How Many Techniques Are There For Cutting Hair?

Too many if you ask us! Stylists can be quite the creative bunch when it comes to techniques - especially hair cutting techniques. So really let's be honest here, there's always some new hair cutting technique that comes out or a more advanced technique rather than basic techniques which requires us stylist's to constantly be evolving and learning to improve our hairdressing or barbering skills!

So when it comes to hair cutting techniques, there of course isn't just one technique - there's heaps! All the techniques that are out there contribute to creating different lengths and styles. So rather than overwhelming you with ALL the different techniques we're going to bring it back to the basics, Below we will discuss the basic techniques every stylist should know to get them on their haircutting way

1. Blunt cutting

The term 'blunt cutting' is exactly what it says - blunt. The blunt cutting technique is often used when the baseline of any hairstyle is simply cut into blunt lines and left that way, it is in no way wispy and is left looking heavy on the ends with no texture on the ends to give it the blunt haircut look.

2. Scissor or clipper over comb

Scissor or clipper over comb is a technique that uses the comb instead of your fingers as a guide for cutting areas where the hair is too short or in a tricky position for a finger guide. It's generally used to cut hair in areas around the ears or the nape of the neck area. It can also be used as a blending technique to blend a haircut like a mens or woman's 'short back and sides' style cut. You'd be surprised where this technique could come in handy!

3. Graduating

Graduating is a technique that can be performed at any length but more commonly found in bob haircuts. It's a cut where the weight of the hair is built up within the desired shape or the baseline - to put it simply, a gradual progression of lengths starting from short to long and extended outwards away from the baseline.

4. Thinning

Thinning, one of the most common techniques around! Often we use thinning scissors or a razor cutting technique (if you're game enough) to reduce the thickness of the hair can. Stylists generally thin out hair to as said above to thin hair, to soften features of a hairstyle, to add slight texture, to increase volume at the root, or to wisp out a haircut if needed.

5. Texturising

Texturising can be similar but also completely different to thinning. It involves using your texturizing scissors or your normal straight blade scissors to cut the hair into different lengths to produce different lengths throughout the hair. For example, long hair can be made to look less uniformed and short hair can be texturized to create a messy look. There are no rules when it comes to texturizing. Lots of hair stylists combine different methods of texturizing to create the desired look, it could be a subtle texture or a heavy texture or somewhere in between that they're after, either way all is achievable! The best way to create texture is with your texturizing scissors. If you don't have any then of course you can use your normal straight blade scissors or of course a razor, but be sure to handle with care and not take too much hair away, it can lead to one very unhappy customer!

6. Point cutting

Point haircutting techniques can also be known as 'chipping' into the hair, they are amazing to take out the weight of the hair cut or give the hairstyle a light texture or to simply finish off a hairstyle in certain sections of the hair. To perform a point cut, you simply grab hold of the section of hair you wish to chip into, making sure it's nowhere near the root and chip away with your normal scissors

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7. Slide cutting

Slide cutting hair cutting techniques is another great basic technique. You can use this method to slide in face framing layers or add/create unstructured layers to long hair. To achieve this method you simply section off the hair you wish to slide into, open your scissors and glide down the hair and create layers on where you see fit. Some stylists even like to use this method to add a slight texture to the hair. It can be done on dry or wet hair. Just be sure that the shears you use are sharp enough so they don't pull on the clients hair.

8. Freehand

Freehand is not actually a method itself, but certainly worth the mention! It's more used at a stylists discretion and more for a senior stylist that is confident in what they're doing to perform this technique. For example, if you're finishing up a style and check it in the mirror and can see there's a few strands out of place or one side is longer than the other on longer hair then by all means use your hairdressing eye and cut freehand where you can.

So there we have it, the most basic techniques needed to know as a baseline of how many there actually are! Of course all these techniques can be used on all hair lengths, all hair textures and all head shapes, wet hair or dry hair the choice is yours - the stylists! With your new found knowledge get cutting with your basic techniques and get creative once you're confident!