The barber guide
Haircuts, beards and your next visit
A photograph is a starting point. Understanding what you like makes the conversation in the chair easier. Explore the choices behind your next haircut.
Haircuts
- Low fade: choosing and explaining a lower transition
Understand low fade placement at the sides and back, then discuss the shortest length, retained volume and top with your barber.
- Mid fade: balancing short sides and retained volume
A mid fade involves more than a middle height. Discuss the darker band, connection to the top and shape behind the ear with your barber.
- High fade: strong contrast without an unexpectedly narrow top
A high fade takes the short area further up the sides. Learn what to agree about height, the upper edge and everyday styling before the cut.
- Skin fade: what changes when the bottom is finished to skin?
A skin fade describes the shortest finish, not its height. Understand what to discuss about the exposed area, transition and maintenance.
- Taper: tidy temples and neckline while retaining side length
Want shorter edges while keeping your sides? Learn how to explain a taper and avoid removing more length than you intended.
- Drop fade: a transition that descends behind the ear
The route of the blend defines a drop fade. Learn what to check at the back and which reference views help explain the shape.
- Burst fade: short around the ear, with room for length at the back
A burst fade focuses on the area around the ear. Learn to discuss the width of the transition separately from the length at the back.
- Buzz cut: choose the short length before the clippers start
A buzz cut looks simple, but length and edges shape the result. Learn how to choose without going shorter than you intended.
- Crew cut: short hair with shape at the front
A crew cut retains a shaped short top. Learn what to agree about the front, crown and connection to the sides before your appointment.
- French crop: a forward fringe with visible texture
Considering a French crop? Discuss fringe length, loose texture and the sides so the haircut also falls forwards at home.
- Caesar cut: a short fringe with a controlled edge
The Caesar cut centres on a short, recognisable front. Learn how to discuss the edge, density and growth direction with your barber.
- Quiff: retaining enough length for front height
A quiff needs a front section that can lift. Discuss length, direction and the styling time you actually want to spend.
- Pompadour: a full front swept backwards
Understand the length and styling a pompadour involves. Discuss front volume, side shape and the finish you want before cutting.
- Side part: a parting that works with your growth direction
Choose your side part deliberately. Understand natural partings versus shaved lines and what each means for daily styling and maintenance.
- Slick back: wearing hair backwards without automatically choosing a wet look
Length and direction matter for a slick back. Learn to choose backwards styling, side connections and product finish separately.
- Undercut: deliberately choosing a disconnected top
An undercut leaves a deliberate separation between top and sides. Discuss length, the visible edge and future grow-out before cutting.
- Ivy League: short hair with room for a side part
An Ivy League keeps the top short while retaining room for a parting. Learn what length and direction to discuss with your barber.
- Middle part: a centre part that falls naturally
Considering a middle part? Learn how face-framing length, growth direction and the back shape determine whether it works at home.
- Bro flow: medium-length hair that moves away from the face
A bro flow needs the right distribution of length and weight. Learn how to grow medium hair while keeping it deliberately tidy.
- Flat top: discussing a level silhouette clearly
A flat top is defined by its top line and side view. Learn how to discuss height, width and day-to-day maintenance with your barber.
Comparing styles
- Taper or fade: which transition suits your haircut?
Compare a taper and a fade by placement, retained length and grow-out, so you can ask for the transition you actually mean.
- Low or high fade: choosing the height of your contrast
Unsure between a low and high fade? Compare placement, retained side hair and how to explain the choice with a reference.
- Skin fade or shadow fade: exposed skin or a short shadow?
Compare skin and shadow fades by finish, contrast and grow-out. Choose the bottom finish that feels right and supports the look you want.
- Buzz cut or crew cut: uniform shortness or a shaped front?
Compare a buzz cut and crew cut by length, styling and the crown. Choose between an even short form and room for a short front section.
- French crop or Caesar cut: loose texture or a controlled fringe?
Compare a French crop and Caesar cut by front shape, texture and overall form. Choose the short fringe that matches how your hair normally falls.
- Quiff or pompadour: loose lift or a full swept-back form?
Compare quiffs and pompadours by height, direction and styling. Choose a front shape that fits the time you want to spend each day.
- Undercut or blended sides: disconnected or smoothly connected?
Compare an undercut with blended sides. Understand how the visible edge, loose styling and future grow-out affect your choice.
- Scissors or clippers: discuss the result, not only the tool
Scissors and clippers can both appear in one appointment. Learn how to describe length, finish and shape without treating a tool name as the end result.
- Matte or shiny styling: choose finish alongside hold
Matte and shiny describe light, not automatic hold. Learn how to choose finish, hold and movement as separate parts of your styling routine.
- Beard trim or clean shave: preserve shape or start again?
Compare a beard trim and clean shave by length, outline and daily routine. Discuss what should stay before any length is removed.
Your hair
- Cutting and styling fine hair without creating a flat shape
Have fine hair? Discuss length, weight and product use so your haircut does not become unnecessarily flat or separated.
- Cutting dense hair: reducing bulk without losing your shape
Have dense or thick hair? Learn how to discuss volume, width and length without simply cutting everything shorter.
- Straight hair: using growth direction for an intentional shape
Straight hair shows lines and direction clearly. Learn how to discuss parting, length and flat or upright areas with your barber.
- Wavy hair: choosing length that works with natural movement
Wavy hair changes shape as it dries. Learn how to discuss length, volume and daily styling without planning away your natural wave.
- Curly hair: assess the shape after your curl springs back
Curly hair can spring back after cutting. Learn how to discuss length, shape and dry curl with your barber so it works at home.
- Coily hair: choosing a shape around your natural texture
Coily hair has its own shrinkage and density. Learn how to discuss shape, height, edges and daily care with your barber.
- Cowlick at the crown: choosing length that works with growth direction
A crown cowlick can make hair stand up or split. Learn how to discuss length, direction and styling around the crown with your barber.
- Receding corners: choosing a haircut around your own hairline
Receding corners call for an intentional shape, not promises. Learn how to discuss length, fringe and outline in proportion to your own hairline.
- Grey hair: choosing length and finish that let texture speak
Grey hair can reflect light differently and make texture more visible. Learn how to discuss length, contrast and styling with your barber.
- Growing out short hair: keep direction without starting over
Moving from a short haircut to more length? Learn how to discuss intermediate shapes, edges and bulk while length-critical areas keep growing.
Beards
- Stubble: choosing shadow, length and a tidy edge
Stubble is more than “short”. Learn how to discuss visible shadow, cheek line, neckline and home maintenance with your barber.
- Short boxed beard: compact form with defined corners
A short boxed beard combines retained length with a framed shape. Learn how to discuss jaw, cheek, neck and moustache separately.
- Full beard: retain length with a shape that stays balanced
A full beard requires choices about weight, cheek, chin and underside. Learn how to retain length without an unintended heavy shape.
- Goatee: deciding the connection around mouth and chin
A goatee centres on the moustache and chin area. Learn how to discuss width, connections and clear cheeks for an intentional form.
- Trimming a moustache: choose width, lip clearance and a wearable form
A moustache can be subtle or prominent. Learn how to discuss lip length, width and connection to the rest of your beard.
- Beard neckline: choosing a lower boundary that suits your shape
The neckline defines your beard profile. Learn how to discuss height, curve and proportion with your jaw clearly with your barber.
- Beard cheek line: follow your growth or choose a visible edge?
The cheek line determines how open or compact your beard appears. Learn how to discuss a natural or defined line without unrealistic expectations.
- Beard and sideburns: make the transition to your haircut deliberate
The transition between hair and beard can be soft, short or defined. Learn how to discuss length, height and connection with your barber.
- Patchy beard: choosing a shape that works with your growth
Differences in beard density need an intentional outline. Learn how to discuss length, lines and a reference without chasing an unrealistic result.
- Curly beard: assess the form after the hairs spring back
Curly beard hair changes length and volume when dry. Learn how to discuss outline, weight and home care with your barber.
- Growing a beard: keep direction during the in-between stage
Growing a beard does not mean leaving everything untouched. Learn how to preserve length while still discussing edges, weight and comfort.
- Uneven beard sides: compare the shape before taking more off
Left and right sides can grow or fall differently. Learn how to assess outline, length and daily direction before making a beard unnecessarily short.
- Beard under the chin: deciding bottom weight and profile
The underside of your beard is mainly visible in profile. Learn how to discuss length, mass and neckline beneath the chin deliberately with your barber.
- Beard with glasses: coordinate sideburns and frames
Glasses change how the side of your face appears. Learn how to discuss sideburns, cheek line and haircut with your frames in view.
- Beard reference photo: show what to copy and what to adapt
A useful beard reference makes the conversation concrete. Learn which views, features and personal photos clarify shape and length.
Styling and care
- Using hair clay: matte definition without a heavy layer
Want to use hair clay? Learn how to match amount, distribution and a matte finish to your haircut and routine.
- Using hair paste: flexible definition for your daily shape
Hair paste can shape hair without forcing a rigid finish. Learn how to discuss amount, distribution and restyling during the day.
- Using pomade: control for a combed direction
Pomade often suits a controlled backward or side-swept form. Learn how to choose shine, amount and an everyday routine you can use.
- Using styling powder: root lift without visible excess
Styling powder can add texture and root lift. Learn how to use a small amount, distribute it and assess whether it suits your haircut.
- Using sea salt spray: loose texture without a hard finish
Sea salt spray can support loose, lived-in texture. Learn when to use it, how to dry it and how to avoid hair feeling too dry or shapeless.
- Blow-drying for volume: direction before finish
More volume starts with drying direction and a suitable haircut shape. Learn how to blow-dry without relying on ever more product.
- Styling a fringe: stop the front splitting unintentionally
A fringe works through length, growth direction and light control. Learn how to dry and finish the front without making it heavy.
- Refreshing flat hair: reset the shape before layering product
Does your hair go flat during the day? Learn when to reshape it, when a little product helps and when the haircut shape needs attention.
- Removing product buildup: notice when your hair needs a reset
Does your hair feel heavy, dull or hard to shape? Learn how to match product use and washing without adding random extra products.
- How often to wash hair: choose a routine around comfort and product use
There is no universal washing schedule. Learn how to use your own hair, scalp comfort, sport and styling routine as signals.
- Towel-drying hair: keep your natural direction
Towel-drying sets up how your hair falls afterwards. Learn how to remove water without roughly disturbing the shape first.
- Comb or brush: choose your tool for the silhouette you want
A comb and brush create different finishes. Learn which tool suits a parting, smooth direction, volume or loose texture.
- Resetting bed hair: assess your haircut only after a small reset
Does your hair sleep in odd directions? Learn how to release morning bends without immediately adding product or assuming you need a new haircut.
- Resetting hat hair: give compressed roots room again
A cap mainly flattens the roots. Learn how to reset your haircut after taking it off and which shape is more realistic if you wear one often.
- Keeping a fade tidy: what home care can and cannot do
A fade grows out from its shortest zones. Learn how to keep it fresh day to day and why the blend itself needs a professional refresh.
Treatments
- Booking a haircut: choose clearly without knowing every term
The standard haircut is for the hair on your head. Learn what to decide before booking and what you can calmly discuss in the chair.
- Haircut and beard: plan two outlines as one whole
A haircut and beard form your side profile together. Learn what to discuss when you want both cared for in one treatment.
- Haircut and extra-smooth beard: make your intended finish clear
Want a haircut with a very smooth beard finish? Learn what to mention about skin, contours and contrast with your haircut before booking.
- Children’s haircut up to age 12: prepare the visit calmly
For a children’s haircut, a simple plan helps: desired length, what the child finds comfortable and room to settle into the chair.
- Clipper treatment: agree length and contrast beforehand
A clipper treatment is more than “short”. Learn how to make your top, sides, transitions and preferred clean lines clear.
- Beard treatment: balance the fullness and lines you want
Book a beard treatment when the shape needs attention. Learn how to name length, cheeks, neck and moustache clearly beforehand.
- Clipper and beard: make the contrast between hair and beard intentional
Choose the combined clipper and beard treatment for a short haircut with a coordinated beard shape.
- Razor contours: refresh the edges without a full haircut
Razor contours focus on visible lines. Learn which edges to point out and when a contour treatment suits your maintenance.
- Hair and beard contours: choose which edges need attention together
This treatment is for visible hair and beard lines. Learn how to specify exactly which contours you want refreshed.
- Eyebrow waxing: discuss what you want tidied, not a different eyebrow
Eyebrow waxing can tidy loose hairs around your existing shape. Learn how to discuss a subtle, suitable treatment beforehand.
- Ear waxing: choose the tidy area you actually want
Ear waxing focuses on visible hair around the ear. Learn how to name the area and discuss whether the treatment suits the moment.
Your visit
- Your first barber visit: bring a goal, not jargon
You do not need barber terminology for a first visit. Learn which information makes the appointment clearer immediately.
- Choosing a barber: combine profile, availability and conversation
Choose a barber using team profiles, a time that suits you and a clear conversation about your preference.
- Explaining a haircut: translate a photo to your own hair
A good conversation covers shape, length and routine. Learn how to make a visual preference concrete without technical terms.
- Choosing a reference photo: show what you want to copy
Choose a photo with useful angles and name the feature you want to take from it. This makes a photo a conversation, not an unrealistic promise.
- How much to cut off: agree on a visible length
Avoid a vague “shorter” conversation. Learn how to show what should remain, what may come off and where you want to check first.
- Booking without a barber preference: choose the time that suits you
Do not have a regular barber? Choose a treatment and compare available times across the team.
- Rescheduling an appointment: cancel first, then book again
Need another time? Use the cancellation link in your confirmation, then choose a new available time on the website.
- Cancelling an appointment: use the link in your confirmation
Cannot attend? Cancel from the confirmation email, check the cancellation and book again only if you want a new time.
- Calendar and local time: your appointment uses Amsterdam time
Bookings and available times use Europe/Amsterdam, including daylight-saving changes. Learn what to check in your confirmation.
- Preparing hair for your visit: show your usual routine
Arrive with hair as you normally wear it and explain which products you use. This gives the barber an honest starting point for advice.
Hair and everyday life
- Low-maintenance haircut: choose around the time you actually have
A low-maintenance haircut fits your real morning routine.
- Haircut for sport: plan around sweat and movement
For sport, what matters is how hair resets during and after movement.
- Haircut with a helmet: expect pressure at the roots
A helmet temporarily compresses volume and direction.
- Haircut with glasses: assess the side profile with frames on
Frames change how temples, sideburns and beard transition look.
- Haircut for a wedding: leave room to test shape and styling
For an important day, a haircut you already know helps.
- Haircut for an interview: choose familiar grooming
For an interview, a shape you can wear comfortably yourself works best.
- Haircut for holiday: plan maintenance around time away
On holiday, you often want to spend less time and have fewer appointments for hair.
- From long to short hair: make a big change discussable
Going from long to short is clearer when you see shape and boundary beforehand.
- Keeping length while looking tidy: choose where shape and bulk change
You can retain length and still create a tidier silhouette.