The fade has become a popular barbershop haircut for men who want a cool and low-maintenance look. A fade haircut is a short, stylish way to cut the sides and back for a fresh look that will complement a men’s hairstyle. The fade cut can be combined with any hair type, length and style to create a sleek and fashionable look.
There are several fade haircuts to choose from such as the low, mid, high, taper and skin. Some men will want a low taper fade with longer hair on top for a professional look, while others may prefer a short high skin fade for a bold and low-maintenance cut.
With so many different types, it can be tricky asking your barber for a fade.
To inspire you with ideas, we’ve compiled examples of the best fade haircuts for men. From a low taper to a high skin, explore these popular fade haircut ideas to find the coolest styles.
What Is A Fade Haircut?
The fade is a popular haircut style for men that involves gradually cutting the hair on your back and sides shorter as it gets closer to your neck. By tapering the hair from short to long, the fade haircut can be the perfect complement to all the best hairstyles. The most popular fade haircuts include the low, mid, high, skin, bald, drop and burst styles. There are several different types of taper fades to choose from, allowing guys to get the right look for their needs.
The most common way to cut a fade is with hair clippers. Using different haircut numbers or clipper guard sizes, your barber will start with a longer length and slowly trim down your sides, back and neckline. This gradual and seamless shortening and buzzing makes learning how to fade hair one of the most difficult parts of becoming a barber.
Different Types of Fades
When it comes to choosing a haircut on the sides and back, there are many different types of fades to consider for a stylish look. As a low-maintenance and versatile cut, the taper fade can be combined with several modern men’s hairstyles to create an effortlessly cool look.
With so many fade haircut styles, you’ll want to talk to your barber about the right look for you. Some guys will want a mid taper for a business professional cut that looks great at the office. The bald mid fade can be the perfect option for young men and teen boys who want a bold style.
Fade Haircuts
High Fade
The high fade begins this tapering process near the top of the hair, creating a marked contrast between the longer hairstyle on top and the short sides.
Similarly, because the cut starts at the highest point on the side of your hair, the high fade haircuts also forces more contrast for a stronger look.
High fades are a good cut if you want more emphasis on your hairstyle, especially if you’re getting a short look on top as well.
Low Fade
The low fade is a stylish haircut that starts tapering just above the ear and neckline for a classically handsome finish. With less contrast and more texture on the sides, low fade haircuts are great for medium-length to longer hairstyles that require a thicker look.
Similarly, guys can always ask their barber for a faded beard or to buzz down to the skin for a somewhat gritty finish.
Low fades work best for office settings and traditional hairstyles, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.
Mid Fade
The mid fade starts in the middle of the head. Also called a medium fade, your barber will begin trimming halfway up your sides and back for a soft look.
If you aren’t quite sure about the high or low fade cuts, then mid fade haircuts provide versatility.
These medium fades work with almost all the same cuts and styles as the other types, giving you the best of both worlds.
High vs Low vs Mid Fade
In short, the high fade haircut for men is an extreme, noticeable look. It begins high up on the head and the hair tapers faster towards the neck. In contrast, the low fade is a subtle effect that takes place only at the edges. The taper is barely noticeable in some low fade haircuts for men. And finally, the mid is somewhere in between.
The bottom line is, when comparing high vs low vs mid, it’s all about your personal style and needs. If you’re asking your barber for a fade but aren’t sure what kind is good for the hairstyle you want, ask for a recommendation.
Bald and Skin Fade
The skin fade is a haircut for men that pushes the style to its limits by aggressive blending the sides and back. The bald fade haircut will give you a buzzed style using the shortest clipper size, trimming the hair down to the bare skin for a clean finish.
To achieve a zero fade, your barber will either use no guard, an outliner or a specialty shaver.
One way to get a really bold cut is to ask for a high skin fade or a bald temp fade. Likewise, a mid or low skin fade is also a worthwhile option if you want your sides shaved down for a high-contrast finish.
While the look can be flattering in combination with the latest thick hairstyles for men, without longer hair on the top of your head, exposing a lot of skin could look too severe.
Undercut Fade
The undercut is much like the fade – it involves short hair at the sides of the head and around the back. Although most undercut hairstyles are cut very high and trimmed all one-length, the faded undercut combines the two styles.
The undercut fade shortens very quickly and suddenly, and then tapers gradually. Guys can get a high, mid, or low undercut fade to suit their hairstyle.
The undercut fade has been trending strong in recent years. If you want a short haircut that is stylish and easy to wear, the undercut is always a good choice.
Ask your barber if a short fade undercut is right for your look and try out this awesome cut!
Taper vs Fade
Although most men and barbershops use the terms “taper” and “fade” interchangeably, technically, tapers and fades are different haircuts. Generally, the difference between a fade and taper is that the fade haircut generally blends down to the skin while the taper still leaves some hair, albeit very short.
Although both are blended and apply the same concept of trimming hair shorter and shorter, the taper doesn’t cut down to the skin and is therefore a more understated cut and style. Ultimately, the longer hair on the sides exposes less scalp and is therefore less edgy.
For older men or business professionals working in offices that require a more conservative look, a taper fade haircut may be appropriate.
Just remember that a taper fade or scissor fade is different than a classic tapered haircut, which is a scissored cut on the sides that does not use hair clippers at all.
How To Get A Fade Haircut
To get taper fade haircut, you’ll need to ask your barber for a low, mid or high faded cut. You’ll also need to determine how short you would like your hair and where you want the tapering to start. With so many different types of fade haircuts, these features will help you get the perfect tapered style. The more precise you are, the more accurate your barber will be at delivering your wishes.
Fade with Long Hair
Pompadour Fade
Fade with Part
Box Fade
Taper Fade + Line Up
Burst Fade
Temp Fade
High Bald Fade with Comb Over Pompadour
Long Hair Fade
Low Skin Fade with Hair Design
Faded Sides with Faux Hawk and Design
Mid Bald Fade with Spiky Hair
Fade Undercut with Textured Comb Over
High Low Fade with Quiff and Stubble
High Skin Fade with French Crop and Goatee
Low Taper Fade with Textured Top
Low Bald Fade with Curly Fringe
High Razor Fade with Hair Design
Undercut Fade with Hard Part and Textured Spikes
Low Razor Fade with Hard Part Comb Over
High Bald Fade with Brushed Up Hair
Shaved Sides with Buzz Cut
Hard Side Part Fade
Undercut Fade with Line Up and Spiky Hair
Low Taper Fade with Short Fringe
Undercut Fade with Hard Part
