What Is a Line-Up Haircut? Styles, Tipping Etiquette & More

A line-up is an essential part of a clean, fresh haircut. It involves cutting the hairline, sideburns, and edges of the hair into a straight line. When you’re taking a trip to the barber, knowing what a line-up is and how to ask for one can make or break your haircut. That’s why we put this guide together, so we can help you out! Read on to learn what a line-up is, how to ask for one, what hairstyles go well with a lineup, and more.

What is a line-up?

A line-up is a type of haircut that involves cutting the hairline, edges, and/or back of the head into straight lines. The most common type of line-up is on the hairline, but there are other types too. For example, an all-around line-up involves cutting the hairline, edges, and back of the head, rather than one area.

Section 1 of 9:

What is a line-up haircut?

Download Article

A line-up is when you cut the hairline and hair edges into a straight line. A line-up (also known as a shape-up or edge-up) is a type of haircut that involves cutting the edges of the hair, the hairline, and sideburns to keep them straight. They’re usually cut using short-guarded clippers or a straight razor. When people talk about line-ups, they’re usually referring to the cutting of the hairline into a straight line, but it also refers to any of the other previously mentioned areas.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- An all-around line-up is a lineup that encompasses the hairline, edges, sideburns, and back of the head, not just the hairline.
- A fresh line-up is a line-up haircut that’s just been cut. For example, say your buddy just came out of the barbershop and got a line-up and a taper fade. When you see them, you’d say something like “Okay, bro, I see you with the fresh line-up.”

Section 2 of 9:

How is a line-up different from a regular haircut?

Download Article

A line-up cleans up the hairline and edges; a haircut changes the style. A line-up is typically less work than regular haircuts, as it involves cutting the hairline, sideburns, and edges into straight, crisp lines. On the other hand, a regular haircut involves cutting the sides and top of the hair into a new style or shape, which typically requires more effort by barbers.
- Since a line-up is less work, barbers usually charge less for them.

Section 3 of 9:

Hairstyles to Get a Line-Up With

Download Article

1
Caesar Cut The Caesar cut is one of the best hairstyles for a line-up. It’s a short hairstyle that cuts the hair to a length that’s just above the top of the head, making for a smooth, circular-shaped look. The only problem with the Caesar cut is the bangs, as they take away from the crispy look on top of the head. The solution? A line-up, of course, as it straightens the bangs and brings that crispy look to the rest of the head.
- It’s best to visit the barber every two weeks to get your lineup and Caesar cut cleaned up, as it starts to look more disheveled as the hair grows back.
The fade is a classic haircut that was paired with a high-top in the 1980s and 90s. The cut features a tall square of hair that fades into a short length as it approaches the lower sides of the hair. When paired with a line-up, the high-top fade becomes even more crispy, matching well with the fade on the sides. So for a crispy look, ask your barber for a high-top fade with a line-up.^{[2]
X
Research source}
An undercut is a haircut that features stark contrast, with short hair on the sides and back of the head and long hair on top. When paired with a lineup, this contrast is given a sharp accent that makes it look even cleaner than it already is.
Like an undercut, the pompadour contrasts short hair on the sides and long hair on top. The difference between the two is that the sides aren’t cut as short on pompadour haircuts and the top is styled upward for a voluminous look. When paired with a lineup, the tall top is accentuated, with the straight hairline and edges helping form a clear defining line and make a clean look.
For a clean contrast between thick locs and crispy edges, request a line-up if you’re sporting locs. The loc style you rock doesn’t matter, either. Whether you’ve got barrel twists in or took the time to grow out freeforms, pairing the style with a line-up is a surefire way to get a clean, crispy look.
For another clean, contrasting look, pair your afro with a lineup. For a clean look, sport a short afro and get an all-around line-up. For a more relaxed look that’s still sharp, sport a large afro with a line-up on the hairline and edges. To elevate the look even more, consider adding a fade.
While a tall mohawk may not work best with a line-up, a faux hawk pairs well with it. The faux hawk is a modern hairstyle that features longer, slightly spiky hair up top and a fade on the sides. When paired with a line-up, the fade becomes even sharper and helps create a cleaner contrast with the top.^{[3]
X
Research source}
If you’ve got long hair, put it up in a bun and get a line-up for a sharp look. Up top, the bun will create texture and give your hair a unique shape. Towards the bottom, the line-up will provide a clean edge and give you that sharp look you’re looking for. To freshen your look even more, pair it with a fade.
To add some sharp definition to your curly top, pair it with a line-up. The length can be your choice, but the contrast works best if your curls are noticeable. For a stronger contrast, wear your curls high and get a line-up all around. For a more casual, subdued look, get a line-up on the edges and keep the curls relatively short.

Section 4 of 9:

How to Ask Your Barber for a Line-Up

Download Article

1
To straighten your hairline, ask your barber for a lining on your hairline. Most barbers you visit will know what a line-up is, so there isn’t too much you have to ask for. When you sit down in the chair, simply ask your barber to line-up your hairline and avoid touching any of the other edges of your hair. Make sure to bring inspo photos of line-ups you like to help your barber achieve your desired look.^{[4]
X
Research source}
2
To straighten all of your edges, ask for a lining all-around. To get that crispy look all-around, ask your barber for a lining all-around. If you ask for a lining, they’ll typically assume that you mean all around (hairline, edges, and all), but to be safe, specify that you want it all-around. If there are any areas you want them to avoid, specify that before they put the clippers to your head.

Section 5 of 9:

How much do you tip for a line-up?

Download Article

Tip 15-25+ percent depending on the quality of the line-up. Although tipping isn’t mandatory, it is a big factor in the barber’s check at the end of the week, so it’s really useful for them! When it comes to tipping for a lineup, it's standard to tip 20 percent. But depending on whether you're trying out a new barber, the cut is mid, or they completely blow your expectations out of the water, that percent varies. The tipping standard for different quality line-ups is as follows:^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For an average line-up, tip 15-20 percent.
- For a great line-up that you're happy with, tip 20-25 percent.
- For a line-up that completely exceeds your expectations, tip 25 percent or more.
- For a $40 haircut, the general rule of thumb is $6 for an average or below average cut (15%), $8 for a good or great cut (20%), and $10 or more (25%+) for a cut that’s excellent.

Section 6 of 9:

Line-Up Maintenance

Download Article

Although your line-up may be fresh when you first walk out of the shop, once your hair starts to grow back it may look a little rough. To avoid that rough look and stay fresh, visit your barber or cut it yourself once every two weeks

Section 7 of 9:

History of the Line-Up

Download Article

Line-ups came along after the afro in the 1980s. Although the afro had been a symbol of Black pride in the 1960s and 70s, the 80s ushered in more versatile haircuts to take its place, with the line-up being one of them. Towards the end of the 80s, hip-hop artists like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim popularized the cut. By the 1990s, the line-up became common in barbershops across America.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Section 8 of 9:

FAQs

Download Article

1
Can you give yourself a line-up? Yes, you can give yourself a line-up at home. By using a mirror and a straight razor, low-guard clippers, or liners, you can give yourself a line-up at home. Make reference points on your hairline for where to cut your hair so that it’s a straight line rather than trying to draw a straight line freehand, then get to cutting. As you cut the edges, let your clippers do the cutting before moving them downward. That way, they’ll be straighter.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you have a front taper, brush your hair down and use clippers with the 1-guard open to cut down on the front taper and bring your hair down before giving yourself a line-up.
- Hair stylist Yan Kandkhorov says that having your head positioned too down or too high up is a common mistake when cutting your hair straight. According to Kandkhorov, "there has to be a certain position of the head that creates that evenness."[v161225_b01]. 28 Jan 2020.
2
What is a line-up for beards? A beard line-up is when the beard is cut with a sharp razor to define the shape. Like a regular line-up, a beard line-up involves using a sharp blade to cut along the natural curves of your hairline (in this case, your beardline). A beard-line up is done to sharpen the edges of your beard and give it a more clean, groomed look. If you regularly line up your beard and take care of it, it will look clean and sharp, as opposed to someone who doesn’t get it lined up.

Section 9 of 9:

Tools to Use for a Line-Up

Download Article

1
A fine blade To cut a sharp, clean line-up, it’s best to use a fine blade like a straight razor or short-guarded clippers. Using dull clippers may make it harder to cut the line-up and increase the chances of a mistake (like a crooked or pushed back hairline).
2
An edge-up tool When you first start to cut line-ups, use an edge-up tool to make sure your lines are straight and properly curved. Place the edge-up tool with the straight side matching the hairline and the curved side matching the curve into the beard or jaw. Then, use your fine blade to cut it.
- As you improve at cutting line-ups, you likely won’t need this tool, but it’s always nice to have!
3
Mirror When you’re giving yourself a line-up, a mirror is crucial for making sure you cut it straight and avoid any mistakes. Whether you’re using a handheld mirror, a vanity mirror, or your bathroom mirror, make sure you have some way to look at yourself as you line your hair up so your cut is as straight and sharp as it can be.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Do your research on barbers before going to one for a line-up. Ask your friends for recommendations and check reviews. A seasoned barber will typically cut a better line-up than a part-time SportsClips employee.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0