HOW TO: Shatter Cut by Matt Beck

MODERN Facebook fan Matt Beck, owner of Salon Gratitude in New Hope, Pennsylvania, has created several cuts that have gone viral through his step-by-step video education on his YouTube channel.

In this step-by-step, Matt Beck and Brian Haire create a look they call the Shatter Cut, consisting of strong lines at the base of the cut and a "shattered" (heavy layered) exterior, inspired by the recent Great Gatsby film.

Cut: Matt Beck
Color: Brian Haire

Step 1: Section hair from high occipital with a slight diagonal forward parting to behind the ear. Take a 1/2 inch vertical section from the center back. 

Step 2: To begin the cut, take vertical sections, elevate to 90 degrees, and cut. Continue with a traveling guide to finish off the left side.

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 on the right side but change your hand position to fingers down.

Step 4: Make a horizontal parting 1/2 inch wide in the temple area. Isolate that section so you don’t cut it. Matt recommends a quick braid and tuck it behind the ear.

Steps 5 and 6: Start Cutting with horizontal partings keeping the hair at a 0 degree elevation with a slight diagonal forward finger angle.

Steps 7 and 8: Keeping your fingers parallel to the wall and taking a guide from step 2. Continue with a traveling guide but use a bit heavier over direction to push extra weight to the right side of the head.

Step 9: Cut a strong line using the jaw line as a guide.

Step 10: Coming the hair straight down, cut out a horizontal line at the cheek bone.

Steps 11 and 12: Dry cutting and detail work. See video for details.

The Color: Back to back whole-head foil with a simultaneous root retouch using Paul Mitchell's Synchrolift with 20-volume. Then it was toned with Paul Mitchell UTP and 5-volume. Once dried, apply the new Paul Mitchell Ink Works purple as a mock "root retouch" and let sit for 15 minutes. Then run it through the ends for 2 minutes before washing it all out.

WE WANT TO SEE YOUR WORK! Want to be modernsalon.com's next featured artist? Send your work, and info on how you did it (color formulas, steps on styling or cutting method, etc) to MODERN's Alison Shipley ashipley@vancepublishing.com.