You probably have a lot of experience with women’s hair. You’ve cut, colored, and styled all types of female tresses—but do you have experience with men’s hair? The beauty industry isn’t just for women. Men want to look good, too! If you’re ready to expand your skills, and your clientele, here are 4 tips for cutting and coloring men’s hair you’ll want to know:

KNOW WHEN TO BLOCK AND TAPER HAIR

Since women usually rock longer hair, a carefully shaped neckline isn’t as important to them. But on men, the neckline is almost always visible and can even change the look of their necks. There are two main neckline finishes:

• Blocked—A blocked neckline is created with a straight, even cut along the neckline to create a clean line. The cut should follow the natural hairline. When a blocked hairline grows out, it can look messy and uneven, so more maintenance is required.
• Tapered—As the name implies, a tapered neckline will fade out (or taper off) at the end. It can start at the natural hairline, or it can start a little higher to show more scalp.

A blocked neckline looks best on slimmer necks because it makes the neck appear wider. On the other hand, a tapered neckline looks best on a wide neck because it makes the neck look thinner.

STICK WITH A NATURAL SHADE FOR MEN’S HAIR

Have you ever seen a man with gray hair dye his hair jet black? It doesn’t make him look younger. In fact, it usually makes his hair look like a wig. If your client wants a dye job, choose a shade that is similar to his natural color—something that will match his eyebrows so they don’t stick out like a sore thumb. When it’s time to dye, use a semi-permanent dye. It will fade over time, so the new growth will blend in better with the dyed ends.

DON’T USE EARS AS A GUIDE TO CUT MEN’S HAIR

An important part of a men’s haircut is sideburn maintenance. Some people recommend you use your client’s ears as a guide. But did you know that most people’s ears are not symmetrical? If you trim the sideburns to match his ears, the sideburns will turn out to be uneven. Instead, trim the sideburns so they are even with each other. Just like the neckline, sideburns can shape a man’s face. Thinner sideburns can make a face look longer while thicker sideburns can make a face appear wider.

CROSS CHECK THROUGHOUT THE HAIRCUT

Don’t wait until the end of the haircut to check for evenness. Since men’s haircuts are typically shorter, mistakes can be more noticeable. Throughout the cut, check for even length and blended lines. Step back a few feet to see the cut as a whole, and make sure you have good lighting.

If you want to maintain a steady male clientele, consider offering additional services for men including facials, shaves, and facial hair grooming. The more services you can provide, the more likely they are to come back. And you never know—they may refer their friends as well.

If you love to style men’s hair, Salon Success Academy can train you in the latest techniques through our Cosmetology and Barbering programs in California. Our team of industry professionals will guide you through whichever program you choose and help you prepare for your licensing exam. Call 877-987-HAIR (4247) to learn more.