Edgar cut and mod cut: what each is and what to ask your barber
Both cuts are built around a heavy fringe brushed forward, but they are close to opposite in how the sides are done. The Edgar cut is clippered and sharp; the mod cut is all scissors and soft.
The two cuts side by side
| Edgar cut | Mod cut | |
|---|---|---|
| Top | About 4 cm, brushed forward | About 9 cm, layered into a rounded shape |
| Fringe | Cut in one straight horizontal line across mid-forehead, lined up crisp | Heavy, falling to the eyebrows |
| Sides | High taper fade, #0 (1.5 mm) to #2 (6 mm) | Scissors only, about 7 cm, over the top of the ears |
| Back and neck | Same high taper, tapered neckline | About 6 cm, tapered to the nape |
| Finish | Matte clay | Light cream |
Hair textures and face shapes
Both are pictured on straight hair. In the catalog the Edgar cut is usually cut on straight and wavy hair, and so is the mod cut (straight and wavy). The Edgar cut needs hair that sits forward in a flat line, so cowlicks at the front are worth mentioning to the barber. The catalog lists oval, oblong, square and diamond face shapes for the Edgar cut, and does not suggest it for round. It lists oval, oblong, square, diamond and heart face shapes for the mod cut.
What to tell your barber
Edgar cut: "high taper from #0 to #2 on the sides and back, tapered neckline; top about 4 cm brushed forward; cut the fringe in one straight horizontal line mid-forehead and line it up." Mod cut: "all scissor work, no clippers; top 9 cm layered into a rounded shape; heavy fringe to the brows; sides about 7 cm over the top of the ears; back tapered to the nape." The clipper guard numbers chart explains #0 and #2.
Edgar cut
Top: 4 cm, blunt ends, pushed forward.
Sides: high fade, #0 (1.5 mm, 1/16 in) to #2 (6 mm, 1/4 in), keep the corners.
Back: high fade, #0 (1.5 mm, 1/16 in) to #2 (6 mm, 1/4 in).
Neckline: tapered.
Sideburns: short, to the top of the ear.
Fringe: short.
Finish: matte clay.
Modern mod cut
Top: 9 cm (3½ in), layered, pushed forward.
Sides: scissors, about 7 cm (2¾ in).
Back: scissors, about 6 cm (2¼ in).
Neckline: tapered.
Length: to the ears.
Shape: rounded silhouette.
Fringe: to the eyebrows.
Finish: cream.
These lines are copied from the FitMyFace barber card. The values are suggested starting points, not reviewed by a barber, and your barber adapts them to your hair. The card records the look you want and starting measurements; your barber checks and adjusts the final cut. The picture is illustrative. To change a value, open the card and edit it.
Upkeep
The card's upkeep lines are typical guides, not rules. Edgar cut: haircut every 2–3 weeks, with about 5 minutes of styling a day using matte clay. Mod cut: haircut every 4–6 weeks, with about 5 minutes of styling a day using cream. The Edgar cut is the higher-maintenance of the two because the sharp fringe line and the high taper both show regrowth quickly. See fade vs taper for how the fade height is described.
See an Edgar or mod cut on my face
FitMyFace hair previews are approximations, not predictions of how your hair will lie after a cut. Ordinary hairstyle try-ons perform face analysis on-device. The optional AI previews (hair and glasses) send a photo to Cloudflare; your consent is the one "I agree" on the scan screen, and a switch on the results turns them off. FitMyFace is for adults 18 and over and is not available in Illinois.
Questions
Is a mod cut the same as a bowl cut?
They are related, but the mod cut is layered and textured, with the sides left long enough to cover the top of the ears and a tapered back. A bowl cut is one even length all around.
Is the Edgar cut only for straight hair?
The catalog lists it for straight and wavy hair. Curlier hair can be cut into a similar shape, but the straight fringe line is harder to hold; ask a barber who works with your texture.
Can I try them first?
Yes, as AI pictures on your own photo. They are illustrative. The card records the look you want and starting measurements; your barber checks and adjusts the final cut.
Each has its own page with the barber card: the Edgar cut and the mod cut.