How to Cut a Design Into Your Fade Step-by-Step

You'll need a set of clippers to cut a design into your hair.

It has been popular for some time now for people with hairstyles of short back and sides to have designs shaved into the faded sections of their hair. If you're looking to achieve this effect but don't want to shell out on visiting an expensive barber, you can learn how to do so by starting to cut basic patterns into the faded sections of hair on either side of your head with a pair of clippers. Once you've grown in confidence, you can move on to more complicated designs.

Things You'll Need

• Pattern outline
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Towel
• Comb
• Barber's cape
• Clippers
• Trimmer
• Lubricating oil
• Mirror
• Styling product

Instructions

1. Select a simple design without too many intricate details for your first attempt at cutting a motif into your hair. Once you've built up confidence, you can move onto more complicated patterns when your early attempts have grown out. It's a good idea to have a copy of the design you intend to use in front of you before you start.

2. Wash and condition your hair ensuring that it's free of any styling products.

3. Dry your hair thoroughly.

4. Comb the faded area of your hair in the direction it usually lays when styled.

5. Secure a barber's cape around your neck to protect your clothes from falling hair.

6. Remove any graded combs from your clippers and trimmer and ensure that both are clean and free from hair or other debris.

7. Lubricate the blades of your clippers and trimmer by dropping a small amount of lubricating oil onto the teeth of each unit.

8. Push the handle on your clipper so as the teeth are set to cut at the shortest possible length.

9. Turn the clippers on and begin to cut the less intricate parts of your design into your hair at the side of your head using the reverse side of the blade. Pay close attention to your reflection in the mirror and keep an eye on your pattern outline while doing so.

10. Turn your trimmer on and use the reverse side of the blade to cut the more intricate parts of your design and tidy up any rough edges.

11. Wash your hair again and style as desired.

References

• Habia: Barbering African Type Hair
• Alex Campbell: Learn how to Cut Designs in Hair with New Trimmer Technology