80 Fade Haircut Types & Hairstyle Ideas (Definitive Hair Guide)

Fade haircuts are currently some of the most popular haircuts for young people.

They are fresh and make you seem very youthful, but at the same time they are versatile, as there are many fade haircut types.

With many fade variations it is easy to confuse and pick the wrong one.

So for that reason you have to know the difference, so you can describe to your barber what kind of haircut you want.

That way, he will know if you are looking for a taper or a fade.

12 Different Types of Fade Hairstyles

Scissor Fade

This type of fade is called a scissor fade because the barber uses scissors instead of clippers. It is a fade that is tailed based on your features. The barber will taper scissors around the nape and go through the length to get as close to the skin as possible.

Burst Fade

This type of fade is supposed to emphasize the hair on top. It goes a bit higher than other fade types and makes it seem like your hair is bursting from your head and coming out on top.

Low Fade

A low fade is a tidy option which is the most balanced of all fades. The length transition occurs on the back of the head, where the length increases towards the top. It results in clean sides but not bold ones. However, it is much more comfortable than a shadow fade haircut.

Mid Fade

The mid fade is supposed to occur within the area behind the ears as it requires more length than a low fade.
It is a balanced fade where you take the middle ground between a common and a high one.

As a result it possesses the best features of these two types of fades.

Taper Fade Haircut

The taper fade is a combination of tapered and faded hair. The fades on the back and the sides do not go as low as with other fades.
The scalp is invisible and the top is lowered a bit.

Temple Fade Hairstyle

A temple fade is supposed to add a modern twist to the standard fade. A barber is supposed to add an outlined finish around the temple area. You end up with a very sharp and neat look.

Skin Fade Hairstyle

This one is also called a bald fade and is a much bolder variation of the high fade. It comes with close shaved sides that fade into a hair up top. It works for any occasion and is a versatile type of fade, much more than a crop top fade.

High Fade

A high fade requires cutting most of the hair with hair trimmers on the sides and back as close to the skin as possible.
You will get a very tight finish and it will get you a very contrastive look. It is also one of the easiest styles to maintain.

Undercut Fade Hairstyle

An undercut fade requires shaving the back and the sides closely. The idea is to leave the most length up top, creating a dramatic look. A long hair undercut is a style that is one of the most requested ones by younger guys.

Drop Fade Haircut

This one is defined as a cool update for your hair. It drops behind the ears and creates an arc from the temples and towards the nape.
Also, it is easily combinable with other fade styles.

Bald Fade Hairstyle

A bald fade is pretty much self-explanatory. It is cut right at the scalp and works perfectly for those that want to bring their beards into perspective by breaking them off from the hair.

Top Fade Hair

The top fade is the one that is most appreciated among black men. It is the foundation of hip-hop culture, as people can make their hair look exciting while keeping it calm simultaneously. It is much harder to maintain than all the other fade types.

68 Best Fade Haircut Ideas

Now that you know the difference between many types of fades and when to ask for a low fade instead of a high fade we have some haircut ideas you can work fades into.

Side Part Fade

The characters in the Peaky Blinders show made the side part fade famous. Partings are very much alive now as they were in their 20s.
A fade worked into a side part is a modern twist on a retro style that can still be worn today.

Fade Haircut and Hard Part

A hard part comes as an edgier answer to all the parted haircuts that we have today. It comes with an enormous visual impact and gives a very detailed look. A bald fade on the sides will also share an added dose of boldness.

Fade Haircut Into Mohawk

Having a mohawk is a style with a statement. It is the antithesis of all the sexy whiteboy haircuts as it provides more boldness and attitude than any other style. A fade will tame it slightly, but it will still look badass.

Faux Hawk Fade

If a mohawk is too much for you, you can go with a more subtle version – The faux hawk. In this case, the fade needs to be less drastic, but you still have the option of picking the type of fade you think will work best.

Pompadour With Fade

A pompadour is a style that will never go away. The rockabilly-inspired look is still very much around and can be modernized by enhancing it with an appropriate fade on the sides.

Fade Haircut and Curly Undercut

Curly hair looks sexy and very appealing but is very hard to tame. It can be done with an undercut and a fade.
That way the hair that remains on top is the part that offers all of the charms.

High Top Fade Haircut

This one looks especially good on black men. Their natural hair type is brought into perspective with the high-top fade, as the best part comes on top.

Quiff Fade

Perhaps a tamed version of the pomp, the quiff is the style that has been worked into modern culture today.
It is a bit tamer than the traditional pompadour and more versatile. You can add a side fade to make it look drastically better.

Fade Haircut and Buzz

The buzz cut is one of those hairstyles that can look good on many and are very easy to maintain.
To give it more uniqueness it is best to work in a fade and perhaps add some design on the sides.

Long Top Short Sides

The long top with short sides is a go-to haircut for most youths today. It is similar to a French crop haircut but has more versatility as you can do whatever you want with it up top. A fade will add more prominence to the hair that you decide to go with on the top.

Faded Crop Haircut

Crop hair is the modern variation of Caesar’s cut. And it does fit the modern landscape a bit better. It works even better when you fade the sides giving room for the crop style to come out.

Fade Haircut and Comb-Over

The comb-over is what most kids these days are into. It is a retro style that was modernized with a fade on the sides to allow the hair on top to become the headpiece of the style.

Fade Haircut With Shaved Line

A fade can become even more dramatic when you introduce a shaved line. It is an abrupt separation from the fade part and the longer top, but it provides you with the dramatic look you’ve been yearning for.

Spiky Faded Haircut

Spiky hairstyles for men are already edgy on their own. Things can become much more dramatic with the addition of fade.
That way, the top spikes make the hairstyle stand apart from the others.

How to Style and Maintain

Now that you have all the knowledge and some style examples it is time to ask a barber to set you up with a fade.

Step 1 – Study some fade hairstyle examples

We’ve proposed some of the modern ones that you can see everywhere today and it is an excellent way to start.

Step 2 – Explain to your barber 

Be sure to use the appropriate terminology that we’ve explained and you can ultimately show them a picture of the style you are looking for.
Always be sure to consult with your barber about the maintenance of the style.

They will tell you when to come back for a touch-up and how to maintain it and style it in the morning after waking up.

Step 3 – Best products to use

Depending on the style you decide to go with, you are going to need to get specific products. If you have longer hair on top some styling cream will be very much appreciated, combined with some hair spray if you have long hair.

FAQ

Which fade haircut is the best?

It depends from person to person and the style one wants to get. Also, it will depend on your head shape and which works best for you.

What do I tell my barber for a fade?

You need to use specific terminology to explain what fade you want. The easiest way is to show them a picture of your desired haircut.

How long does the fade haircut last?

Depending on the style it can last somewhere between two to three weeks.