COLTSTETICS
A
Grooming: Haircut, Facial Hair & Details/Lesson 3

worksheet / 7 min read / 43/82 in course

How To Talk To Your Barber (The Script)

Visual proof

Colt style and grooming proof

Full polish: Grooming: Haircut, Facial Hair & Details

Grooming works best when the whole look is coherent.

The #1 cause of bad haircuts

It's not the barber. It's communication. You said "just clean it up" and got something totally different than what was in your head. Today we fix that forever.

Bring reference photos

Always bring 2-3 photos. This is non-negotiable. Words are fuzzy; pictures aren't.

  • Pick photos of a guy with a similar hair type and face shape to yours. A photo of straight-haired model won't translate to your curls.
  • Bring a front AND a side photo of the same cut so the barber sees the full shape.
  • If possible, bring a photo of a previous cut you had that you loved.

A good barber wants the photo. It removes guesswork. Anyone annoyed that you brought a reference is telling you something useful about them.

Learn the four numbers that matter

Clipper guards go up in eighths of an inch:

  • #0–1: Skin / very short (used at the bottom of a fade)
  • #2: ~1/4 inch — short
  • #3–4: ~3/8–1/2 inch — medium short
  • Scissors on top: for any length you want to keep and style

The script (use this almost word for word)

"I'd like a [low / mid / high] fade on the sides, starting around [my temple / my ear]."

"Leave about [2 finger-widths / X inches] on top — enough that I can style it [back / to the side / forward]."

"Texture the top so it's not too blocky."

"Keep my natural hairline at the front — don't square it off too far back." (protects a receding hairline from looking worse)

"Clean up the neckline [natural / rounded / blocked] and line up the edges."

Then show your photos and say: "Something like this — adapted for my hair."

During the cut

  • When the barber pauses and shows you the length on top before they commit — speak up now. "A little shorter" or "that's perfect" right here saves you two weeks of regret.
  • If you're unsure, ask them to leave it longer. You can always take more off; you can't glue it back.

After the cut

  • Ask: "What product would you use on this, and how do I style it at home?" Most barbers will straight-up show you. This is free coaching — take it.
  • If you loved it, take a photo of the result and the back of your head. That's now your reference for next time. Find a barber you like and become a regular — they'll learn your head.

Fill this out before your next appointment

  • My face shape: ______
  • My hairline notes: ______
  • Fade height I want: ______
  • Length on top: ______
  • Reference photos saved? ?

Do this now

  • ->Save 3 reference photos (front + side) of a cut that matches your hair type.
  • ->Write out your personal version of the barber script and fill in the worksheet.

Key takeaways

  • OKBad cuts come from bad communication — bring 2-3 reference photos every time.
  • OKLearn clipper guard numbers so you can be specific.
  • OKUse the script: fade height, length on top, texture, hairline, neckline.
  • OKSpeak up about length before the barber commits — you can't add hair back.
  • OKAsk the barber to teach you the at-home styling and product.