Retro hairstyles have been coming back in a big way recently, and one of the most popular is the complete disconnection, which is left long on the top and short on the sides. Whether the top is slicked back or pulled up for height, this is a versatile and bold look. Any disconnected hairstyle will involve extreme changes in length. The difference between this and other layered haircuts is that with a complete disconnection, there is no blending together of the various layers. This makes a complete disconnection edgy and strong, particularly when you want to use it to highlight a particular part of the hairstyle. For example, you might have one section that’s a different colour or a feature piece like a pompadour that you want to stand out. By creating a sharp visual contrast between the different lengths of the cut, you can highlight the areas you prefer.
Disconnecting Styling Options
A popular variation on the disconnected cut is to trim hair extremely close on the sides and back of the head, all the way up to the top, where hair is left long to contrast with the short bottom. This can then be styled in any number of ways, from slicking the long hair back to casually tousling it. Another option is to use a blow dryer to direct the hair up and then either blow dry or backcomb it for height. A disconnected hairstyle is like having two cuts in one, because the different lengths aren’t blended together in any way. This style tends to offer a lot of texture, and responds well to a messy, bold look. Although it’s most common to have two varying lengths, some styles will even have several different disconnected lengths. What’s important to keep in mind if you are creating a disconnected style is that you want to have some purpose behind the cut. Rather than chopping hair off randomly at different intervals, there should be a sense of balance.
The proper technique to create a disconnected style will depend on the overall effect you are going for. You can use a blunt cut or club cut technique to cut hair in a straight line, which creates a sharp delineation between one length and another. Specific sections of the hair can be dyed in a different colour, or styled in a different way to create contrast in terms of colour and texture. For example, one area of the cut could be left straight or close-cropped, while the other is long and wavy. If cutting the sides and back of the hair short and leaving it long on top, the top portion of the hair could be curled to create a stronger visual contrast.
Tips for Success
- A complete disconnection makes a strong statement, so it’s important to have a bold final vision in mind.
- Regular trims are important with a disconnected haircut, to keep the lines between different layers from blending together. A barber’s trim every three weeks is ideal to keep the lines looking sharp and the cut disconnected.
