Term

Graduation

Graduation is a technique where hair is cut at gradually increasing lengths, building weight and a stacked shape, often at the back or sides. It matters because it places visual weight deliberately, the opposite of the weight removal that layers provide. In a shag it is used sparingly, since the aim is a rounded, airy silhouette rather than a heavy stacked line. Stylists may combine the two in one cut. See also: Layers, Weight line, Perimeter, and the guide What Is a Shag Haircut? The Layering Idea Explained.