Edgar vs Caesar: Blunt Line or Short Forward Fringe?

The fringe is what separates them

Both cuts bring the hair forward, so the difference is in how the front is finished. An Edgar ends in a crisp, straight edge that is lined up with a trimmer, so the fringe looks almost like a ruler was held across the forehead. The top behind it is often textured and left a little longer.

A Caesar fringe is short, usually 1 to 2 cm, and cut with scissors or clippers so it lies flat and forward. It is straight across too, but softer and not trimmed into a hard, bare-skin edge. The rest of the top is about the same length as the fringe, which is why the overall shape looks neat and compact.

Edgar and Caesar compared

The table covers the details people ask about most.

How each pairs with a fade

The Edgar is built around a fade. A mid or high skin fade gives the contrast that makes the forward top and the hard front line stand out; with full sides it loses its shape and looks like a bowl. Some people add a burst or a drop at the ear, but a straight high fade is the classic version.

The Caesar is flexible. The traditional version is one length all over with a tidy neckline, and it pairs well with a low taper, a skin fade at any height or a temple fade for a clean hairline. On tight curls, a Caesar with a fade and a sharp lineup is one of the most common barbershop cuts there is.

What hair type each one needs

An Edgar needs hair that will lie forward and hold a straight edge. Thick, straight or slightly wavy hair works best, which is why it is especially popular with Latino and Mexican-American clients, where the style became widespread. Very fine hair can look sparse along the line, and tightly curled hair does not hold the forward shape without being cut very short.

A Caesar works on nearly everything. On straight hair it lies flat and forward; on curly and coily hair it is kept short enough that the texture forms an even surface, and brushing can build 360 waves over time.

Choosing between an Edgar and a Caesar

Decide by how noticeable you want the front to be and how often you can come in.

• You want a sharp, current look with high contrast and do not mind a lineup every week or two: Edgar.
• You want something short, neat and low-effort that fits any dress code: Caesar.
• Your hair is thick and straight: either, but the Edgar will hold its line best.
• Your hair is curly or coily: Caesar, usually with a fade and a lineup.
• Your hairline is receding: Caesar. A forward fringe hides the temples, while an Edgar's hard line can highlight uneven corners if it is set too low.

Asking for either at Markcutit

For an Edgar: 'High skin fade, top textured and pushed forward, hard straight line across the front.' Tell us how low you want the line, since it should sit on your natural hairline rather than below it. For a Caesar: 'Short all over, about 2 cm on top, straight short fringe, low fade on the sides.'

Both are booked as Haircut Only through our skin fades service, and every cut ends with a razor-clean lineup, which is the whole point of an Edgar. See the Edgar cut and Caesar cut pages for more on each.