More than just a hairstyle, the fade is a contemporary classic that men who want to look sharp and fashionable now always wear. The fade’s adaptability is what gives it so much appeal. It fits almost every face shape and hair type beautifully, and it can be dressed up or down for different occasions.
The fade has changed over the past few years as stylists and barbers have experimented with various lengths, textures, and patterns. As a result, there are now many different fade styles available, each providing a distinctive twist on the classic cut. There is a fade haircut that can fit your style, whether it’s more edgy and bold or polished and polished.
We’ll look at nine distinct men’s fade haircuts in this post, so you’ll have plenty of ideas for when you go to the barber next.
- What is a fade and its types
- In which haircuts the fade technique is used
- Crop
- Pompadour
- Quiff
- Undercut
- Platform
- Half-box
- Executive
- Top knot
- Mohawk
- Questions
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- Video on the topic
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What is a fade and its types
The term "fade" comes from the English "fade – disappearance," and refers to a haircut style in which the hair gradually changes length, creating a seamless transition between lengths.
At first, the fade was a distinct men’s haircut style. In the 1940s, American hairdressers invented it; however, it was dubbed "military" and initially utilized by the armed forces before spreading to all men.
The 1950s saw a shift in the popularity of short haircuts. Men were compelled to give up shorter hairstyles in favor of more ostentatious pompadours or American bobs due to the rising fame of The Beatles and Elvis Presley. The fade made a comeback in the 1980s, but by then it had established itself as a haircut technique that could be worn in a variety of ways rather than as a distinct hairstyle.
There are five primary varieties of men’s fade haircut techniques. The zones that are impacted by the gradual change in length are the basis for the classification:
- Elongated, conical fade, eng.taperfade. Implies a decrease in the length of the hair from the middle of the head towards the neck. At the end of the transition, the length of the hair comes to nothing.
- Low fade, eng.lowfade. As the name suggests, this type starts very low – almost at the beginning of the neck. Above the ears, the hair goes to zero. Short hair smoothly gives way to long hair in the back of the head;
- Medium or classic fade, eng.midfade. An intermediate option, in which the transition of lengths begins from the ears, that is, from the middle of the side zone of the head;
- High fade, highfade. Implies a sharp transition at about the level of the temples or slightly higher. The lower part of the hairstyle is shaved bald.
- Scissor Fade, English.scissorfade. This variety differs in the tool – scissors are used instead of a machine. The depth of the fade and its length are determined by the features of the man"s head and his wishes for the future hairstyle.
The same men’s haircut can be styled using various methods. Let’s examine who these styles suit, where the fade is used in men’s haircuts, and how.
In which haircuts the fade technique is used
When there are multiple options for hair length in a men’s haircut, the smooth transition technique can be applied to almost any style.
Popular and pertinent haircuts for the fade technique include:
- Crop;
- Pompadour;
- Quiff;
- Undercut;
- Platform;
- Semi-box;
- Executive;
- Top notes
- Mohawk.
Although fade can be used to any men’s haircut, these nine styles are the most current and stylish.
Crop
Crop-fade, also spelled "crop fade," is a short men’s haircut in which the sides and back of the head are shaved smoothly while the hair on top of the head stays medium length. The fade crop has a more understated appearance than the classic crop, which features a sharp transition from the middle crown to the short temple area.
Who it fits:
- Round face. For a round face type, the crop fade is the most suitable option;
- Square and rectangular face. Fade crop will emphasize the aristocracy of the face, making it even more masculine.
The worst faces for a crop with a smooth transition are oval and triangular ones.
A fade haircut is a versatile and contemporary style in which the hair blends smoothly and subtly from longer at the top to shorter at the sides and back. This article examines nine well-liked men’s fades to show how this style can be customized to fit a variety of tastes and hair types, from traditional to cutting-edge looks.
Pompadour
English fade pompadour. The Elvis Presley-inspired extravagant haircut known as a "fade pompadour" is combined with a gradient length transition. A medium or low fade works best for men’s pompadour haircuts because it highlights the voluminous crown without causing step transitions.
Who it fits:
- Oval and circle. Here you can experiment and use fades of different types;
- Triangle. A medium or low fade will do, and it is not recommended to leave the crown too long and voluminous.
For a pompadour with smooth transitions, square and rectangle are not the best options. It will make the face appear heavy and angular.
Age and social standing have no bearing on a fade pompadour; the shape of the face is the most crucial factor. The cut looks classy and semi-flashy, making it appropriate for both middle-aged and younger men.
Quiff
Quiff fade in English. A quiff fade has a short back and temples and an elongated crown. It resembles a pompadour, but because of the abrupt change in length, it appears more contrasting and is styled slightly upward rather than back. When combined with the fade technique, the haircut appears more adaptable and softer.
The short quiff, a youthful, sporty take on the hairstyle with a slightly shorter crown than the classic version, will look best with a fade.
Who will fit in:
- Square face. For the square type, fade quiff is the best option of all types quiffa. At the same time, it is better to leave the crown long to soften the angularity;
- Triangular face. Here the crown should be slightly deprived of volume, and the temples should be cut using the low fade technique, so as not to widen the upper part of the face even more;
- Elongated oval. A short quiff with faded temples will do.
Avoid this style if your face shape is round or classic oval.
Undercut
Undercut fade, English. A striking young haircut featuring a longer top and shorter temples is the fade undercut. Because the temples and back of the head won’t be completely shaved, a high fade will slightly soften the undercut’s main feature—a noticeable transition between zones. This makes a high fade ideal for an undercut.
Who will be appropriate:
- Round and square faces. Due to the volume on the crown, the contour is visually stretched, and shortened temples help not to add width to the face;
- Triangular face. Choose a short undercut with faded temples. This combination will help not to expand the upper part, but at the same time soften the corners.
Being mindful of volume in the crown area is important when wearing an oval face because it can stretch the silhouette and make it appear too long.
Platform
The term "fade flattop," which is short for men, refers to a men’s haircut with a smooth transition from a bald crown to short temples and a "bare" bottom. In contrast to the traditional flattop, its variation using the fade technique maintains the expressiveness of the crown while not producing such a stark transition.
A flattop can have various types of fades done to it; the contrast and overall boldness of the haircut will depend on this.
Who it fits:
- Elongated oval face. With a fade flattop, it will become less elongated and visually expand, approaching the ideal oval;
- Round face. Suitable if the haircut is long enough on the crown. The depth of the fade can be chosen at the discretion of the client or barber.
It is advised that people with different face shapes use caution when selecting this men’s haircut style.
Note that straight, stiff hair is required for any platform. Thin and wavy hair will not maintain the shape.
Half-box
A classic men’s short haircut known as a "fade half-box" features strands that gradually get shorter across the entire surface of the head. The half-box has a longer, more voluminous appearance than the box, despite the fact that it also gradually shortens the hair in two zones—the shortest at the neck and the longest on the crown.
For the half-box, the scissors fade technique works perfectly. It lets you keep the length while also adding smoothness and neatness to the hairstyle.
Who will fit in:
- Oval. Paired with a fade half-box, an oval face will become more expressive, and the features sharper;
- Circle. Men with round faces will receive a visual lengthening of the contour, and the previously mentioned expressive facial features;
- Square. It will look good with a fade half-box, but unlike an oval and a circle, on the contrary, it will become a little softer.
Executive
Executive, fade to English. Men’s medium-length hairstyle with a prominent side parting is known as the "fade executive." The traditional executive haircut has slightly longer temples and the back of the head; when combined with the fade technique, these features are greatly shortened, but the style’s main feature, the side parting, and its seamless transition are still present.
A low fade is used for an executive fashionable men’s haircut because it keeps the hairstyle’s businesslike and aristocratic vibe without making it appear sporty.
This type works well with any face shape, including round, angular, and elongated faces. It will look out of place when combined with sports imagery, but it will look perfect on businessmen.
Top knot
English fade top knot. Men’s haircut known as a "fade top knot" features a long crown of hair that is pulled back into a ponytail or bun, with the temples shortened. Complete shaving of the back of the head and temples is permissible in certain top note variations, but only in conjunction with a fade, which is always a gradual change in length. Various techniques are acceptable; a low, medium, and high fade will work.
Who will be appropriate:
- Round face. The haircut will make it a little more elongated, closer to an oval. Visually reduce the roundness;
- Oval face. Will maintain the correct proportions, emphasize the facial features, making them even more masculine.
Men with different face shapes should avoid getting the haircut to avoid ruining their appearance.
When paired with a fade, the top note appears polished and under control, making it appropriate for men of various ages, professions, and social classes.
Hair tattooing, a method for applying patterns and designs to the side or occipital regions, can be combined with fade top note.
Mohawk
Mohawk fade to English. A men’s haircut known as a "fade mohawk" features a long, bold crown and smoothly shaved temples. In contrast to a classic Mohawk, a fade Mohawk keeps part of the head covered by gradually shaving off the temples. A medium fade would look great to go with a Mohawk.
Who it fits:
- Circle. It will stretch the face into an oval and make it more dynamic;
- Square. It will emphasize brutality and masculinity, slightly stretch and, thus, visually narrow the face.
The worst shapes for a fade mohawk are angular triangles, extended ovals, and rectangles. For men who have a brutal type and large facial features, this haircut is ideal.
Questions
Do women’s haircuts use the fade haircut technique?
Yes, if we’re referring to short haircuts that allow for side or back area shortening, like the crop, undercut, or tomboy.
Is the beard and fade technique combined?
You should focus on the haircut’s style rather than the blend of beard and fade. A long beard, on the other hand, can balance out an undercut. A semi-box looks great with a short beard. A stylish beard complements an executive’s harmony. A long lumberjack beard will add even more originality to the top notes. This isn’t where fade comes in.
How can I describe a fade haircut to a hairstylist?
Choose the type of haircut you want first: a crop, a half-box, or perhaps a platform. Look up an appropriate image online using a search term like "crop fade." Select the option that best suits your needs from those offered, then take it to the barber. Alternatively, tell the master vocally which haircut you want to use for the fade technique.
It is always simpler to display a picture of the intended outcome.
What distinguishes an undercut from a fade haircut?
A fade, as we have stated previously, is a technique that complements an undercut among other styles. It is not a haircut. It is not entirely accurate to compare these two terms, therefore.
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| Haircut | Description |
| Fade | A fade is a type of haircut where the hair on the sides and back gradually tapers down to the skin. |
| Low Fade | This fade starts just above the ears and gradually blends into longer hair on top. |
| Mid Fade | A balanced fade that starts midway between the ears and the top of the head. |
| High Fade | This fade starts high on the head, near the temples, creating a bold contrast with the longer hair on top. |
| Taper Fade | A subtle fade that gradually tapers the hairline around the ears and neck, blending with longer hair. |
| Skin Fade | The most dramatic fade, where the hair fades down to bare skin, creating a sharp and clean look. |
| Bald Fade | Similar to the skin fade but with an even more pronounced blend |
A fade is a multipurpose style that can be tailored to any man’s individual preferences, making it more than just a haircut. There is a fade haircut that can work for your appearance, regardless of whether you like a high, dramatic fade or a low, subtle one.
The nine haircuts that we looked at demonstrate how a fade can give a traditional style a fresh, contemporary look. There are countless ways to personalize this look, ranging from the sleek and sophisticated appearance of a comb-over fade to the daring and edgy appeal of a mohawk fade.
Finding the ideal balance between what fits your face shape, hair type, and lifestyle is key when choosing a fade. It’s a fantastic method to keep your style current and unique while still looking great.
