59 Best Fade Haircuts: Cool Types of Fades For Men (2021 Guide)

Fade haircuts are among one of the most popular hairstyles for men, in part due to the many different types of fades you can ask for. Furthermore, modern men’s haircut styles have been focused on a fade with long hair on top. Whether you want a low, mid, high, taper, bald or skin fade haircut, faded hairstyles have something to offer every guy, including White, Black, Latino, and Asian men.

Moreover, where you ask your barber to start your fade isn’t the only factor that affects the kind of fade you get. Men can choose from a razor, bald or skin fade as well as temp, burst, drop, flat top (box) and high top variations. Ultimately, which short fade haircut you try depends on the type of cut and style you desire.

To inspire your next cut, we’ve compiled a guide to the best best fade haircuts for men to get right now.

Contents

1 Best Fade Haircuts
2 What Is A Fade Haircut?
3 Taper vs Fade
4 Different Types of Fades
5 How To Get A Fade Haircut
6 Top Fade Hairstyles

Best Fade Haircuts

If you’re looking for the best fades online, we’ve compiled a collection of cool fade haircuts and hairstyles to help you learn the difference between high vs low, skin vs razor and classic vs. modern cuts.

Between the different top men’s fade haircuts and the hairstyles that look good with a fade, you’ll find everything you need to know before your next visit to the barbershop!

What Is A Fade Haircut?

The fade haircut, also known as a taper, involves gradually cutting the hair on your back and sides shorter as it gets closer to your neck. By blending and fading the hair on the sides, from long at the top to short at the bottom, your barber can taper your fade cut into your neck and sideburns.

The most common way to cut a fade is with hair clippers. Using different haircut numbers or clipper guard sizes, your barber will start with a longer length and slowly trim down your sides, back and neckline.

This gradual and seamless shortening and buzzing makes learning how to fade hair one of the most difficult parts of becoming a barber.

Taper vs Fade

Although most men and barbershops use the terms “taper” and “fade” interchangeably, technically, tapers and fades are different haircuts. Generally, the difference between a fade and taper is that the fade haircut generally blends down to the skin while the taper still leaves some hair, albeit very short.

Although both are blended and apply the same concept of trimming hair shorter and shorter, the taper doesn’t cut down to the skin and is therefore a more understated cut and style. Ultimately, the longer hair on the sides exposes less scalp and is therefore less edgy.

For older men or business professionals working in offices that require a more conservative look, a taper fade haircut may be appropriate.

Just remember that a taper fade or scissor fade is different than a classic tapered haircut, which is a scissored cut on the sides that does not use hair clippers at all.

Different Types of Fades

As you can see, there are many different types of fades. And as a low-maintenance and versatile haircut that offers contrast but requires no styling, almost all the best short sides, long top hairstyles require some kind of faded or tapered cut.

But with numerous types of fade haircuts to choose from, the challenge can be telling your barber the exact faded cut you want! Here are some of the most popular kinds of fades to get right now!

High Fade Haircut

The high fade begins this tapering process near the top of the hair, creating a marked contrast between the longer hairstyle on top and the short sides.

Similarly, because the cut starts at the highest point on the side of your hair, the high fade haircuts also forces more contrast for a stronger look.

In the end, high fades are a good cut if you want more emphasis on your hairstyle, especially if you’re getting a short look on top as well.

Low Fade Haircut

The low fade is the opposite of the high fade and starts your tapered cut just above the ear and neckline. With less contrast and more texture on the sides, low fade haircuts are great for medium-length to longer hairstyles that require a thicker look.

Similarly, guys can always ask their barber for a faded beard or to buzz down to the skin for a somewhat gritty finish.

Low fades work best for office settings and traditional hairstyles, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.

Mid Fade Haircut

The mid fade starts in the middle of the head. Also called a medium fade, your barber will begin trimming halfway up your sides and back for a soft look.

If you aren’t quite sure about the high or low fade cuts, then mid fade haircuts provide versatility.

Plus, medium fades work with almost all the same cuts and styles as the other types, giving you the best of both worlds.

High vs Low vs Mid Fade

In short, the high fade haircut for men is an extreme, noticeable look. It begins high up on the head and the hair tapers faster towards the neck. In contrast, the low fade is a subtle effect that takes place only at the edges. The taper is barely noticeable in some low fade haircuts for men. And finally, the mid is somewhere in between.

The bottom line is, when comparing high vs low vs mid, it’s all about your personal style and needs. If you’re asking your barber for a fade but aren’t sure what kind is good for the hairstyle you want, ask for a recommendation.

Bald and Skin Fade Haircut

The skin fade, also known as the zero and bald fade, is a haircut that pushes the fade to its limits. Rather than simply fading down to very short hair with the shortest clipper size, the bald fade haircut requires a trim right down to bare skin.

To achieve a zero fade haircut, your barber will either use no guard, an outliner, or a specialty shaver.

One way to get a really bold cut is to ask for a high skin fade or a bald temp fade. Likewise, a mid or low skin fade is also a worthwhile option if you want your sides shaved down for a high-contrast finish.

While the look can be flattering in combination with the latest thick hairstyles for men, without longer hair on the top of your head, exposing a lot of skin could look too severe.

Undercut Fade

The undercut is much like the fade – it involves short hair at the sides of the head and around the back. Although most undercut hairstyles are cut very high and trimmed all one-length, the faded undercut combines the two styles.

The men’s undercut fade shortens very quickly and suddenly, and then tapers gradually. Guys can get a high, mid, or low undercut fade to suit their hairstyle.

The undercut fade has been trending strong in recent years. If you want a short haircut that is stylish and easy to wear, the undercut is always a good choice.

Ask your barber if a short fade undercut is right for your look and try out this awesome cut!

How To Get A Fade Haircut

To ask for a taper or fade haircut, first decide where you want the fade to begin – high, low or mid. Then you’ll want to determine how short you would like your hair to get, and where you want the tapering to be the most noticeable.

All of these elements will help tell your barber exactly what kind of fade you would like. The more precise you are, the more accurate your barber will be at delivering your wishes.

Top Fade Hairstyles

With so many fade hairstyles, guys can have a tough time choosing which haircut to get. From the side part fade to pompadour fade, check out these awesome and sexy faded haircuts that transcend hair type, length, and texture!