Start with photos
A photo beats any description. Find two or three pictures of the cut you want, ideally on someone with hair like yours: similar thickness, curl and hairline. A straight-haired model will not tell a barber much about how a cut will sit on curly hair.
A picture of what you do not want helps too. "Not this short" or "no hard part line" rules things out fast. If you need inspiration, the cuts in our gallery are all from the shop on Central Ave.
Sides and top: numbers and inches
For the sides, give a guard number or a fade height. "A #2 all around" and "a mid skin fade" are both clear. If numbers are new to you, the chart of clipper guard sizes converts each one to inches and millimeters.
For the top, talk in inches and say how you wear it. "Two inches, pushed back with a little product" tells the barber both the length and how to cut it so it sits right. Saying "just a trim" is the most common reason people leave with less off than they wanted, or more.
If you want a fade but are not sure which kind, our guide to fade types and heights explains low, mid, high, drop and burst.
Neckline, part and finishing details
Neckline. A blocked (squared) neckline is a straight line across the nape; it looks sharp but shows regrowth quickly. A rounded neckline softens the corners. A tapered neckline fades the hair out naturally and grows out best. For the full trade-off, the comparison of tapers and fades helps.
Part. Say which side you part on, and whether you want a natural part or a shaved hard part. A hard part is a razor line; it is crisp but needs upkeep.
Sideburns and ears. Mention where you want the sideburns to stop (mid-ear is common) and whether you like the hair over the ears cleaned up tight.
If you have a beard
Tell the barber the length you want (guards work here too), how high or low the cheek line should sit, and where the neckline should be. A common starting point is about two fingers above the Adam's apple. Say whether you want the beard blended into the fade at the sideburns or kept separate.
A beard trim at Pearl River Barber Shop is $30.
Quick checklist before you sit down
Run through this list and you will cover almost everything a barber needs to know:
- Two or three photos of the cut, on hair like yours
- Guard number or fade height for the sides
- Length on top in inches, and how you style it
- Neckline: blocked, rounded or tapered
- Part side, and natural or hard part
- Beard length, cheek line and neckline
- How long you want it to last before the next cut
In the chair
Speak up early. If something looks off after the first pass, say so then, not at the end. A good barber would much rather adjust as they go.
Tell them about your routine as well. Someone who wakes up and goes with no product needs a different cut from someone who blow-dries and styles every morning. Mention a job that needs a conservative look, a helmet you wear on the weekend, or a wedding coming up.
Once you find a cut you like, take a photo of it from the side and back on day one. Next visit, show that photo and say "same again." It saves explaining everything from scratch.
Then listen. Your barber can see your cowlicks, crown and hair density better than you can, and may suggest a small change that makes the cut work. When you are ready, book a haircut at Pearl River Barber Shop on 6 E Central Ave, where a cut is $40.