The high fade is a modern men’s haircut that involves blending very short hair on the sides and back to create a sharp, low-maintenance look. Edgy high-faded haircuts aggressively transition into longer hair on top, providing a cool, rebellious style that stands out. The striking contrast will also put extra emphasis on any hairstyle, drawing attention to your texture and volume. From classic to contemporary, the versatile high cut fade makes for a popular choice and can complement your style, personality and aesthetic.
For inspiration, let’s take a closer look at some of the coolest high fade haircuts for men that will transform your style.
Popular High Fade Haircut Styles
Blunt French Crop
A blunt French crop is a simple style that can look stylish and be easy to maintain. The choppy and slightly wavy texture on top looks great with the straight fringe across the forehead. The high fade is simply irresistible and looks especially chic when paired with stubble.
Hard Comb Over Pomp with High Bald Fade
Fashionable men who always want to look cool and handsome will choose styles where every last hair is perfectly placed. A combed-over pompadour is eye-catching and bold, especially when styled with a high-shine pomade that helps the part stand out. The bald burst fade, line up at the temples, and sharp facial hair tie the look together.
Man Bun with High Fade
The man bun with a high fade is a rugged and handsome style that can manage your hair while working, playing sports or trying to stay cool in the summer. The undercut fade enhances the contrast and focuses attention on the longer hair on top, which can be pulled back and tied up for a simple finish.
Side Swept Hair with High Taper
A classic side swept style with a high taper on the sides offers a versatile choice for men who want an all-around stylish look. Whether you’re running errands or going out with the boys, this masculine and clean cut incorporates a brush back in the front with some slightly messy texture on the top. A high taper fade adds some class, especially when worn with a clean-shaven face or neatly trimmed short beard.
Slick Back with Disconnected Undercut Fade
The slick back is reminiscent of the 1950s greaser look, so it’s the ultimate “bad boy” hairstyle. The modern variations tend to add a little extra length along with a hint of volume in the front. A beard or goatee and a disconnected undercut add some balance to this attractive and masculine look.
Textured French Crop with Design and High Bald Fade
The French crop is a classic style with dozens of contemporary variations. This textured version is chic enough for a formal event and casual enough for everyday wear. The addition of a shaved line design that mimics a hard part creates a distinct shape that contrasts nicely with the textured and tousled hair on top.
Fohawk with High Undercut Fade
Most men view the fohawk as a sort of transition style designed for guys who aren’t quite ready to give up their punk attitudes. This classy fohawk makes it clear that almost anyone can pull the look off. This cut looks best with thick, slightly wavy hair and it does require some styling aptitude, but it always looks phenomenal.
High Top Fade
The high top fade is a modern style that exudes retro vibes to make a statement. The high top was made popular by urban contemporary and hip-hop artists in the late 1980s. With height and volume, this edgy style will stand out in any crowd.
Short Crop Top with High Taper Fade
The short French crop is a cool and classic haircut for modern gentlemen who want to show off their texture and fullness. This simple style features a short crew cut with a high fade on the sides. Men who lead hectic lives will appreciate the ease with which the look comes together, but it does require frequent trims to keep things fresh.
Messy Spiky Hair with High Fade
Some hairstyles exist to make a statement, and this messy spiky look is the perfect example. The hair on top is long enough to create wild spikes in every direction. Paired with significantly shorter hair just above the temple that blends into a high skin fade, this cut is masculine, edgy and youthful.
Long Wavy Top with Taper Fade
Waves and texture are some of the hottest trends, and this handsome cut maximizes both. The hair on top is quite long in the front, but gradually gets shorter toward the crown. This look involves brushing the hair forward and to the side to create a flirty fringe. For extra volume and texture, use a high-quality mousse to separate the waves and hold them in place throughout the day.
Textured Spiky Top with High Skin Fade and Full Beard
Men who want to turn heads when they walk into a room will adore this rugged, yet contemporary textured style. The top of the hair sweeps upward into spikes that are both soft and masculine, and the skin fade creates amazing contrast. Worn with a full, shaped beard, this cut is for the manly men who always want to look put together.
Long Hair Part with High Fade
This thick long hair side part offers shape and texture to create a stunning finish. The front is brushed straight up, back and off to one side, allowing the fullness and dimension to provide lift. The soft layers through the top are irresistible next to the high skin fade.
Textured Short Mohawk with High Burst Fade
The mohawk is a bold haircut choice for young men who want to experiment with an edgy look that reflects their personality. Always evolving, this textured style contains the iconic spiky strip, but the short hair makes it far more approachable. The shaved line between the mohawk and the burst fade adds a bit of modern flair.
Textured Brush Up with High Taper Fade
Some men like to be prepared for anything from sunup to sundown. The textured brush up is versatile enough to wear to work, around the house, or even to a wedding. Use some texturizing pomade to create a feathery texture, and the high fade will finish the look.
Curly Hair with High Fade and Beard
A short curly hair fade with a beard allows guys to embrace their natural texture for a low-maintenance and fashionable look. This simple and short hairstyle comes with a high skin fade, which offers some balance between the curls and the full beard while a line up brings structure.
Crew Cut with Bald Fade and Stubble
The crew cut is a military-inspired haircut style that has transitioned into the mainstream, offering guys a masculine and low-maintenance look. Whether you want a spiky, textured or pushed-forward version, this classic style will always work. The bald fade adds some attitude, and the stubble keeps things rugged and masculine.
Brush Up with High Fade
The brush up can be a refreshing take for guys who need a dapper, charming and stylish look. With a high fade for contrast, use a matte styling product with some hold to brush the front straight up. This style transforms a plain and uninteresting look into a style with flair that can be versatile enough for sporty guys and executives alike.
Textured Spiky Hair with High Drop Fade
Subtle textured spikes are perfect for bringing some youthfulness into almost any cut. Just use some texturizing pomade to lift and separate pieces of hair, then brush the front section upward and back to create shape. A high drop fade is a refreshing twist as opposed to a more traditional taper.
Waves with High Fade
A buzz cut fade that features waves is a stylish haircut for black men who want to inject personality and texture into their look. Whether you choose 180 or 360 waves, the high fade creates a clean-cut look that is effortlessly sleek and sexy. This style is perfect for busy guys who want to look good without spending too much time in front of the mirror.
Top Knot with High Fade and Beard
If you have long hair, a high fade with a top knot is a balanced style that features short sides to contrast the volume on top. The top knot can be a casually cool and functional hairstyle that looks sexy and rugged at the same time. You can slick the hair back into a bun at the top of the head while the hard part and fade add dimension.
Tousled Wavy Hair with High Undercut Fade
Tousled wavy hair can be a cool, youthful and fun look for teenage boys and young business professional men. With limitless styling options, these waves are brushed upward and styled with a texturizing product. A thick fringe and a high fade lend visual interest while the disconnected sides and line up heighten the contrast. These elements enhance the slightly messy texture on top.
Wavy Crop
While the short nature of the crop tends to hide natural wave patterns, this handsome cut is just long enough in the front to make the waves the star of the show. This style is easy to keep trimmed and easy to style, so it’s perfect for busy go-getters who want to look fantastic without much hassle.
Spiky Short Hair with Fade and Shape Up
There is something about a haircut with every single hair in its proper place that commands attention, and this spiky short ‘do is no exception. It boasts the same overall shape as a side parted gentleman’s cut, but the front section of hair is brushed upward into choppy spikes. Paired with a skillful fade and a cool shape up, this cut exudes confidence and style.
High Skin Fade with Textured Spikes
Textured spikes pack an edgy punch, so they’re ideal for adventurous men who shy away from preppier cuts. A strong pomade makes it easy to stack the chunky spikes in any direction, and the high skin fade creates the illusion of more height on top. Wear this cut with a shaved design for even more personality.
Longer Brush Up with High Taper Fade
The brush up is a cool and confident cut that looks like it takes ages to style when it’s really quite simple. After saturating the medium-length hair at the front of the head with gel, position it straight up with a wide-tooth comb for texture, then blow dry. This cut works best for round-faced guys who want to balance their features with a little length.
Military High and Tight with Razored Fade
The military-inspired high and tight is a timeless haircut that radiates masculinity and ruggedness, making the style a common choice for athletes and bodybuilders. This version is a little longer than the traditional high and tight, which allows for some cool lift and texture. The razored fade is neat and clean while the shaved line serves as a faux hard part for added interest.
Messy Hair with Spiked Fringe and High Taper
Messy hairstyles are fashionable and chic, so they’re perfect for trendsetters and average Joes alike. The overall shape is similar to a high and tight, but the front section is left slightly longer and spiked straight upward. The fringe contrasts with the shorter hair on the sides, which is situated into feathery spikes and accentuated with a high taper fade.
Long Crew Cut with High Fade
Men who have thick natural waves may appreciate the simplicity and style of the long crew cut. It’s crisp and fashion-forward with a hint of attitude, and it’s simple enough to style. Working pomade through the top section of hair can add some extra volume, but a texturizing sea salt spray is equally effective. It looks amazing with a band tee and baggy jeans, a tux or sweats.
Short Brush Back with High Undercut Fade
The brush back is an elegant hairstyle for guys who want to experiment with a textured version of the classic look. Timeless and flattering, style the look by simply brushing the top straight back. Use a styling wax or clay to keep it in place. Neat and semi-formal, executives and celebrities love this look for its cool profile.
Spiky Faux Hawk Fade
The faux hawk is a trendy haircut for guys who want to explore their rebellious nature. With short sides and a longer strip of hair on top, a faux hawk fade should be styled with some pomade, which makes it easy to pinch and twist the thick, chunky spikes into place. The crisp shaved line adds a fresh element.
Short Comb Over with High Fade
The short comb over is a simple style that works well with straight hair, waves or curls. A slightly longer fringe can be brushed over and back or shaped into a small quiff. The fade creates a seamless transition that clean-cut men will appreciate, and it can be paired with a bare face, stubble or a full beard.
Hard Part with Fade
A hard part fade is an alluring style that will elevate your look when textured and combed into place. As a stylish side part variation, the look offers a structured finish with clean lines, starting with the shaved part. The combed texture and sharp line up bring some attitude and edge.
Classic Cut
A classic haircut for men features short sides with slightly longer hair on top combed or loosely swept to the side. Much like a gentleman’s side part or comb over, this style can be neat and clean with the hair flowing in the same direction, but it can also be slightly tousled and flirty. Swapping the more conventional taper with a high skin fade is also quite flattering.
High Taper Fade
The high taper fade is a fresh cut that looks stylish and professional. The high taper fade haircut starts near the top and gradually tapers down the sides, blending short hair into the skin for a powerful contrast. You can ask your barber for a fade with a number 0, 1, 2, or 3 clipper size. The most popular high fade hairstyles include the comb over, modern quiff, slick back, crew cut and buzz cut. You can even add a part or shaved line to tailor the styling.
High Skin Fade
The high skin fade is a modern and versatile short haircut for men that creates contrast to complement the style on top. The skin fade cuts the hair on the sides and back down completely and blends the look into the skin. The buzzed sides are flattering and will emphasize your hairstyle.
High Fade Undercut
The high undercut fade is a cool haircut style that creates a disconnected and blended look.Sexy and fashionable, the undercut starts with one length on the sides and leaves your hair disconnected from the volume on top. When paired with a taper, the faded undercut blends the bottom section. Add a full beard for a masculine finish.
High Bald Fade
The high bald fade is an edgy and modern style for guys who want to buzz their sides and back down to the skin for a shaved finish. Fresh and bold, this cut can complement straight, wavy or curly hair, making your style stand out.
High Fade with Short Hair
A high fade with short hair is a simple and masculine style for guys who want a refreshing high-contrast look. The most popular short haircuts with a high fade include the buzz cut, crew cut with a side swept fringe, textured French crop, high and tight and side part.
High Fade with Long Hair
The high fade with long hair is a fashionable choice for guys who want to experiment with volume and length for a trendy finish. A long hair fade can be a versatile look that offers access to the comb over, faux hawk, quiff and brush back. With short sides and longer hair on top, you’ll have styling flexibility throughout the week. For a textured finish that looks natural, use a styling cream or clay.
High Fade with Part
If you want a unique cut, try a high fade with a part. The most common version is the side part and high fade. As a modern business professional hairstyle, the side part fade can be made to look cool and bold with a shaved line. It’s important to note that guys can ask their barber to add a part to any fade haircut. The end result is universally a sexy style that’s on-trend.
High Side Part Fade
The side part fade is a modern cut that can look effortlessly classy and stylish. Timeless and sophisticated, this parted hairstyle offers a versatile look that works professionally and casually.
High and Tight Fade
The high and tight fade is a military haircut that looks cool with a high fade on the sides and the back. The primary feature of the high and tight is very short hair all around, and to make this work, your barber will generally give you a high bald fade. The buzzed top is low-maintenance and easy to style, meaning guys can cut the high and tight at home. Using clippers and a number 2 or 3 clipper guard, buzz your hair all over. For the sides, remove the guard for a skin tight fade or change the clipper size down to a number 1. The contrast between sides and top makes this a simple yet good-looking cut. Get the high and tight fade hairstyle in the summer to keep cool.
High Fade Comb Over
The high fade comb over is a stylish hairstyle for men that’s been trending strong in recent years. The comb over offers a clean and simple style that exudes class and can be customized to suit any look. The high skin fade can be a sexy bad boy look while a shaved hard part can emphasize where you would naturally brush your hair to one side. To do a cool comb over, use a matte hair product for a textured finish that will enhance volume and flow.
High Fade Pompadour
The high fade pompadour is a timeless style that combines modern and classic elements to achieve a cool look. With a poof in the front that gradually blends into the back, the pompadour fade was originally a hipster cut that transitioned into the mainstream. You can ask your barber for an undercut or fade on the sides, but the most popular variation is the high skin fade pompadour for a super smooth finish.
High Drop Fade
The high drop fade features a curved cut around the sides and back. The drop fade haircut tapers the hair high like a traditional fade, but then curves and drops down to the neckline in the back. Instead of straight faded sides that go all around at the same level, this gradual blending of the hair downward creates a unique styling. The drop fade, much like the burst fade, can add a special look to any new hairstyle.
High Temp Fade
The high temp fade is a very cool haircut that focuses around the temples for an extra level of pop. Temp fades create distinct and sharp edges and lines around the temples for a super fresh look. Generally, the temple fade works well for black men’s hairstyles, but can be adapted with almost any style. If you want a defined and tight high fade, talk to your barber about this cut.
Curly High Fade
The high curly fade is a low-mainatenance and stylish haircut for modern guys who want an easy style that will always impress. Waves and curls can be frizzy and hard to manage so guys will often get a short cut. For the perfect finish, your sides will be faded and the short to medium hair on top can be styled with a curl-enhancing product.
High Fade with A Line Up
The high fade with a line up can look hot and effortlessly cool. Also known as a shape or edge up, the line up cleans the hairline along the forehead and temples, shaping the hair into angular and precise cuts. More common with modern cuts, a high skin fade and line up make for an excellent addition to any men’s style.
Dreads with High Fade
As a popular hairstyle for black men, dreads are trendy and fun with a fade on the sides and back to contrast the longer hair on top. For extra contrast, we highly recommend dreadlocks with a high fade on the sides. You can get a high bald fade, shaved sides or shape up for an extra outgoing look.
Braids with High Fade
A high taper fade with braids is a cool style that will take center stage. Also known as cornrows, braids require creative weaved locks to fashion an awesome design. To accentuate the awesome hairstyle, most guys choose to get braids with a taper on the sides.
Slick Back with High Fade
The high fade slick back offers a modern variation of a classic hairstyle. Slick back hair has been a classy yet exciting hairstyle for generations. More recently, hipsters popularized the slicked back undercut. The slick back high fade delivers an alternative that is just as edgy and cool. Iconic and sleek, guys should try the slick back fade to elevate their current style.
Military High Fade
The military high fade may be the perfect haircut for guys who want a simple style. Whether you want a buzz cut, brush cut, crew cut, or flat top, a high skin fade can complement any military hairstyle.
Wavy Hair with High Fade
The wavy hair fade gives guys texture and flow while the faded sides ensure a clean, easy-to-wear cut. And while men with wavy hair may be annoyed by how difficult it can be to manage and style waves, the truth is that wavy hairstyles deliver a unique dimension few guys can replicate. A strong hair product could be all you need to achieve the comb over, slick back, crop top, fringe, spikes or side part you want.
What Is A High Fade?
A high fade is a modern and daring haircut for men that tapers quickly on the sides and back to create a short style. Bold and fresh, the high fade can be paired with any popular men’s hairstyle to achieve extra contrast that will enhance the styling.
