Chapter 1 – Client Consultation and Analysis
1.1 The Design Consultation
A thorough design consultation and assessment is the basis for a successful barbering service. It is the stylist’s responsibility to assess the client’s individual physical and personal attributes to suggest a suitable hairstyle and facial hair design.
So what makes for a good consultation?
Your assessment should include:
- Face shape
- Head shape
- Growth patterns
Face Shape
During the consultation phase of the barbering service, it is important for the barber/stylist to have the ability to recognize and determine the client’s facial shape. Face shape is an important component of any haircut or facial hair design. This is because the shape of the final look can highlight or detract from certain facial features. Be sure to take the client’s preferences into account, and use tact when suggesting a certain style.
The most common face shapes are as follows:
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The oval face is considered to have the most ideal proportions. This shape has balanced symmetry, and those with an oval face shape can easily wear most hair styles and beard designs. Keep in mind, however, that an overgrown beard that is either very wide or very long will detract from the oval’s natural symmetry. |
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The round face has a fairly equal length-to-width proportion, with a softer jawline and shorter chin. Haircuts and styles that provide height on the top of the head, width above the temple, or angular shapes will help the lengthen the round face shape. When shaping facial hair on a round face, the goal is to create an illusion of angles or length. Keep the sides closely cropped to avoid adding width, and instead put focus on lengthening the chin area to create a more oval appearance. Add angles by cleaning up and shaping the upper outline of the beard into a straighter line. A goatee is also a great option for the round face, as it creates the illusion of length at the chin. |
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Similar to the round face shape, the square shape has a fairly equal length-to-width ratio, but is discernible by its strong angles at the hairline and chin. A more rounded haircut with soft edges towards the temples will help to soften the strong corners of the square face shape. When suggesting a beard style, you’ll want to avoid adding emphasis to the angular jaw. As with the round face, keep the sides closely cropped and add length at the chin to slim the face and create the illusion of a more oval shape. In this case, keep the silhouette of the beard more rounded. A circle beard is a good option here. |
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The oblong is the most elongated face shape, with a strong jaw and higher hairline. Side-swept hairstyles that move over the temples soften the appearance of the hairline, and create the appearance of a shorter face. When shaping the facial hair on an oblong face, avoid suggesting a style that will add more length. Instead, keep the beard closely cropped or opt for a moustache to break up the elongated proportions. |
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