Drop Fade

Photo @mehdi_farahh

A drop fade isn’t a haircut that is considered confusing.

It is a very popular style that a lot of men wear.

Actually, it looks very exquisite and delightful and can fit many occasions, but only if you choose it right.

As with many men’s hairstyles, this one is subject to improper selection.

If you go with one that doesn’t suit your facial features well or one that doesn’t match your style, you run the risk of ruining your entire look.

Of course, we don’t want that to happen to you so we have created a perfect guide with the best drop fade ideas out there.

After you are done with it, you will know exactly which one to choose and how to style it.

What Is Drop Fade Haircut

The drop fade haircut is a popular variation of the classic taper fade. And while it may look similar to the regular taper fade there are a few key differences in taper vs fade.

For starters, the drop fade is characterized by a sharp drop at the temples that creates a distinct line around the head.
This line is blended into the rest of the hair to create a smooth, seamless transition.

The result is a hairstyle that is both stylish and easy to maintain. And while it may take a little bit of time to get the hang of the drop fade, once you do you’ll be able to rock this look for years to come.

50 Most Popular Drop Fade Hairstyles

First, look at some of the most popular variations of drop fade haircuts. We listed 15 of the most popular and most stylish options below.
So, we’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance hairstyle or something that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Let’s see some of the drop fade and shadow fade styles to try:

Drop Fade Spikey Top

Spikey Top

Photo @erickgomezz1

If you’re looking for a hairstyle that’s both stylish and easy to style then this is the perfect option for you.
You need to spike up the top and taper the sides down into a drop fade to get this look.

This style works best with thicker hair, but if you have thinner hair you can still achieve the look by using some styling products.
Also, applying castor oil for thick hair will make your hairstyle even better in this case.

Drop Fade Pompadour Hairstyle

Pompadour

Photo @vadim_shifrin_barber

This classic hairstyle has been around for centuries and it’s still one of the most popular hairstyles today.
To style a pompadour, you’ll need to use some styling products to create height and volume at the front of your head.

Then, taper the sides down into a drop fade.

Drop Fade Quiff Hair

Quiff

Photo @vadim_shifrin_barber

The quiff is a classic hairstyle that can be styled in many different ways.
To get the look, you’ll need to use some styling products to create height and volume at the front of your head.

Then, taper the sides down into a drop fade.

Drop Fade Faux Hawk

Faux Hawk

Photo @barbershopindonesia.id

The faux hawk is a modern take on the classic mohawk hairstyle. To style a faux hawk, you’ll need to use some styling products to create height and volume at the front of your head. Another way to do a razor fade is to reduce the sides into a drop fade.

Buzz Cut Drop Fade Haircut

Buzz Cut

Photo @barbeariachoice

The buzz cut is a very short hairstyle perfect for those hot summer days.
To get the look, use hair clippers for fades to buzz your hair down to a very short length.

Then, you can leave the top longer or buzz it down. All in all, this haircut is made for those who are looking for a very low-maintenance hairstyle.

Afro Drop Fade Haircut

African Man Profile View

The afro is a hairstyle that is perfect for those with naturally curly or kinky hair.
Let your hair grow out to its natural length to style an afro and then use a wide-tooth comb to style it.

You can achieve the look by using a curling iron or hot rollers for those with straight hair.
After that, adding a drop fade effect to your hairstyle is an excellent way to make it even more stylish.

Drop Fade Ponytail With Undercut

Ponytail With Undercut

Photo @barbershopindonesia.id

This very trendy hairstyle looks great on both men and women. To get this look, start by shaving the sides of your head very short.
Then, pull the top half of your hair back into a ponytail. The result is a very stylish and modern look.

Drop Fade Razor Line Hair

Razor Line

Photo @yankitoz_thebarber

This is a trendy hairstyle for men. To get this look, shave a line into your hair.
This can be done with a straight razor or with electric clippers.

The line can be shaved into any part of the hair, but it is usually done on the sides or back.

Drop Fade Curly Top Hair

Curly Top

Photo @vbodnarr

This is a perfect hairstyle for men with curly hair. To get this look, shave the sides of your head short and leave the top long and curly.
This will give you a very stylish and modern look.

Also, consider applying some hair products like gel or premium hair cream for men to give your hair a more stylish look.

Drop Fade Slick Back Hairstyle

Slick Back

Photo @sami_barbershop

This is a classic hairstyle for men. To get this look, comb your hair and use a gel or pomade to keep it in place.
This style is easy to achieve and can be worn with any outfit. It’s also a real treat to see a man with a drop fade slick back hairstyle.

It simply tells that he is highly fashionable and knows how to take care of his hair.

Side Part Drop Fade Haircut

Side Part

Photo @yankitoz_thebarber

The side part hairstyle is very popular among men. Comb your hair to the side and apply a gel or pomade to hold it in place for this style.
You can wear this style with both elegant and casual types of clothes.

Hard Part Drop Fade Hair

Hard Part

Photo @yankitoz_thebarber

The hard part hairstyle is achieved by shaving a line into your hair and combing the rest of your hair over it.
This style is trendy among men who have a lot of hair.

The hard part hairstyle can be combined with other styles, such as the comb-over or the quiff.

Wavy Top Drop Fade Haircut

Wavy Top Drop Fade

Photo @barbershopindonesia.id

The wavy top hairstyle is perfect for men with wavy or curly hair. To achieve this style, let your hair air dry or use a diffuser to dry your hair. Once your hair is dry, apply a sea salt spray to add texture and wave to your hair.

You can also combine this style with the side part or the comb-over.

Drop Fade Crew Cut

Crew Cut Drop Fade

Photo @dynasty_barbers

The crew cut is a very short hairstyle that is achieved by shaving the sides and back of your head short and leaving the top longer.
This style is perfect for men who have a lot of hair or who want to achieve a very clean look.

Fade Design With Drop Fade

Fade Design Drop Fade

Photo @barberclipsbr

The fade style is a popular male hairstyle. This style is achieved by shaving the sides and back of your head very short and gradually fading it into the longer hair on top. You can also add a design to the fade to make it even more unique.

As you can see, there are many different types of fades that you can choose from.
So, if you are looking for a new hairstyle, you should consider getting a fade.

Hard drop Fade And Messy

Photo @yeganebarber

Bowl Drop Fade

Photo @vbodnarr

Drop Fade Blow Up

Photo @vbodnarr

Drop Fade Mohawk And Notches

Photo @shrunknheads

Tight Taper Drop Fade

Photo @shrunknheads

Drop Fade Side High Fade

Photo @everton_ruffino

Skin drop Fade

Photo @everton_ruffino

Hard Fade Cut Line

Photo @everton_ruffino

V-Shaped And Line Drop Fade

Photo @everton_ruffino

Drop Fade Combed V-Shaped

Photo @shrunknheads

Shadow Drop Fade Sign

Photo @barberclipsbr

Bleached Mohawk And Drop Fade Design

Photo @barberclipsbr

Mid Drop Fade

Photo @barberhiroshi

Side Part Drop Fade And Pomp

Photo @barberhiroshi

Low Drop Fade

Photo @sami_barbershop

Faux Hawk And Drop Fade

Photo @sami_barbershop

Bald Drop Fade V-Shaped

Photo @sami_barbershop

Double Notch Drop Fade

Photo @sami_barbershop

Fauh Hawk With V-Shape

Photo @sami_barbershop

Taper Drop Fade

Photo @sami_barbershop

Inducted Line

Photo @sami_barbershop

Drop Fade And Two Notches

Photo @yankitoz_thebarber

Drop Fade With V-Tail

Photo @yankitoz_thebarber

Totally Dyed Drop Fade

Photo @yankitoz_thebarber

Skin Drop Fade And Undercut

Photo @pjabreu

Swirl Bangs Drop Fade Hairstyle

Photo @barbershopindonesia.id

Drop Fade Fringe

Photo @isaacbarber7

V-Shaped Tail Drop Fade

Photo @shrunknheads

Fringe And Drop Fade

Photo @vbodnarr

Wavy And Texture

Photo @barberhdm3

Taper And Curly Top Drop Fade

Photo @barberhdm3

Clean Drop Fade

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Drop Faded Buzz Cut

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Zero Drop Fade Buzz Cut

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Shadow Drop Fade Slick Fringe

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Things to Consider When Getting Drop Fade Hairstyle

With that said, it’s time to see some of the most noticeable things to consider about drop fade hairstyle.

Let’s divide this part into several categories to give you the best insight into everything needed for this hairstyle:

Length of Your Hair

The length of your hair is the first thing you must consider before trying out this hairstyle.
If you have short hair, you can still get a drop fade, but it might not look as good as it would with longer hair.

On the other hand, if you have long hair, you can pull off this hairstyle easily. The longer your hair is, the better it will look with a drop fade.

Type of Your Hair

Another essential thing to consider is the type of hair you have. If you have thin or fine hair, a drop fade might not be your best option.
This is because the weight of your hair can cause the back and sides to droop down, giving you an unflattering look.

Furthermore, a drop fade will be perfect for you if you have thick hair. This is because your hair will be able to hold up the style well and it will also add some volume to your hair.

Products

Finally, you must use the right hair products to style your drop fade. You should use a light-hold gel or mousse if you have thin or fine hair. This will help to keep your hair in place and it will also add some volume to your hair.

However, pomade is an ideal styling product if you have thick hair. This will help to keep your hair in place and it will also add some definition to your hair. You should also use a good quality hairspray to keep your hair in place.

This will help to keep your drop fade looking sharp and it will also help to protect your hair from the elements.

Equipment

You will need the following equipment to style your drop fade:

  • Hair comb.
  • Hair brush.
  • Gel or mousse (optional).
  • Hairspray (optional).

Therefore, get the right kind of tools so you can quickly achieve the look you desire.

How to Maintain Drop Fade Haircut

Maintaining the drop fade hairstyle is not difficult at all. There are a couple of steps you need to take care of and everything will look neat and fine.

Therefore, let’s take a look at the guide on how to maintain a drop fade haircut:

Prepare your hair

The first thing you need to do is to make sure your hair is clean and dry. If it’s not, then you won’t be able to achieve the desired look.
Simply put, wash your hair with a quality shampoo and let it dry for a few minutes.

If you have a bit longer hair, you can use a blow dryer to speed up the process.

Gather the right kind of equipment

Next, you need to gather all the necessary equipment. This includes a comb, scissors, clippers and a trimmer.
Depending on the style you want, you will use either a trimmer, clippers or a pair of scissors.

But, the most important thing is to be prepared as you might need to go back and forth between the different types of equipment.

Start with the sides

Man Cutting His Hair With a Clipper

Once you have everything you need, it’s time to start working on the sides. The first thing you need to do is to use a comb to create a line. This will act as a guide for your scissors or best balding clippers.

After you have combed your hair into place, you can start trimming the sides.
If you are using scissors you need to be extra careful not to cut too much. Start with small cuts and work your way up.

If you are using clippers then you can go ahead and buzz the sides. Start with a longer setting and then gradually move to a shorter one.
Be careful not to go too short, as you might have an uneven look.

Move on to the top

Once you are done with the sides it’s time to move on to the top. Again, start by creating a line with a comb.
You can use the same comb to create a line in the back. When trimming the top, you must be careful not to overdo it.

Start with minor cuts and work your way up. Remember that you can always take off more, but you can’t put it back on once it’s gone.

Finish it up

After you finish the top, you can use a clipper to even out the sides and the back. You can also use it to create a fade effect.
Start with a longer setting and then move down to a shorter one.

Once you are happy with your haircut you can style it the way you want. You can use a pomade, wax or hair oils for thick men’s hair.
Drop fade haircuts are a great way to add dimension and style to your hair.

They are also relatively easy to do, so you don’t have to go to a barber whenever you want one.
With a bit of practice you should get the hang of it, and you can even get some ideas for a guide to beard fades.

FAQ

What is the difference between drop fade and high fade?

A drop fade is a type of fade where the hair is shorter near the temples and gradually gets longer as it goes down the head.

High-top fade hairstyles, on the other hand, are a type of fade where the hair is shorter near the temples and gradually gets shorter as it goes down the head.

What is a low drop fade?

A low drop fade is a type of fade where the hair is shorter near the temples and gradually gets longer as it goes down the head.
However, the length of the hair at the bottom is not as long as it is with a regular drop fade.

Are drop fade and mohawk the same thing?

No, drop fade and mohawk are not the same things. A drop fade is a type of fade where the hair is shorter near the temples and gradually gets longer as it goes down the head. A mohawk is a hairstyle where the hair is cut short on the sides and long in the middle.

Should I get a drop fade haircut?

There is no definitive answer, as it depends on personal preference. Some people may prefer the look of a drop fade, while others may prefer a different type of haircut. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to get a drop fade haircut.

What face shapes are suitable for a drop fade haircut?

Again, this is a matter of personal preference. Some people may feel that a drop fade looks good, regardless of their face shape.
Others may prefer to consult with a hairstylist to find out what type of haircut would suit their face shape best.

Conclusion

The drop fade is a trendy and stylish haircut that anyone can wear. It’s a great way to add some flair to your look and it’s also relatively easy to maintain. If you’re thinking about getting a drop fade, consider all the factors mentioned before making your final decision.

About the author: Vinnie - Barber

Vinnie is one of the members of the Beardoholic writers team. He’s also a barber and hairstylist for 15 years now and he has a kick-ass beard of his own, so he surely knows what makes a magnificent beard and hair and how to achieve them. He’s our go-to guy for all the latest beard and hairstyle trends and he always has a tip or two on how to grow and style a thick beard fast.

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