Modern and stylish, the skin fade has become very popular in the last few years. Also known as the bald fade or zero fade haircut, the skin fade haircut comes in a variety of forms, including the high, mid, and low skin fade. Similarly, guys can combine the cut with a side part, quiff, comb over, pompadour or faux hawk to style a cool short sides, long hair on top hairstyle.
With classic shaved sides all around and a long top, the skin fade haircut is easy to get at your local barbershop and low-maintenance to keep. The incredible contrast between the top and faded sides makes the men’s skin fade one of our favorite cuts. If you’re looking for trendy faded hairstyles, here are the best skin fade haircuts to get right now.
Contents
1 What Is The Skin Fade Haircut?2 High Skin Fade3 Low Skin Fade4 Mid Skin Fade5 Skin Fade with Long Hair on Top6 Skin Fade with Short Hair on Top7 How To Get A Skin Fade8 How To Style A Skin Fade8.1 Skin Fade Side Part8.2 Faded Pompadour8.3 Skin Fade Quiff8.4 Slicked Back Hair9 Best Skin Fade Haircuts10 Low Skin Fade with Shape Up and Long Comb Over11 Slicked Back Hair with High Skin Fade12 Spiked Hair with High Skin Fade13 Side Part with Mid Skin Fade14 Mid Skin Fade and Line Up with Short Curly Hair15 Low Skin Fade with Brush Up16 High Skin Fade with Comb Over and Hard Part17 High Skin Fade with Edge Up and Brushed Back Hair18 Faux Hawk with High Skin Fade with Shape Up19 Low Skin Fade with Hair Design and Quiff20 Mid Skin Fade with Modern Pompadour21 Long Textured Slick Back with Low Skin Fade22 Skin Fade with Hard Part Comb Over and Beard23 Low Skin Fade with Long Hair on TopWhat Is The Skin Fade Haircut?
The skin fade is a type of haircut that tapers on the sides and back, blending short faded hair into the skin. Generally, the skin fade haircut starts with longer hair on top of the head, and then gradually becomes shorter down the sides and back, towards the neck.
The “fade” effect is given by the gradually shorter hair length, and the overall look is a top-heavy hairstyle that highlights the styling on top. Specifically, instead of having a consistent, regular hair length all over the head, the men’s skin fade haircut allows more variation with a sleek fade into the neckline.
Variations on the bald fade mainly involve where the taper starts and the different lengths of hair, both on the top and around the sides. A low skin fade haircut can look more professional, while a high skin fade looks edgy and bold.
The happy medium offered by the mid skin fade can be perfect for business professionals who want a little of both cuts. Some hairstyles involving the skin fade also use techniques such as the disconnect to add emphasis and make the haircut more of a fashion statement.
High Skin Fade
The high skin fade is the sexy, masculine, and very short. The high skin fade haircut will taper your sides and back to look like a shaved cut. Good for men with long, medium, and short hair, this kind of fade clearly highlights the men’s hairstyle on top.
Guys with thinning or fine hair will also like that it minimizes bald spots. If you want a really short hairstyle that comes with plenty of contrast, get high skin faded sides. The sharp trendy look is fashionable, and the women in your life will swoon.
Low Skin Fade
The low skin fade is a fresh yet versatile take on the style. The low skin fade haircut starts just above the ears. Clean-cut and classy, men like low skin fades because they very gradually blend and taper the sides and back to create a cool yet understated look.
If you still want to partake in this modern haircut but need to look presentable at the office, ask your barber for a low cut skin fade. The style looks best with medium to longer hair on top, but guys can pull of short hair as well.
Mid Skin Fade
The mid skin fade starts in the middle of your sides and back to achieve a balanced look. Not too edgy yet not completely innocent, the mid skin fade haircut is the most versatile cut.
Great for little boys, teens, young men, and older guys, the skin mid taper fade works with all of the best hairstyles. Ultimately, a mid fade down to the skin will focus the eyes on the short or long hair on top, just the way a tapered cut should.
Skin Fade with Long Hair on Top
A skin fade with long hair can be styled into any of the top hairstyles for men. As the classic short on the sides, long on top haircut, the cut can be transformed into a comb over, quiff, pompadour, man bun, spikes, or faux hawk.
For a textured natural finish with healthy shine and flow, use a matte styling product. Otherwise, a high-shine pomade can give you a glossy retro look. Experiment with a bald fade and long top to see all the haircut styles you can pull off.
Skin Fade with Short Hair on Top
A skin fade with short hair can be low-maintenance and handsome. Short haircuts like the buzz cut, crew cut, crop top, side part, Ivy League, high and tight, and side swept fringe are perfect for the skin fade haircut.
Short hair on the sides and back build the necessary contrast for short hair on top. If you’re tired of styling your hair every morning, there are a number of cool short hairstyles to try with a skin fade.
How To Get A Skin Fade
Getting a skin fade haircut should be a simple process with a good barber. The technical part of the process is the gradual buzzing of the sides using a hair clipper, so having an experience barber and a specific idea of how you want this done will help.
There are a few things you can do to make the style easier for your stylist to create. For good contrast between the fade and the longer hair on top, about 2-3 inches of hair length is ideal.
Otherwise, the most important thing to keep in mind for the bald fade is how quickly you want to fade – high, low or mid. Remember, at the bottom of the taper, your hair will be shaved.
Some want a low skin fade that only just fades at the bottom of the hair (just above the ear), and is understated for the rest of the head. Other guys prefer a high skin fade that leaves no hair on the sides.
The choice largely comes down to individual preference, but bringing along a photo of the kind of bald fade you are aiming for will help your barber get the style right.
How To Style A Skin Fade
The skin fade is one of the best and coolest men’s hairstyles now, and styling it can enhance the look. Although you won’t be styling the bald fade haircut itself, there are many different hairstyles that go with the cut.
For example, a voluminous quiff can make the look retro and natural, while a slicked back skin fade looks sharp and edgy. Personal style determines which look you choose, but the bald fade is versatile enough to wear to a range of occasions.
Skin Fade Side Part
For a simple yet refined, classic look, the skin fade side part is a good choice. All you need to create this style is a comb and some light product with hold such as pomade, wax, or putty. To add even more hold and volume, blow your hair to the side with a hairdryer.
To style the side part fade, start with clean, towel-dried hair. Apply product and comb through your hair to evenly distribute. Then find the natural part in your hair and run your comb through, combing one side over to create the divide.
Finally, comb each side over and add any extra styling or waves as finishing touches.
Faded Pompadour
If you’ve opted for slightly longer hair on top, the pompadour skin fade is a great option for you. By adding height to the front of the hair in this 50s-inspired style, your hair will look voluminous and thick.
To style a faded pompadour, towel-dry your hair until damp. Rub pomade between your hands to heat, and apply to your hair evenly. Then start blow drying your hair while running your comb up and back through the front.
Use the comb or your fingers to style the details for a modern pompadour.
Skin Fade Quiff
Similar in style to the pompadour, the quiff is a beautiful hairstyle for the guy who can pull it off. You’ll want at least 2 to 3 inches of hair on top of your head before executing the style, as the length of the hair is what gives the quiff its height.
In terms of styling, the skin fade quiff is essentially the same as the pompadour. Instead of using a comb, you might want to use a bristle brush in order to give your hair more volume, texture and a natural look.
Strong pomade may be necessary to maintain the height of the quiff for a long time, but with maintenance throughout the day, it can stay impressive and tall.
Slicked Back Hair
A slicked back fade produces a look that is both trendy and casual. Whether it’s a party or first date, the high skin fade slick back can appear formal or easy-going with some simple styling.
The slick back fade haircut is easy to get and style, requiring just some pomade and a comb. Simply comb your hair straight back, and add the product to keep it in that style. For a more textured look, you can run a bristle brush over the top or simply use your hand to disrupt the comb strokes, but keeping it clean will look stylish too.
Best Skin Fade Haircuts
Skin fade styles are numerous, and looking at pictures of the best bald faded hairstyles will help you make your decision. Many celebrities and models have sported the cut, making the skin fade a hot men’s hair trend now.
Check out our collection of low vs. high vs. mid skin fade haircuts to find your favorite style, and remember to save or bookmark the picture to take with you to the barbershop.
Low Skin Fade with Shape Up and Long Comb Over
Slicked Back Hair with High Skin Fade
Spiked Hair with High Skin Fade
Side Part with Mid Skin Fade
Mid Skin Fade and Line Up with Short Curly Hair
Low Skin Fade with Brush Up
High Skin Fade with Comb Over and Hard Part
High Skin Fade with Edge Up and Brushed Back Hair
Faux Hawk with High Skin Fade with Shape Up
Low Skin Fade with Hair Design and Quiff
Mid Skin Fade with Modern Pompadour
Long Textured Slick Back with Low Skin Fade
Skin Fade with Hard Part Comb Over and Beard
Low Skin Fade with Long Hair on Top
