When it comes to hairstyles for men, diversity is often the last word that comes to mind. However, in recent years we’ve seen a gradual move toward trendy, less black-and-white looks, including the fade haircut with its numerous variations.
Types of Fade Haircuts for Men
In a fade haircut the length of the hair decreases gradually towards the bottom, commonly to bare skin. There are many hairstyles that include a fade, yet it’s hard to find two fades that are completely alike. Here, we highlight 20 popular hairstyles with main types of fades.
1. Hipster Taper Fade
Instagram / @virogas.barber
The look of hipsters, artists and well-dressed men in general, the taper fade style is one of the sexiest fade haircuts. And the best part of all? It’s incredibly low maintenance, only requiring some light styling with a bit of gel or pomade.
2. Fade with Side Part
Fade haircut styles with a side part are very trendy right now and also flattering for different face shapes. It helps when the hair is longer on top as well. A fade and comb over are a popular combo.
Instagram / @ambarberia
3. Low Fade
One of the best fade haircuts for men with rounder faces is a pompadour with a low taper fade. This hairstyle builds a height and elongates the face while providing a neat and sharp look.
Instagram / @savillsbarbers
4. Shadow Fade
If you don’t like high-contrast high fades, opt for a perfectly blended shadow fade. With this short fade look, you’ll want a line up, and bye-bye styling tools and styling products!
Instagram / @eddie_rtb
5. Drop Fade
Drop fades haircuts are named what they are because the fade will drop behind the ear. This typically means that the taper will form an arc from the temples to the nape. Get this fun update for your fade at your next visit to the barber shop.
Instagram / @criztofferson
6. Low Bald Fade
Another variation of a skin fade, a low bald fade has been a cool, frequently asked men’s cut for several years. It’s an understated and neat look that is made more prominent with an absolutely precise (almost artistic) line up.
Instagram / @zeke_the_barber
7. Disconnected Haircut with Fade
With a sharp decrease in hair length on the sides and back of the head, the disconnected look is a long top short sides hairstyle. The choppy top and faded sides/back in this case are created with clippers and scissors. The cut is particularly in-style right now.
Instagram / @baldysbarbers
8. Blurry Fade
The blurry fade with a pompadour for men can be worn in both a professional and fun, eccentric way. However, it takes a steady hand and eye for precision on the barber’s part to ensure the perfect blending of the men’s fade haircut – so choose yours wisely.
Instagram / @javi_thebarber_
9. High Top Fade
Complete with spiky, punk rock ends, a high top fade works best when the hair is relatively long on top. Try to ensure that the gel you’re using is a particularly high-hold one, as you don’t want the look to fall flat by mid-concert!
Instagram / @justin_thebarber
10. Skin (Bald) Fade
A skin fade haircut is a particularly bold type of men’s style. Whereas many shadowed looks still technically have a whole head of hair, this style is bare up the neck to only an inch or so from the crown.
Instagram / @wester_barber
11. Medium Fade
A mid fade cut offers guys the best of both worlds. The style isn’t as extreme or edgy as its bald variation, but it also captures the essence of the shadowy trend in general. In this instance, the hair is combed back away from the face.
Instagram / @patty_cuts
12. Temple Fade
Ideal for, quite literally, all different types of hair, temple fades probably look the least shadowy but they offer an option for more conservative men, making it a great choice for your first-time fade.
Instagram / @beboprbarber
13. Undercut Mohawk with Faded Temple
Also known as the “South of France Fade,” the burst fade mohawk is an ideal style for a man looking to get a Mohawk with a trendy touch. Usher rocked this style in the late 90’s and early 2000’s (in case you’re an R&B fan!).
Instagram / @aluppercut
14. All Around Fade
The all around fade offers you to play with a high contrast look – longer length on top and fade to the skin on the sides and back look fierce and sharp, and it’s completely on-trend. If your hair is curly, you’ll want to add a line up.
Instagram / @_mannys
15. Buzz Fade
A buzz fade is achieved by using exactly what you’d assume: electric clippers. They buzz the hair to ensure everything is of the same short length (with the exception of the actual fade). In this case, it has the look of a high and tight taper.
Instagram / @edwardklipperhands
16. Box Fade
If you plan to get really funky with your look, a box fade is an option. It’s a favorite for many African American men, a style to show off your natural texture and achieve cool geometric shapes.
Instagram / @suggsdabarber
17. Faded Undercut for Longer Hair
Popularity for faded undercuts really picked up speed last year, and the new trend is only looking to grow. The hair is combed back slick and either held with a styling gel or let loose. The key is that the hair on the top is significantly longer than the rest of the head.
Instagram / @benwardscissorhands
18. Fade Line
With all the different types of fade haircuts to choose from, it’s easy (and encouraged) to get a bit wild. One of the easiest ways to up the ante is with a shaved line, where the arc begins at the temples and runs towards the nape of the neck.
Instagram / @javi_thebarber_
19. Fade with Designs
When it comes to fade hairstyles that incorporate geometric, abstract designs, the sky is truly the limit. If you have angular facial features, opt for lines with acute angles and mirror them in your facial hairstyle.
Instagram / @sprucecruz
20. Comb Over Fade
A comb over fade haircut is one of the coolest fade haircuts in general, and it offers so many features to help make it your own. Here, the look is made more distinguished by extremely slick hair and razor-sharp lines.
Instagram / @_anthonybarber
If the goal is to update your current style, opting for a fade haircut (whether high, medium or low) is an excellent choice. Fades can be customized to suit your personal preferences and make you standout to a greater or lesser degree.
