Best Fade Haircuts: Cool Types of Fades For Men in 2024

The fade haircut is probably, one of the most popular and always up-to-date hairstyles for men - and for good reason.Every decade showcases a new fresh version of a faded haircut. Fade hair looks super neat and clean: extremely sharp and edgy lines, artistic blend on the back and sides, the possibility to experiment with various trendy hairstyles like a comb-over, crew cut, Mohawk, pompadour, side part, and many others.The only drawback of these top fade haircuts is the fact they are very high-maintenance: most men with fades have to go to the barbershop every 2-3 weeks to maintain a clean look.

What Is a Fade Haircut?

@dani_fronteraaSo, what does fade mean in haircuts?Barber fading is the way the haircut gradually blends from long to short as it moves down the side and back of the head. Faded sides work great with all men’s hairstyles, for any taste and any occasion.In our gallery, you’ll find the best pictures of the latest fade haircuts for men with straight and curly, slick and textured, short and long hair, for a white man, and for an Afro guy.

Different Types of Fade Haircuts

What types of fade haircuts are there?Today, there are different types of fades that make men’s hairstyles so diverse. Here are the most adored types of fades:

• Classic Fade: Classically faded haircut implies skin taper at the perimeter hairline and an increase to about ¼-inch length at the parietal ridge.
• High Fade: In a high men’s fade haircut, the hair fades within 2 inches below the top of the head.
• Low Fade: In a low fade haircut, the faded areas are just around and before the neck and sides hairline; a temple fade is one of the varieties of low fade haircuts.
• Taper Fade: Unlike in drop fades, the hair goes gradually shorter down the back and sides of the head, tapers down to the neck.
• Medium Fade: In the mid-fade haircut, the hair on the sides and back is faded rather close to the skin below the temples area, from the middle of the head.
• Scissor Fade: Scissor fade haircuts for men are the most delicate, they are done without using a razor, thus the fade haircut appears to be rather smooth, without edgy details.

Let’s take a look at the best fade haircut variations in the gallery below:

Short Hair Fade Haircut for Men

@jessegreen_hairThe short fade cut usually implies a close buzz cut on top blending into zero-skin faded sides and back.In short all around fade haircuts, barbers tend to use chalk to emphasize their clean and edgy lines. They also sometimes opt for the Hair fiber spray to define the hairline and the areas of the hair that may be more sparse in a short top fade.

Cool Faded Sides Haircut for Guys

@z.bl3ndzA men's side fade haircut can look super fresh if you add some cool-shaven patterns or lines on the faded sides.This uptown fade hair solution allows for numerous experiments with your typical look. Also, creative and eccentric guys love this full fade idea for the possibility to highlight their unique authentic style even using popular fade haircuts.

Good Fade Haircut with Part

@edwardcutshairThis men's full fade cut incorporates several different techniques. The front is a bit longer than the back, the hairline is sharply cleaned up, the hair on top is swept to the side and sleeked with a sticky hair product.But the most outstanding detail of these fade haircuts is the clear side part.If you want your part more defined like this, ask for a «hard part», which is made with Razor or trimmers.

Regular Fade Haircut

@southsmooHere is another example of a simple, balanced, and versatile long-top faded sides haircut. Side fades with the long hair on the crown make a safe combination, and a full beard with a smooth transition is a stylish «extra» for the style.

Long Fade Haircut

@angel01.7This long top faded sides haircut makes the front pages of fashion magazines and tops the charts of trendy men’s haircut guides.If you’re looking for a stylish combo of fades with longer hair that rocks, such pompadour is your win-win option.Brush the hair upwards, keep it there with wax, create the texture with a comb, and fix it with a holding spray. High fades will look stunning with this crown solution.

1-2 Fade Haircut for Guys

@chris.hairxsonWhile dark hair and full beard add a brutal and masculine vibe to the image, the fades with light-colored hair appear much softer because of the contrast on skin.The faded beard starts from the fade around the ears.If your long hair gets unruly, try keeping them slicked back or make the layered hair texture.

3-4 Fade Haircut

@krispykonaThick hair makes a great fade, especially when kept pretty short.Crop the hair close in the center of the top, keep it longer at the front, and taper down the sides. Have the hairline edged for a sharp look - perfect for people with a low hairline.

Curly Hair Fade

@ferajnabarbershopCurly and wavy hair often makes a much more sophisticated and unique look than a classic medium fade haircut for straight hair. Define the curls with a texturizing product, sweep the hair on top forward, and keep your curly hair fade neat and clean to preserve that magic of natural hair carelessness and edgy skin fade combination.

Temple Fade

@mjn_barberA temple fade haircut demonstrates how small details can bring a really huge difference to your hairstyle. In this style, the hair on top is rather long, it’s styled in an unboring mullet-inspired way.The bald drop fade at the temples allows this hairdo harmoniously blend with the facial hair, frame the face, and even balance up the face shape.

Low Skin Fade

@hosseinsarvA low bald fade is a perfect frame for any hair length and cut you choose. Low fades bring some order to messy haircuts, and add some symmetry to irregular shapes. In this low fade haircut, the ducktail-inspired shape is also emphasized with the bleached and highlighted area in the middle of the top hair.

Pompadour Fade

@marekkrzyminskiCan we call a pompadour fade a longer and more posh variation of a faded crew cut? We bet we can! Since the algorithm of styling is pretty much the same, the visual effect you achieve with both is also similar: crew cut and pompadour faded haircuts look smart, businessy, classy, and masculine.

Low Taper Fade with Hair Design

@enzoblendzA low taper fade cut can look rather typical and even trivial. But if you play with a shaved-in design a bit, your low fade taper will be absolutely leveled up. Another experiment you can try on dark straight hair is sweeping it smoothly with a comb in a pot-like manner, adding some hair pomade for a slightly glossy effect.

Long Hair Fade

@adcutzTemp fade, mid fade, and low fade can perfectly frame all hair lengths including really long styles. The main advantage of long hair fade haircut men can get is that it allows you to tame those unruly baby hairs you inevitably have all over the hairline when growing your hair long.The main disadvantage is that you’re going to visit your barber every 2-3 weeks to keep that desired edgy effect in your skin fade haircut.

Beard Fade

@r.whitehouse_cutsSometimes, a drop fade haircut feels like not enough for a complete full-scale image. In this case, we would recommend you consider getting a beard fade as well. The basics of this hair fade twist are the same as in any line-up, but it technically is a line down. Let your high skin fade go down into clean-shaved line and gradually blend into a dense and thick but well-groomed beard.

Box Cut Fade Hairstyles

@barbersince98Wanna add some height and brightness to your fade hairstyle? Men with naturally curly Afro hair are lucky to try this high-top fade hairstyle AKA boxed hair cut.

Fade Design Haircut

@barber_indacutFade Haircuts with Lines are an example of hair art through which you can express your vision and identity. Hair designers can make various patterns from ordinary lines to complex pictures. Children especially appreciate this barber art.

Scissor Fade Haircuts

@hoppedndrewedFor a more careless, disconnected, and rebellious look, ask your barber to switch a razor to scissors to make not so «perfect» and natural fade.

Fade Back Haircut for Men

@hegenuine_barberMake sure that the back of your fade suits your head shape. Ask your hairstylist to choose between low, high, or V-shape, the best option personally for you.

Blurry Fade Hairstyle

@barbers_soulTo make your fade look softer and more blurry, play with crazy colors like blue, pink, yellow, or green.

Taper Fade for White Guys

@kelsiedwardsscissorhandsDespite faded hairstyles look not so dramatic on blonde hair, men with dark hair need to have their hair cut more often. That’s why white guys love taper fade so much.

Shade Haircut Fade Hair

@theprince.barbershopThis high fade looks like a shade of the side-swept glossy crown. It makes a cool visual effect that most guys love.WikiHow offers instructions for cutting a fade haircut by yourself. However, we recommend that you go to a professional for the best results. Esquire explains which products are the best to use for your hairstyle and type. Combine a fabulous cut with the right products for a look that maintains its appeal over time.

Classic Fade

@_jordanarellanoThere is nothing extra - just a classic drop fade with a sharp hairline and a fade beard as an option for a classic short hair gentleman look.

Classic Taper Fade Haircut

@the_shed_salonTaper Fade is a blend only on the neckline or sideburns. It's very much like a typically blended fade haircut, but here, the fade is only in those two areas, and the rest of the hair is the same length.

Bald Fade Haircut (Skin Fade)

@modernfreshfadesBald Fades or zero fades are generally only performed by barbers since this desired clean look requires the use of a straight razor.

Shadow Fade

@real_barbers_The hair in this men’s fade haircut gets progressively longer up to the crown. Chunks of hair are gathered with wax, creating a textured look at the top. This gives an edge to what would otherwise be a clean, sleek faded haircut style.

Low Fade Haircut Black Men

@omar_lbvThe shave of this low bald fade doesn't get super close until it almost hits the ear. In the back, the low drop fade is cut like a V. The side-swept crown creates a simple look with some edge for this short hair.

Burst Fade

@southtexblendzBurst Fade is very similar to Drop Fade: it copies the shape of the hairline but the Burst Fade features a half-circle shape by ear.

Drop Fade Haircut

@iam_breezythabarber_Drop Fade drops down in almost a U shape following the hairline instead of traditional straight across. Works as Afro fade and white people fade equally well.

Mid Fade Haircut

@barberwilliamsIf you want some movement to your hair, keep the wavy top directed away from your face. Add some natural highlights to emphasize the hair's texture in your medium fade haircut.

High Skin Fade

@magrao_hair_cutA high fade haircut blends quickly into short hair on the sides, making up a classic Caesar look with bangs or an eccentric slick-back.

Scissor Fade

@molliehammond1990For a softer look and less maintenance a faded haircut, barbers and hairstylists use a cutting comb and sheers instead of using clippers and a straight razor.

FAQ

What to Know about a Taper Haircut?

Before you get a taper fade haircut that gradually changes your hair length, check out a few things you should know:

• Cutting your hair into a taper cut will require regular visits to your barber for upkeep. Eventually, you’re gonna spend more money. Depending on the speed of your hair growth, you'll need every 2 - 3 weeks appointments to maintain the taper fade cut.
• Be prepared to see slightly different outcomes after each salon visit. However, you can use this as an opportunity to play with your fade slightly: what can differ is the length, the tapered neck area, the length of the bangs, etc.
• For perfect taper fade haircuts, you might need to apply more than one hair product. On shorter areas, you’ll want to give more hold and definition to your hair, while on longer top and bang areas, the aim is to give the desired shape and texture.
• A tapered cut can be annoying if you decide to grow it out.

What Do I Tell My Barber For A Fade?

For a start, you need to know the differences between a high fade, a medium fade, a low bald fade, a skin fade, a taper fade, and a scissors fade. Also, you need to convey how gradual and how short you want the back and sides be. Another thing to consider is the special features: the temples' style, a hard part, the beard fade.Explain to your barber your personal style, bring a picture reference with you, and the specialist will find the win-win fade haircut option for you on the intersection of your request, your hair type, and your face shape.

What Is The Best Fade Haircut?

Obviously, the best fade haircut is the one that goes in line with your hair type, face shape, and style. Make sure that you go through a thorough discussion with your barber before you agree on the fade type for your hair.

What is a 1 fade haircut?

The number 1 fade is a style where the hair on the back and sides is cut as short as about 3mm (since the number 1 guard equals 3mm). Like in any fade haircut, the length of the hair is gradually getting longer moving up the sides and back.

Is undercut or fade better?

Both fade and undercut styles help make your hair visually more voluminous. However, there are some cases when undercut or fade work better for specific hair type. For example, a fade is not always the best option for guys with thinning hair or receding hairline as it can push focus on fine hair.Still, the fade will work much better for smaller and narrower faces than the undercut. Thus, the main issue to consider when choosing your haircut should be how to flatter your facial features and shape based on the type of your hair.