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Last updated: October 13, 2021

3 Things That Will Mess Up A Blunt Perimeter

perimeter cutting mistake by matt swinney rusk hair
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Three Factors That Determine A Blunt Perimeter

Soft, blunt lines and invisible, lived-in layers are on all your clients’ hair mood boards, but there are three things that will MAJORLY mess up that perfect perimeter. Learn how to avoid these three big perimeter cutting mistakes…keep scrolling!

 

We caught this tip from RUSK Global Creative Director Matt Swinney (@matt.swinney) at the RUSK Reset event in San Antonio. Matt spilled his secrets to his 6-figure haircutting technique, which can be used on any client, any hair texture and any length…and will make your earnings up to 6-figures! 😉  Watch Matt teach the technique on RUSK’s YouTube channel.

 

The video shows Matt using the 6-figure technique to create long layers, but he used the same cutting technique to create his #ONESHOT Hair Awards-nominated bob below! 

Instagram via @matt.swinney

 

Ready to learn the three things that mess up a blunt perimeter? Here they are:

 

  1. Tension
  2. Overdirection
  3. Elevation

 

“These three things create graduation,” Matt said. And it’s totally fine to create graduation in the cut…if you intend to create graduation. But if you’re looking for a strong line and that perfectly blunt perimeter, you must have ZERO tension, overdirection and elevation. 

 

Watch Matt set his perimeter using the ARC Scissors Paragon II shear, designed specifically for precision cutting and razor-sharp lines ⤵️

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Matt.swinney (@matt.swinney)

 

What are some ways you may be messing up your perimeter without even knowing it?

 

Using your fingers to hold the hair steady while you cut.

If you’re cutting blunt and using your fingers, you are automatically creating tension, overdirection and elevation, Matt said.

 

Using a fine-toothed comb to hold the hair steady while you cut.

The fine teeth of the comb create tension. Instead, Matt uses the wide-toothed portion of his comb to hold the hair steady without adding any tension, overdirection or elevation.

 

Tilting the client’s head down while you cut. 

Whether you ask your client to look down or she can’t tear her eyes away from her iPhone, tilting the head down and then cutting the perimeter will result in graduation. Again, that’s not a BAD thing… if that’s what you’re going for.

 

Still working on a sharp perimeter? Check out 4 perimeter cutting mistakes and how to fix them!

 

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