Fade

The Core Fade Types

• The Low Fade: The most subtle option. The transition starts roughly an inch above your ear and neckline. It leaves plenty of weight and texture on the sides, making it a safe entry point if you are trying a fade for the first time.
• The Mid Fade: The sweet spot. The fade begins right around the temples, landing exactly in the middle of the head. It strikes a balance—offering more contrast than a low fade without exposing as much skin as a high fade.
• The High Fade: High contrast and aggressive. The fade starts near the crown of the head, taking the hair extremely short almost all the way up the sides and back. It creates a sharp disconnect between the top and the sides.
• The Drop Fade: The architectural option. Instead of wrapping around the head in a straight line, the fade is deliberately dropped behind the ear to create a smooth, curved arc. It adds motion and structure to the cut.
• The Skin Fade: A fade that transitions down to bare skin, also called a bald fade or zero fade. It creates a sharp, high-contrast blend from skin to length.
• Fade vs. Taper: A fade is a full transition from short to long that wraps around the back and sides, often down to skin or very short stubble. A taper is a subtle clean-up at the neckline and sideburns that does not extend high up the head. A taper details the edges; a fade reshapes the cut.