Fade haircuts are more popular than ever and with variations including the high fade, medium fade, low fade and skin fade to name a few, there’s a style to suit everyone – no matter your face shape, hair type or texture. Below, Jim Shaw shares five of the top trending fade haircuts this year and his tips for styling them.
Taper fade
A taper fade features hair that’s longer on the top of the head and tapered down the sides and neck. The style does not shave down to the skin like a skin fade, and instead, maintains some length around the sides and neck for a softer, more natural looking transition.
This is a great choice for those who like a clean look and are a fan of the fade but would like a less harsh alternative. This haircut looks great when styled sleek for a more sophisticated finish. I like to slick the hair back with a comb alongside using a pomade or gel for hold and a high shine finish.
High fade
A high fade is a sharp contrast look which combines short, faded sides and longer length hair on top. The high fade usually starts at or above the temples and requires regular maintenance to keep the sides short for that contrasting look.
With the longer length on top, this style looks great when paired with volume, and I like to blow-dry directing the hair upwards with a brush for added volume. I then like to apply a paste through the hair for more volume and definition.
Hard part fade
The hard part fade combines a shaved line (hard part) created using clippers or a razor to separate the hair to the side of the head with a fade including longer hair on top that gradually shortens to the sides and back of the head.
To define the part, smooth, sleek styling is a good choice using a pomade or gel with a comb to create a polished finish.
High and tight fade
The high and tight fade takes inspiration from the military cut and features super short sides and back that are shaved very high close to the head before gradually blending into the longer length on top.
This is a short hairstyle which makes it easy to maintain and requires little to no styling. However, being shorter in length, this cut will require more regular visits to the salon/barbershop to ensure it always looks its best and that there is a strong contrast between the short sides and back and the longer length on top. A pomade or wax are great products to distribute with your fingers through the top of your hair to give it added texture.
The French Crop Fade
For those who would like to include a fringe in their fade hairstyle, the French crop fade haircut is the perfect choice. This features a straight fringe across the forehead, paired with clean, seamless fade at the sides and back. It’s a sharp, contrasting look that looks incredibly stylish and contemporary and is particularly good for those who have strong facial features that they want to draw attention to.
To give the fringe added texture, I like to leave it to air dry, mist in some texturising spray and use my fingers to help air dry the hair whilst giving it added texture and body. Matte clays and pastes are also great products to use on dry hair for this look to give it an effortless finish.
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