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Long Beard Cutting
Mateusz Poznański40minShort

Long Beard Cutting

A long beard cutting course for barbers. Learn how to build a full, dense shape without shortening the length, using the neck hair as a foundation and working with a clipper using the freehand technique.

Result and process

  • Long Beard Cutting - photo 1
  • Long Beard Cutting - photo 2
  • Long Beard Cutting - photo 3

About the course

Cutting and trimming a long beard is a process of sculpting a form, not just shortening length. This course shows how to tackle the most common problem when working with long facial hair: the client wants to keep the length, but the beard has lost its shape and density. This is a workshop on building a solid, full beard from the ground up, using the hair underneath as scaffolding for the entire form - rather than weakening it by shaving it away.

Mateusz Poznański guides you step by step through the entire process, from prepping the beard with an afro pick, through building the shape with a clipper using the freehand technique, all the way to the final polish with scissors. You'll see how to start work from the center to guarantee symmetry, and how to work with intention using the neck hair to build a so-called "curtain" - the foundation that gives the beard fullness and prevents patchy see-through spots.

In this course you'll see

  • The "curtain" technique - why you don't shave the neck hair on a long beard, and how to use it to build weight and fullness
  • Building shape from scratch with the freehand clipper technique - how to start from the center to ensure symmetry without losing length
  • Working on the mustache without a guard - how to use a comb and trimmer to gain control, better regrowth, and a clean line above the lips
  • The cheek line principle - how its height affects the perception of face shape, and how a simple skin-stretching trick creates a natural arch
  • Connecting the sideburns to the beard with the clipper-over-comb technique for a smooth, natural transition without using guards
  • The final beard "polishing" with scissors - a finishing technique that eliminates stray flyaway hairs and gives the form its final refinement
  • Proper drying and combing of the beard with a boar bristle brush to reveal every shape imperfection before the final cut

After this course, you'll stop seeing a long beard as a challenge and start seeing it as material to sculpt. You'll gain a repeatable system that lets you confidently shape and build density without unnecessary shortening - turning neglected facial hair into a deliberately styled part of your client's image.

What you will learn

  1. 01How to use the neck hair to build weight and fullness in the beard.
  2. 02How to work with the clipper using the freehand technique, starting from the center for perfect symmetry.
  3. 03How to precisely trim the mustache with a comb and trimmer without using a guard.
  4. 04How to set the cheek line so it optically fits the face.
  5. 05How to smoothly connect the sideburns to the beard using the clipper-over-comb technique.
  6. 06How to finish and polish the beard's shape using scissors.

Before you start

This course assumes you already have:

What's inside

Full access with the course
  1. Long Beard Cutting - Why you shouldn't shave the hair under the beard1:59

    01Why you shouldn't shave the hair under the beard

    With long beards, we practically never shave the hair that's underneath.

  2. Long Beard Cutting - The first cut using the freehand technique3:44

    02The first cut using the freehand technique

    What we want to do is simply blend all these stray, broken hairs into the weight of the beard.

  3. Long Beard Cutting - Shaping the beard from the center6:05

    03Shaping the beard from the center

    I always prefer starting to place the shape from the center.

  4. Long Beard Cutting - Applying the shape like a hedge11:10

    04Applying the shape like a hedge

    Cutting a beard is generally a bit like trimming a hedge. We apply the shape onto the beard.

  5. Long Beard Cutting - Connecting the sideburns without using guards19:03

    05Connecting the sideburns without using guards

    I don't do this with guards, because I want it to blend naturally with the hair.

  6. Long Beard Cutting - How to correctly trim the mustache with a trimmer23:49

    06How to correctly trim the mustache with a trimmer

    We never do this straight with the clipper. We place the tip of the trimmer blade on the lip line.

  7. Long Beard Cutting - The principle of setting the cheek line28:04

    07The principle of setting the cheek line

    The lower the cheek line is, the more visible the cheekbones will be.

  8. Long Beard Cutting - The scissor beard-polishing technique31:46

    08The scissor beard-polishing technique

    This is what I call polishing the beard. It's a technique taken from hair polishing.

FAQ

Why isn't the neck hair shaved off in this technique?
On a long beard, the neck hair forms a so-called "curtain," which serves as the foundation for the entire form. Leaving it in place prevents patchy see-through spots and makes the beard appear much denser and fuller.
Is this course suitable for beginner barbers?
The course is aimed mainly at barbers who already have the basics but feel unsure when working with long facial hair. It shows how to solve a specific problem: shaping a beard the client doesn't want significantly shortened.
What tools are needed to perform this cut?
To perform the cut you'll need: a clipper for the freehand technique, a trimmer, scissors, an afro pick to comb out the beard, combs (including a narrow one for the mustache), and optionally a straight razor or shaver for finishing the line.
My client is afraid of losing length. Is this technique safe for him?
Yes, the course focuses on preserving maximum length. The shape is built mainly by working on the hair underneath the beard and precisely removing stray hairs, rather than shortening it from the front.
Does the course go into detail about working on the mustache?
Yes, the course includes a dedicated section on cutting the mustache without using a guard. You'll learn to use a comb and trimmer to gain full control, a clean line above the lips, and slower regrowth.
What should I do if the client's facial hair is sparser on one side?
The course addresses the problem of facial hair asymmetry. You'll learn why it's worth starting shape work on the weaker side of the beard, so you can perfectly match it to the denser side and achieve visual symmetry.
How long is the entire video course?
The full video runs for 39 minutes. It shows the complete process of cutting a long beard step by step, from preparation to the final finish.

Details

Duration
40min
Season
Season 1
Hair length
Short

Educator

More courses
Mateusz Poznański

Mateusz Poznański

Educator · 3 courses

Co-owner of three barbershops in Kraków and Katowice. He honed his craft at courses with the founders of the Reuzel brand, Lord Jack Knife, and at The Old School Academy in Rotterdam. In teaching, he focuses on understanding the "why" and building awareness, rather than just replicating techniques. He explains both simple and complex topics clearly, from cutting to the ergonomics of working with clients.

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