What to Tell Your Barber to Get the Haircut You Want

You know the haircut you want. The hard part is turning that picture in your head into words your barber can work with. “Short on the sides” or “just a tidy up” can mean five different things to five different barbers.

A few clear details change the whole result. Tell your barber the style, the length and the finish you’re after, and you’ll walk out with the cut you had in mind. Here’s what to say, in the order that works best.

7 Things to Tell Your Barber Before Your Haircut

These seven details give your barber everything they need to get it right. Start with the overall style, then work down to length, shape and your daily routine.

1. Tell Them the Haircut You Want

Start with the style name. It gives your barber a starting point straight away. These are the ones we’re asked for most:

• Fade: short sides that blend into longer hair on top
• Crew cut: short all over and easy to manage
• Textured crop: a short, choppy fringe with a neat shape
• Quiff: extra length and lift at the front
• Buzz cut: one clipper length all over
• Mullet: short sides and front with length at the back

Don’t know the name? Describe it in plain words, like “short on the sides, longer on top, pushed forward and a bit messy.” That’s usually all we need. A reference photo makes it even clearer.

2. Tell Them How Short You Want It

Give a measurement, not just the word “short.” Short to you might be a number 2 on the sides, while your barber’s idea of short is closer to a skin fade.

Clipper guard numbers are the quickest shortcut:

• #1: about 3 mm
• #2: about 6 mm
• #3: about 10 mm
• #4: about 13 mm

For the top, use your fingers. “About two fingers long” is easier to follow than “a bit off the top.”

If you’re unsure, say “start a little longer, I’d rather go shorter later.” Hair can’t be put back.

3. Tell Them What You Want on the Sides and Back

Say whether you want the sides and back short, tapered, faded or fuller. Each gives a very different finish.

• Tapered: the hair gets gradually shorter toward the ears and neckline for a natural, tidy look
• Faded: the hair blends down to skin or very short, with a sharper contrast
• Fuller: scissor cut only, with the shape kept soft

Placement matters too. A low fade starts just above the ear and neckline. A mid fade sits around the temple. A high fade starts near the top of the head and gives the boldest contrast.

Don’t forget the neckline. A rounded one grows out softly, while a square or blocked one looks sharp but gets untidy sooner.

4. Tell Them What You Want on Top

Tell your barber the length, texture, volume and direction you want on top. The top is what people notice first, so it’s worth being specific.

→ Pushed back and slicked?
→ Side part?
→ Forward and fringed?
→ Textured and messy?
→ Left natural?

Also say how much lift you want. Fine hair often looks better with a little extra length on top, while thick hair may need texturising so it doesn’t sit heavy. Scissor work gives a softer, more precise finish on top than clippers do.

5. Tell Them If You Want a Fade or Taper

A fade blends the hair down to skin or close to it. A taper leaves some length and simply neatens the edges. If you want a clean, subtle finish, ask for a taper. If you want a bold contrast, ask for a fade.

Tell your barber three things:

• Where it starts: low, mid or high
• How short it goes: skin or a clipper number
• How much contrast: soft blend or sharp skin fade

At Barber Nation, we cut half fades and zero fades, so you can be as subtle or as sharp as you like.

6. Tell Them About Your Hair Type

Your hair type decides how a haircut will sit, grow and style. The same cut can look completely different on straight hair compared with curly hair. Your barber should know what yours does naturally before the first snip.

Straight, Wavy, Curly or Thick Hair

Cowlicks, Hairline and Difficult Areas

Mention anything your hair does that you can’t control. That includes cowlicks at the crown or front, a receding hairline, thinning patches, uneven growth or hair that sticks out behind the ears.

We cut around these areas every day. When we know about them upfront, we can choose a length and shape that works with them, not against them.

7. Tell Them How You Style Your Hair

Tell your barber how much time you’ll realistically spend on your hair each morning. A cut that needs 10 minutes with a blow dryer won’t suit someone who is out the door in five.

Mention:

• How long you spend styling
• Which products you use, like clay, paste, pomade or sea salt spray
• Whether you want a low-maintenance cut that looks good straight out of the shower

An honest answer here saves you months of frustration.

How to Ask for a Specific Haircut

Describe the cut in a set order: sides, back, top, then finish. This works when you don’t know the technical name, and it leaves little room for misunderstanding.

Describe the Sides, Back and Top

Try this script: “A number 2 on the sides with a low fade, tapered neckline, about two fingers on top, pushed forward with a matte finish.”

That one sentence covers length, shape and styling. It’s much clearer than “make it look neat.”

Show a Photo and Explain What You Like

Don’t just show the photo. Tell us what to copy. Point out the part you like, whether that’s the fade, the fringe or the texture.

Then mention what’s different about your hair. If the photo shows thick curls and yours is fine and straight, we’ll adjust the cut so it suits you.

What to Ask for at the Barber

Ask your barber what will work best for you. A good barber is happy to advise, especially if you’re changing styles or you’re unsure what suits your face shape.

Ask What Works With Your Hair

Ask which style, length or fade suits your hair type and growth pattern. Your hairline, head shape and cowlicks all affect the result. Our barbers have more than 17+ years of experience behind them, and they’re always happy to give an honest opinion at any of our eight Perth locations.

Ask About Maintenance

Ask how often the cut needs refreshing. As a rough guide:

• Skin fades: every 2 to 3 weeks to stay sharp
• Tapers and crew cuts: every 3 to 4 weeks
• Longer scissor cuts: every 4 to 6 weeks

Also ask how much styling it needs. It’s better to know before you commit.

Things to Tell Your Barber You Don’t Want

Tell your barber what to avoid, especially if you’ve had a bad cut before. It’s just as useful as saying what you want.

• “Please don’t take too much off the top.”
• “Keep the fade low, not high.”
• “No razor on the neckline.”
• “Last time the sides were too short, so go one guard longer.”

Explaining what went wrong last time helps us avoid repeating it.

How to Communicate With Your Barber During the Haircut

Speak up early if something doesn’t look right. The best time to say “that’s a bit shorter than I expected” is after the first few passes, not at the end.

Keep it simple. A quick “can we keep the top a little longer?” is all it takes. When we’re finished, check the back and sides in the mirror and look at the neckline and fade blend. If anything needs adjusting, ask before you leave. We’d much rather fix it on the spot.

Get the Haircut You Want at Barber Nation

At Barber Nation, we take the time to listen before we cut. Whether you want a clean fade, a classic crew cut or a textured scissor cut, our barbers will talk through length, shape and styling so you leave happy.

Explore our full range of haircuts, fades and grooming services, or get in touch if you’d like to ask a question first.

Explore Our Services

Contact Us

FAQs