What to Tell Your Barber When You Don't Know What Haircut You Want
Walking into a barbershop and saying, "I don't know what I want" is more common than you might think.
Not everyone follows men's hairstyle trends. Not everyone knows the difference between a low fade and a mid fade. And not everyone has a specific haircut saved on their phone.
Sometimes you simply know that your current haircut isn't working anymore.
Maybe it grows out awkwardly. Maybe it takes too long to style. Maybe you want something different but don't know exactly what. Or perhaps you have been getting the same haircut for years and want your barber to suggest a change.
The good news is that you do not need to know all the terminology before sitting in the barber chair.
If you're wondering how to explain your haircut to a barber in St. Catharines, there are several simple things you can communicate that will give your barber useful information.
You Don't Have to Know the Name of Your Haircut
One of the biggest misconceptions about visiting a barber is that you need to know exactly what haircut you want.
You don't.
You can describe what you like without knowing the technical name.
Instead of saying:
"I want a low taper with a textured crop and a number two on the sides."
You can say:
"I want the sides shorter, but I don't want them extremely tight. I'd like some texture on top, and I want it to be easy to style."
That gives your barber several useful pieces of information.
A professional barber can translate your preferences into the appropriate haircut.
The conversation is often more important than knowing the terminology.
Start With What You Don't Like
If you don't know what you want, start by explaining what you don't want.
This can be incredibly helpful.
For example:
"I don't like when the sides get too short."
"I don't want the top sticking straight up."
"I don't like having hair over my ears."
"I don't want to spend ten minutes styling it."
"I don't like when the back grows out bulky."
"I don't want a really sharp or dramatic look."
"I don't want my hairline pushed back."
Knowing what you dislike gives your barber boundaries to work within.
It can also prevent the conversation from becoming a guessing game.
Explain How You Usually Wear Your Hair
Think about what you actually do with your hair every morning.
Do you brush it back?
Push it forward?
Let it fall naturally?
Wear a hat?
Use product?
Do absolutely nothing to it?
There is a big difference between a haircut designed for someone who styles their hair every morning and one designed for someone who wants to get out of the shower, run their hands through it and leave the house.
Tell your barber what your normal routine looks like.
You could say:
"I usually don't style my hair in the morning."
Or:
"I don't mind using product if it makes the haircut look better."
That one piece of information can influence the haircut considerably.
Tell Your Barber How Much Time You Want to Spend Styling
This is one of the most useful things you can tell a barber.
Be honest about your morning routine.
If you have five minutes to get ready, your haircut should probably not depend on a complicated styling routine.
If you enjoy spending time styling your hair, you may have more options.
You could say:
"I want something that looks good with very little styling."
Or:
"I'm okay using a product every day if it gives me the shape I want."
Neither preference is right or wrong.
The goal is to make the haircut fit your actual life.
Talk About How Short You Want the Sides
You don't necessarily need to know the exact clipper number.
Instead, describe the result you want.
For example:
"I want the sides quite short."
"I want some length left on the sides."
"I want a clean taper around the ears."
"I want the sides tight but not skin-tight."
"I don't want the sides to look too aggressive."
If you already know you like a certain clipper length, you can mention it.
But if you don't, your barber can help you decide how short to go.
Explain What You Want to Keep on Top
The top is often where people have the strongest preferences.
You might want:
More length
Less weight
More texture
A little volume
A flatter shape
A natural finish
Hair that can be pushed back
Hair that can be worn forward
Instead of simply saying "leave it long," explain what you want to be able to do with the hair.
For example:
"I want enough length to push it back."
That's much more useful than simply saying:
"Don't cut too much off."
Your barber can then determine how much length is necessary.
Tell Your Barber How Your Hair Behaves
Your hair has its own personality.
Some hair naturally sticks up.
Some falls forward.
Some grows in different directions.
Some becomes extremely bulky as it gets longer.
Some hair gets flat quickly.
Others naturally create a lot of volume.
If you have a cowlick, unusual growth pattern or an area that is difficult to manage, tell your barber.
You could say:
"This area at the back always sticks up when it grows out."
Or:
"My hair naturally falls forward here."
That information can help your barber work with the way your hair grows rather than fighting against it.
Don't Be Afraid to Mention Your Hairline
Your hairline can influence what you want from a haircut.
If you're particularly conscious of your temples or the shape of your hairline, communicate that.
You don't need to use technical language.
Simply say:
"I'd like to keep the front looking natural."
Or:
"I don't want the hairline pushed too far back."
A conversation before the haircut can help make sure you and your barber have the same expectations.
Tell Your Barber How Often You Want to Come Back
Your preferred maintenance schedule matters.
Some people enjoy visiting the barbershop frequently to keep their haircut looking extremely sharp.
Others want a haircut that can grow out naturally for several weeks.
Tell your barber which type you are.
For example:
"I usually wait about a month between haircuts."
That gives your barber valuable information.
A style that looks excellent immediately after a haircut may require more frequent maintenance than a style designed to grow out gradually.
The goal is to create a haircut that works not only on day one but throughout the period between appointments.
Bring a Photo — Even If You Don't Want That Exact Haircut
Reference photos are useful even when you don't want an exact copy.
You might show your barber three different pictures and say:
"I like the top in this one, the sides in this one and the overall shape of this one."
That gives your barber a visual understanding of your preferences.
Photos can communicate things that are difficult to describe.
However, remember that the person in the picture may have different hair, facial proportions and density.
The goal isn't necessarily to recreate the exact image.
It is to identify the characteristics you like.
Bring Photos of Haircuts You Don't Like
This can be just as useful.
If there is something you definitely want to avoid, showing an example can make the conversation easier.
For example:
"I don't want the sides this short."
Or:
"I don't want this much volume on top."
Clear boundaries help your barber understand your preferences.
Talk About Your Work Environment
Your haircut doesn't exist in isolation.
Think about where you spend most of your time.
If you work in a professional office, you may want a style that looks polished and controlled.
If you work outdoors or have a more casual environment, you may have more flexibility.
You can simply tell your barber:
"I need something that looks professional for work."
That does not automatically mean you need a conservative haircut.
It simply gives your barber another piece of information when shaping the style.
Mention Hats, Helmets and Sports
If you regularly wear a hockey helmet, construction helmet, bicycle helmet, baseball cap or other headwear, mention it.
A haircut that looks perfect before putting on a helmet may behave differently afterward.
Frequent hat or helmet use can also influence how much styling is realistic.
The more your barber knows about how you actually wear your hair, the easier it is to create a practical haircut.
Be Honest About Your Hair Product Use
Do you use pomade?
Clay?
Wax?
Cream?
Spray?
Nothing?
Tell your barber.
If you already have a product you like, you can even bring it up during the conversation.
If you don't use anything, don't feel pressured to start using a complicated collection of products.
Your barber can help explain whether a particular haircut can work naturally or whether a small amount of product would make styling easier.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions
A barber consultation should be a conversation.
You can ask:
"What would you recommend for my hair?"
"Would you keep more length on the sides?"
"How would this grow out?"
"Would this work without product?"
"How often would I need to maintain this?"
"What would you change about my current haircut?"
These questions can help you understand your options before making a decision.
Ask How the Haircut Will Grow Out
This is an underrated question.
Everyone likes how a fresh haircut looks immediately after leaving the barbershop.
But what about two weeks later?
A good haircut should be considered in terms of how it will develop as your hair grows.
If you don't plan to return frequently, ask your barber:
"How will this look as it grows out?"
That can help you choose between a sharper, more maintenance-heavy style and something that transitions more naturally.
Don't Say "Do Whatever You Want" Unless You Really Mean It
If you genuinely want your barber to choose your haircut, that's completely fine.
But make sure you communicate any boundaries first.
For example:
"I'm open to something different, but I don't want my hair extremely short."
That's much safer than simply saying:
"Do whatever you want."
Your barber now knows that you're open to change while still understanding one of your preferences.
The more information you provide, the easier it becomes to make the haircut personal.
A Simple Five-Part Conversation to Try
If you're sitting in the chair and have absolutely no idea what to say, start with these five things:
1. Say what you want to change
"My current haircut feels too bulky around the sides."
2. Explain how you style it
"I usually just towel dry it and put a little product in."
3. Explain what you don't like
"I don't want the sides shaved extremely short."
4. Explain your maintenance preference
"I usually come in every four weeks."
5. Ask for professional advice
"What would you recommend based on my hair?"
That is enough to start a productive conversation.
You don't need to know every haircut name.
The Best Barber Conversations Are Two-Way
Getting a haircut isn't simply about telling your barber what to do.
It is a conversation.
You provide information about your preferences, routine and previous experiences.
Your barber brings knowledge about cutting techniques, hair behaviour, proportions and styling.
When those two things come together, the result can be much more personalized.
This is particularly useful if you are trying something new.
Instead of walking in with an unrealistic expectation based entirely on a photograph, you can discuss what is actually achievable with your hair.
What If You Still Don't Know What You Want?
That's okay.
Sometimes the most useful thing you can say is:
"I want a change, but I'm not sure what would suit me."
From there, your barber can ask questions about your current haircut, how you style it, what you like and what you dislike.
You may discover that you don't need a completely different haircut.
You might simply need a different amount of length on top, a different taper, more texture or a change to the overall shape.
Small adjustments can sometimes create a noticeably different appearance.
Why a Barber Consultation Matters in St. Catharines
If you're searching for a barber consultation in St. Catharines, the conversation before the haircut can be just as important as the cutting itself.
Martindale Barbershop provides men's grooming services in St. Catharines, including men's haircuts, fades and other traditional barbering services. The shop is located at 211 Martindale Rd in St. Catharines.
Whether you know exactly what you want or you're looking for guidance, communicating clearly can help your barber understand what you're trying to achieve.
And if you don't know the technical name of the haircut?
That's perfectly fine.
Describe the result you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I tell my barber if I don't know what haircut I want?
Tell your barber what you like and dislike about your current hair, how you normally style it, how short you want the sides and how much maintenance you're willing to do. You can also ask for recommendations.
Should I bring a picture to the barbershop?
Yes. A photo can help communicate the general shape, length and style you like. Your barber can then adapt it to your own hair and features.
What if I don't know haircut terminology?
You don't need to know it. Explain what you want the finished haircut to look and feel like. Your barber can help translate your description into the appropriate cutting technique.
How do I tell my barber what I don't want?
Be specific. Mention things you've disliked about previous haircuts, such as overly short sides, excessive length, too much volume or a neckline you didn't like.
Should I tell my barber how often I get my hair cut?
Yes. Your maintenance schedule can help your barber choose a haircut that will continue to look good as it grows out.
Can a barber recommend a haircut for me?
Yes. A barber can consider factors such as your hair texture, density, growth patterns and personal preferences when discussing haircut options.
Ready for a Haircut but Don't Know What to Ask For? Final Thoughts on What to Tell Your Barber When You Don't Know What Haircut You Want
You don't need to walk into a barbershop knowing exactly what haircut terminology to use.
Bring a photo, explain what you like, describe what you don't like and tell your barber how you normally manage your hair. From there, a conversation can turn a vague idea into a haircut that actually works for you.
If you're looking for a men's haircut in St. Catharines and want help deciding what to do next, talk to the team at Martindale Barbershop.
Sometimes the best haircut starts with simply saying:
"I'm not sure what I want. What would you recommend?"
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