Different Types of Fade Haircuts For Men to Try Out

Styles and trends are ever-changing in the age of social media and picture-sharing, where a picture tells a thousand tales. The 21st century online stories tell us that the fade haircut for men has adapted itself so uniquely and perfectly with all kinds of haircuts and hair looks that it’s the only stylish constant of 2019. Originally a boon from the style god for men with short hair, the fade cut attracted men with all kinds of hair type and became a mantra for everyone’s dream look.

For the men who couldn’t be concerned more about trends because of their daily work and serious profession, this style has hit them like a pleasant sea wave, for it can be styled as formal, classy, and professional-like. The ease with which men worldwide, be it any age or race, have experimented with the fading style on the sides has made a range of options available to choose from.

Different Types of Fade Haircuts for You to Try Out

Typically, a fade haircut is done on the sides of the head, ranging from a low, mid, or high fade. A high fade means that the starting point of the fade is higher up the head, whereas a low fade starts above the ear.

The fade is achieved by using a clipper set at a number (0,1,2,3 and so on) depending on the desired length of the fade. There is no one way to do the fade but many. You can go for a taper fade that decreases the length of the hair as you progress or a skin fade that gives a bolder and shaved look at the bottom.

With so many ways to do the fade haircut, choosing one for yourself can be confusing. We have compiled here the trendiest fade haircuts and hairstyles for men.

Taper Fade

Taper Fade

The taper fade combines the elements of the timeless taper cut and the traditional fade cut. It’s the perfect mix of sharp and soft, traditional and modern, edgy and simple. A taper fade haircut essentially means that the length of the hair will decrease as the fade goes from the top of the head to the bottom. Unlike the skin fade that shaves the hair near the neckline, a taper fade will keep the hair short in that area.

The taper fade compliments the hair at the top of the head while balancing the contrast. This soft look works for anyone as it adds style but also maintains a decent look.

The taper fade will blend with any haircut on top, be it pompadour, mohawk, buzz. The best part is that whatever cut you choose, the taper will enhance the look of the cut and draw attention to it.

Skin Fade

Skin Fade

Skin fade haircut has created a rage among barbers and customers alike. The former loves to do it, and the latter is thrilled to get it done. Its popularity is no surprise as the skin fade is beautiful. It suits all face types and makes a face look sharp. This neat edgy look is exactly what youngsters have been looking for. Skin fade means that your hair will be nearly shaved off.

A high fade will give you a bold and unconventional look since most of your hair will be trimmed with the lowest setting (#0 or #1). If you want to choose a safer cut that will fit into various formal dress codes, go for a low skin fade. This will shave off the hair above your ear, giving a sleek look, but the rest of your head will have hair to maintain a conventional look.

A skin fade is a great option for teens and young adults who want to experiment with their hair and add a mature element to their faces.

Bald Fade

Bald Fade

A variant of the skin fade, the bald fade blends in with the skin. It leaves no hair at the end of the fade, much like a bold cut. This is achieved by a #0 setting on the clipper with no guard. The sharpness of the cut combined with the hairstyle can make you appear various kinds of edgy, ranging from punk rock to a biker. Add a twist to the bald fade by doing a line-up or a shape-up on the hair. Ask your barber to fix you a design of your choice, and you’ll be showing off the mysterious look.

Low Fade

Low Fade

If you’re someone who has gorgeous hair and does not wish to part with them, the low fade will let you keep your hair and, at the same time, provide a neat edge.

The low fade is a favorite for its classy and sophisticated look. A low fade is achieved by fading the hair above the ear and going all the way to the back, along the neck. Much like the taper fade, this soft and conservative style is a hit among professionals in white-collar jobs. A low fade with a beard is a classic look for them.

However, I do not think that a low fade cannot be experimented with. You can go for a low skin fade, a low taper, or a low bald fade. This cut is subtle yet powerful. It can go with all hair lengths. You can keep a voluminous hairstyle like the pompadour or a sleek one like a buzz cut. The low fade will give a break from uniformity and add intensity to your appearance.

High Fade

High Fade

A high fade is going to rock your world by giving a striking contrast to the haircut. A high fade means that the surface area for the hair at the top will be less as they fade will start from a higher point on the head. This fade haircut can be styled as taper, skin, or bald. A bald high fade is the edgiest option of all. If you keep long hair on top, the contrast between the hair and the rest of the shaved head will give you a neat and edgy look.

If you want to go for a bold look, combine a high bald fade with a crew cut or a buzz cut on top. This is the closest cut to going bold.

If you choose a skin fade or a taper fade, you can do a line up along your hairline to sport a sharp cut. Curve the hairline at the end of the fade to give a pronounced shape to your head. A high fade will require regular maintenance, so make sure you visit the barber frequently.

Mid Fade

Mid Fade

A mid fade is the best adjustment between a high fade and a low fade. If you like the modern unconventionality of the high fade but are looking for a softer look, the mid fade is your best bargain. You get to sport two different styles in this one haircut.

The haircut at the top will look prominent, and there will be enough hair for you to style. At the same time, you can be versatile with the fade and choose from taper, skin, and bald. The best way to highlight a mid-fade is to give a line cut at the point where the fade starts, on both sides. This will give a sleek and smooth look to your hair.

Temple Fade

Temple Fade

A temple fade refers to a clean and sharp cut along the edges of the hairline and above the temple. Traditionally worn by black men with afros and curly hair, a temple fade is becoming increasingly popular with short hair and buzz cuts. A temp fade will highlight the fade on the sides and the back. It will even add sharpness to the hair on top, giving your face an intense appearance.

Best Hairstyles for Fade Haircuts

The fade haircut can practically be combined with any hairstyle- pompadour, quiff, mohawk, and so on. The versatility of the fade and its quality to blend in can give you a look, ranging from gentlemanly to provocative. Some of the most fashionable modern trends are listed below.

Buzz Cut Fade

Buzz Cut Fade

The buzz cut is a traditional military haircut. It’s one of the easiest haircuts to maintain due to the short length of the hair. The haircut has been re-inventing itself to keep up with the changing trends. A buzz cut fade is one such re-invention. It is the trendiest haircut for summer 2019. The number of variations and styles can go as far as your imagination can. Choose a length for your buzz cut as the buzz ranges from short to long.

Then, decide upon a type of fade that will best compliment the buzz. For the sleekest look, do a short buzz cut with a skin fade. Add a line-up to complete the look. This hairstyle combines traditional and modern and is the best choice for a summer haircut. For something edgy, trim a V at the back. For this, taper the buzz cut from both sides towards the end to give it a V shape. Do a high fade with this for a quirky hairstyle.

Dreadlocks Fade

Dreadlocks Fade

Because of the soaring popularity of dreadlocks in recent years, many men want to try it at least once in their lives. If you’re someone who loves to sport funky dreadlocks, it’s time to turn the style up a notch by adding a fade to it. Dreadlocks can make the head look big on some faces.

For a sharper and well-proportioned look, give a high fade to your hair. A skin fade will give you a bolder, more contrasting look, whereas a taper fade will add more funk and style to the look. A low taper fade will give a softer and smarter touch to the dreadlocks.

Textured Hair Fade

Textured Hair Fade

There are so many ways in which you can add texture to your hair. The most asked for is textured spikes. One of the coolest hairstyles out there, head to a barber to get the desired texture in your spikes. Maintaining such a look can be a task as it requires you to use hair products, but it is worth the unique look.

The best way to complement this textured spike at the top of your head will be to do a fade cut at both sides. A mid-fade will allow you to flaunt the spike as well as the fade. A taper fade or a drop fade will look best with the spikes as it allows you to keep the dreamy look without looking too quirky.

Combover Fade

Combover Fade

The combover fade is a smooth hairstyle that delivers an old-school charm. There are various combovers to choose from. However, the modern style is less structured, and you can choose which side your hair will fall on depending on what looks better on your face.

All three fades- high, mid, and low can be styled with a combover. For professionals, a low taper fade will look elegant and charming. For older men with hair thinning issues, a high bald fade will help cover their scalp and give them a youthful look.

Mohawk Fade

Mohawk Fade

The mohawk cut is the most striking haircut that’s sure to turn a few heads. The mohawk fade will put a little twist to the traditional shaved sides by tapering the sides instead. A high fade mohawk will allow people with short or curly hair to keep a mohawk cut. The mohawk fade cut is an off-beat haircut that can be maintained by using hair gel. A line-up or even a design will give you the most eccentric look possible.

Long Hair Fade

Long Hair Fade

Long hair refers to long hairstyles like a man bun or a ponytail. Other hairstyles like quiff and combover also need long hair. The fade on the sides will only enhance the rebellious, hipster look. All three fades- high, mid, and low will complement long hairstyles.

For men who’ve been growing their hair, a high bald fade will result in a contrast between the long hair top and the shaved offsides. This is sure to catch up soon because, according to the hairstyle trends of 2021, the bolder, the better.

Pompadour Fade

Pompadour Fade

Pompadour has been the hairstyle of gentlemen. A modern variant of this hairstyle is the pompadour fade. What’s so versatile about the fade is that it does not take away the elegance of the pompadour but maintains it, whereby enhancing the sharpness of the look. The pompadour will look classy with the taper fade as well as the skin fade. A mid to low fade will blend perfectly with the pomp.

Curly Hair Fade

Curly Hair Fade

Most people with curly hair find it difficult to change their hairstyle constantly. A fade goes with everything, and curly hair is not an exception. It gives a great balance of volume and sharpness to curly hair by clipping the hair from the sides. A taper fade will be the right amount of contrast and softness. You can style your curls in a messy hair look or go for something quirky like twists.

Faux Hawk Fade

Faux Hawk Fade

A variation of the mohawk cut, the faux hawk speaks modern and eccentric. In a faux hawk, the hair is textured in spikes towards the middle of the head. This haircut suits people with thick hair.

A taper fade with a faux hawk will complete the look. The faux hawk fade is a fresh look worn by young men looking for a rough and edgy look. To increase the edginess, team the hairstyle with a beard that blends with the taper fade.

Different Types of Fade Haircuts For Men