Beginner
Intro to Barbering
Try the trade before you commit to barber school.
Advanced class · Licensed barbers
Fade Mastery
Cleaner blends in half the time.
- Duration
- 2 weeks · 40 hrs
- Schedule
- Mon – Fri, 10 AM – 2 PM
- Group
- up to 5 students
- Price
- $1,450
About the class
You already cut every day. This course is about doing it cleaner and quicker. We break the fade down into zones, show you where lines come from and drill the blend until it becomes muscle memory.
Expect a lot of reps: every day ends with at least one live model, filmed and reviewed with you the next morning.
Who it’s for
- Licensed barbers with at least 6 months behind the chair
- Licensed cosmetologists adding men’s fades to their menu
- Registered apprentices, with their supervising barber’s OK
What you’ll be able to do
- Plan any fade with a clear guideline and zone map
- Blend skin, drop, burst and mid fades without lines
- Use lever, guard and flicking technique deliberately
- Fix uneven or over-cut fades from other shops
- Cut a full skin fade in under 40 minutes
Program
-
01 Fade anatomy Days 1–2
- Guidelines and zone mapping
- Lever and guard strategy
- Common causes of lines
-
02 Skin and drop fades Days 3–5
- Foil shavers and finishing
- Drop fades around the occipital bone
- Speed drills
-
03 Burst fades and tapers Days 6–7
- Burst fades for curly hair
- Low tapers and neck design
- Matching the top to the sides
-
04 Corrections and speed Days 8–10
- Fixing holes and uneven lines
- Timed cuts with video review
- Final assessment
What’s included
- Daily live models
- Video review of your cuts
- Portfolio photos of your best work
- Certificate of completion
- Lifetime access to the alumni group
Licensing
Application
Apply for Fade Mastery
No payment now. Leave your details and we will call you within one business day to answer questions and hold a seat for you.
- A $200 deposit holds your seat
- Payment plans for courses over $1,000
- Free transfer to the next group if plans change
FAQ
Good questions
Will your courses get me a barber license?
No. Merzotti Academy is not a licensed barber school, and our courses do not count toward licensing hours. Intro to Barbering is a taste of the trade and a roadmap to licensing; the advanced courses are continuing education for people who already hold a license.
Who can take the advanced courses?
Fade Mastery, Beard & Shave Craft and Classic Scissor Cuts include live-model work, so they are open to licensed barbers and cosmetologists, and to registered apprentices with their supervising barber’s approval. Please bring a copy of your license on day one.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
For Intro to Barbering, no — we provide everything, and you take a mannequin head home. For the advanced courses, bring the tools you work with; if something is missing, we can lend it.
Who will I practice on?
Intro students work on mannequin heads only. In the advanced courses you also cut live models that we find and book for you, always with an instructor next to you.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, every course ends with a Merzotti Academy certificate of completion. It shows what you trained in; it is not a state license or credential.
Can I pay in installments?
Courses over $1,000 can be split into two or three payments. A $200 deposit holds your seat and counts toward the full price.
What if I miss a session?
Let us know in advance and you can make it up with the next group within six months, free of charge.
Do you help barbers find a chair?
We share openings from partner shops across Brooklyn and Manhattan — both booth rental and commission — and our strongest graduates are invited to work a chair at Merzotti.
Keep learning
Other classes
Beginner
Intermediate
Beard & Shave Craft
Straight razor, hot towels, steady hands.
Intermediate
Classic Scissor Cuts
Shears first, clippers second.