How to Ask for a Haircut You Will Actually Want to Wear

Choose a few photos with hair reasonably similar to yours. Show the front and side when possible. Then point to the part you want: the soft neckline, the height at the front or the amount of hair left around the ears.

A reference photo is a conversation starter. Hair density, curl and growth direction can change the result. Ask which parts are realistic for your hair and what would need to be adjusted. It is easier to make that decision before the first section is cut.

“Take a little off” means different things to different people. Show where you want the fringe to sit or how much length you need to push the top back. Your barber can help translate that into a cutting plan.

If you want a clipper length, say whether you know the guard number from a previous haircut. A number describes one part of the cut, not the entire shape. You still need to discuss how high the short section goes and how it connects to the top.

A low fade tells your barber where the fade sits. It does not automatically say whether the shortest area should reach bare skin. Ask for both: the height of the transition and the shortest finish you are comfortable with.

You might say, “I want the fade kept low, with some visible hair at the bottom, and enough length on top to sweep it to the side.” That gives your barber more useful information than simply asking for “a fade.”

Also describe what happens after your last haircut grows out. A crown that sticks up after a week or sides that become wide quickly can influence how much weight should be left in specific areas.

Before you get out of the chair, check the haircut from the front, sides and back. Ask how much product was used and where it was applied. If you like the result, take a photo for your next appointment and note the service you booked.

Bring your references to City Barbers in Salt Lake City and let the conversation start with how you want to wear your hair. Browse the haircut options and reserve your visit online.