A gentleman haircut is a style all men should aspire for. Ditch that mullet and make a change, because the 80’s is over and sleek cuts are all the rage. However, don’t be intimidated because we will be listing the terms you need to know to help you achieve the best haircut you can have.
Gentleman Haircut | Get the Haircut You Want
1. Have A Reference
The Best New Men's Haircuts to Try in 2018 https://t.co/uwGzxGYKMW
— Robert Spiced (@DhumidifierGuru) July 2, 2018
Most men who want a gentleman haircut should have a reference. This will give your barber a good reference point on how to give you what you want. Looking for a classic, Frank Sinatra slicked-back look? Or perhaps you want a bit more energy, like a fade? Whatever these gentleman haircut names may be, you’ll definitely find what you need with a simple Google search.
There are many references you can find online with great men’s haircuts to choose from. Save that image on your phone to show your barber on your next visit. These guys are experts and will make sure you get what you need (but sometimes, not what you want.)
2. Be Precise
“Gimme a trim” just won’t cut it (pardon the pun.) You will have to be precise with what you want. Barbers tend to vary in what they consider trims to be. You might be surprised that a “trim” actually means “clean shave” to some barbers. Specify the length you want to be cut off.
“An inch-long trim” or “a gradual fade” sounds so much better than “trim just a tiny bit.” Both you and your barber will be saved from the hassle of messing up the haircut. More often than not, you will find yourself having a less-than-ideal haircut all because you weren’t specific enough.
3. Admit Ignorance
If you’re the type who doesn’t want to bother with measurements (trust us, we understand) it might help if you admit ignorance to your barber. What most would do is cut off your hair bit by bit, until you find a length you like. Ultimately, the judge of how good your haircut will be is you. As long as, of course, you listen to your barber’s recommendations every now and then.
Try to remember the exact measurements you achieve when you finish. This will help you and your barber on the next haircut session. You can also take a post-haircut selfie so you can keep a digital record of your haircut.
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4. What’s A Taper?
No, it’s not a tape dispenser. Your barber might ask you if you want one of these when you come in. Rather than just saying “okay” all the time, it would help to know what a taper is. Tapering is when a barber gradually cuts your hair from top to nape. It starts off long near the top of your head and gradually shortens as it reaches the neck.
Not all tapers are made the same. You can choose from two types: a long or short taper. You might find that most men’s haircuts (especially fade haircuts) will involve a taper at some point. However, if you’re the type of man who likes your hair as plain as possible, make sure you tell your barber beforehand. Barbers often default to a taper, depending on their personal preference.
5. Jack A Nape
You might not care about how your nape hair looks like since you barely see it anyway. You’d be surprised at how much difference a nape’s cut does to your hair. You may not see it, but other people will. Strangers, business associates, and especially the ladies notice these types of things.
The ideal cut for your nape can either be a blocked nape, rounded nape, or tapered nape. Here’s what they all mean:
Blocked Nape – This involves a straight cut across the neckline, which gives the nape a squared block shape. This makes skinny necks appear a bit wider and thicker. As such, this cut won’t work for thick-necked men. Keep in mind that this cut will grow wild over time, which might require constant weekly grooming.
Rounded – This is one of the more common nape finishes. It is a standard cut that works for pretty much every guy. Google “men’s hairstyles 2018” and you’ll find that most cuts use a rounded nape cut.
Tapered – Rather than a straight line or a rounded end, a tapered nape follows your neckline and gradually shortens by the end. This is the perfect cut for guys with a thick neck, giving it a slimmer look. Another advantage is that it won’t need constant grooming as the hair will always look even while it grows. This cut is most often used in more modern gentlemen’s hairstyles.
6. Texture Matters
Textures matter, especially if you want a modern gentleman’s haircut. Here are some quick terms for you to throw at your barber on your next haircut.
Razored – True to the name, a barber will take a straight razor to your ends and trim using those instead of a pair of scissors, just like in the old times. A straight razor lays down the hair to its flattest possible state, reducing the likelihood of bunching up.
Layered – Think of this as your hair being cut in different lengths. Most long-haired men would choose a layered hairstyle to tidy it up. This also works for thinning hair, as it gives off the illusion of depth.
Chopped – Using point cutting, barbers can give you a choppy haircut. This is when they pick up your hair and cut it at a 45-degree angle, giving it an even texture all around. If you like styling your hair with different looks, this is the cut for you.
Thinned out – Thick and bushy hairstyles benefit a lot from a thinned-out cut. The barber takes thinning scissors that cut strands at uneven angles. This is what you ask for when you need a trim. Whenever your hair feels like it’s getting unruly, head to your barber to thin it out.
7. The Arch Nemesis
It’s not as sinister as it sounds. A lot of guys have problems in figuring out the arch they need but don’t worry, there are only two choices here. Ask your barber about these terms when you want a gentleman haircut.
High arch – If you want a cleaner look, you’d do better with a high arch. This leaves space between your hairline and your ears. This is a great option for guys with small ears since it can emphasize their features. Keep in mind though that your hair will look messier when it grows out. And it makes you look like a generic 80’s movie Poindexter. Be warned.
Natural arch – This is arguably the best option if you want a true gentleman’s hairstyle. This just means that your barber will thin out your arch without shaving it upwards.
8. Sideburns For Days
Now, on to your sideburns. Not much to do here but thin it out, but you can choose to either cut it to the top of the ear, ear level, or bottom. This will all depend on the style you want. The cleanest and most sensible look is for mid-ear. But for men who like a bit of beard, you have to choose a bottom-ear cut.
9. Barbers Are Bros
Now that you know the basic terms for when you get a haircut, don’t dictate what you need. Remember, you’re not a barber, and barbers are bros who just want the best haircut for you. They will be able to advise you on how to best achieve the look you want. They will also tell you if the look you want sucks on you. These guys are paid big bucks for a reason, so strike a balance between what you want and what your barber recommends.
Check out alpha m.’s video on how you can get a true gentleman haircut:
Getting a gentleman haircut can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never had one before. All it takes though is a bit of know-how and research to find the look for you. Always make sure to listen to your barber when they tell you what is and isn’t possible with your head shape. Now go get that haircut, tiger!
What are your favorite haircut styles? Let us know in the comments section.