Knowing where the hair will be parted is important because you may have to blend the shorter side a little more than the longer side depending on the style.
You can use a higher number to get an even shave around the sides and back of the head as a baseline. To get the fade look you will switch to shorter guards as you move down. But by starting with the larger guard size you can easily get an even fade. You will shave the entire sides and back of the hair with your first guard and then repeat with a lower guard, moving part way down the head, leaving the top the length you just cut.
Fade lines don’t have to go straight across in the back. In fact, some fade lines dip slightly around the back of the head, then return to the original line before reaching the other ear. You can have more than one fade line. Start with one on your first cut; as you get more confident, try doing two. Where you position the fade line is a matter of personal taste. You can put it anywhere from slightly above the top of the ear to 2 or 3 inches (5. 1 or 7. 6 cm) above that.
If you are uncertain how big the rectangle should be, use the eyebrows as a guide. The lines of the rectangle should line up with the outer tips of the eyebrows. Include the entire crown at the back of the head.
Do not cut the sectioned-off hair on top of the head. Move your clippers in an upward motion, moving out with an arc with each movement. With your free hand, lightly press down on the scalp just below where you are currently cutting. This will ensure a smooth, even cut.
Hold the clippers in your hand so that your thumb is over the top, with your other fingers beneath. Move your wrist in a “flicking” motion upward. To make the fade lines disappear and give the hair a consistent transition, you want to angle the clippers so that only the bottom third or quarter of the blade is actually touching the head at the fade line. The portion of the blade, the teeth, that isn’t touching the head will still cut the hair, but at a “natural” fade angle.
Push the clippers forward a bit on uneven spots to make sure the blades are catching the hair. To cut behind the ears, pull the top of the ear down and cut straight up starting at the spot where the ear connects to the head. You may have to cut at an angle to get the hair behind the ear.
Repeat the same shaving technique as before, starting at the bottom and moving up. Don’t go all the way to the top. To get an even fade you’ll want to pick a spot where your next fade line will be. This will vary from person to person, but your second fade line should be above the ear. Depending on how much of a fade you want, you may have to switch guards again and repeat the process, shaving the lower portion of the head with a #1.
Repeat this process around the fade line(s), taking care to keep your combing distance the same all the way around. If done correctly, you should have a nice even fade with no visible fade lines. The hair should gradually get shorter as it gets closer to the base of the skull.
To cut with scissors, use a comb or your fingers and pull the hair up, cutting above the fingers or comb a little at a time. The fingers or comb should be kept straight and parallel to the floor as you cut. Take into account the angle at which you are cutting. For a fade look with longer hair on top, you will want to cut the hair at an angle as you move towards the back of the head to blend it. Check the corners as you cut. To do this, pull out a lock from the top of the hair and check the edges. The corners of this cut should be soft. If too much hair is falling back from the top, you can use a thinning shear or clippers to trim it back.
You may not need to do this to the sideburns if the person whose hair you are cutting has facial hair connecting to the sideburns. Shave down the base of the neck and up a little way on the lowest fade to make sure that the hair is evened out.
You may have to position your clippers at a bit of an angle to get any stragglers and even out the fade.
Clean up the edges using a straight razor or the trimmer to make sure the edges of the cut are clean, as well as removing any neck hair. If you are using a straight razor, apply shaving cream to the area you are about to cut, then pad with a warm damp towel. Brush off any loose hairs and style the top with a pomade or gel for a finished look.
Some popular and highly rated clippers are: Oster Classic 76 Clipper w/ 2 Blades. Wahl Senior clippers. Andis Master clippers. Make sure the clippers come with at least 5 different guard sizes. It’s also a good idea to purchase a professional trimmer, which is used to line sideburns and clean up the areas around the ears, neck and forehead. Ask your barber where he purchases his, or look around online.
Make sure your clippers are unplugged and remove the blades. If you have a solution, spray the solution over your blades and let it sit before wiping off. If you are using distilled white vinegar put the blades to soak for a few minutes in a solution of vinegar. Avoid washing your clippers with soap and water as this can cause your blades to rust.
When oiling your clippers, you should make sure that you’ve brushed off any excess hair that might be in the blades. Turn your clippers on and drip the oil onto the blades, allowing the moving blades to become saturated. Run the blades for about 20 seconds. Thoroughly wipe the blades down, making sure that the tops of your blades are dry so hair doesn’t stick.
