The first thing that needs to be done is to define the terms in use. An “A-Line” haircut is a
classic blunt cut bob hairstyle with slightly longer length at the front of the head than at the back, creating a slightly angled cut
line. Adding the descriptor “dramatic” is what usually causes problems for hairdressers and their clients, since one person’s
“dramatic” is another person’s “over the top”. This hairstyle is also referred to as the "Concave Bob".
In this case, “dramatic” most likely refers to the angle of the “A-Line” and more specifically
how short the hair is cut in back versus the length in front. For the more “dramatic appearance of the “A-Line” cut, we want to take
the length at the back of the head up to at least the mid-nape area.
Start by parting the hair in the standard “Seven-Section Parting” in preparation for the
cut. Be sure to leave down a one-half inch perimeter of hair along the hairline.
Let down one-half of each of the two nape sections (right nape and left nape) and re-secure the
upper halves once again. The hair in these lower halves of the nape sections and the perimeter hair below them are going to be cut very
short – they can be clipper-cut to any length from skin-depth to one-half inch in length, or even tapered - depending on the look you
are going for. You are basically cutting a section that is roughly crescent-shaped short at the back of the neck.
Once you’ve cut the lower nape sections short as desired, you can let down the second half of
the nape sections (right and left) and the lower halves of the right side and left side sections. Comb the sections straight down until
they hang smoothly. At the front of the head, cut a guide to the desired length for the front of your ‘A-Line’ cut. This should be
accomplished by either taking the very center front one-inch segment (if the style is to have no bangs/fringe) or thin segments from
the front on each side of the bangs/fringe area (if the style is to have bangs/fringe). Bringing the side segments together in front
and cutting them together ensures that the guides on each side are of equal length. The length in front should be well below chin
length.
Now, move to the back and cut another guide length as desired at the back of the head. The
length of this guide should be at least one-half to one inch below the already cut segment (meaning it should overlap). At this point
the goal is to cut a blunt haircut, following the invisible angled line created by the two guide lengths. Hold the hair at Zero degrees
of elevation, with NO tension, to ensure even cutting.
Cut the steeply angled cutting line, and lower the remaining hair approximately one-half inch
at a time, combing the hair to hang smoothly as you go. Cut these segments to the guide lengths already established. If needed or
desired, you can use a razor tool to lightly texture the ends of the cut and create a smooth, fine-pointed finish.
This cut looks best executed on straight hair with at least medium density and thickness. It
can be styled using a blow-dryer and round brush, or flat-ironed for super smoothness. Smoothing balms and anti-frizz serums are called
for with this hair style, as are protein-rich shampoos and conditioners to help keep the hair smooth and sleek.
