Turn the clipper on.  Move the clipper smoothly and evenly through the person's hair beneath the invisible disconnect line.  You can start on the left and move around the back to the right, or start on the right and move around to the left.  If you want to fade the undercut, set the clipper to the setting you wish to use.  Cut the hair on all sides to a point about halfway to the disconnect line. If you wish to do undercut hair for a man who wants a more dramatic contrast between the hair above and below the disconnect line, just cut all the hair beneath the disconnect line to an even length using the single-length clipper. Use long, steady applications of the clippers and shake off hair that accumulates at the front of the device.  This will prevent the clippers from getting clogged, and allow you to see where you’re cutting. If you intend to blend the top edge of the hair below the disconnect line into the hair above the disconnect line (“fade” it), use a comb and scissors.  Turn the comb so that its teeth are pointed up and away from the scalp at a 30- to 45-degree angle.  Use the comb and draw out a short length of hair just above the halfway point below the disconnect line (the point up to which you previously cut using with the clippers).  Use the scissors to cut the hair off.  Continue around the back and sides of the head to achieve the same hair length at the same height everywhere. Then, use the comb again at a level just above the one you previously cut.  Draw out a slightly longer length of hair, again keeping the teeth of the comb upright. Cut the hair off, again working your way around the entirety of the head to achieve an even length at the level you’ve selected. Continue in this way until the hair below the disconnect line gradually blends into longer hair on all sides of the head. The length you leave the longest hairs of the fade below the disconnect line is up to you.  There is no right or wrong length into which you should fade. It is not necessary to fade the hair when doing undercut hair for men.  Just ask the recipient of the haircut if they wish to have their hair faded, or if they prefer to keep all hair below the disconnect line at an equal length. Whether you apply a fade or not, you will need to change the position of the clipper and the direction it moves several times.  For instance, when cutting hair on the left side of the head, you might find it easiest to hold the clipper in your right hand and move it toward the back of the head. When cutting hair on the opposite side, you might find it easier to hold the clipper in your left hand and move it toward the back of the head.  Move your hand to a comfortable position when doing undercut hair for men. After each application of the clipper, brush the hair straight down with your comb.  This will allow you an opportunity to evaluate your handiwork and figure out if you need to cut more or rework the line along which you’re working.

Summary: Apply the clipper. Fade the hair. Readjust as needed.


Hockey, lacrosse, and football players should wear face shields to protect them from pucks or balls, as well as collisions with other players. Softball and baseball catchers should also wear face masks to protect them from the ball or bat. Laws vary by state and league, but it is best to err on the side of caution. If you're working with power tools such as saws and grinders, you should wear a face shield to protect yourself from flying debris as well as dust and other fine materials. When working with dangerous liquids that are corrosive or acidic, be sure to wear a face shield to protect your eyes and skin. If there is a possibility of coming into contact with chemical adherents or paint strippers you should also wear a face shield. You should also wear a face shield for infection control, such as when working near, around, or with bodily fluids. You should always wear a face shield when welding, handling a molten substance, or performing furnace maintenance. There are even face shields that have special coatings to protect against extreme heat. Electricians or others working with high voltage connections should always wear a face shield. It is important to choose one specifically designed to protect against arc flash in order to keep yourself safe.

Summary: Use a face shield for contact sports. Wear a face shield to avoid flying debris. Use a face shield when working with splash hazards. Wear a face shield to protect yourself from extreme heat. Use a face shield to avoid arc hazards.


If possible, move into a seated position and make sure that there's no one on either side of you. Grab the coin in your dominant hand and announce to your onlookers that you're going to rub it right through the skin on your other arm.  A line like, “My doctor said my iron levels are a little low” can add some color and humor to the trick while also taking your audience's attention off of what you're doing. You can use any type of coin you like, but something larger, like a quarter or half dollar, will generally be easier for your audience to see.

Summary: Explain your objective to your audience as you set up the trick.


While you’re digging holes for the plants, exercise some creative forethought to make interesting designs and configurations. You could arrange different species in alternating rows, or sew brilliantly colored plants in dazzling sweeps and swirls. Remember, your living picture is as much a work art as it is gardening.  Use small, vertical succulents to produce symmetrical designs like swirls or a zigzagging Chevron pattern. Accumulate a gallery of living pictures and use each to explore a different style of planting and arrangement. Hearty flowering plants come in a myriad of unique and unusual hues. Japanese iris and begonias, for instance, are typically a delicate violet color, while Oncidium orchids glow a fiery red when they reach maturity. Incorporate the wide range of plants available to you into your palette and cultivate an arrangement that’s truly stunning.  Succulents like lampranthus, clivia and balsam all produce large flowers with rich, bold coloring.  If you’re unsure what a particular species looks like once it develops, search for photos online or consult the planting and maintenance info guide that comes with newly purchased plants. Look for combinations of plants with shapes and structure that offset one another. In a diverse living picture, Aeonium blossoms will burst forth from a sea of creeping green clover while spikes of spider aloe protrude tower-like from a ring in the center. The possibilities are nearly limitless—listening to your aesthetic sensibilities will help you piece together a one-of-a-kind display.  Find out how big you can expect your plants of choice to grow before sewing them. You don’t want one oversized fern or aloe to dominate your living picture. Prune your plants regularly to keep them from spilling over the edges of the frame. You don’t have to plant over every square inch of your frame. The soil itself can actually be used to enhance the look of a living picture by breaking up dense patches of color and adding depth and visual texture from. See how you might include glimpses of sandy soil and glistening wire to make your designs more purposeful and sophisticated. Embellish your living picture with colored stones, ribbons, pendants and other decorative accents.
Summary: Plant your cuttings in an attractive pattern. Use contrasting colors. Mix and match plants of various sizes. Play around with negative space.