Heads up, gentlemen: undercuts and fade haircut styles have made a comeback in the past ten years. And while they have been around since the 1940s, stylists and fashion icons have brought back this iconic, retro look.
Perhaps what makes this style en vogue is its adaptability for work and play. An undercut or faded haircut looks clean without being too conservative and playful without going over the edge. It balances seriousness and fun while making you look stylish, too.
But with many undercuts and fades going around, which one is best for you? Lean back and relax, gents. We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best fade haircuts you’ll find for both work and play!
The Scissor Fade
While achieving the faded look is commonly associated with electric clippers nowadays, doing so manually is a viable option – too – for the scissor fade. It results in a neat, unshaven neckline.
Since you can’t use a clipper to achieve this tidy look, we recommend you visit a barbershop or salon with barbers who know how to wield scissors. It takes plenty of skill and precision to trim your hair and fade it, too. Be sure an expert’s the one handling your locks.
The Classic Fade
This hairstyle bears a resemblance to the scissor fade but uses clippers to achieve this straightforward look. It is also much shorter in length compared to the scissor fade as your barber will trim the area around your parietal ridge (AKA the bony arch behind your skull that slants down).
When styling this much shorter cut, here’s a neat tip: Spread wax the size of a dime onto your hands before combing them through your hair. Style your locks in your desired direction.
This is useful when styling your hair neatly for business and going for a more fun hairdo.
The Low Fade
Now we can get into more modern territory with the low fade. Unlike the previous haircut, this style is achieved by using electric clippers to trim hair.
The low fade is a haircut that travels midway on the sides and near the back of the neck just before it disappears into the neckline.
The low fade is also one of the few styles that go well with a full beard. Just ask your barber to give your sideburns the same faded treatment as it goes down towards your beard.
The Taper
Want to keep your hair’s length and still have it look faded? Go for the taper!
It’s a cut characterized by long hair on the sides of your head, which keeps getting shorter as it goes down to the sideburns and nape. You’ll notice that there is virtually no disconnect with the taper cut compared to the other ones on this list.
For styling, spread two fingers’ worth of pomade or gel onto your hair and style upwards to one side.
The “High and Tight” Fade
Also called the mid-fade, those who take their fades seriously can opt for this style.
It’s a slightly shorter variation of the classic fade in that the hair at your crown (the top of your skull) is left uncut while the sides are either shaved down to the skin or faded to blend with the longer locks on top.
It’s similar to a military cut, except that it allows for long hair on top. Much like the classic fade, you’ll need a small amount of wax or hair product to keep the top looking even with the sides.
The Final Cut
Faded hairstyles are some of the most iconic and versatile in fashion. Whether achieved by scissors or clippers, men can rock this hairdo that’s fit for work and play, with minimal effort needed to style.
As restrictions lighten and local governments allow employees to return to work, it’s time to get a much-needed trim. If you’re looking for which fade haircut suits you best, give us a heads up by scheduling an appointment with us right now! We’re a barbershop in Denver, CO, that specializes in fades and other styles that suit the shape of your head!
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