Angles

If a barber says they’re checking out your ‘angles’, don’t be offended. This means they’re assessing your face shape and bone structure in order to see which hair and facial hairstyle would suit you best.

Blunt Cutting

Also known as club cutting, blunt cutting is when the scissors are held horizontally and hair is cut to a uniform length. This is a good way to ensure an even length throughout the hair, but doesn’t give as textured a cut as point cutting.

Buzzcut

A style that involves shaving your head all over, usually to a uniform length. Choose your grade (anything from a 0.5 to a 2) and buzz it all off – you can even do it yourself. If the induction cut’s too extreme for you, try a 0.5 on the back and sides, and a grade 1 on top. It’s also worth growing some stubble or a short beard to draw attention to your face.

(Related: The complete guide to buzzcuts)

Crop

A classic men’s haircut, where the length is kept short and tight but textured on the top. The back and sides are generally cut to the same length, but can be clippered shorter for a more contemporary finish.

Crew Cut

A crew cut is a short haircut, with the top section resembling that of a crop but with the back and sides short and clippered, like a buzzcut. It’s often seen as a relatively modern military cut, but its origins date back to the 18th century.

Disconnection

This is a stark disconnect between the top section of a haircut and the back and sides. Styles like crew cuts and crops tend not to have disconnections, whereas you’re more likely to see them in fade styles and, of course, undercuts.

Dandruff

Dandruff is made up of dead skin cells that collect in the hair if the skin on the scalp is too dry and flaky, which itself is caused by a yeast infection that affects the sebum (natural oils) your hair should be producing. Don’t worry though – as disgusting as it sounds, it can be effectively treated with anti-dandruff shampoos, or a zinc-based tonic.