Every barber has had the experience: a client sits down and asks for a haircut by name, but what they describe and what the barber interprets don't match. The problem is usually terminology — the same words mean different things to different people. This guide is for West Hollywood men who want to communicate clearly with their barber by understanding common haircut terms.
Why terminology matters
A few specific reasons:
Common language
- **Same words** — for the work
- **Clear communication** — for the work
- **Better outcomes** — for the work
- **Less confusion** — for the work
Common language matters.
Specific requests
- **Specific style** — for the work
- **Clear direction** — for the work
- **Better results** — for the work
- **Less rework** — for the work
Specific requests.
Avoid confusion
- **Same terminology** — for the work
- **Clear meaning** — for the work
- **Better outcomes** — for the work
- **Less frustration** — for the work
Avoid confusion.
Better experience
- **For both** — for the work
- **Easier** — for the work
- **More pleasant** — for the work
- **Long-term relationship** — for the work
Better experience.
Classic terms
A few specific things:
"Short on the sides"
- **Generally means faded or tapered** — for the work
- **Length varies** — for the work
- **Specify number** — for the work
- **Clips** — sometimes
Short on the sides.
"Taper"
- **Gradual transition** — from long to short
- **Usually at sides and back** — for the work
- **Various lengths** — for the work
- **Classic look** — for the work
Taper.
"Fade"
- **Sharper transition** — typically
- **Skin to hair** — sometimes
- **Various levels** — for the work
- **Modern style** — for the work
Fade.
"Buzz cut"
- **All-over short** — for the work
- **Clippers all over** — for the work
- **Very short** — for the work
- **Practical** — for the work
Buzz cut.
"Crew cut"
- **Short on sides** — for the work
- **Slightly longer top** — for the work
- **Classic style** — for the work
- **Practical** — for the work
Crew cut.
Modern terms
A few specific things:
"Skin fade"
- **Fades to skin** — for the work
- **Sharpest transition** — for the work
- **Very short** — for the work
- **Modern look** — for the work
Skin fade.
"Low fade"
- **Fade starts low** — at the hairline
- **Subtle transition** — for the work
- **Versatile** — for the work
- **Popular** — for the work
Low fade.
"Mid fade"
- **Fade starts mid-ear** — for the work
- **Visible transition** — for the work
- **Versatile** — for the work
- **Common** — for the work
Mid fade.
"High fade"
- **Fade starts higher** — for the work
- **Dramatic transition** — for the work
- **Bold look** — for the work
- **Specific style** — for the work
High fade.
"Drop fade"
- **Fades behind ear** — for the work
- **Curves around** — for the work
- **Distinctive** — for the work
- **Modern style** — for the work
Drop fade.
Top styles
A few specific things:
"Quiff"
- **Front styled up** — for the work
- **Back and sides short** — for the work
- **Volume on top** — for the work
- **Styling required** — for the work
Quiff.
"Pompadour"
- **Volume swept back** — for the work
- **Sides short** — for the work
- **Classic to modern** — for the work
- **Styling required** — for the work
Pompadour.
"Comb over"
- **Hair swept to one side** — for the work
- **Various lengths** — for the work
- **Classic style** — for the work
- **Modern variations** — for the work
Comb over.
"Undercut"
- **Long on top** — for the work
- **Short or shaved sides** — for the work
- **Contrast** — for the work
- **Modern style** — for the work
Undercut.
"Fringe"
- **Hair forward** — for the work
- **Various lengths** — for the work
- **Modern style** — for the work
- **Specific look** — for the work
Fringe.
Specific number references
A few practical things:
Clipper guards
- **0 = bald** — for the work
- **1 = very short** — for the work
- **2 = short** — for the work
- **3 = short-medium** — for the work
- **4 = medium** — for the work
- **5-8 = longer** — for the work
Clipper guards.
"Number 2 on the sides"
- **Specific length** — for the work
- **Standard reference** — for the work
- **Barbers understand** — for the work
- **Clear request** — for the work
Specific number.
"Number 3 all over"
- **Uniform length** — for the work
- **Standard buzz** — for the work
- **Clear request** — for the work
- **Barbers understand** — for the work
All over number.
"Scissor cut on top"
- **Not clippers** — for the work
- **More precision** — for the work
- **Specific length** — for the work
- **Specific request** — for the work
Scissor cut.
What to clarify
A few practical things:
Length
- **Specific number** — for the work
- **Reference photos** — sometimes
- **Inches** — sometimes
- **Specifics** — for the work
Length.
Transition
- **Where fade starts** — for the work
- **How sharp** — for the work
- **Skin or short** — for the work
- **Specifics** — for the work
Transition.
Top length
- **Specific inches** — for the work
- **Reference photos** — sometimes
- **Styling preferences** — for the work
- **Specifics** — for the work
Top length.
Styling
- **What you do** — for the work
- **What products** — for the work
- **Time available** — for the work
- **Specifics** — for the work
Styling.
Common miscommunications
A few specific things:
"Short on top"
- **Could mean various lengths** — for the work
- **Specify** — for the work
- **Reference** — for the work
- **Clearer** — for the work
Short on top.
"Just a trim"
- **Could mean various** — for the work
- **Specify length** — for the work
- **Specific request** — for the work
- **Clearer** — for the work
Just a trim.
"Same as last time"
- **Barber may not remember** — for the work
- **Reference photo** — better
- **Specify** — for the work
- **Clearer** — for the work
Same as last time.
"A little off the top"
- **How much is "little"?** — for the work
- **Specify** — for the work
- **Reference** — for the work
- **Clearer** — for the work
A little off.
How to communicate clearly
A few practical things:
Reference photos
- **Best communication** — for the work
- **Visual reference** — for the work
- **Removes ambiguity** — for the work
- **Effective** — for the work
Reference photos.
Specific numbers
- **Clipper numbers** — for the work
- **Inches** — for the work
- **Specific lengths** — for the work
- **Clear request** — for the work
Specific numbers.
Describe
- **Specific elements** — for the work
- **What you like** — for the work
- **What you don't** — for the work
- **Clear description** — for the work
Describe.
Ask questions
- **Will this work?** — for the work
- **What do you recommend?** — for the work
- **Expert opinion** — for the work
- **Better outcomes** — for the work
Ask questions.
Working with your barber
A few practical things:
Build understanding
- **Repeat visits** — for the work
- **Same barber** — for the work
- **Communication** — for the work
- **Builds over time** — for the work
Build understanding.
Develop shorthand
- **Common references** — for the work
- **Easier over time** — for the work
- **Personal language** — for the work
- **Faster appointments** — for the work
Develop shorthand.
Consistent barber
- **Knows your hair** — for the work
- **Knows preferences** — for the work
- **Easier communication** — for the work
- **Better outcomes** — for the work
Consistent barber.
Long-term relationship
- **Trust** — for the work
- **Less explanation** — for the work
- **Better outcomes** — for the work
- **Worth investment** — for the work
Long-term relationship.
What we offer
West Hollywood Barbers works with you to understand exactly what you want — with thorough consultations, reference photo discussions, and expert feedback on terminology and technique. We help you get the cut you actually want, every time. Walk-ins welcome, appointments recommended.
📞 **Call (323) 518-1007** or [book online](https://www.westhollywoodbarbers.com/book). Service area: West Hollywood, Los Angeles.