Slicked Back Haired Man Touching His Curly Beard

The term “fade” means blending hair of varying lengths. The fade graduates from the ears and neck, creating a smooth transition from very short hair on the back and sides of the head to longer hair on the top. In a high fade the graduation starts high up the head.

A high fade can be combined with any other haircut on the top, including a crew cut, slick back, undercut, a pompadour, faux hawk or anything else you want.

50 Most Popular High Fade Hairstyles

Wavy Top High Fade Haircut

Wavy Top

Photo @kalin_barber

Short sides long top haircuts are in vogue. And, if you have curly or wavy hair, adding a high fade will draw attention to your curly top locks while keeping them tamed.

Textured Crop High Fade Haircut

Textured Crop

Photo @pjabreu

If you want to keep your thick mop the textured crop haircut with a high fade is a great, versatile look.

Buzz Cut High Fade Haircut

Buzz Cut

Photo @pjabreu

The combination of the “old school” buzz cut and the modern high fade gives you a sharp and trendy style that you can flaunt around town.

Lined Up High Fade Haircut

Lined Up High Fade Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

A lineup paired with a high fade adds definition and sharpness to any haircut you’re sure to love.

Crew Cut High Fade Hairstyle

Crew Cut High Fade Hairstyle

Photo @pjabreu

Crew cuts are easy and clean. And a crew cut combined with a high fade looks equally cool at a party and the workplace.

Pompadour High Fade Haircut

Pompadour High Fade Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

If you love the classic “rock and roll” pompadour hairstyle of the 50s, you can give it a modern twist by combining it with a trendy high fade.
The pompadour hairstyle needs time and effort to maintain, but you can easily do it using the best styling hair creams.

Slick Back High Fade Hairstyle

Slick Back High Fade Hairstyle

Photo @pjabreu

The slick back hairstyle is a timeless, classic style. And you can elevate the stylishness and sophistication of the look with a high fade.
Use premium hair oil for men to maintain the slick back style.

Tapered Cut

Tapered Cut

Photo @dynasty_barbers

When you consider taper vs fade the basic difference between the two is in length. And a tapered cut finishes around the ears and temples combined with long hair at the top, which you can style in different ways.

High Top

High Top

Photo @pjabreu

The trendiest hairstyle in the 80s and early 90s, the high top seems to be making a comeback.
And, when you add a high fade to the mix, you get a super trendy and modern hairstyle.

Comb Over High Fade Haircut

Comb Over High Fade Haircut

Photo @j.d_barber

You will love the comb-over style combined with a high fade if you have thinning hair. The comb-over adds volume and the shaved back and sides give you a stylish look you want. You can use the best hair tonic to style your hair and get fuller hair with supplements.

Skin Fade High Fade Hairstyle

Skin Fade High Fade Hairstyle

Photo @pjabreu

If you want to sport a sharp, bold look, a high bald fade or a high skin fade is the perfect haircut, especially for men with thinning hair. DHT blockers stop hair loss and make your hair appear fuller.

High and Tight High Fade Haircut

High and Tight High Fade Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

If you are looking for a minimalist, yet stylish haircut, then the high and tight style is the perfect one that will give you a polished and neat look.

Long Top

Long Top

Photo @pjabreu

A high fade with very short sides and back, combined with a long top, is a prominent, striking and low-maintenance hairstyle.

Undercut

Undercut

Photo @pjabreu

Emerging as a popular hairstyle across the globe, the undercut has long hair on the top, which you can style into a pompadour, quiff or the ultimate fuckboy hairstyle, a slicked-back undercut.

Hard Part

Hard Part

Photo @pjabreu

A high fade style, combined with a hard part, gives you a simple and discreet style that is professional yet stylish and trendy.

Quiff

Quiff

Photo @pjabreu

If you have a high forehead a quiff is the best style to show it off. And, when combined with a high fade, you have an uber-cool kind.

Curly Top

Curly Top

Photo @pjabreu

If you have curly hair then a curly top fade helps to maximize your hair and the high fade keeps it neat.

Afro

Afro

Photo @pjabreu

Adding a high fade to your afro can help to add some shape. And the high fade helps to create a balance between the volume of your afro at the top and the short and smooth sides and back.

Temple Fade

Temple Fade

Photo @pjabreu

If you’re aiming for an edgy look, then the temple fade is just the style to opt for, which adds a lineup along your temple and forehead while keeping the focus on the top.

Spiky Top

Spiky Top

Photo @pjabreu

The spiky top haircut with a high fade is an excellent choice if you want a playboy look with a boyish charm that allows you to instantly move from your meetings to date nights.

Faux Hawk

Faux Hawk

Photo @kalin_barber

Combining a mohawk with a high taper fade gives you a faux hawk with a softer yet fresher style that you can easily sport even at the workplace.

Braided Top

Braided Top

Photo @pjabreu

A braided top keeps your unruly curls tamed and gives you a dapper look. Piled-up braids on top of your head, paired with a high fade, are guaranteed to give you a bold and showy look.

Flat Top

Flat Top

Photo @pjabreu

A high fade adds to the overall look and makes your flat-top hairstyle the focal point.

Caesar Cut

Caesar Cut

Photo @pjabreu

When you team the Caesar cut with the hair combed forward along with a high faded cut on the back and sides you get a haircut with a modern twist.

Mohawk

Mohawk

Photo @pjabreu

If you think a mohawk is too bold for your workplace you can get a style with longer sculpted hair on the top and a closely-cropped high fade on the sides.

Side Slick High Fade Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

Side Undercut High Fade Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

Wavy Undercut High Fade Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

Deep Curve High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

Two Notches High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

Short Mohawk

Photo @pjabreu

Brush Up Curly Top High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

Skin Fade Undercut High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

High Curly Mohawk High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

Brush On Side High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

Textured Fringe High Fade

Photo @kalin_barber

Messy Fringe High Fade

Photo @kalin_barber

Bleached Bangs Slick Back High Fade

Photo @kalin_barber

Dyed Side Undercut High Fade

Photo @kalin_barber

Wave Fade Line High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

Spiky Spines High Fade

Photo @kalin_barber

Classic Faux Hawk High Fade

Photo @kalin_barber

Shadow Buzz Cut High Fade

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Slick On Side High Fade

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Disconnected Quiff High Fade

Photo @pjabreu

How to Maintain High Fade Haircut

Step 1 – Do it regularly

A high-fade haircut is quite dramatic, but the more intense looking the haircut is the more quickly it will grow out.
So, to keep your high fade style looking good for a longer time,you must maintain it regularly.

A bit of shaping and light trimming on your own can help to keep your haircut.

Barber Using Electric Trimmer to Cut Man's Hair

Step 2 – Maintain the hair shape

Working with your hairstyle and shaping it can help. Longer hair needs more time, effort and products than shorter hair.

For instance, if your hair is very straight, you may have to trim and shape it more frequently and if you have curly hair, you must try to cut it when it is dry. If you’re unsure what to do with your specific texture and shape of the hair then consult your hairdresser.

Step 3 – Use appropriate products

Using the right products is key to keeping your high-fade haircut looking neat, fresh and not overly styled.
Further, different types of fade haircuts need other products and care.

For instance, a high fade needs more time and effort than a low fade style. A pompadour will need to be styled with the right products.
Hair waxes and clays can keep the pompadour dry and high, but it may cause too much product build-up over time.

So, it is better to use a good gel or pomade for a glossy, high-sheen look. Conditioner is essential for short hair to keep it moisturized and well-hydrated. Using a matte product and working it through the hair on top will give you a nicely tousled and stylish look.

You can speak to your barber to choose the best styling products or try out different products to determine which or combination of products is the best for you.

FAQ

Is high fade a professional look?

A high fade haircut is a nice, professional look, especially when paired with a high skin taper, slick back, combover or a pompadour.

Is high fade better than low fade?

Both a low fade, as well a high fade are good haircuts. The style you choose depends on your personal preference.
If you want a bold and edgy look, opt for a high fade, whereas if you want something less intense go in for a low fade.

Can a bad high fade haircut be fixed?

You should visit a reputed professional barber to fix a bad high fade haircut.

If the fade is uneven, patchy or poorly blended, you may have to wait for 1-2 weeks for your hair to grow out and then go to your barber and have it fixed by taking the fade a bit lower the next time.

How to ask for a high fade haircut?

Ask your hairstylist for any haircut you like, be it a buzz cut, crop, crew cut or any other style and ask them for a high fade on the back and sides. Take reference pictures of hairstyles you like to show your barber what you have in mind.

What face shape is best for a high fade haircut?

High fade haircuts with short sides and back and some length on top elongate the head. So, if you have a rectangular face, this style may not be the best for you, or it may be better to consider a style with a short top too.

If you have a round or heart-shaped face styles like quiffs or pompadours paired with a high fade will work well.
But if you have an oval-shaped face, you can choose any hairstyle with a high fade.