High fade haircuts have become a staple in men’s grooming, offering a clean, sharp look that exudes confidence and style. These versatile cuts combine short sides with longer hair on top, creating a bold contrast that can be customized to suit any face shape or personal style.
Whether you’re looking for a professional, edgy, or classic look, there’s a high fade variation that’s perfect for you. Let’s explore 20 of the most popular and stylish high fade haircuts that are sure to turn heads.
1. Classic High Fade
The classic high fade is the foundation for many modern variations. This timeless style features hair that’s cut extremely short or shaved near the ears and neckline, gradually increasing in length as it moves up the head. The fade typically starts high on the sides, about 2 inches above the ear, creating a striking contrast with the longer hair on top.
This style works well with various hair types and face shapes, making it a versatile choice for many men. The top can be styled in numerous ways, from a simple side part to a textured crop, allowing for easy maintenance and styling flexibility.
2. High Skin Fade
The high skin fade takes the classic fade to the next level by tapering the hair down to the skin. This creates an even more dramatic contrast between the sides and the top. The fade begins high on the head, with the hair gradually blending from bare skin to longer lengths as it moves upward.
This bold look is perfect for men who want to make a statement and aren’t afraid of showing some skin. It works particularly well with short to medium-length styles on top, such as crew cuts, buzz cuts, or textured crops. The high skin fade requires regular maintenance to keep the sharp lines and clean appearance, but the striking result is well worth the effort.
3. High Fade with Pompadour
Combining a high fade with a classic pompadour creates a stylish fusion of modern and retro aesthetics. The high fade provides a clean, contemporary base, while the voluminous pompadour on top adds a touch of vintage glamour.
To achieve this look, the sides are faded high, typically starting just above the temples. The top is left long, usually 3-5 inches, allowing for the creation of the signature pompadour sweep. This style works best with straight to slightly wavy hair and can be adapted to suit various face shapes by adjusting the height and volume of the pompadour.
4. High Fade with Textured Quiff
The high fade with a textured quiff offers a more relaxed and modern take on the classic quiff. This style features a high fade on the sides and back, with longer hair on top styled into a voluminous, textured quiff.
The key to this look is the texture – instead of a smooth, sleek quiff, the hair is tousled and piece-y, creating a more casual and effortless appearance. This style works well with most hair types and is particularly flattering for those with thick hair. It’s a versatile look that can be dressed up or down, making it suitable for both professional and casual settings.
5. High Fade with Slicked Back Hair
For a sophisticated and polished look, consider pairing a high fade with slicked-back hair. This style combines the edginess of a high fade with the classic elegance of smoothly styled hair on top.
The high fade creates a clean canvas on the sides and back, while the longer hair on top is combed back and secured with product for a sleek finish. This look works best with straight to slightly wavy hair and can be adapted to different hair lengths on top. It’s an excellent choice for formal occasions or professional environments where a more refined appearance is desired.
6. High Fade with Faux Hawk
The high fade with a faux hawk is perfect for those who want to make a bold statement. This edgy style features a high fade on the sides and back, with a strip of longer hair running from the forehead to the nape of the neck, styled upwards to create a mohawk-like appearance.
Unlike a traditional mohawk, the faux hawk is more versatile and can be styled in various ways, from a subtle, textured look to a more dramatic, spiked appearance. This style works well with most hair types and is particularly suited to those with oval or oblong face shapes.
7. High Fade with Curly Top
For men with naturally curly hair, a high fade with a curly top is an excellent way to embrace your texture while maintaining a clean, modern look. The high fade keeps the sides and back neat and tidy, while the longer curls on top add volume and personality to the style.
This versatile look can be customized to suit different curl types and face shapes. For tighter curls, a shorter length on top might be preferred, while looser curls can be left longer for a more dramatic contrast. This style is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional trimming to maintain the fade and some curl-defining product to enhance the natural texture.
8. High Fade with Hard Part
The high fade with a hard part combines precision and style. This look features a high fade on the sides and back, with a sharp, shaved line (the hard part) creating a distinct separation between the faded sides and the longer hair on top.
The hard part adds an extra element of definition to the high fade, creating a bold, eye-catching style. The top can be styled in various ways, from a classic side-swept look to a more modern textured crop. This style works well with straight to slightly wavy hair and is particularly flattering for those with square or oval face shapes.
9. High Fade with Brush Up
The high fade with a brush up style offers a contemporary, urban look that’s both stylish and practical. This cut features a high fade on the sides and back, with longer hair on top styled upwards and slightly back, creating a textured, voluminous appearance.
The brush up style works well with various hair types and can be customized to suit different face shapes and personal preferences. For a more dramatic look, the hair on top can be left longer and styled with extra volume. Alternatively, a shorter brush up creates a neater, more subtle appearance. This versatile style is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance yet fashion-forward look.
10. High Fade with French Crop
The high fade with a French crop combines the clean lines of a high fade with the stylish simplicity of a French crop on top. This modern interpretation of a classic style features very short sides that fade high up the head, with a longer length on top cut with a blunt fringe.
The French crop is typically styled forward, with the fringe either left natural or textured for a more casual look. This style works well with most hair types and is particularly flattering for those with receding hairlines, as the forward-styled fringe can help conceal a high forehead. The combination of the high fade and French crop creates a sharp, contemporary look that’s both stylish and easy to maintain.
11. High Fade with Messy Top
For those who prefer a more relaxed, effortless look, the high fade with a messy top is an excellent choice. This style combines the clean lines of a high fade on the sides and back with longer, deliberately tousled hair on top.
The key to this look is the contrast between the neat fade and the intentionally disheveled top. The messy styling adds texture and volume, creating a casual yet fashionable appearance. This style works well with most hair types and is particularly suited to those with naturally wavy or slightly curly hair. It’s a versatile look that can be easily adjusted for different occasions by simply changing the level of messiness on top.
12. High Fade with Spiky Top
The high fade with a spiky top is perfect for those who want to add some edge to their look. This bold style features a high fade on the sides and back, with longer hair on top styled into spikes using strong-hold hair products.
The spiky top can be customized to suit different preferences, from short, subtle spikes for a more conservative look to longer, more dramatic spikes for those who really want to stand out. This style works best with straight to slightly wavy hair and is particularly flattering for those with round or oval face shapes, as the vertical lines created by the spikes can help elongate the face.
13. High Fade with Side Swept Top
The high fade with a side-swept top offers a polished, versatile look that’s suitable for both casual and formal occasions. This style features a high fade on the sides and back, with longer hair on top swept to one side.
The side-swept top can be styled in various ways, from a smooth, sleek look to a more textured, piece-y appearance. This style works well with most hair types and can be adapted to suit different face shapes by adjusting the volume and direction of the sweep. It’s a classic look that never goes out of style and can be easily maintained with regular trims and the right styling products.
14. High Fade with Buzz Cut
For those who prefer an ultra-low maintenance style, the high fade with a buzz cut is an excellent option. This minimalist look features a high fade on the sides and back, blending into a very short, uniform length on top.
The buzz cut portion is typically done with clippers, creating a neat, even length all over the top of the head. This style is perfect for men with strong facial features, as it draws attention to the face. It’s also an ideal choice for those with thinning hair, as it creates a clean, purposeful look. The high fade element adds a modern touch to this classic military-inspired cut.
15. High Fade with Undercut
The high fade with an undercut creates a bold, edgy look that’s perfect for those who want to make a statement. This style features a high fade that transitions abruptly into longer hair on top, creating a stark contrast between the short sides and the fuller top.
The undercut portion can be styled in various ways, from slicked back for a sleek look to tousled for a more casual appearance. This versatile style works well with most hair types and can be adapted to suit different face shapes by adjusting the length and styling of the top section. It’s a dramatic look that requires some maintenance to keep the contrast sharp, but the result is a highly fashionable and eye-catching style.
16. High Fade with Comb Over
The high fade with a comb over combines classic styling with a modern edge. This sophisticated look features a high fade on the sides and back, with longer hair on top styled into a traditional comb over.
The comb over can be customized to suit different preferences, from a sleek, polished look to a more relaxed, textured appearance. This style works particularly well with straight to slightly wavy hair and can be adapted to flatter various face shapes. It’s a versatile look that’s appropriate for both professional and casual settings, making it a popular choice for men who need a style that can transition seamlessly from day to night.
17. High Fade with Textured Crop
The high fade with a textured crop offers a contemporary, low-maintenance style that’s perfect for men who want a fashionable look without spending too much time on styling. This cut features a high fade on the sides and back, with a short, textured crop on top.
The key to this style is the texture – the hair on top is cut in a way that creates natural movement and depth, often with a slightly messy, piece-y finish. This style works well with most hair types and is particularly flattering for those with fine or thinning hair, as the texture helps create the illusion of fullness. It’s a versatile look that can be easily styled with minimal product for a natural, effortless appearance.
18. High Fade with Dreads
For men with dreadlocks, a high fade can add a modern, edgy touch to their style. This look features a high fade on the sides and back, with longer dreadlocks on top creating a bold contrast.
The length and style of the dreads on top can be customized to suit individual preferences, from short, neat locs to longer, more dramatic styles. This combination creates a unique look that blends traditional and contemporary aesthetics. It’s a style that requires regular maintenance to keep the fade sharp and the dreads well-groomed, but the result is a striking, individualistic look that’s sure to turn heads.
19. High Fade with Caesar Cut
The high fade with a Caesar cut offers a modern twist on a classic style. This look features a high fade on the sides and back, blending into a short, horizontally straight-cut fringe on top.
The Caesar cut portion is typically kept quite short, usually between 1-2 inches, and is styled forward to create a neat, uniform appearance. This style works well with most hair types and is particularly flattering for those with receding hairlines or high foreheads, as the short fringe helps to frame the face. The addition of the high fade gives this traditional Roman-inspired cut a contemporary edge, making it a popular choice for men who want a simple yet stylish look.
20. High Fade with Long Top
For those who want to maintain some length while still enjoying the clean look of a fade, the high fade with a long top is an excellent option. This versatile style features a high fade on the sides and back, with significantly longer hair on top.
The longer top can be styled in numerous ways, from slicked back for a polished look to tousled for a more casual appearance. This style works well with most hair types and can be adapted to suit different face shapes by adjusting the length and styling of the top section. It’s a bold look that offers plenty of styling options, making it perfect for men who like to change up their appearance regularly.
In conclusion, high fade haircuts offer a wide range of stylish options for men of all ages and personal tastes. From classic looks to more edgy styles, there’s a high fade variation to suit everyone. Remember, the key to pulling off any of these looks is confidence and proper maintenance. Regular trims are essential to keep the fade sharp and the overall style looking its best. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and find the perfect high fade haircut that expresses your unique personality and style.