For men looking for a haircut that’s up to date with the latest men’s hairstyle trends, you’ve come to the right place.
The skin fade is particularly unique because it stands out––or, rather, it jumps out. The contrast of shaved sides and a full head of hair is instantly attention-grabbing. It’s an especially trendy, contemporary look, and best of all, it’s easy to get.
This hairstyle is usually achieved by cutting the hair shorter and shorter as it moves toward the neck. While some haircuts require the hair to be the same length all around the head, the skin fade demands the hair be cut at decreasing lengths.
1. Skin Fade w/ Hard Part
This is the most simplistic skin fade haircut, and it’s one of the most classic. Combine the age-old, retro side part with a contemporary skin fade, and you’ll be the definition of style.
After you know exactly what you want for the top, just ask for a fade on the sides. Again, be specific with your clipper lengths, and bring in pictures if you have any doubts.
2. Skin Fade w/ Pompadour
The pompadour was a popular style in 2016, and we expect to see more guys embracing the pomp in 2017. This also combines old with new, and it’s a surprisingly versatile look.
As with the skin fade/side part combo, this style is simply a pompadour combined with a skin fade. That’s all you need to ask for to achieve this style. After that, it’s all about maintaining the pompadour regularly to keep it in tip-top shape.
3. Skin Fade w/ Quiff
A relative of the pompadour, the quiff has emerged as a men’s hair trend in recent years, and it looks like it’s here to stay for a while. This lively look requires some serious styling to achieve, so if you’re up for a challenge, this is for you.
You’ll need a good bit of length on top––2 inches is probably the shortest you can go. The longer the hair, the taller the quiff. To style it, apply product to damp hair, then brush your hair up while blow drying it at the same time. This styling process is similar to that of a pompadour.
4. Skin Fade w/ Curls
We mentioned earlier that it can be difficult to achieve the skin fade with curls. However, this is one option that will come in handy for curly-headed guys.
In this style, let the hair on top grow out so your natural curls show. Add a skin fade on the sides and back, and you’ll have unbelievably unique hair. This is similar to the textured curly undercut.
5. Skin Fade w/ Slicked Back
If you’re going for an insanely retro, dapper look, slicked back hair is a must. This is a great skin fade haircut variation for guys who desire a classy appearance.
You can achieve this look in many ways. One good option is to get a cut that’s ideal for a side part. Then, slick back your hair with a nice water-based pomade. This way, you can sport the side part, slick it all back, or do both!
6. Low Skin Fade
Skin fades can sometimes appear quite intense, especially if the wearer has long hair on the top of his head. For a subtle take on the style, you can choose a skin fade that is low instead.
The look, which graduates to reveal the skin just around the ears, is much more understated and subdued than the standard style.
7. Low Skin Fade w/ Crew Cut
The traditional crew cut is short and blends perfectly with a fade. This look can work well with a short beard or just some stubble. It doesn’t take much product to style it.
However, some wax or putty worked into the hair can help you direct the ends toward the center. This will help prevent the cut from looking too fuzzy, especially as it grows out.
8. Medium Skin Fade
For a classic or medium skin fade style, opt for a cut that evenly tapers from long to short on the sides of your head. To nail the look, ensure that your hair gradually reduces to reveal skin at a point halfway between your hairline and the top of your ears.
9. High Skin Fade w/ Beard
If you like a really short hairstyle or want sides that dramatically contrast longer strands on top, you should opt for a high skin fade. The sharp look leaves your hair its standard length on top before quickly transitioning to shaved sides below the hairline.
10. Blowout w/ Skin Fade
Partnering a blowout with a skin fade can create a surprisingly stylish appearance. To achieve the look, have your barber shave the sides and back of your hair into a skin fade while leaving at least a few centimeters of length on top.
Then, style your hair by blow drying damp strands while using a round barrel brush to pull locks upwards.
11. Skin Fade Comb Over
If you’re looking for a comb over that adds dimension to the overall appearance of your face, this cut with sharp curves and angles will do just that!
12. Skin Fade Hard Part
To achieve a subtle yet classy look, try opting for a side-parted bald fade. This hairstyle is ideal for a business or professional setting, but can easily be dressed down for a casual, everyday look as well.
13. Skin Fade w/ Shaved Design
If a standard skin fade isn’t bold enough your personal style, you can try adding a shaved design. After having your barber cut your hair into a skin fade on the sides, get him to go back over the area and shave a shape into the hair just before it disappears.
The design can be anything from a simple curved line to an edgy lightning bolt, depending on your preference.
14. Combed Back Skin Fade
For a soft and sophisticated take on the skin fade style, opt for a medium height taper and pair it with hair that is combed back on top. The result will be a seriously dapper ‘do that you can rock to the office and after-hours events.
15. Skin Fade w/ Buzz Cut
Skin fades can work with hair of all lengths, even the seriously short. To pair a buzz cut with a skin fade, use clippers to cut hair short on top.
Then, as you move down your head, gradually reduce the clipper setting until it reaches a zero around your ears.
16. Skin Fade w/ Textured Crop
A textured crop partnered with a skin fade creates an awesome contemporary haircut. While the style works particularly well on naturally wavy locks, it can also suit straight hair types with the aid of some texturizing or sea salt spray.
17. Skin Fade w/ Side Part
While there are many ways to wear your hair with a skin fade, a simple side part is one of the best. Not only is the look easy to create, but it also simultaneously projects a classic appearance and contemporary vibe.
18. Skin Fade w/ Messy Faux Hawk
Want the edgy style of a mohawk without the punk attitude? A fauxhawk with a skin fade could be the perfect answer. Just remember to keep things messy on top for a modern departure from the traditional structured spikes and shapes.
19. Short + Messy Skin Fade
If you’d rather spend your mornings sleeping in than styling your hair, you should opt for a short and messy skin fade haircut. While the look requires little to no styling, it still appears awesome thanks to its short sides and textured top.
20. Sharp + Sexy Skin Fade
A bald fade haircut creates dimension and relief in a hairstyle with a lot of sharp angles and precise curvy lines typical for a Caesar cut. The faded effect and sharply cut facial hair also draw the eye down to lengthen a round face and balance chubby cheeks.
21. Balanced Skin Fade w Beard
Sometimes a fade in short haircuts can work similar to layers in longer looks. It provides a great structured silhouette to the hair on top and balances with a full beard on the bottom.
It also provides an interesting texture and a clean look.
22. Skin Fade for Wavy Hair
A nicely done mid-skin fade is in high demand for most dark men, so put a cheeky spin onto it with a design that mimics the waves inside the haircut instead of a part line, this could be more exciting and thrilling.
23. Skin Fade w/ Choppy Spikes
This fade is longer. It doesn’t graduate to a close shave. Instead, the fade is kept about 1/8-inch long around the ears.
The top is cut roughly and spiked upwards with wax or clay. Pull the ends forward slightly to blend the back of the cut into the front layers.
24. Skin Fade w/ Square Crop
The layers at the top of the head are snipped level. You can use a gel with this style. Spiky strands that stay separated are part of the style’s appeal. The side line fade is clean cut and striking.
25. Skin Fade for Kids
Kids can rock a sweet fade as well as adults. This one has a geometric design shaved into the sides and a longer top. Children’s hair tends to be fairly thick.
They haven’t begun to fall prey to male pattern baldness at a young age. That makes their hair versatile to work with.
26. Swept Back Skin Fade w/ Undercut
Undercut hairstyles are frequently long but don’t have to be.
With this cool cut, you’ll notice the length way up on the head is concentrated and is pulled back with a loose, matte finish.
27. Skin Taper Fade
The taper fade is very close to a taper cut. The difference is that near the bottom of the fade it still goes to the skin.
This is a great style if you like to highlight where your beard meets the hairstyle. You can get low, mid, and high taper fade styles
28. Bald Skin Fade
The skin fade and the bald fade haircut can be used interchangeably. They are basically the same thing.
They both use a razor to accomplish the look and require you to sport a skin-close shave at the bottom of the fade. Both can be used with low, mid, and high fades.
29. Bouffant Skin Fade
If you’re a fan of the long hair but still want a sleek, clean-cut look, then try this bouffant style with a skin fade.
The crown is left long but is layered and styled high in order to achieve this impressive bouffant.
30. Tapered “Gentleman” Skin Fade
This tapered fade takes a classic look and gives it a completely modern spin. The distinctive part and sleek uniformity make this cut perfect for professional settings, but the cut can be styled casually as well.
31. Drop Skin Fade
A drop fade is where the fade goes from the temple and curves around the ear to the nape of the neck.
For this style, we recommend using your favorite high-quality pomade. A great choice is ShapeShifter by Mack for Men, for a strong hold and natural look.
