The fade hairstyle is elegant, it is classy, and it is stylish. Well, that’s what most people say. But I’m not going to tell you that. I will rather leave you to decide. Oh, you’ve probably decided already, and the only reason you are here is to find out how to fade your hair.
But first, to be brutally honest, I didn’t like the fade; at least that’s what I thought, and besides, it cost me too much money and time.
Just imagine, I have to leave my home, catch a taxi, go by my barber, sit in his chair, and then wait an eternity for the best hairstyle on planet earth. Does it worth it? Hell yeah! But I have since ditched my barber, and I now do all my fades by myself.
You name them, high top fade, comb-over fade, temple fade, bald fade, and the whole collection, I have tried them all, not only on myself but on a few others.
And mind you, they didn’t always come out the way I wanted. But ninety-five percent of the time they did, and unless you were a professional barber, you wouldn’t have noticed the odd five percent.
I’m not a professional, but I cut like one. And while every barber and hairstylist knows of the difficulty in achieving that perfect fade. I have somehow managed through practice, dedication, and by using the best hair clippers to hone my skills.
And if I can do it, then you can too. Therefore, it is for this very reason I have decided to write this post, to provide you with a foolproof, do-it-yourself guide to achieving whatever fade hairstyle you are after.
So, without any more hesitation, let’s get right into it. I will reveal everything I know about how to fade hair, and guess what; it won’t cost you a cent.
Why Learn to Fade Hair?
Other than being the best hairstyle on planet earth, the fade is super easy to maintain. With the fade, you don’t need to be spending hundreds of dollars on expensive hair products.
Sure, they are certain types of fades that will require more maintenance than others, and you will need to pick up the additional hair products to maintain them, but they won’t blow a hole in your pocket. But the thing I like about the fade is the versatility it offers. You can choose from a wide range of fades.
So, if you are low on cash and you don’t want to dig too deep in your pocket to buy those fancy hair products, then go for a classy low-maintenance fade. You will still look at buck’s office every time you hit the road.
Best Men’s Fade Haircuts
You might not know all the options available to you, and based on your lifestyle, job, and social status, you might want something that compliments your particular lifestyle. So, I will walk you through a few of the best men’s fade haircuts and whether you are the perfect candidate to sport them.
The Taper Fade
A crowd favorite, the taper fade is a versatile, clean, and classic haircut. And being versatile, the taper is suitable for a crazy night out, or a serious workday behind the desk.
A simple taper fade takes roughly about 20 minutes, and basically, it goes into a bend that starts from the nape of the neck and extends to the top of the head (parietal ridge).
It’s Best Suited for Who?
For anyone in need of a natural, but smarter haircut. And the fact that the taper fade does not expose your scalp, you can try a variety of styles at the top.
The Low Fade
Similar to a taper fade, but subtle in its difference. For example, the low fade starts very low and is shorter. So basically, with the low fade, you start from the bottom, then work your way up, following the natural curvature of your head as you bend.
It’s Best Suited for Who?
For someone with more hair texture, and wants to showcase it, or for anyone who wants that wavy look at the top. If your head shape is triangular, diamond, or more oblong: the low fade is an excellent option for you.
The Mid Fade
The mid fade strikes the perfect balance between the high and low fade. And being one of the more popular styles of fade, the mid fade, stands out more than the low fade and high fade. The mid fade starts at the side of the head.
That’s below the temple and just above the ear. Also, with the mid fade, you have more options to try different styles at the top.
It’s Best Suited for Who?
For men with beards, I am just kidding. The mid fade is possibly the most popular hairstyle, and it’s suited for all age groups, with and without beards, of course, it looks great with a beard. But the bottom line is, “the mid fade is stylish.” However, it is slightly harder to maintain.
The High Fade
A distinct hairstyle where most of the hair around the head, usually with a foil shaver, is shorn back to the skin.
The shape of your head doesn’t matter for the high fade; you can decide where you want to create the fade-line, but usually, it’s around the upper recession area.
It’s Best Suited for Who?
Popular among Rockstar artists, and for anyone who wants to send across a strong message. “You’re sure going to make heads turn.”
What Is Needed for the Fade Haircut?
I will keep this short, no need to make it more complicated than it is, so here is what you need to get started.
A quality hair clipper for fades: you can find these on Amazon, but I highly recommend the Wahl Professional 5-Star and the Andis Master Adjustable Blade Hair Clipper; these two are easy to use and ideal for beginners.
The right guard size for the desired fade: But you don’t need to worry about this, they usually come with the clipper.
A spray bottle: this is to spray your hair with water as part of the preparation before you begin. And lastly, you might need a mirror and scissors.
Failing is not an option, but be prepared to make mistakes. And besides, you can always go to your barber to rectify the errors. But the idea is for you to do it yourself, and in the long run, you will save time and money by cutting your hair yourself.
How to Fade Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Perfect Fade
Below is a detailed but straightforward step-by-step guide on how to achieve the perfect fade hairstyle. The steps are as follow:
- Step-1: Prepare the Hair for the Fade
- Step-2: Select the Right Guard Size for the Desired Fade
- Step-3: Pinpoint the Exact Points for the Fade Lines
- Step-4: Working with the Top Hair
- Step-5: Begin Clipping the Hair
- Step-6: Work with a Manageable Amount
- Step-7: Alternating Between the Different Guards
- Step-8: Finishing Up
- Step-9: Review Your Hair
Step-1: Prepare the Hair for the Fade
Don’t skip this part; the preparation is as vital as any other step in this guide. In the preparation, what you are trying to achieve is more than just wetting the hair.
The main reason for preparing your hair by spraying it with water is for you to recognize your starting point and what you are trying to achieve.
Also, spraying your hair with water before you start cutting will give you a better understanding of your hair texture, length, and other helpful q’s to streamline the entire cutting process.
All in all, just make sure you have everything set and ready, and don’t forget to use a comb in the right position when needed.
Step-2: Select the Right Guard Size for the Desired Fade
Depending on the fade hairstyle you are after, you will need to decide on the right guard size to use. But to keep on the safe side, I recommend that you use a larger guard to start.
Doing this will give you the leeway to, later on, work your way down using smaller guard sizes. Also, using a larger size guard will ensure that you get an even cut as you work your way down to the lower lengths.
Step-3: Pinpoint the Exact Points for the Fade Lines
The fade line is the exact point on the head where the hair begins to shorten, thus getting the fade effect. Fade lines aren’t engraved in stones; it’s based on your personal preference and the hairstyle you are after. But it is paramount that you recognize where the exact points are as you work your way in the cut.
Step-4: Working with the Top Hair
Here is where it gets a little tricky, but not undoable, now, using a comb, work the hair at the top of your head into a rectangle. And what this does, is separate the hair at the top of the head from the shorter hair.
At this point, you want to make sure that the rectangular shape you formed with the top hair is aligned perfectly with your eyebrows as a visible guideline. You might not get it right at first, but after a few tries, you will nail it down to perfection.
Step-5: Begin Clipping the Hair
At this point, depending on your hair length, use a hairband to separate the top hair from the hair at the other sides before you start clipping them.
Now, beginning with the sides, begin to cut your hair. Ideally, you should cut in a bottom-up motion, meaning you start below the temple and work your way up.
Mind you; you are not going to cut the top hair, but instead, continue to clip the shorter hair in a bottom-up motion right around the head.
Step-6: Work with a Manageable Amount
Mistakes happen when we are in a hurry, and with the fade hairstyle being so delicate, mistakes are bound to happen if you don’t take your time during the entire process.
So, what you want to do, instead of rushing the cut, establish a steady momentum, and work with it. Also, the noise and vibrations of the clipper might put you off a bit, but keep a firm grip on the clipper.
That way, you will limit the number of strokes needed to cut the hair. And by the way, if you have in your possession a good quality hair clipper, you won’t have to worry about this.
Step-7: Alternating Between the Different Guards
The most vital ingredient in achieving the perfect fade is to know when to switch between the various guard sizes.
The taper fading effect occurs gradually, and as such, you must use the larger guard sizes, then, after you have decided on the location of your fade line, switch to the shorter guard sizes as you work your way down.
Step-8: Finishing Up
Your fade is now ready for you to customize into whatever style you desire. But before you do, use a hairbrush and clean up the fade. You can also use the clipper and comb combination to level the top hair.
Step-9: Review Your Hair
Once you’ve finished cutting, use a mirror, and inspect your hair. If you notice any glaring mistakes, fix them. And I suspect that you are a beginner, so I want to caution you not to overcomplicate things by being a perfectionist.
Often time, you can ruin the whole thing by trying to fix a few uneven areas. And if you have completely messed it up, then you can go to your barber to get it to rectify. Honing your skills is the whole idea behind you cutting a fade, so don’t feel bad if you screw it up on your first try.
Summary
Often, the longest journey begins with the first step, and cutting a fade might very well be one of those long journeys. But with persistence, patience, and the best hair clipper for hair, you will succeed in getting the fade you are after.
Moreover, this step-by-step guide is an excellent guide for you to get started right now. So, what are you waiting for!
How to Fade Hair in 4 Minutes (Video)