THE TOP 50 IDEAS TO STAY ON TREND
One of the hottest male trends is the fade haircut. But do you know what a fade haircut actually means? It refers to a gradient or tapering effect in English. In some regions, it’s also referred to as a taper. It’s the freshest and most masculine trend for the summer season.
A fade haircut is a distinctive style where the hair length decreases as it goes down; it’s longer at the top and gradually gets shorter towards the nape, sides, and sideburns. This creates an appealing and dramatic contrast, giving a “Forever Young” look.
The fade haircut has been around since the 19th century, gaining prominence with the invention of electric clippers. In the United States, the fade haircut became widely popular within the military during the 1950s, aimed at maintaining a uniform, sleek, and shared appearance among all ranks.
In contemporary times, renowned personalities in entertainment and sports have made the fade haircut a fashion statement. Stars like Justin Timberlake or Cristiano Ronaldo have sported this style, making it even more popular.
1. Low Fade – also known as “low fade”
The low fade haircut has been a trend since the 2000s, made famous by rappers and 90s stars. It offers a style that balances rebellion and classicism, with the hair on the sides of the head kept as low as possible, starting just above the earlobe. From there, it remains longer but without much height. It looks best if your hairline ends in a pointed shape.
2. Mid Fade or “Mid Fade”
The mid fade haircut, also known as “mid fade,” is special and one of the best to emphasize masculinity, preferred by barbers. It suits any face type and is only about 2 centimeters below the high fade, starting right at the middle cranial area. It’s the right cut to differentiate and balance the fades and works well for oval faces with a more modern style.
3. Mid Fade with Abundant Beard
Knowing that the mid fade is great for highlighting masculinity, pairing it with a full beard starting at the tips is an elegant alternative that will give you prominence. It provides a different look from every angle of observation, and you can play with the length and volume on the upper part for various styles (neat, rebellious, among others).
4. Mid Fade with Quiff
One of the most versatile options of the mid fade haircut is the cut with a quiff. It involves leaving a considerable volume of hair towards the front crown, which can be styled with hair products or gels when needed. It can even be accompanied by other colors if the client desires.
5. High Fade or “High Fade”
One of the most powerful cuts, as it starkly highlights the contrast of volumes between the lower and upper parts of the head. The hair is kept long and abundant on the top, and the gradient starts higher than the mid fade on the sides and back. Ideal for faces that want to stand out, especially round or square ones.
6. Fade with Braids and Coloring
Also known as “cornrows.” A low, mid, or high fade is applied on the sides and back, depending on the client’s face shape or preference, while leaving the crown with its original length (recommended to be at least 5 inches) to braid with definition. The braids can be styled with a French style, the most basic yet elegant design, making them more attractive by adding color.
7. Fade with Curls
Another popular haircut among men with wavy or curly hair. It offers the incomparable advantage of not having to style the sides of the head. The best thing about the fade with curls is that your style will always look fresh.
8. Mid Fade with Tuft and Short Beard
Elegant and attractive, the mid fade with a tuft and short beard is special for defining the face better. This cut suits those with good hair and beard density. The top part is left long enough with a slight backward fall. In the middle and sideburns, there may be a gradient or fade, with shaded highlights and well-defined beard lines.
9. Mid Fade with Curls, Abundant Beard, and Razor Design
If you want a casual and carefree style, the mid fade can be accompanied by curls on the top, which can be styled with different products like gels or fixatives. The beard should start from a faded point with defined lines and complemented with well-delineated razor designs.
10. High Fade with Design, Short or Medium Beard, and Cross Design
For an aggressive and original look, nothing beats a high fade without a tuft on the crown, faded on the sides and back. The beard starts at the fade with a side delineation and is abundant on the lower chin area. To stand out, a well-defined cross design on the sides made from the same hair is added. You’ll surely attract attention!
11. High Fade with Double Coloring on the Crown and Fade (Skin Fade)
A youthful and distinct design, the high fade is applied with a fade on the sides and back, and a slight gradient above the temple. The hair on the top is kept at medium length and finished with a double-color dye according to your preference.
12. Mid Fade with Spikes, Double Coloring, and Fade (Skin Fade)
The trend of dyed hair for men is here to stay. In this case, we have a mid fade with a fade on the sides and back, while the crown is styled in the form of spikes. To maintain this particular style, hair products or gels can be used, along with a combination of colors creating a different and unique style.
13. Mid Fade with Spikes, Coloring, and Razor Design
The most interesting aspect of this haircut is that it can be paired with voluminous spikes, which can be colored according to your preference. The sides are given a mid fade, sufficient to create a shadow effect on the short hair, with razor lines of your preferred design. The lower part can be further highlighted with a fading cut, completely defining the hairline.
14. Mid Fade with Coloring, Curls, and Razor Lines
A cut similar to the previous one, but instead of spikes, the hair is dyed with the coloration that you desire, recommended for those with curly hair. The sides have a mid fade, providing a shadow effect to the crown. It is in this area that razor lines are defined on the hair without extending to the back.
15. Mid Fade with Pompadour and Low Back Tuck
If you want to make an impression wherever you go, nothing beats the mid fade with a pompadour. On the sides, a mid fade with a low back tuck is done. The hair on top is left with considerable volume, allowing for versatile and eye-catching styling. You’ll stand out wherever you go, and you can complement it with a finely delineated and short beard.
16. High Fade with Fade, Razor Design, and Bangs
For those with a broad forehead, this cut is special. Long hair on the crown and forward, ending in bangs, and a high fade on the sides combining gradient and fade, and to up the ante, a razor design with V-shaped lines.
17. High Fade with Razor and Forward Straightening
A very clean cut, with a fade on the sides and a razor line defining the separation with the top, which may end in a pointed shape at the back. The top is accentuated with abundant straightened hair directed forward, ideal for emphasizing facial features.
18. Low Fade with Undercut Under the Quiff
This cut is versatile, allowing for a variety of final styles, and if paired with a short, defined beard, even better. It consists of a low fade with well-defined edges, even under the quiff. The top part has plenty of hair that can be styled forward with
19. Mid Fade with Curls Upwards and Medium Beard (Bald Fade Type)
Especially suitable for oval faces and dark hair, this mid fade is paired with curls pointing upwards on the top. The back ends with a slight drop, and the fade (bald) starts at the front near the temple. The lateral finish is almost skin-tight. You can combine it with a medium beard.
20. Hip Hop Fade
A special type of fade haircut, with a considerable amount of hair faded on the sides and well-defined edges. The principle of this cut is to keep it low around the ears and elongated in a pointed shape on the crown. A timeless, elegant, and cool style. Its aesthetic appearance is quite pronounced.
21. High Fade Undercut
The high fade undercut is characterized by abundant hair on the top and a short fade that gradually fades on the sides and back. It is a clean cut that allows you to forget about the sides and back, and also provides room to try a variety of top styles.
22. Mid Fade Combined with Comb Over, Highlights, and Beard
We find a fade haircut that stands out for its cleanliness and sharpness. The hair is clearly marked at the middle cut line on the sides. Below this line, a significant fade, and above it, a gradient that grows quickly. The top part has plenty of volume and can be highlighted with highlights. Excellent for experimenting with top styles.
23. High Fade with Samurai Bun
Accompanying a high fade, a samurai bun stands out at the back. This cut is special for those with straight or curly hair. A trend that has been gaining followers for a couple of years. It can be complemented with various types of beards.
24. Mid Fade with Side-Swept and Bangs and Beard
The side-swept or quiff will always stand out as a very masculine style. In this case, it is a mid fade with abundant volume on the top and a side-swept bang; almost a fade on the sides and short back fall. With a full beard, this fade haircut is a total symbol of masculinity.
25. High Fade with Razor Design and Beard
A haircut popularized among African-American descendants, it is a high fade with well-defined edges and a fade almost disappearing on the sides and back. The top part has short hair but still with plenty of volume. A medium beard on the sides and under the chin adds a special touch.
26. Skin Fade
A trendy, popular, and elegant cut among men that never goes out of style. It can be done with any of the three types (low, mid, or high fade).
27. Mid Fade with Razor Line Design
If you want a fresh and eye-catching cut, this mid fade with highlighted razor design is a trend that will make you stand out. You only need to concentrate on giving it your style on the top with good texture, and it’s comfortable for those summer days. Under the line, a shadow-type fade with pointed sideburns is highlighted.
28. Low Fade with Fade and Pointed Back and Razor Design
This haircut is quite common and timeless among young people. It stands out with abundant hair on top and a very low fade on the sides. The hair on top extends to the back, ending in a pronounced pointed shape.
29. Low Fade with Bangs
A special cut for those with a broad forehead. On the sides, a low fade almost fading, and at the back, it finishes in a pointed shape. At the front, it stands out with short or medium bangs that hang down, reducing the prominence of the frontal bone.
30. Mid Fade with Fade, Highlights, and Long Beard
A wonderful cut that highlights the top with a lighter dye than the natural hair color. A mid fade on the sides, and the beard starts in a pointed shape under the sideburns. The top part has abundance, and only some small portions are highlighted with dye.
31. High Fade with Drop and Forward-Styled Hair
A cut that looks elegant and fresh. It highlights having abundant hair on top that can be styled with various products. A medium fade on the sides will refresh your appearance. Another versatile cut that, besides having its own personality, will emphasize your facial features.
32. High Fade with Soft Fade and Long Beard
If you want your fade to be more noticeable, nothing better than this high fade cut, where the fade softens as it ascends. The top part ends in a long cut backward, with a medium drop.
33. Taper Fade or Mid Fade with Long Tuft
If you want a pronounced tuft, you can combine it with taper fade on the back and sideburns, keeping the hair low but enough to cover the skin. You can accompany it with shaved lines on the back or wherever you prefer. Now, if you want more freshness, a medium fade will almost fade, giving the tuft more prominence.
34. Various Types of Fades
In this case, we bring you 6 different options: mid fade with abundant top for a carefree cut. Mid fade ending in pointed shape, requiring considerable length and versatile for experimenting. High fade with bangs and lateral razor line. High fade with back drop and pointed tuft. Mid fade with upper highlights backward or high fade with ponytail and shaved design in the fade.
35. High Fade with Fade, Razor Lines, and Bangs
An excellent cut with linear details on the sides that stand out above the fade. The same lines mark the boundaries of the layers, and it ends on the top with a medium-low cut with a small bang forward. It offers a modern and radical style.
36. Low Fade with Highlights and Pointed Back
If you want your hair to stand out, a low fade cut with a smooth fade on the bottom and a prominent pointed back with a light-colored highlight is an elegant and trendy option. The natural color creates a sort of shadow for the highlight.
37. Bald Fade with Highlights
We have another cut that may seem similar to the Bald Fade mentioned before, but in this case, the attributes of the hair are highlighted with some upper highlights for a carefree, loose style, or also stylized with a tuft.
38. Mid Fade with Shaved Line and Highlights
The lines in fade haircuts have taken on a lot of prominence due to their versatility. In this case, a shaved line is made on the fade, which ends in a pointed shape at the back. It is recommended to have a low or medium fade on the sides and an abundant top for styling some light highlights. Ideal for dark hair.
39. The Best Fade with Tuft
Are you a fan of varying your styles? Then you need a fade cut like the ones shown in the photo. The difference? The style of your tuft. The cuts on top have a medium fade while those at the bottom have a high fade. Especially suitable for oval faces.
40. Top Fade with Highlights, Length, and Messy Style
Long hair, accompanied by a medium fade on the sides and ending in a drop at the back. The top part stands out with two-color highlights that you choose. Under the top, the natural color contrasts like a shadow.
41. Taper Fade or Mid Fade with Long Tuft
If you want a pronounced tuft, you can combine it with sides like the taper fade, which starts at the nape and sideburns without a gradient, with low hair but enough to cover the skin. You can accompany it with shaved lines on the back or wherever you prefer. Now, if you want more freshness, a medium fade almost fading will give much more prominence to the tuft.
42. Various Types of Fade
In this case, we bring you 6 different options: mid fade with abundant top for a carefree cut. Mid fade ending in pointed shape, requiring considerable length and versatile for experimenting. High fade with bangs and lateral razor line. High fade with back drop and pointed tuft. Mid fade with upper highlights backward or high fade with ponytail and shaved design in the fade.
43. High Fade with Fade, Bangs, and Shaved Lines
Excellent cut with linear details on the sides that will stand out above the fade. The same lines mark the boundaries of the layers and end on top with a medium-low cut with a small bang forward. It offers a modern and radical style.
44. Low Fade with Dyed Tuft and Backwards Pointed Tips
If you want your hair to stand out, a low fade cut with a smooth fade on the bottom and a tuft with highlighted tips in a light color is an elegant and trendy option. The hair contrasts with a dark dye that finishes in stylishly curved tips going backward with light colors.
45. Bald Fade with Highlights
We have another cut that may seem similar to the previously mentioned Bald Fade, but in this case, the attributes of the hair are highlighted with some upper highlights for a carefree, loose style or also stylized with a tuft.
46. Mid Fade with Shaved Line and Dyed
It can be said that the spotlight is on the hair dye. Nevertheless, the base of the cut is a mid fade with a line in the fade that runs all along the side, gradually fading away toward the back. The natural color creates a kind of shading for the dye.
47. Fade with Part, Long Tuft, and Highlights
The parts in fade haircuts have gained a lot of prominence due to their versatility. In this case, a shaved line is made on the fade that ends in a pointed shape at the back. It is recommended to have a low or medium fade on the sides and abundant hair on top to style some light highlights. Ideal for dark hair.
48. Best Fades with Tuft
Are you a lover of varying your styles? Then you need a fade cut like the ones shown in the photo. The difference? The style of your tuft. The cuts on top have a medium fade while those at the bottom have a high fade. Especially suitable for oval faces.
49. Top Fade with Highlights, Length, and Messy Style
Long hair, accompanied by a medium fade on the sides and ending in a drop at the back. The top part stands out with two-color highlights that you choose. Under the top, the natural color contrasts like a shadow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a fade haircut?
A fade is a primarily male hair cut style that features a gradient effect along the contours, being shorter at the lower part of the skull and longer on top. The longer top offers various options for styling, from natural and tousled to well-groomed and refined. It’s one of the coolest and most versatile haircuts for men, but it also requires good maintenance to keep it looking its best. The fade cut is especially popular among young people (aged 18 to 35) and, according to hairstyling professionals, it remains fashionable at all times.
What are the types of fades?
Fade haircuts can be combined with other cutting styles. The main types of fades include:
- Low, mid, and high fade
- Taper fade
- High top fade
- Bald fade
- Skin fade
- Razor fade
What does a skin fade haircut look like?
A skin fade involves creating a gradient effect starting very low on the neck and sides and gradually leaving more hair on top. This cut can be achieved using clippers, scissors, or a razor. The volume on top can vary in length and according to the client’s preference. Its main advantage is its fresh, comfortable, and hygienic nature.
What tools are needed for a fade haircut?
Although a fade haircut is relatively easy to achieve (using scissors or clippers), the technique has been refined over time for a cleaner and more polished appearance. The recommended equipment and implements for hair professionals include:
- Electric hair clippers with numbered guard combs
- Some manufacturers offer specialized clippers for fade cuts
- Professional scissors
- A brush for cleaning up the gradient (special tool)
Which face shapes suit a fade haircut?
This is a great question. While a fade haircut can suit any face shape, certain face shapes are particularly complemented by specific types of fades, as follows:
- Oval faces (one of the most common face shapes) can rock any type of fade, as all types look great on this face shape.
- For round or circular faces, more pronounced fade types, especially high fades, are most suitable.
- Rectangular faces benefit from medium fades, with a proportional gradient from the lower to the upper part.
- Square faces, with their more masculine and strong features, are recommended for high fades on the crown with more volume in the central upper part.
- For triangular faces, it’s best not to cut the sides excessively short.