Director/Master Barber
Choosing a hairstyle for men often feels like a guessing game. It’s difficult to tell if a style will actually work for a specific face shape or hair type. This ultimate guide explains the core principles we use to find the perfect haircuts for men.
We provide a clear plan to get a look that’s stylish, simple to manage, and perfectly suited to the individual.
The most important rule in styling is simple. We use the haircut to create the illusion of a balanced, oval face shape. This is why a style can look incredible on one person but completely different on another. Facial structures differ. Understanding this idea is the first step. It moves the process from just picking a random photo to choosing a style that’s truly tailored for the individual by our barbers in Chadstone.
Once the goal of balance is understood, we use these three pillars to help build a plan for the next visit. This framework is used to achieve the best haircuts for men and covers many different hairstyles.
To find the shape of a face, stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of the face with a whiteboard marker. This simple exercise gives the information needed to select a style that creates balance. Our team specialises in providing personalised recommendations based on these unique facial features.
Maintain balance
Executes a razor-sharp finish on almost any style from a classic crew cut to something modern.
Heavy fringes: they hide the profile's natural symmetry.
Create angles and length
Builds a squarer appearance with height like a quiff to draw the eye upward, often using short on the sides and long hair on the top.
Soft, chin-length cuts add width to the widest part of your profile.
Soften the angles
Uses a Scissor Over Comb technique to create soft and textured layers that break up the hard lines of the jaw.
Very sharp and geometric cuts that can make the head appear boxy.
Let’s look at a hypothetical example to make this clear.
We always suggest choosing a haircut that works with the hair’s natural texture, not against it. Trying to force hair to do something it doesn’t want to do is a battle often lost every morning. This is especially true for demanding styles like spiky hair or a curtain hairstyle. For those looking for beard grooming, ensuring the style complements hair texture creates a cohesive look. Whether you’re from Mulgrave, Notting Hill, or Oakleigh, choosing a style that suits the hair’s natural behaviour is the best way to keep it manageable.
The Situation: John has a round face shape. He wants a new haircut but isn’t sure what to ask for.
The Common Mistake: John asks for a tight military style cut with a heavy, straight fringe that lies flat on the forehead, almost like a bowl cut.
The Result: The flat area on the upper section and the horizontal fringe add width to the face. This makes the face appear rounder and less defined. The haircut works against the face’s structure.
The Suggested Solution: We might recommend a style with a tighter trim and more length and volume on top, like a textured quiff.
The Result: The height on the upper section visually lengthens the face while the trim makes the face look slimmer. The style creates angles and definition, bringing the face closer to that ideal, balanced oval shape.
We always suggest choosing a haircut that works with the hair’s natural texture, not against it. Trying to force hair to do something it doesn’t want to do is a battle often lost every morning. This is especially true for demanding styles like spiky hair or a curtain hairstyle. For those looking for beard grooming, ensuring the style complements hair texture creates a cohesive look. Whether you’re from Mulgrave, Notting Hill, or Oakleigh, choosing a style that suits the hair’s natural behaviour is the best way to keep it manageable.
The Situation: Mark has thick, wavy hair that’s difficult to control.
The Common Mistake: Mark asks for a classic scissor cut, leaving significant length and bulk.
The Result: Within two weeks, the hair starts to expand outwards as it grows. This creates an unruly triangular head shape, with the hair flat on top and wide at the sides.
The Result: By removing the weight around the back and the temples, the wavy texture on top becomes the main feature. The haircut is manageable, grows out neatly, and complements the hair’s natural behaviour.
A real consultation is where the details are put together to confirm choices and create the final plan. It’s the most important part of getting a haircut that meets expectations. At LoMax Barbers, our consultative approach ensures every detail is considered, from the fade and razor shaves on the neckline to eyebrow shaping.
The Bad Consultation
Our Team: “So, what are we doing today?”
Client: “Um, just a trim, I guess? A bit closer on the sides.”
The barber nods and immediately picks up the clippers. The result is a generic cut that doesn’t really solve any problems.
The Good Consultation
Our Team: “Okay, so you’re after something new. What do you like or dislike about the current style?”
We assess the hair, feel the thickness, and note growth patterns.
Our Team: “There’s a square face shape here. We can either sharpen those angles with a really tight blend or soften the look with some texture. Given this hair type, we suggest going with…”
The result is a tailored haircut designed specifically for the individual. That’s how we move from guessing to mastering a new look.
After a plan is in place, this visual library can be used to discuss the most popular haircuts and specific styles during a visit to our studio.
A blend is simply a smooth transition from longer hair to shorter lengths on the back and sides. Knowing the clipper guard numbers can help explain exactly what’s needed.
Pro Tip: A #2 guard leaves 6mm of length, while a #4 guard leaves about 12mm.
Now that you know the principles, let our expert barbers translate that knowledge into a precision haircut you’ll love.
Using the right hair products is what makes a good haircut look great every day. Product choice comes down to two simple things. These are the hold and the finish. At LoMax Barbers, we provide styling advice with every detailed haircut to help you maintain the look.
A frequent mistake is using the wrong product for the style. For example, if a modern, textured style is meant to look matte, using a high-shine pomade will clump the hair together. This can make the hair look greasy and impact the intended effect of the cut. Getting this right ensures a sharp, consistent look every single day.
An expert will help you build a style that fits your unique features and lifestyle.
A blended cut gradually gets shorter down the sides and the back, often tapering right down to the skin. A taper is more conservative. It also gets gradually shorter but doesn’t go as close and typically leaves more length at the neckline. For a professional office setting, a subtle taper’s often preferred while a fade provides a sharper, more modern look.
The frequency depends on the style. For very short styles like a sharp buzz cut or crew cut, a haircut may be needed every 2-3 weeks to maintain the clean lines. For medium length styles like a French crop or pompadour, every 4-6 weeks is usually sufficient. Those with long hair can often go 8-12 weeks between trims to keep the hair healthy.
The best strategy for a receding hairline’s to choose a style that works with the hairline, not against it. A very short buzz cut’s a popular choice as it minimises the contrast between the hair and the forehead. Alternatively, a textured style with a short fringe can be worn forward to slightly cover the temples. Adding height and volume draws attention away from the hairline. These are styling solutions only and don’t treat the underlying cause of hair loss.
It’s recommended to arrive with clean, product free hair. This allows our barbers to accurately assess the hair’s natural texture, density, and growth patterns. Product buildup can affect how scissors or clippers move through the hair, leading to a less precise cut.
Finding a quality professional involves a few key steps. First, look for a studio with a strong online portfolio showing recent work that matches the desired style. Second, read detailed Google reviews, specifically looking for comments that mention a thorough consultation. Finally, during a first visit, a professional team like ours at the Chadstone studio will always insist on a thorough discussion of goals before we begin cutting. We serve clients from Huntingdale, Clarinda, Clayton South, and across the area of Monash.
The framework to take control of a personal style’s now clear. A great haircut isn’t about luck. It’s about making a smart decision based on sound principles. We want you to walk into any barbershop with the confidence that comes from knowing what’s needed and why.
Our team at LoMax Barbers can design a haircut that’s perfectly engineered for specific face shapes and hair types. Each session lasts 45-60 minutes to ensure every detail’s perfect.
We provide a haircut suitable for your professional or personal needs.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
