Introduction
A wide range of terminology is involved when it comes to short haircuts for men. Usually, men prefer to continue with a haircut that has once been selected for themselves but at times it happens that the people develop an urge to bring a change in their appearance through a better haircut. For this purpose, an insight into terminology relating to various short haircuts becomes necessary to make a right decision and to guide the hair artist about what particular style is being desired. A lay man mostly has no idea about the terminology used in haircut business and he may boggle while going through different haircuts. Here the short haircut terminology is being decoded to serve as a guide to the general public.
WHAT IS FADE?
Fade is a popular technique used in the short haircuts because it ensures a neat, sharp and smart appearance. Fade involves tapering of the hair on the sides and the back as the relatively longer hair at the top is blended with very short or skin-tight hair at the hairline. This blended transition from longer hair to short and to the skin-level hair creates a clean, contrasting, edgy and exquisite look that is always attractive and graceful.
PRODUCTS
- Texturing styling powder: The texturing styling powder gives volume and texture having no greasy impact as it ensures lift to short hair.
- Pomade: A pomade is used to have a sleek look and light gloss in haircuts such as pomp fades, slick back etc.
- Styling paste: A styling paste is applied for a medium hold that is necessary in short haircuts like side parts.
- Sea salt spray: Sea salt spray is applied during blow-drying for a natural and beachy texture.
TOOLS
- Professional Clippers: The professional clippers are used for giving gradual length usually paired with #0.5, #1.5 and #2 guards.
- Foil Shaver/Trimmer: Foil shaver or trimmer is used on the lowest part of a skin fade by removing hair down to the skin.
- Fade Brush: A fade brush is necessary to remove hair clippings from the head as the barber may see inconsistencies.
- Texturizing Shears: The texturizing shears ensure hair density and break up hardlines among various lengths.
WHAT IS TAPER?
A fade and a taper are almost the same haircut techniques with a little difference as fade involves shortening of hair from the longer ones on the sides and back almost exposing the skin while in taper skin exposure is avoided but the hair is kept short. In taper haircut technique, the hair length is gradually shortened from the top of the head to the sides and back ensuring a sleek blending of the longer hair and the shorter one for having a complete symmetry. The taper is preferred for achieving a delicate, subtle and graceful appearance.
PRODUCTS
- Matte clay/texture clay: The product is excellent to have a strong hold and a refined and non-glossy finish.
- Styling paste: The styling paste is applied for flexibility, elasticity in hold and natural look.
- Water based pomade: This product is ideal for a perfect gloss and firm hold particularly for slick back, side part and pompadour hairstyles.
- Sea salt spray: It offers a base for the hairstyle and is used on damp hair for texture and volume.
- Styling powder/texture powder: The fine or thin hair is given instant volume and texture by applying styling or texturing powder.
- Hair cream: Hair cream ensures natural and soft finish and also gives lighter hold.
TOOLS
- Adjustable lever clippers: The adjustable clippers is a basic tool for tapers as it is necessary for fine-tuning the blade length (000-1) and blending the hair between guard sizes.
- Clipper guards: The set of the clipper guards (#0.5, #1, #1.5, #2, #3, #4) is essential for holding the length.
- T-outliner/detailer trimmers: These tools are used for crisp and clean lines around the ears and neck and are often called edgers.
- Zero-gap trimmers: The trimmers are essential to trim the hair close to skin.
- Taper/thinner shears: The shears with teeth on one side or both sides meant for reducing the weight and blend hard lines with short tapered sides.
UNDERCUT
The undercut is a very popular haircut of refined, serious and sober people as this haircut has been in practice for decades with certain variations. It features very short, buzzed or shaved sides with longer hair on top. This high-contrasting haircut presents an even, smooth and faded transition as the top hair falls over the sides and back. This versatile, trendy and classic haircut is suitable for various hair types, textures and face structures.
PRODUCTS
- Water-based pomade: The pomade is applied for high shine and strong hold and is perfect for slick back or side part undercuts.
- Styling wax/putty: The product is ideal for medium hold ensuring natural or matte finish.
- Hair clay: Hair clay is applied for volume, strong hold and a matte finish and is ideal for quiffs and pompadours.
- Sea salt spray: Sea salt spray is applied on damp hair as a pre-styler for texture, volume and grip.
- Styling powder: The powder is used for instant volume and texture with matte finish.
- Hair gel: It is excellent for having firm hold and high shine.
TOOLS
- Hair clippers: The high-quality cordless clippers are highly workable for giving artistic touches.
- Hair trimmers: These tools are used for clean and sharp lines around the side burns, ears and neck.
- Foil shaver: The foil shavers are optional and is used for skin tight or bald undercut.
FINISH TERMS
WHAT IS SHINE IN SHORT HAIRCUT?
In the terminology related to short haircuts of men, the finish term shine involves a polished and light reflective finish giving the hair a healthy, neat and formal appearance.
Products: The products applied for shine include high-shine or water-based pomade, styling gels, hair serum and natural oils such as argan, jojoba etc.,
WHAT IS SHEEN?
Sheen is the most important finishing technique in the men’s short haircut. It involves giving subtle and fine gloss and perfect shine to the hair for having a well-groomed, artistically-contrived and skillfully-tailored appearance.
PRODUCTS
Styling products: Light pomades, grooming creams, shine serums or natural oils such as argan or jojoba.
WHAT IS MATTE?
The matte is a finished technique meant to achieve natural, shine-free and textured appearance. It is popular among the trendy people who opt for edgy, smart, modern and messy hairstyles for having volume. thickness and hold without appearing greasy.
PRODUCTS:
Matte clay: The matte clay is applied for strong, dry hold for textured styles.
Matte paste: The product is meant to achieve a natural, non-glossy appearance.
Texture powder: The texture powder gives a firm hold and dry finish.
GUARD NUMBERS AND LENGTHS
A guard number shows the size of the plastic attachment with the electric clippers which determine hair length having range from #0 (1/16 inch, 1,5mm) to #8 (1 inch, 25mm). The lower numbers give shorter and closer cuts (fades/buzz cuts) while high numbers refer to longer hair for tapered or blended styles.
Guard numbers
#1 equals to 1/8 inch, #2 equals 1/4 inch and so on as each number doubles the previous length.
CONCLUSION
Usually, men while going for a haircut have no idea what hairstyle is being desired as they leave themselves at the disposal of the barber whichever hairstyle he chooses for the client as he does not care for face shape, hair type or other considerations. However, as awareness regarding the appearance and hairstyle grows, the trendy and modern people particularly the young men become conscious about the hairstyles. A good and comprehensive knowledge about the terminology gives a guide for them to brief the barber about a particular hairstyle.
FAQs
Q:Which are various types of fades?
Ans. There are many types of fade like skin/zero fade, low fade, mid fade, high fade, drop fade and others.
Q:What is hard part and line part?
Ans. A hard part is developed by shaving directly to the scalp with a razor for definitive part and shaving the natural hairline on the forehead and temples for sharp and straight line.
Q:Which are common short hairstyles of men?
Ans. The common short hairstyles of men are buzz cut, crew cut, undercut, French crop, quiff and pompadour.
