My old boss told me my fades looked like I was scared of the clippers, so I switched to a 0.5 guard only | Barbers - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals
My old boss told me my fades looked like I was scared of the clippers, so I switched to a 0.5 guard only
Back when I worked at a shop in Boise, my boss watched me do a skin fade and said I was leaving a shadow line because I kept pulling the clipper away too early, almost like I was scared of it. I started doing all my bald fades with a 0.5 guard instead of going straight to the razor, and the lines came out way cleaner. Now here's my question for you all: do you go straight to the razor on a skin fade, or do you keep that half guard step in the routine?
The "scared of the clippers" thing is real and I felt that in my soul. My old shop lead said the same kind of stuff to me because I was lifting off way too soon and leaving that fuzzy ring around the ear. Keeping the half guard in the routine is smart because it gives you a safety net before the razor, so you can blend that line out without hacking at it. Going straight to the razor every time works for some guys, but it bites you on darker hair or anyone with sensitive skin. I still hit the half guard first on 90 percent of my fades, then finish with the foil shaver or razor depending on how tight they want it. No shame in it either, it is just a cleaner way to work and the clients never know the difference.