Curious about a high skin fade? A burst taper fade? Something to go with your undercut? We’ve got you covered. eyesfoto / Getty Images
Looking for the types of fades that suit your face, hair type, or personal style? Whether you want a bold style or a low maintenance look, fade haircuts offer endless possibilities.
These styles are all about gradually blending hair from short to even shorter — or bare skin — and they’ve become staples in not just modern male grooming, but style for all genders.
Contents
- Skin Fade
- Low Fade
- Mid Fade
- High Fade
- Drop Fade
- Taper Fade
- Burst Fade
- Temple Fade
- Shadow Fade
- Undercut Fade
1. Skin Fade
Skin fade. Tatsiana Volkava / Getty Images
The skin fade transitions hair all the way to bare skin, offering a sharp, clean look. It’s popular with buzz cut fade styles and works well with thick hair or very short hair.
2. Low Fade
Low fade. yasindmrblk / Getty Images
A low fade starts just above the ears, blending upward. This style keeps the natural hairline intact and works well with wavy hair and natural texture.
3. Mid Fade
Mid fade. Dougal Waters / Getty Images
A mid fade sits between the low and high fades, offering more defined contrast. It’s versatile, flattering most face shapes and hair lengths. Pair it with textured styles or slicked back styles.
4. High Fade
High fade. Guillermo Spelucin / Getty Images
A high fade starts near the temples and offers a dramatic look. It’s ideal for those who want a sharp contrast between the sides and the longer hair on top.
5. Drop Fade
Drop fade. YorVen / Getty Images
The drop fade curves around the ears and down to the nape of the neck. It gives a fade line that mimics head shape, making it perfect for textured crop or afro fade styles.
6. Taper Fade
Also known as the low taper, this fade is subtle and ideal for professional settings. It gradually shortens near the sideburns and neckline without the dramatic effect of a skin fade.
7. Burst Fade
Burst fade. Guillermo Spelucin / Getty Images
The burst fade fans out around the ears, creating a circular look. It’s great with longer styles or mohawks and often appeared in ’80s hip-hop culture.
8. Temple Fade
Also called the Brooklyn fade, the temple fade focuses on the sideburns and temples. It adds edge to short hair and pairs well with beards.
9. Shadow Fade
Shadow fade. Caíque de Abreu / Getty Images
A shadow fade leaves a bit of hair at the base, unlike a full skin fade. It offers a smoother transition and can accommodate thin hair or longer hair on top.
10. Undercut Fade
Undercut fade. brusinski / Getty Images
Combining the structure of an undercut with a fade, this style provides a bold style with lots of contrast. It’s especially popular among those with straight hair or high taper fade preferences.
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
