Graduation is a great way to add interest to a haircut, especially shorter styles, because the variance in weight can be used to create cool shapes and accents. Andrew Carruthers, Education Director for Sam Villa, says there are 5 things to think about in order to execute graduation correctly.
5 Tips for Getting Graduation Right
1. Work with the head-shape! Create cutting lines that curve with the natural head shape for a softer more balanced effect versus straight hard lines.
2. Use a higher elevation and finger angle/cutting line to develop a leaner graduation that works well for super short haircuts.
3. Choose a lower elevation to maintain more weight.
4. Take more vertical sections for lean graduation, horizontal sections for low and heavy graduation, or diagonal sections when attempting to build weight in a certain direction.
5. Razors and graduation play well together because razors create a more lived-in edge and it's easier to create a curved cutting line.
“Graduation can be worked into longer cuts too, the results are just a bit more diffused,” says Carruthers.
Credits: Hair/Sam Villa ArTeam; Photo/Katie Parker; Makeup/Nicole Schimel; Wardrobe/Brittany Hart
