What is the technique called that involves thinning hair to graduated lengths using a sliding movement of the shears?

The technique known as slithering involves the use of shears to thin hair by sliding the blades down the hair shaft. This method gradually reduces the bulk of the hair while also creating softer, seamless layers as the shears move through the hair. By employing a sliding movement, slithering allows stylists to control the amount of hair removed and achieve a more textured appearance without leaving harsh lines.

This technique is particularly useful for creating volume, enhancing movement, and blending different lengths, making it a favored approach among hairstylists for achieving a polished finish. It is a vital skill in hairstyling as it can dramatically change the look and feel of the hair while maintaining its overall length. Other options, such as clipping or chopping, do not involve this specific sliding technique and typically result in more blunt cut edges rather than the graduated effect achieved through slithering. Fade cutting, on the other hand, refers to a specific type of haircut usually associated with shorter styles and does not apply to the thinning and layering process that slithering accomplishes.