You have a photo saved, but the booking menu says “men's haircut” and the comments under the photo say three different things. Low taper, skin fade, mid fade: which one should you ask for?
Start with the shape you want to see. How much hair should stay around the sides? How high should the shortest area reach? Do you want skin showing? Those answers give your artist more to work with than a haircut name on its own.
At Artistly in Winnipeg, tapers, low, mid and high fades, skin fades and scissor work are part of the men's haircut service. Here's how to turn a reference photo into a useful conversation.
What is the difference between a taper and a fade?
Both involve a gradual change from longer to shorter hair. In common haircut language, a taper often means keeping more hair through the sides while shortening the edges around the sideburns and neckline. A fade usually describes a more noticeable transition through the sides and back.
The terms overlap. One person's “taper fade” may mean something different to another person, and a photo may show a variation rather than a textbook example. Treat the name as a starting point. Ask your artist to point out where the shortest area and the transition will sit on your own head.
Wahl's haircutting guide also describes a fade as a type of tight taper. That overlap is a good reason to show the shape rather than rely entirely on the label.
Low, mid or high describes placement
A low fade keeps the transition lower around the sides and back. A mid fade places it higher, while a high fade takes the short area further up. These are relative descriptions; they do not set one exact line that works identically on every head.
Show how much darkness you want to keep above the ears. If your photo has a curved outline at the back, show that too. A straight-on selfie can hide much of what makes a cut distinctive, so a side and back view are especially useful.
You can also point out a feature you do not want: a very exposed crown, a sharp contrast under the top, or sides that feel too bare.
Skin describes the shortest finish
A skin fade takes the shortest area down to skin. A fade can also retain some short hair at the bottom. Asking for a low fade does not, by itself, explain which finish you want.
If you know a clipper length you liked previously, mention it. If you do not, say whether you want visible hair left at the shortest point. There is no need to guess a guard number to sound prepared.
Decide what happens on top
The sides are only part of the appointment. Tell your artist whether you wear the top forward, parted, pushed back or in its natural texture. Explain what you actually do in the morning, including whether you use a dryer or styling product.
Bring up the details that frustrated you last time. Perhaps the fringe became too short, the crown stuck up, or the sides looked good while the top felt heavy. Specific feedback helps turn “the same, but better” into a clear plan.
Plan the beard and the next haircut
If you wear a beard, discuss how the sideburns should connect with it. Artistly lists beard trimming separately and also offers a Haircut & Beard appointment. Select the combination if you want both services, rather than assuming beard shaping is included in a haircut-only booking.
There is no single return interval that suits every cut and preference. Tell your artist how often you realistically want to come back, and ask how the chosen shape is likely to look as it grows. A very close finish may stop looking freshly cut before you feel you need another full appointment.
Bring this three-line brief
- “I like this shape around the sides and back.”
- “At the shortest point, I want skin showing / some hair left.”
- “On top, I need enough length to wear it like this.”
Add any beard work and your usual styling routine. That's enough to start a much better haircut conversation.
Book your haircut at Artistly, or check the service menu before choosing. We're at 567 St Anne's Road, Unit 2, in St Vital, Winnipeg. Review the service, artist and price in your booking summary, and call 431-844-5500 if you are unsure which appointment to select.