The Shadow Fade. A Shadow Fade is any haircut that starts off lighter on the sides and blends into longer hair on top. That's it!
A skin fade also known as a bald fade is any fade that starts with zero (skin) on the sides and blends into any length on the top. A shadow fade is any fade that actually starts with hair on the sides and again blends into any length on the top.
As I mentioned, all fades are tapers.
Tell the barber how short you want your hair to be.
Otherwise, just explain how short you want your hair to be on the sides, back, and top. For a very short fade, ask them for a 1 or 2 sized clippers. If you want to keep your hair a bit longer, ask for a number 4-5.
But First, What Is A Drop Fade? “A drop fade is similar to a regular fade haircut, but it gradually lowers at the back of the head and around the front hairline,” says Katie Conlon, stylist at Topman's resident barber, Johnny's Chop Shop. “This allows for more depth around the crown, and a sharp outline to the face.”
A burst fade is cut in a semicircle shape above the ear, it drops down behind the ear where it ends, it does not continue along the nape of the neck like a low or mid fade does.
While there are quite a few variations of the fade, the most popular styles include the razor fade, skin/bald fade, temple, burst, drop, flat-top and high top fades. Each style provides different possibilities, and gives your hair a look unique to that style.
Zero Fade Vs Skin Fade: What's The Difference? A zero fade is a taper fade that leaves some remaining hair near the base of the neck, whereas a skin fade is a zero-grade cut that is shorter at the bottom, revealing more of the scalp.
The level of the fade - taper, low, mid or high is defined by how high the shortest part of the hair goes up the head and starts to transition into another longer length.
A fade, like a taper, is all about taking hair from long to short in a stylish way. Unlike a taper, though, a fade can be dramatic, abrupt, and super short. Tapers are all about a natural decrease in length for a more conservative look–a fade can just disappear before it reaches the natural hairline.
A fade haircut is a cutting technique that tapers the hair so it eventually “fades” into the skin. Generally, this involves keeping it longer on top and gradually shaving closer down the sides and back. This hairstyle is also called the “military reg”, as it mimics the traditional cut given to men in the service.
Classic Fade Haircut
The cut is usually faded at a length of 3-4 inches above the hairline. It fades at every level at a ½ inch thick from the parietal ridge. To maintain the style, damping the hair with wax may be necessary.
Today, the skin fade remains an extremely popular haircut and is highly requested in barbershops all around the world. A precise skin fade is flattering, suits almost everyone and can immediately elevate your client's look to one that is stylish, sharp and well-groomed.
Tell him how much you want taken off and where
After you tell your barber what general style you want, tell him exactly how much you want taken off. Don't just say, “Give me a trim, Mac” or “Just a little off the top.” One barber's trim is another barber's close shave.
The fade still functions as a popular hairstyle today and it's presently not solely supported amongst Black men, but the origins started in Black communities. Even today, the stylistic variations of the fade is what keeps it a popular and signature look.
There Is No Such Thing as a “Taper Fade” So Quit Saying It
A lot of people ask their barber for a “taper fade.” When you tell your barber that, he's probably going to ask you (if he's a good barber), “So do you want a taper or do you want to fade down to skin?” Remember, a taper is longer; a fade fades to skin.
“A great look for someone who needs a smarter haircut and wants it to look slightly more natural.” Also, because the taper fade lacks any significant scalp exposure, it can be used as the basis for several different styles up top from a neat scissor crop to longer, more dramatic styles.
Bald Fade
The bald fade keeps hair longer at the top of the head, with the back and sides shaved off.
The medium skin fade starts to taper about ⅔ of the way up your head or at the top of the eyebrow. The medium fade is slightly more dramatic than the low fade, and looks great with most hairstyles.
0.5 Fade. A 0.5 fade is a type of fade haircut where the hair is faded down to a grade 0.5. This type of fade is extremely popular because it can be paired with nearly any hair type or style. A 0.5 fade can last anywhere from two to four weeks.