39 High Fade Haircuts For Men

The high fade is a modern haircut for men who want a low-maintenance and cool style that makes a bold statement. Sleek and modern, the high fade haircut can be a stylish choice on the sides and back of the head that maximizes contrast for an edgy touch.

Fade haircuts are determined by where the fading starts and how quickly the tapered sides get shorter. Whether you have short, medium or long hair, these cool high fade styles can take your look to the next level. You can ask your barber to cut a high taper, undercut fade or skin fade to suit your look. Add a line up, hard part or hair design for a unique and trendy cut.

For inspiration, here are the best high fade haircuts for men that will transform your style.

What Is A High Fade?

A high fade is a modern and daring cut for men that tapers quickly on the sides and back to achieve a very short style. With so many different types of fades to choose from, the high fade haircut may be the boldest option. Guys can add a high fade haircut to any classic or modern hairstyle.

From a side part to a comb over, slick back, faux hawk or quiff, a clean high taper fade style can make all the difference.

A good high fade also works with all face shapes, lengths and textures, including straight, thick, thin, wavy or curly hair. A very short fade can even minimize a receding hairline or bald spots and focus attention to the styling on top.

High Fade Haircuts

High Taper Fade

The high taper fade is a fresh cut that looks stylish and professional. The high taper fade haircut starts near the top of the head and gradually tapers down the sides. You can ask your barber for a high fade with a number 0, 1, 2, or 3 clipper size.

Since the high fade blends the hair on top quickly, the result is usually a high-contrast tight look. This cut can be combined with short and long hairstyles. From the classic comb over to the modern quiff, slick back, crew cut, or buzz cut, the high taper works with a variety of cool styles.

You can even add a part or shaved line with your taper fade to tailor the styling. The high taper fade is a low-maintenance, clean haircut that styles great on all guys regardless of age.

High Skin Fade

The high skin fade is one of the best short haircuts for men. The skin fade cuts the hair on the sides and back down completely, blending the short hair into the skin. After your barber trims down your hair with clippers, he/she will use a razor or number 0 trimmer for a clean shave finish.

The buzzed sides are flattering, and the high skin taper thoroughly emphasizes the hairstyle on top. However, guys should beware that a skin tight fade will expose a lot of scalp. As a popular barbershop haircut, the men’s skin fade is trendy all around the world.

If you want to stand out in any crowd, a skin fade with longer hair may be a good choice. Try a high skin fade comb over, pompadour, quiff, French crop, faux hawk, or spiky hair. The possibilities are endless so experiment with different styles.

High Fade Undercut

The high undercut fade is one of the top new haircut ideas for men. The faded undercut combines two very popular ways to cut hair – the undercut and fade.

Sexy and fashionable, the undercut offers a short haircut that is all one length on the sides and leaves your hair disconnected and distinct. Undercut hairstyles very much focus on the longer styling on top.

When paired with a taper, the undercut high fade blends the buzzed sides. Like other fade haircuts, you can choose a skin or taper fade. The undercut generally features styles like the slick back, quiff, pompadour, faux hawk, fringe, side part, or man bun.

Nevertheless, short messy cropped hair and textured side swept Ivy League hairstyles are doable as well. Add a full beard for a masculine finish.

High Bald Fade

The bald fade is just like the skin taper fade. The bald fade buzzes hair down to the skin and ends with a shaved finish. Because the high bald fade is fresh and clean-cut, guys with wavy or curly hair often trim their sides super short for an easy to get, simple to style look.

Ultimately, the bald taper fade is edgy and badass, and looks good on most modern hairstyles. Try it with curls, waves, long slicked back hair, a pompadour, blowout, fohawk, short fringe, or spiky hair.

High Fade with Short Hair

A high fade with short hair can be simple to cut and style. A high taper fade haircut on the sides offers the necessary contrast needed to make a short haircut on top look stylish.

Some popular cuts include the buzz cut fade, a crew cut with a side swept fringe, textured French crop, short spiky hair, high top, and a classic side part. For a very short style, try a high and tight.

To make your hair look thicker and fuller, even if you have fine hair, style with matte products. We recommend brands like Baxter of California, Layrite, Suavecito, and Smooth Viking.

High Fade with Long Hair

The high fade with long hair on top is one of the best haircuts for men. A long hair fade is generally versatile, allowing guys to style a number of popular looks. Good hairstyles like the comb over, faux hawk, quiff, and brush back require short sides and longer hair.

If you want a hot haircut style but need the flexibility of styling your hair differently throughout the week, choose a taper fade with longer hair. For guy haircuts that need a high hold to keep in place all day, apply a strong pomade from the likes of Suavecito or Baxter of California.

On the other hand, for a textured finish that looks natural and maximizes volume and flow, use a top-rated styling cream or clay.

High Fade with Part

If you want a unique cut, try a high fade with a part. The most common version is the side part and high fade. As a modern business professional hairstyle, the side part fade can be made to look cool and bold with a shaved line.

However, it’s important to note that guys can ask their barber to add a part to any fade haircut. The end result is universally a sexy style that’s on-trend.

High Top Fade

The high top fade continues to be a great haircut for black men. Reminiscent of the golden era of hip-hop, the high top can be paired with all types of fades. Naturally, this rebellious and edgy look styles best with a high fade on the sides to accentuate the longer hair on top.

While more common as a hairstyle for black hair, guys of all races and ethnicities should try the high top fade haircut for a sleek style. All the high top hairstyle really needs is for you to brush your hair straight up and make it stand tall.

High Side Part Fade

The side part fade is the modern version of the classic parted hairstyle. Timeless and sophisticated, the side part has traditionally been a proper gentleman’s haircut. Today’s man needs a trendy cut, and that requires short sides.

The side part with fade hairstyle fits the mold, offering guys a versatile look that works both professionally and casually.

High and Tight Fade

The high and tight fade is a military haircut that looks best with a high fade on the sides and the back. The primary feature of the high and tight is very short hair all around, and to make this work, your barber will generally give you a high bald fade. The buzzed top is low-maintenance and easy to style, meaning guys can cut the high and tight haircut at home.

Using good hair clippers and a number 2 or 3 clipper guard, buzz your hair all over. For the sides, remove the guard for a skin tight fade or change the clipper size down to a number 1.

The contrast between sides and top makes this a simple yet good-looking cut. Get the high and tight fade hairstyle in the summer to keep cool.

High Fade Comb Over

The high fade comb over is a stylish men’s hairstyle that’s been trending strong in recent years. The comb over offers a clean and simple style that exudes class. However, the comb over haircut can be customized to fit any number of men’s styles.

For example, the high skin fade comb over can be a sexy bad boy look or style perfectly for guys who have receding hairlines. Similarly, you can ask your barber to shave in a hard part where you would naturally brush your hair to one side.

To do a cool comb over, use a matte hair product for a textured finish. Hairstyles are trending towards natural styling to enhance volume and flow, so comb your hair over and keep it in place with a low shine pomade, medium-hold wax or light-hold cream.

High Fade Pompadour

The high fade pompadour remains one of the coolest hairstyles for men. Like the comb over, the pompadour fade is an amalgamation of a classic style – the pompadour – with a modern cut – the fade. With a poof in the front that gradually brushes hair back, the pomp fade originally was a hipster haircut that became popular with all guys.

Men can style a long or short pompadour, and choose an undercut or different types of fades on the sides. The hottest variation these days is the high skin fade pompadour for a super smooth finish.

High Taper Styles

The high taper haircut gives guys a balanced cut on the sides. The high taper trims the sides short, but doesn’t fade into the skin. Clean-cut and handsome, the classic taper is just a more conservative haircut for guys who don’t want to expose their scalp and simply need a timeless boy-next-door look for all occasions.

High Drop Fade

The high drop fade features a curved cut around the sides and back. The drop fade haircut tapers the hair high like a traditional fade, but then curves and drops down to the neckline in the back. Instead of straight faded sides that go all around at the same level, this gradual blending of the hair downward creates a unique styling. The drop fade, much like the burst fade, can add a special look to any new men’s hairstyle.

High Temp Fade

The high temp fade is a very cool haircut that focuses around the temples for an extra level of pop. Temp fades create distinct and sharp edges and lines around the temples for a super fresh look.

Generally, the temple fade works best for black men’s hairstyles, but can be adapted with almost any style. If you want a defined and tight high fade, talk to your barber about this cut.

Curly High Fade

The curly hair high fade makes it easy to get and style the best curly hairstyles for men. Because waves and curls can be frizzy and hard to manage, guys with curly hair often pick short haircuts.

With a curly high fade, your sides will be faded and the short to medium hair on top can be styled with a curl-enhancing product. The end result is a great-looking curly haircut that minimizes frizz and keeps kinky hair looking stylish and controlled all day.

High Fade with A Line Up

The high fade haircut looks hot and sexy with a line up. Also known as a shape or edge up, the line up cleans the hairline along the forehead and temples, shaping the hair into angular and precise cuts.

More common with modern haircuts, a high skin fade and line up make for an excellent addition to any men’s style.

Dreads with High Fade

Dread hairstyles are trendy and fun, and can be styled upright and messy, in a ponytail, man bun, or top knot. As popular hairstyles for black men, dreads are often accompanied with fades.

For good contrast, we highly recommend dreadlocks with a high fade on the sides. You can opt for a high bald fade, shaved sides or shape up for an extra outgoing look.

Braids with High Fade

A high taper fade with braids allows your braided hairstyle to take center stage. Also known as cornrows, braids require creative weaved locks to fashion an awesome design. To accentuate the awesome hairstyle, most guys choose to get braids with a taper on the sides.

Slick Back with High Fade

The high fade slick back offers a modern variation of a classic hairstyle. Slick back hair has been a classy yet exciting hairstyle for generations. More recently, hipsters popularized the slicked back undercut. The slick back high fade delivers an alternative that is just as edgy and cool. Iconic and sleek, guys should try the slick back fade to elevate their current style.

Short Fade on Sides with Long on Top

A short high fade on the sides with long hair on top provides the basis for many of the best men’s haircuts. A good fade haircut emphasizes a guy’s hairstyle, and with some length, men can style the hottest classic and modern looks, including the man bun, top knot, and male ponytail.

Military High Fade

The military high fade may be the perfect haircut for guys who want a low-maintenance, simple style. Whether you want a buzz cut, brush cut, crew cut, or flat top, a high skin fade can complement any military hairstyle.

High Taper Fade Afro

The taper fade Afro is another fresh black men’s hairstyle that looks better with a high fade. While the Afro features black kinky hair that is blown out and puffed up on top, the high taper gives guys a short, smooth cut on the sides for definition.

Wavy Hair with High Fade

The wavy hair fade gives guys texture and flow while the faded sides ensure a clean, easy-to-wear cut. And while men with wavy hair may be annoyed by how difficult it can be to manage and style waves, the truth is that wavy hairstyles deliver a unique dimension few guys can replicate.

Depending on the wavy style you want, a strong hair product could be all you need to achieve the comb over, slick back, crop top, fringe, spikes, or side part you want.

Faux Hawk and High Taper Fade

Get a faux hawk and high tape fade for a close-cropped badass haircut. If the mohawk is too intense, the faux hawk fade may be the ideal alternative. With spiky hair on top that is pushed towards the middle of the head, the high fade faux hawk hairstyle looks bold and daring.

Crew Cut and High Fade

The high fade is a natural fit for the crew cut. With short hair on top, guys need a way to create contrast and avoid an one-length haircut all around. The high skin fade crew cut offers buzzed sides and requires no styling. Just leave your hair textured and messy, or apply a matte styling product and brush your hair forward for a trendy French crop.

French Crop Top + High Fade

The French crop has become one of the hottest men’s hair trends across Europe, and the cut is slowly growing in the United States as well. Much like a crew cut, the hair on top is cropped short, leaving a slight fringe in the front. The high fade generally pairs nicely with the short haircut. And if you’re feeling adventurous, ask your barber about a razor bald fade.

The best way to style the crop top is to use a good pomade, wax or cream and comb the hair forward for a textured finish. Similarly, guys can choose a more messy and disheveled look for a casual yet popular hairstyle.