Fade haircut is a popular men`s cut in which the length of the hair reduces gradually from the parietal ridge towards the temples and nape. High fade is one of its trendiest variations. Highly popular among Asian, African-American and Caucasian men, high fade cuts transcend ethnicity and age. They’re inherently cool — high fades were spotted on Old Hollywood stars back in the day, and now they are rocked by young, hip men.
Different Types of Fades
First of all, let us introduce you several most popular fade haircut styles:
- Type 1. Classic fade haircut (or regular fade) — any haircut with gradually fading (disappearing) hair on the sides and back.
- Type 2. Taper fade — starts from the nape of the neck (not from 0), extends to the parietal ridge very gradually.
- Type 3. Shadow fade — very short hair on the sides and/or nape blends with longer top without a high contrast, reminds a very light shadow.
- Type 4. Skin fade (also bald fade or zero fade) — hair on temples and/or nape fades to bare skin.
- Type 5. High fade — starts from the parietal ridge, the longest hair is on the two-inch-high area at the top.
- Type 6. Low fade haircut — tapering begins very low, just above the ears.
- Type 7. Mid-fade cut (medium fade) — starts halfway up the head.
- Type 8. Temple fade (temp fade) — only temples are fading.
- Type 9. Drop fade — has an arc shape above the ears.
- Type 10. Scissor fade — a cut made with scissors, not with clippers.
Whether you are a White, Asian, Black or Latino guy fade will be always a right choice. You just have to choose the style that works for you. For example, low fades are best for oblong, triangular and diamond head shapes, mid fades look great with facial hair. High fades will suit square and round face shapes, look good only on scalps without lumps and bumps. Scissor fade cuts are a great option for specific head shapes. Let’s move on to fresh high fade haircuts for guys!
High Fade: Where Classic Meets Cool
Fade haircuts have evolved from classic tapers. But nowadays, the trend has become more diverse than ever, with men rocking longer (even curly) hair on the top of the head with contrasting shaved sides. In other words, the style can be worn in a multitude of different ways.
1. Longer Hair High Cut
Instagram / @javi_thebarber_
Once reserved solely for hipsters, faded haircuts with long hair on the top are now becoming more mainstream. It’s an incredibly flattering style, helping to elongate the face and emphasize a set of chiseled, masculine features.
2. Classic High Fade Haircut
With a subtle (but sexy) pompadour above the forehead, this zero fade comb over cut is a true classic of the high fade haircut. Brush back the hair with a wide-toothed comb, incorporating a modest amount of holding gel or spray for extra hold.
Instagram / @rpb_nq
3. Shadow Fade Haircut
Shadow fade haircut is a softer version of a normal fade, it is subtle and creates more natural contrast between hair lengths. Sometimes you can read that this type of fade is for curly hair. Definitely yes, but men with straight hair can try it too. In general, it is a great fit for any guy, especially for those who have sensitive skin and want to skip weekly trimmers.
Instagram / @cutsbyerick
4. Messy Blonde Fade Haircut
Although it’s most common to see longer hair of a high fade haircut slicked back into a pompadour, that trend is branching out quickly into mohawk-esque edgy styles. If you want to perfect your blonde fade haircut, use plenty of texturizing pomade to keep everything messy yet under control.
Instagram / @mensworldherenkappers
5. Fauxhawk with Side Part
Some of the best starter-styles for this type of look are those with a minimal amount of balding, no designs and plenty of hair on the top of the head that you can brush forward, sleek backward or spike up into a fauxhawk.
Instagram / @ambarberia
6. Forward-Combed Style
Of course, not all faded looks need to be combed backwards (their most popular form). Rather, some of the trendiest men’s cuts are now being combed forward on the forehead, almost in a Caesar-like style.
Instagram / @hayden_cassidy
7. Wild Pompadour Fade Cut
Assume all high fade haircut styles have the same appearance? Think again. Styles like this one push the limits of traditional styles, relying on a sky-high pompadour and precise line up to add drama. Use a strong hold gel for extra security.
Instagram / @wester_barber
8. Pompadour with Shaved Design
Don’t be afraid to shake things up (quite literally) – try a fade haircut with long hair on top and shaved designs on the sides. A shaven style is a perfect canvas for creating cool, intricate art.
Instagram / @_anthonybarber
9. Fauxhawk Spiky Hair Fade
A high taper fade mixed with a sky-high faux hawk is the definition of sexy hair, mainly due to its variety. Whereas the top of the hair is wild, the sides are shaved and more serious. This spiky hair fade is a perfect cut for a hip young man.
Instagram / @ambarberia
10. Disconnected Fade Cut
The edgiest haircut among fades is the disconnected fade. The definition is simple. “Disconnected” can be called any haircut that has dramatic length changes in the hair. See the example below.
Instagram / @jaysfades
11. Blurry Skin Fade
This high skin fade is the epitome of coolness, as the hair seems to move seamlessly from thick to thin with a line up perfecting the edges. Slick back your hair into a puffed-up pompadour with texturizing pomade and spritz with hairspray if your hair doesn’t hold a pouf well.
Instagram / @pjabreu
12. Fade with Faded Beard
The key to creating a stylish, sexy men’s fade haircut? Absolutely precise lines – you know, with a line up that looks as though the sides of the hair were shaped with a ruler. Make sure the hair on the top of your head isn’t cut any longer than one inch to get the closest crop you can.
Instagram / @barberobengie
13. Soft Blended Fade
One of the most popular hairstyles for men right now, the blended fade, is all about seamless transition of hair lengths, rather than a harsh, drastic shift in texture. This can be achieved by a talented barber with a sharp razor (and controlled hand).
Instagram / @l0u_da_barber
Related Post:20 Faded Mohawks: Awesome Is What They Are
14. Clean Cut Fade
Ideal for a job interview, Easter Sunday with grandma or even meeting her parents for the first time, this shaved faded cut projects confidence, class and professionalism. The cleaner and the tighter the overall appearance, the better.
Instagram / @pjabreu
15. Side Part Fade Haircut
Just because you’re wearing a fade haircut, doesn’t mean you can’t rock a side part too. In fact, hair parted toward the side can create a unique variation to the traditional “pomp” style you see often.
Instagram / @barberobengie
16. Undercut Fade with Braids and Bun
Guys, hear us out: braids aren’t just for ladies–you can rock them, too. As pictured here, braided hair can be worn with a high top undercut fade for a fresh, punk rock style. The best part? You won’t have to worry about styling the longer section every day.
Instagram / @andyauthentic
17. Flipped Up Buzz
With faded hairstyles, there are too many looks to choose from. One of the most-seen is a forward-combed, short cut crop, with ends above the forehead flipped up. This adds a certain amount of edge to an otherwise clean and simple cut.
Instagram / @hayden_cassidy
18. Fade with Curls
You’ve certainly seen this cut on NBA players. Curly hair fades with an afro top are an incredibly hot style right now, mixing together both natural black coils with clean sides and edges.
Instagram / @zackblendz
19. Straight High Top
When it comes to dramatic fades, the closer the top to the sky, the better. And while this particular style seems almost impossible to re-create, don’t fear the big heights. Just be sure to master hair-drying with a round brush and stock up on gels and hairsprays beforehand.
Instagram / @juanmapeluka
20. Dreadlocks Bun Style
One of the greatest aspects of high and tight fades is that the options for what to wear on top of your head are virtually limitless. If you want something bold and showy, go with dreads. Secure your braids near the crown of your head with an elastic, shaping a cool man bun.
Instagram / @wester_barber
21. Taper Fade with Part
This taper fade with part is both clean-cut and perfectly sculpted, making it incredibly sexy. Although it can be difficult to style, when the hair is particularly long and thick on top, you can experiment with a comb over that looks incredibly stylish and neat when paired with a line up.
Instagram / @javi_thebarber_
22. Extra Short High Bald Fade
Short, sweet and directly to the point, this high fade haircut with a chiseled beard is a very popular style for men who seek low-maintenance. The crew cut has always been in high demand, but now is the right time to give it a bald fade update.
Instagram / @zeke_the_barber
23. Long Hair Fade Cut
Long hair fade means that your sides will be extremely short (oftentimes trimmed to 0) and the top section will be super-long. To tame your locks wear them in a bun, ponytail or half pony. It`d be a good idea to hone your braiding skills too.
Instagram / @edwardklipperhands
24. Scissor Fade Cut
Scissor fade, as was told above, is chosen when a client wants to have a customed shape of the cut. It can be any type of the fade cut, but created using scissors, not clippers. What does a client get? Definitely longer hair at the sides, but the cut still has the tapered faded effect.
Instagram / @sanfranzcisco
25. Temple Fade
Temple fade cut is the best choice if you want to try fades but are afraid of major changes in your appearance. In temp fades only the sideburns are shaved off (partly or completely). Sometimes a small area by the ears is also trimmed.
Instagram / @miami_barber
26. Hi-Top Fade
The hi-top fade is a cool variation of the flattop fade haircut. As you see the sides are trimmed very short, the curly top is left quite long and has the flat geometric shape. Looks very interesting!
Instagram / @raelbronx
27. The So-Called ‘Uptown’ Fade
Does your girlfriend want to be in love with a criminal? Then the uptown fade is for you! Joking. But this cut is definitely masculine and sexy!
Instagram / @barber.streisand
28. High Fade with Textured Top
The style you see in this photo attracts attention thanks to two things: a very professional skin fade cut, and a long well-groomed beard. Moreover, steal the idea how to spike your textured top with a hair wax.
Instagram / @barberobengie
29. Box Fade Haircut
Box fade is more suitable for men with very curly and kinky hair. At both sides it looks as a normal fade. The top of the head has a specific shape – either a flattop or more customed that follows the natural curvature of the skull.
Instagram / @youngazbarber
30. Stylish Sharp Fade
If you like really sharp neat lines, try a fade haircut like this one, with fading sides, a line up and a long top section. The latter can be styled in a pompadour. To achieve the same sleek effect you will possibly need to combine several hair products. For example, the barber who created this look, used hair serum and styling pomade.
Instagram / @sky_salon
From extra-short to super-long and braided styles, there’s no reason why a high fade shouldn’t be your next go-to style. Of course, the main caveat with this style is the upkeep–be sure to visit your barber regularly to keep the look trimmed, tight and handsome.
