Better blending of hair cuts - Post #5 in the series

The top 5 Tips for better blending of hair cuts

This is number 5 of 5 in a series of tips for better blending… by request from a friend on facebook

Tip #5 Use Skip-Guard Tapering

Work from long to short in your blades or guards. Work from high to low. Work the skip-guard system to your advantage. Pick a guard. Pick the longest guard you will use at the blending point. Use this guard. Use toe-to-heel cutting. Skip the next shortest guard and use the second shortest. Rock this shorter guard lower and tighter. Go back to the skipped guard between the two to easily blend any transition as needed. Basically to create a classic taper… use your 4, skip your 3, use your 2 and go back to your 3 if needed. Hair at the top of the #4 will bland to the above using techniques 1, 2 and 3 in this series. See this pic here. Watch the video here.

Better Blending of hair cuts - #4 in the series

The top 5 Tips for better blending of hair cuts

This is number 4 of 5 in a series of tips for better blending… by request from a friend on facebook

Tip #4 Rock your clipper

When it comes to blending shorter clipper cuts the rocking motion of the clipper is key. We call this toe-to-heel cutting… that is to say we get in low on the toe of the clipper blade and rock out onto the heel of the blade as we move up the head. This rocking motion allows any blade, every blade or guard to cut a progressive series of hair lengths as the tool moves up the head. This length progression is true tapering. This will allow a cutter to remove lines if they are present… or prevent the lines in the first place. Look here for the images. Look here for the video.

Better hair cut blending - Post #3

The top 5 Tips for better blending of hair cuts

This is number 3 of 5 in a series of tips for better blending… by request from a friend on facebook

Tip #3 Master your blending shears

Sadly, the masterful use of blending shears may be becoming a lost art. Blending shears (like a 44/20) are one of the great tools of the barbering trade.
The proper use of blending shears makes blending hair cuts a snap. It is also fun and beautiful to watch when masterfully executed. Practice. You can do full haircuts with a blender if you have a good one and solid skills to make it sing. Work at an angle like any other bending tool. Work from below in an upward manner. Elevate the weight at an angle to clearly see it and remove it. Stay away form the weight at zero elevation… this will just dig the weight mark deeper. Establish proper cadence… that is the rhythm of moving up the head in a smooth seamless flow. Look here for the image. Look here for the video. Look here to purchase a 44/20 shear.