The fade is one of the most popular men’s haircuts and continues to be the best way to cut your hair on the sides and back of the head. A fade haircut is a modern cut that blends your hair from top to bottom. This tapered style offers a fresh, clean-cut look that works well with all the coolest hairstyles for men. While most guys get their hair faded at the barber shop, there are ways you can fade your own hair at home. Cutting a fade requires quality hair clippers with multiple guards to help you blend and taper the hairstyle. For beginners, it’s important to follow step by step instructions to give an easy, simple fade haircut.
Whether you’re giving yourself a fade or fading someone else’s hair, check out this guide on how to do a fade haircut. With some practice, you’ll be able to cut a low, mid, high, skin, bald or taper fade haircut by yourself at home in no time.
Fade Haircuts
A fade haircut blends the hair along the sides and back of the head into the longer hair on top. There are different types of fade haircuts, and the kind you pick depends on your hair and style. Your taper fade can start high, mid or low and can be cut into the skin or just very short. How you fade your hair will determine whether you get a taper, skin, bald, drop, temp, or undercut fade haircut.
The shortness of your hair and the location of your fade line changes from one man to the next, as everyone has their own idea of what looks best. Regardless of what you choose, a fade is a great way to create a fresh, masculine look and is flattering for every hair type. With fades, the hair from your ears to your neckline is trimmed short so you’ll have a clean finish on your neckline as well.
Getting a fade by a professional barber is preferable, though this haircut can be tried at home with a few helpful tips. Generally, a barber is going to have a better idea of how to blend the hair evenly across your head. Licensed barbers receive extensive training and have mastered this technique over the years.
If you want to try your hand at cutting your own fade, prepare in advance and give yourself enough time to remedy the issue if you make any mistakes. Ideally, you’ll want to cut a fade with clippers if you’re a beginner. Because DIY haircuts can be challenging, a home clipper set will provide you a machine and guards to guide your trimming.
How To Do A Fade with Clippers
You’ll need good clippers if you want to fade your own hair. Purchase a complete set of guards for your clippers, as you’ll need a variety of options to ensure you’re blending your hair properly.
In addition to the clippers, buy a set of professional scissors, a comb, a trimmer, and a handheld mirror. Each of these items is needed throughout the fading process to help you achieve an even cut.
For men who want to be as prepared as possible, fade clippers and professional clippers are available for purchase. Investing money into these clippers is a good idea if you intend to do a fade for the foreseeable future.
Fade clippers and professional clippers used by barbers are sharper than traditional clippers and provide more power and stability. Plus, these clippers come with their own set of guards and combs which allows you to buy everything you need at once.
If you can’t afford the professional barbershop clippers, a simple set of clippers along with reliable guards can produce stylish results. Clippers are available with or without a cord, and the type you choose is based on what you’re comfortable using. Some men prefer the freedom of cordless clippers, whereas others are unbothered by the cord.
How To Cut A Fade Haircut
Cutting a fade haircut is a step-by-step process. Take the time needed to successfully complete each step before advancing to the next stage.
- To start, choose the position of your fade line. Deciding where to place your fade line is entirely based on preference, as some men like to position it lower and others prefer it to sit higher on the head.
- Next, determine how long or short you want your fade to be. The length you choose dictates which guard you select for your clippers. After determining your desired length and selecting the appropriate clippers, the trimming process begins.
- Always start at the bottom of your hairline and work upward in short, even strokes. You’ll use this same process along the sides and back of your head. When you’re ready to fade into a different length, switch to the appropriate guard. Blend the lengths evenly to create a natural transition in your hair.
- To blend the sides and back into the longer hair on top of your head, you’ll need to use one of the combs you purchased.
- Comb your hair straight up from your head and leave a short amount exposed over the teeth of the comb for you to trim with the clippers. If you want your hair to remain longer, then you’ll only trim a small portion at this stage.
- Once you’ve done this, use a set of trimmers to clean your neckline and hairline. This presents you with a sleek finish and completes the fade. Remember throughout the process to start with a slightly longer length to allow for any mistakes you make.
You can always trim your hair more once you’ve gone through the fade once, but it’ll take a few weeks for your hair to grow back if you cut too much off by accident.
How To Fade Your Own Hair
Decide Your Fade Line
Low, medium, and high fade haircuts are the most common. Depending on which you choose, this determines where your fade line begins. The hair below the fade line is going to be tapered to your desired shortness or down to the skin based on the option you’ve selected.
If you don’t want to trim your hair down to the skin for a bald fade, begin by blending the different lengths slightly above your ear. Move upward from this position to the hair you’re leaving on top while being mindful of your desired length.
Choose A Length and Guard Size For The Fade Line
Once you position your fade line, choose the appropriate length and corresponding guard size for your clippers. The size of the guard indicates how long or short your hair is going to be.
Lower numbers indicate shorter haircuts whereas higher numbers indicate longer haircuts. Regardless of your preferred length, always start with a number 3 or 4 guard.
By choosing one of these guards to start, you’re allowing yourself to acclimate to using the clippers and cutting without accidentally buzzing your hair too short.
With a fade haircut, start at the bottom of your hairline and work upward while using the guard comb to help dictate the length.
Start Fading The Sides
After selecting the appropriate guard, shave upward from the bottom of your hairline to taper the back and sides of your head. Work toward your fade line in short, even strokes to create a blended taper. Remember to continuously move the clippers in an upward motion while tapering to your fade line.
Transition Between Guards To Fade Your Hair
To achieve the perfect fade, transition between guards as you work your way up from the bottom of your hairline. As you get closer to the length on top of your head, switch to guard sizes that allow for a longer trim.
Once you stop to switch the guard attachment, remember where you made your last strokes. This is where you’ll start again once you’ve replaced the comb to ensure you’re fading your hair evenly.
If your hair is overlapping in certain areas, don’t fret. This is a natural part of the blending process when you’re trying it for the first time and you’ll still be left with a textured look you’re sure to love.
Work Your Way To The Hair on Top
A key part of mastering the fade is to seamlessly blend the shaved back and sides of your head into the longer hair on top. To do so, grab your comb and run it through your hair until a select amount is left exposed over the teeth of the comb.
Next, take your trimmer and run it over the exposed hair. This trims to your desired length with minimal effort and gives you control over the finished product.
Trim The Neckline and Hairline
After your fade has been created, use your trimmers to neaten up your neckline and hairline. Use the trimmer to help shape your neckline before shaving down the hair to your desired length below your indicated fade line.
If you only have a beard trimmer handy, use that to complete this step. This works best if your beard trimmer can be used for a close clean cut. For men who want a line up to complete their haircut, use an outliner or an edger to create the sharp cuts needed.
Review Your Hair
Once you’ve completed your fade, trimmed the hair on top, and faded the sides and back, it’s time for a closer inspection. Look over your hair with a handheld mirror to see if you missed any sections.
Just remember to take it easy on yourself if you’ve made small mistakes since this is a natural part of the learning process.
Give Yourself A Fade
If you feel confident enough to give yourself a fade, take time to study different masculine haircuts to determine which are the most flattering for your hair type. Start with a longer haircut to give yourself the ability to practice the technique. Move through the fade slowly while making even strokes as this helps you blend the hair properly.
For anyone who makes a mistake, this can be remedied easily by visiting your barber and asking them to clean up the areas you missed at home.
