Steps to Cut a Fade Haircut
A fade is popular military-style haircut that is longer on top and fades and tapers as you go down toward the neck. Because it's hard to trim the hairs at the back of your head yourself, it's easier to let a barber or hairstylist do it. You'll end up with a more polished look and cleaner lines. However, if you aspire to become a barber, knowing how to create a fade is essential to your success. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Find a person willing to get their hair cut short. Tie a barber cape around your client's neck to catch the loose hairs. Practice on a mannequin as an alternative.
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Consult your client to find out how short they want their hair to be. Fades can be as long as 10 inches on top or as short as one-eighth inch. The shorter the hair, the more the scalp will be visible.
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Place a guard on your clipper to trim all of your client's hair to the desired length. If your client wants to leave one inch of hair on top, trim all the hair to this length. Tilt your client's head forward, bringing his chin to his chest. Place your clipper at the base of the hair in the neck, with the clipper teeth pointing upward. Trim the hair against the hair growth.
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4
Replace the guard with an attachment that will produce a close trim at the nape of the neck. Create an imaginary, horizontal line on the scalp, approximately two inches from the bottom. This line indicates your stopping point. Place the clipper at the base of the hair in the neck. Point the clipper teeth upward, and trim the hair against the hair growth. Trim up to the stopping line. Lift your clipper away from the head and bring it back down and over to the next section of hair.
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5
Place a guard on your clipper that is two levels up and will trim less hair. Create an imaginary line, to indicate the point you will trim to. Make this line two inches higher than the first line. Place the clipper below the hair at the base of your neck. Point the teeth upward and run them over the previously trimmed hairs, all the way to the new stopping line. The bottom of your hair will appear lighter and the newly trimmed part will be darker. A clear border splits the two parts.
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Use a guard that is one level down from the last attachment, to get rid of the obvious border. Remove the line by running the clipper over it in an upward motion.
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Fade the hair all the way to the top of the head. Gradually increase the clipper attachment as you get closer to the top of the head. Step back and observe your progress regularly. You want to create a smooth fade without obvious color differences.
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Line up the hair in the neck, behind the ears and around the forehead with your clipper. Follow the natural curve of the hairline. Avoid using an attachment on your clipper, because you want to completely get rid of the stray hairs.
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Wipe away, loose hairs from your client's head, face and neck.
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Tips & Warnings
Use clipper disinfectant before and after using your clipper.
References
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
