by Robin Bond

Created on: May 03, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Years ago, Emo was a type of music on a vinyl record, only given to a select few people. Nowadays, Emo can mean anything from a certain behaviour, to clothing, to a way of life, or in this case, the haircut that's being requested in all the barber shops. A deviation from the gothic/ punk subculture, the Emo cut has become the cut of expression. In this article, we will discuss the techniques a barber will use when trying to achieve this look.

Now, the basic Emo style can be found either short, or long. When short, it is worn somewhat spiky, with very long bangs. The bangs are worn in a long tassel, brushed to one side, and hanging over the face, covering one eye, usually completely, although sometimes not. Some who choose this style use their bangs as the expression piece, and either streak or highlight this part of their hair. This look can be worn by males and females, however this particular short cut tends to be a favourite amongst males. We must remember that the bangs are the most important part of the look, and so they must resemble the original cut perfectly.

How to achieve the short Emo look for males:

The back of the hair should be cut short, but we leave the bangs long. The back of your hair should be no longer than 3 inches from the scalp. If your stylist is clipper cutting, ask him to use a number four guard. Your hair should be layered up to the crown of your head, working at a 45 degree angle. Most use the occipital and temporal region as their guide. The forehead area should always be left the longest. Cutting the bangs, we should use the bridge of the nose as our guide. We then use a razor to achieve the choppy' style, though some barbers who are extremely skilled can still use scissors to achieve the texturing. We apply a product such as a heat-protecting spray or a shine serum. John Frieda's Frizz Ease works well. Then, using a flat iron, we iron the bangs straight. I think the most important thing to remember is that we don't want to look like we just left the hairstylist. Sweep the bangs over the eye in a casual manner. The bangs are the most important part of this cut, and many who cut their hair in this fashion, use their bangs as the source of their creativity. Streaking or dying this part of the hair is done by many. Colours range from dark blue, to bright pink. You must find the one which reflects your innermost Emo style. Semi-permanent colours are less damaging, but they tend to wash out with each shampoo. Temporary colour can sometimes stain the hair, but will usually wash with the first shampoo. The overall hair should be dyed, or kept in a natural tone, in order to enhance the colours of your choice. Styling is simple. After shampooing, place a generous amount of gel in your hair, and work it through your fingers. Shape your hair into spikes. Blow dry until completely dry. You can either add a bit more gel, or use a strong-hold hairspray to ensure your look lasts. Avoid using your brush for as long as you wish for it to keep.

This look can be achieved at home using the same steps, though seeing the back of our own head is usually quite difficult, therefore visiting a barber is highly recommended. If you do wish to try it on your own, be sure to use a razor when creating layers, as it requires skill to create a look that doesn't look home-cut' when using scissors.

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