Every Term Barbers Use and What They Actually Mean | GQ

Matty Conrad breaks down the most misused and misunderstood terms in barbering so you can become an expert at asking for what you want at the barber shop. From fades and tapers to mullets and side parts, we're making sure you and your barber are on the same page your next haircut.
Director: Noel Howard
Director of Photography: Callum Gunn
Editor: Graham Mooney, Phil Ceconi
Host: Matty Conrad
Producer: Graham Corrigan; Sam Dennis
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Casting Producer: Cynthia Simpson
Camera Operator: Oliver Smith
Gaffer: Luke Strahm
Sound Mixer: Alex Shamku
Production Assistant: Miranda MacDougall
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Designer: Lea Kichler
Animation: Brady Jackson
Filmed on Location at: Victory Barber & Brand Gastown in Vancouver, British Columbia
00:00 The Grooming Guide
00:32 Fades
01:42 How to Ask for a Fade
01:55 Tapers
02:39 The Number System
03:36 Blocked Outlines
04:31 Layering
05:00 Feathered vs. Flowback
05:35 Disconnected vs. Blended
06:06 The Undercut
07:07 Combover vs. Side Part
07:46 The Hard Part
09:00 Edge Up or Line Up
09:44 The Mullet
11:04 Volume vs. Lift
11:36 Spiky vs. Textured
12:23 Fine vs, Thinning
13:35 Haircut vs. Hairstyle
14:24 Until Next Time
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[@javiervasquez8797]

I’m pretty sure 10-30% or barbers need to watch this too

[@maxpain45678]

Most wouldn’t even know how to do these cuts besides a fade.

[@iMoha46]

The fact that they got Travis over Boosie in the photo is so crazy

[@jackreacher4547]

Lol, they don’t even know boosie has a fade. They ask for the Travis kelce. Haha.

[@mrweekers89]

That is a Boosie-fade, its a different level of fade 😁

[@braam7939]

The gentrification is real 😂

[@BrandRobersonTV]

Boosie fade is a legendary cut

[@Dontask9513]

To say that a taper isn’t a fade is crazy

[@louuwalton]

The fact the they’re using Travis Kelce as an example for the bald fade and taper is ridiculous… cmon GQ

[@THEsoulquarian]

Agreed 😂

[@ItsJustKaya]

Yea my turkish barber gonna be like. Show picture or you get the same cut like the dude before you.

[@vincentbardoun]

Lol

[@jacrispycracker]

Has an entire series on GQ about haircuts, wears a hat in all of them

[@zenecoley7965]

Black American barbers invented the fade. We’ve known what a fade is for decades now.

[@socialwild222]

It's the culture

[@DonceBeats]

who

[@somefrog6089]

Incorrect. Short, tapered sides with longer tops became popular during the 1940s, influenced by the impact of World War II. The prevalent styles embraced practicality and neatness, reflecting the military-inspired cuts of the time. The “Ivy League” haircut, featuring short sides and slightly longer tops, gained traction, often associated with sophistication and academic circles. The Ivy League haircut predates the fade and served as an early influence on barbering styles that eventually led to the development of the fade haircut. And the Ivy League haircut is actually predated by the 1920s and 1930s Undercut, which looks a lot like what we today call "fade".

[@spiercephotography]

Me, a woman, watching and learning about mens hair and who will probably never use any of this info: This is absolutely fascinating!

[@Purpleblackviolet]

lol even i wont use this info

[@amberderilo9279]

When you start hating ur partner’s haircuts, you’re gonna need it

[@Padlock_Steve]

use it to insult random people on the street

[@josephagug3715]

He knows his thing

[@whyme8068]

Please discuss the hair products for men. This confuses me most😂 For example, I like the hold and feel of texture paste but can't find one with a little shine. When I try to combine it with other products to make my hair look not so dry, I lose the hold of the paste. I don't like things such as pomade since it makes it feel oily and sticky. I'm sure a lot of other guys, like me, don't know what to do to achieve the look they want.

[@mysticmagicsmurfdarklord6844]

I agree, this is something Matty Conrad should talk about. Product is not talked about enough these rdays

[@Goldielox-hz3pk]

I use to show picture and barber still messed up haircut lmfaooo

[@gerrychatelain1115]

Fantastic info-well presented----so much new knowledge.

[@OMDAT]

Came for the info, stayed for the puns

[@Firstnamelastname..]

please 🙏this needs to be a mandatory video for barber students and modern barbers

[@brendan4859]

In my experience, any time I've tried to use this terminology, they have no idea what I'm talking about.

[@SLIME-qo1hf]

great video, surprised you did not cover longer hair for people growing it out (like shoulder length) maybe wanting it cleaned up

[@andilegumede8639]

I usually fade my own hair because me and my previous barbers spoke two different languages in terms of the look I wanted. It's an everyday struggle to find a barber who truly understands you.

[@martyrobertson]

Amazing thank you 🙏🏽

[@user-ik6qy4uk6w]

We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.

[@sonampalbar9040]

13:35 haircut vs hairstyle vs Harry styles 😅

[@stavi7316]

Literally perfect timing. Got my cut scheduled in an hour😂

[@TitusK1ng]

How did it come out cuh..

[@stavi7316]

@@TitusK1ng real nice👊

[@AlbertMinky-li7bm]

You are blessed with your father’s wisdom.

[@lancecahill5486]

“Just cut it short, please!”.

[@KevenSandoval]

The fact that this video would be virtually impossible without constant pictorial references exemplifies the fallibility of language and why what you say to your barber, no matter how meticulously worded, will probably not cut it.

[@danzbeard]

Great information here 👌🏻

[@silvAlejandro]

Aaaaand another video for the holy grail playlist! Add ✅

[@herpderp749]

Looking to finally get a haircut after over 3.5 years of growing it out. I just don’t know what exactly to get tho. I think my head shape is more rectangular (tall and narrow) and my ears do stick out a little. If anyone has any suggestions or inspiration I can look into id appreciate it 🙏🏾

[@ghostcoyoteproductions]

Great information

[@sodamanthegr8]

I'm not sure why I'm watching that since I'm bald, but still found it interesting.

[@youknowwithMartyKauffman]

Can you do one about long hair because I have long hair like down below my shoulders

[@AustinRalls]

Can you do this but for beard cuts?

[@brandonbrown2652]

Ive always been surprised when i go into a place to get my mohawk cleaned up aka sides cut down to 1 usually . They have no idea what i mean . Isnt a mohawk like common knowledge lol idk

[@BrandRobersonTV]

Sonny Liston is the first ever with a line up. And Travis kelce instead of boosie for the fade is crazy

[@bbounce803]

Great video

[@areitz1962]

What a great vid

[@lilbeckham9]

Awesome video

[@donhatter159]

I love haircut

[@Moneymitch_]

Who did the research for this 😂😂 bald and skin fade are the same thing 😂

[@actuallyarjun]

Matt, please do a tutorial for curly hair on men😭 we need your help

[@simonports]

what's the song at the end?

[@jcampztiktok8109]

now I finally understand

[@patrickwalker6698]

The haircut that changed my life was when I walked in with an afro and told my barber, "Give me something YOU'D wear." I've since swapped it up but I now care about my hair.

[@nova_kane]

... I think I'm just going to show my barber a picture of what I want.

[@carolynanney]

I’m learning to cut my boyfriend’s hair, this is so helpful thank you 🙏

[@thamithwala3011]

You forgot about the Mohawk!😂😅😊

[@jmains]

My barber literally speaks a different language

[@xDrew292x]

So then their is no such thing as a drop fade ?

[@MntDrew-rd8iu]

What's the best haircut for receding hairline?

[@yunbha4418]

I think buzzcut if you have the headshape or textured fringe with a fade, if you're a bit younger and have enough hair.

[@RAWDEAL064]

I learned that a skin fade was done with a razor down to, idk, the skin. But I guess that explains why every barber I went to in California never did a razor fade unless I specifically asked for it in crayon... and even then, I wouldn't get it. Best Barber I've had to this day is in Connecticut

[@victor5180]

The supposed “non” fade Jayson Tatum has is a fade it’s called a taper fade

[@JohnEpto-ng6ml]

What's pc style?

[@Stark7Ghost]

No Mohawk? Burst fade?

[@shawnwalker816]

Why people saying he didn't mention Boosie?!?!? Look at this dude and ask yourself does it make sense 😂😂😂 I wouldn't let dude cut my hair and im bald😂

[@Phantom.MX.13]

Nah cause when I ask them to thin out the top it’s cause I want them get rid off volume but keep the length the same

[@BMo33]

Love when Matty comes around GQ. He used the term "PC" a few times - anyone know what he means?

[@pejmank]

Piecy

[@housechores504]

As a barber, no guy with a combover asks for a combover, they ask for a side part 😆

[@RBernsCarter]

Watched this video even though I only get my hair cut once every 6 months when it gets annoying 😂

[@Isaac_Arango]

Me: I only want you to cut a little bit of the sides The barber: GOTCHU I'MA MAKE YOU BALD

[@United_Wings]

👌🏼

[@talldrinkofanightmare6775]

You CAN NOT read any culture appropriation in that title lol 😅

[@aftwelve]

You missed the boosie fade

[@TheoInart]

really short or really long, makes men attractive/handsome in my opinion 🌀

[@OldMate94]

Are all these terms used all over the world? 😂guess that's what I'm worried about hahah walking into a barber shop in Australia using these terms and they look at me like what

[@Leaderofalunited]

I'm German tell me about it. I don't think some of these words exist in the German language

[@moshecohen127]

didn't i see this video before?

[@MoKiShea]

It's giving, you think this is slicked back?! This is PUSHED back

[@UncleBuZ]

My barber gave me a hard part that looked like a WW1 trench. Bro....

[@alivirk3074]

The only problem is that even my barber doesn't know all these things.

[@localblackman427]

Oh this for a different demographic

[@lelozulu3423]

no Nas for the hard part and Boosie for the fade is crazy. not enough black representation in this video, typical GQ

[@sonampalbar9040]

Now how do I tell this to a street barber in India 😅

[@Jay-nm5yl]

Turkish barbers need to take note ahahahahaha

[@Unknwn733]

I can’t believe this guy called a mid fade a high fade smh

[@capturedbycell3162]

Just show a picture

[@rizzo3412]

So you guys are saying there is no such thing a number 1 fade? So once there is no skin it's not a fade? 😂😂

[@JohnEpto-ng6ml]

6

[@chrischarles4628]

Another thing NEVER IN YOUR LIFE TELL A BARBER TO TAKE A LIL BIT OF THE TOP OFF YOU WILL WALK OUT BALD!

[@daimonrivera3569]

I disagree with a lot of this. Most of it is spot on though. Comb over is def a term I will use as a barber for what he will call a side part. Cuz you wouldn't call it a side part if there is no PART in the hair. A lot of people want a "side part" but with no part. Comb over is def more universal for someone who just wants there hair combed over to the side, if u want to part your hair then say u want a side part

[@tehbakedpotato]

I trust a hat-wearing barber as much as a skinny chef.

[@MrOvlov02]

M A T T I N G L Y C U T T H O S E S I D E B U R N S

[@inyostudio]

Are all barbers gonna know these terms?

[@rizzo3412]

These are the terms where he works only for sure

[@BobRoss-wm3lc]

What barber on earth doesn’t know what a fade is 🤣. This dude just wanted an excuse to make a new video

[@2eaze]

Ima get a disconnecter foo

[@tekkingi6956]

I have perma muffin top syndrome pray for me XD

[@highway67theband]

Please don't do a number two on anyone :D

[@gilneyn.mathias1134]

I wish i knew a decent barber... ;/

[@andrewzhang598]

first

[@Killercroc20000]

🐈👈🏿

[@ItsCoolRight]

More African American hairstyles

[@braam7939]

Bald fade? you mean boosie fade sir

[@alejandroquinonez1836]

In American lingo it maybe common to call it a boosie fade, but a really bald fade has different names in other countries.

[@megamike420]

Only place a number two belongs is in the toilet

[@bqb9591]

With Black History Month we couldn't have someone black teach us about these haircuts. Im just saying 🤷🏼

[@adamweber4126]

But why can't we see YOUR Hair though?!!

[@qhoffa9568]

They put a pic of Jayson Tatum and said this not a fade…of course not…it’s a taper lol….why is a white person trying to inform us what a fade is lol

[@EStephensII]

GQ should credit the Black culture, who have been wearing fades for hundreds of years.

[@rapperogsmooth2783]

I don’t like this guy

[@priscillasappier1735]

GQ what is ur email?