Fade haircuts are enormously popular in modern men’s styles. Fades gradually taper hair shorter near the neckline before blending up into longer hair on top.
Fades work on straight, curly, wavy, and kinky hair textures. They create dimension, contour face shapes, and emphasize the styling on top. Here is your complete guide to rocking fade haircut styles.
1: High Fade
The high fade tapers hair drastically from the temples and crown down close to the skin. This shows off maximum contrast with longer hair on top.
High fades draw attention upward and highlight height. They accentuate volume and texture on top for a bold look.
2: Mid Fade
Mid fades start the graduated tapering lower than high fades, beginning just above the ears and curving around the head.
This medium-high Fade provides a more subtle contrast between the sides and the top.
3: Low Fade
Low fades begin fading hair behind the ear and down the nape. This minimizes contrast since more length is left on the sides.
The low Fade offers a very gradual taper. This conservative cut is perfect for professional settings that require polish.
4: Bald Fade
Bald fades gradually cut hair to the skin on the sides and back for an ultra-sleek finish.
This dramatic Fade requires very tight precision. When cut properly, bald fades almost disappear, blending into the skin.
5: Drop Fade
The drop fades sharply, transitioning from longer hair on top to suddenly shorter hair near the ears and nape. This creates an abrupt contrast versus a gradual blend.
Drop fades intensify disconnects. They work well with defined parts, hard lines, and distinct hair textures styled up top.
6: Temple Fade
Temple fades shape the hairline by tapering hair closely around the temples and sideburns. This sculpts a precise hairline.
Angling the Fade to trace your natural hairline prevents blockiness. Temple fades add polish and refinement.
7: Burst Fade
The burst fade begins subtly higher on the head before “bursting” outward into a dramatic fade lower.
These centers focus upward while still tapering hair close near the nape. Burst fades make hair textures like curls and waves appear fuller.
8: Taper Fade
The taper fades neatly and blends short buzzed sides up into longer lengths gradually. This classic, masculine cut keeps things simple.
Taper fades can be cut high, mid, or low. Their gradual blend provides balance and suits all hair types.
9: Shadow Fade
Shadow fades use a very steep taper to produce a striking highlight effect between the long top and close side lengths.
This strong contrast makes the hair on top appear darker, like a shadow. The two drastically different lengths enhance dimension.
10: Low Bald Fade + Line Up
Combining a bald fade with a sharp lineup produces an ultra-clean cut. The low bald fade tapers gradually while the lineup sculpts the hairline’s edge around the temples and nape.
This pairing delivers a precise definition. The low bald Fade provides a streamlined foundation for the crisply carved lineup to build upon.
11: High Fade Pompadour
Pompadour-style hair swept up and back from the forehead in a voluminous, retro wave. High fade haircuts accentuate the pompadour’s height and draw eyes upward.
This combo works great on thick hair types to direct fullness upwards. The high Fade showcases the dramatic pomp shape.
12: Mid Fade + Hard Part
hard parts etch a clean sectioning line into a mid fade using clippers. This guides the eye down the part line within the full hairstyle.
Adding sleek geometry boosts contrast and directional flow. The sharpness of the hard line pairs perfectly with a shaping mid-fade.
13: Low Fade + Curly Hair
Long curly hair on top with a low fade on the sides allows curls to take center stage. The low Fade subtly shapes the form without stealing focus.
The goal is to let the natural curl pattern and volume shine. The low Fade refines around the edges.
14: High Fade + Buzz Cut
Blending a buzz cut on top down into a high bald fade produces a boldly contoured cut. The extreme sides contrast the uniform buzzed length.
This supplies edge and polish in equal parts. The high Fade provides a strong definition and precision to the simple buzzed top.
