The one thing I see stylists mess up with clipper guards

I watched a new stylist at the shop try to blend a fade using a 2 guard on top and a 1 on the sides, but she kept the guard flat against the head. That creates a harsh line every time. You have to angle the clipper so the teeth of the guard just barely touch, then flick out. I learned this after three bad fades in a row at my old job in Toledo. What's your go-to method for a smooth blend?

3 comments

3 Comments

joseph_johnson2mo ago

Actually, I was taught to keep the guard flat in barber school in Chicago. That harsh line you get is just from not blending up into the longer guard enough with your lever. A flat approach gives you a cleaner guideline to work from. You just have to detail it out properly with the corner of your blade after.

claire_hayes352mo ago

My barber in Philly always said the same thing. He used to tilt the guard just a tiny bit for the blend though.

mia_singh241mo agoTop Commenter

Sounds like we're splitting hairs here, literally. I'm just happy if my barber doesn't give me a bald spot. Both methods probably work if you know what you're doing.