mirrors 
• Hair product (if required)

Tips: 

• Ensure the hair Is clean from all products. 
• Comb hair into normal parting. 
• When using clippers, you need to make sure to use the right guard. A good method is to start off with a longer guard and then gradually go lower in guard length until you get your desired length. Guards range from grade 8 to 1 or 0 depending on the guard. Grade 8 is the longest and 1 or 0 is the shortest. 
• If you’re cutting your own hair, comb the sides first as it will be easier for you to see. When cutting the back ensure to have a second mirror to see what you are cutting. If you are cutting someone else’s hair, or someone else is cutting yours, start by cutting the back first and then work to the sides.
• When using clippers don’t clipper any higher than the occipital; this is the bone you can feel about 5 inches up from the hairline at the back of the head. This will give a low fade affect, if you want a high fade, use the clippers slightly higher.  
• If the clippers have any option to move the blade then move it up to create more length for the fade when you near the top of the head; this will make it easier to blend the hair together.  
• To cut the top of the hair using scissors, the scissors must be held in the index and ring finger to get the correct tension. With your other hand, take a piece of hair at the crown and pull straight up to create a 90 degree angle with the head. Cut to your desired length. Taking small sections of hair, pull it straight up and cut to the desired length. Repeat this until top has been cut. Then bring in the sides cutting the same length as first section at crown
• When using clippers for an easy blend, use a higher grade to start and then blend with a lower grade. For example, if someone wanted a grade 3 fade on the back and sides of their head, you should first use a grade 4 on the hair and then a grade 3.  
• If you are using clippers all over the head, start with the highest grade and blend down to the smallest grade. If you are using just one size grade all over your head, make sure to move the clippers across the head in different. directions: front to back, side to side. This is because hair grows in different directions and if you follow only one direction the hair may vary in length. 

If you would like to learn more about cutting or styling hair, please consider our barbering and hairdressing courses. 

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