Looking for the perfect haircut for your little boy? Short fade haircuts are a popular choice for young boys, offering a clean, stylish look that’s easy to maintain. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 20 little boy short fade haircuts, providing detailed explanations of each style to help you find the perfect cut for your young man.
1. Classic Taper Fade
The classic taper fade is a timeless choice for little boys. This versatile haircut features longer hair on top that gradually shortens as it moves down the sides and back of the head. The fade typically starts around the temples and continues down to the neckline.
To achieve this look, the barber will use clippers to create a smooth transition from longer hair to shorter hair. The top can be styled in various ways, such as combed to the side for a neat appearance or tousled for a more relaxed vibe.
This haircut is perfect for boys who want a clean, polished look that’s still easy to maintain. It works well with most hair types and face shapes, making it a go-to option for many parents and young boys alike.
2. Buzz Cut Fade
The buzz cut fade is an ultra-short, low-maintenance option that’s perfect for active little boys. This style features hair that’s cut very short all over the head using clippers, with a fade effect on the sides and back.
The top of the hair is typically cut to a uniform length, usually between 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. The sides and back are then faded, creating a subtle gradient effect that adds interest to the otherwise simple cut.
This haircut is ideal for boys who prefer a no-fuss style or for those with very thick hair that can be difficult to manage when longer. It’s also a great choice for hot summer months, keeping your little one cool and comfortable.
3. Textured Crop Fade
The textured crop fade is a modern, stylish option that works well for boys with straight or wavy hair. This cut features a short, textured top with a fade on the sides and back.
The hair on top is cut to about 1-2 inches in length and is texturized using scissors or thinning shears to create movement and dimension. The sides and back are then faded, typically starting around the temples and blending seamlessly into the longer top.
To style this cut, use a small amount of styling product to enhance the natural texture of the hair. This can be done by running fingers through the hair to create a tousled, messy look, or by using a comb for a more structured appearance.
4. Faux Hawk Fade
The faux hawk fade is a bold, edgy style that’s perfect for little boys who want to stand out. This cut features longer hair in the center of the head, styled upwards to create a mohawk-like effect, with faded sides and back.
The top section of hair is left longer, usually about 2-3 inches, while the sides are faded short. The fade can be high, medium, or low, depending on personal preference. The longer top section can be styled into a point or rounded for a softer look.
To achieve the faux hawk effect, use a strong-hold styling product and either a comb or your fingers to style the hair upwards and towards the center. This versatile cut can be styled into a faux hawk for special occasions or left more relaxed for everyday wear.
5. Side Part Fade
The side part fade is a classic, refined look that’s perfect for little gentlemen. This style features a clear side part with longer hair on top and a fade on the sides and back.
The hair on top is left longer, usually about 2-3 inches, allowing for versatile styling options. The sides are faded, creating a clean, crisp look. The fade can start high, medium, or low on the sides, depending on preference.
To style this cut, use a comb to create a clear side part. The longer top section can be combed neatly to the side for a polished look, or styled more casually for a relaxed appearance. This versatile cut works well for both formal occasions and everyday wear.
6. Crew Cut Fade
The crew cut fade is a short, neat haircut that’s perfect for low-maintenance styling. This classic cut features short hair on top that’s slightly longer at the front and gradually gets shorter towards the back. The sides and back are faded for a clean, modern look.
The top of the hair is typically cut to about 1 inch in length at the front, tapering to about 1/4 inch at the crown. The sides and back are then faded, creating a smooth transition from the longer top to the shorter sides.
This haircut is ideal for boys with straight or slightly wavy hair. It requires minimal styling – a small amount of styling product can be used to add some texture or to keep the hair in place if desired.
7. Pompadour Fade
The pompadour fade is a stylish, retro-inspired cut that’s perfect for little boys who want a more dramatic look. This style features longer hair on top that’s swept upwards and back, with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left quite long, usually about 3-4 inches, to allow for the signature pompadour sweep. The sides and back are faded, creating a stark contrast with the voluminous top.
To style this cut, use a blow dryer and a round brush to create volume and sweep the hair upwards and back. Finish with a strong-hold styling product to keep the pompadour in place. This cut requires more maintenance and styling time than some others, but the result is a truly eye-catching look.
8. Curly Top Fade
The curly top fade is an excellent choice for little boys with naturally curly or textured hair. This style embraces natural curl patterns while keeping the sides and back neat and tidy with a fade.
The hair on top is left longer, usually about 2-3 inches, to allow the curls to form and show their natural texture. The sides and back are faded, creating a nice contrast with the curly top.
This cut requires minimal styling – simply use a curl-enhancing product to define the curls and reduce frizz. The fade helps to keep the overall look neat and manageable, making it a great option for boys with curly hair who want a low-maintenance style.
9. Spiky Top Fade
The spiky top fade is a fun, edgy style that’s perfect for little boys who want to make a statement. This cut features longer hair on top that’s styled into spikes, with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left about 1-2 inches long to allow for spiking. The sides and back are faded, creating a clean backdrop for the spiky top. The fade can be high, medium, or low, depending on preference.
To style this cut, use a strong-hold gel or pomade to create spikes by running your fingers through the hair and pulling it upwards. This style is versatile – the spikes can be more defined for a bold look or softened for a more relaxed appearance.
10. Slick Back Fade
The slick back fade is a sophisticated, polished look that’s great for little boys who prefer a neat, put-together style. This cut features longer hair on top that’s slicked back, with faded sides and back.
The top section of hair is left longer, usually about 2-3 inches, to allow for the slicked-back style. The sides and back are faded, creating a clean, streamlined look.
To style this cut, apply a styling product to damp hair and use a comb to slick the hair back from the forehead to the crown. This style works well for both casual and formal occasions, making it a versatile choice for young boys.
11. Textured Quiff Fade
The textured quiff fade is a modern, stylish option that combines volume on top with clean, faded sides. This cut features longer hair at the front that’s styled upwards and backwards, creating a quiff, with shorter hair towards the back of the head and faded sides.
The hair at the front is left about 2-3 inches long, gradually getting shorter towards the back of the head. The sides are faded, creating a nice contrast with the voluminous top.
To style this cut, use a blow dryer and a round brush to create volume at the front, styling the hair upwards and slightly backwards. Finish with a texturizing product to enhance the natural texture of the hair and hold the quiff in place.
12. French Crop Fade
The French crop fade is a stylish, low-maintenance option that’s perfect for little boys who want a neat, trendy look. This cut features a short, textured top with a blunt fringe and faded sides and back.
The hair on top is cut to about 1-2 inches in length, with a straight fringe cut across the forehead. The sides and back are faded, creating a clean, crisp look that contrasts nicely with the textured top.
To style this cut, use a small amount of styling product to enhance the natural texture of the hair on top. The fringe can be left natural or styled slightly to one side for variation.
13. High and Tight Fade
The high and tight fade is a classic military-inspired cut that’s great for little boys who prefer an ultra-neat, low-maintenance style. This cut features very short hair on top with a high fade on the sides and back.
The hair on top is cut very short, usually about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in length. The sides and back are faded very high, often starting near the top of the head, creating a stark contrast between the top and sides.
This cut requires virtually no styling and is perfect for active boys or those who prefer a no-fuss haircut. It’s also a great option for boys with very thick hair that can be difficult to manage when longer.
14. Messy Top Fade
The messy top fade is a relaxed, casual style that’s perfect for little boys who prefer a more laid-back look. This cut features longer, tousled hair on top with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left about 2-3 inches long to allow for the messy, textured look. The sides and back are faded, creating a nice contrast with the voluminous, messy top.
To style this cut, use a texturizing product and run your fingers through the hair to create a tousled, bed-head look. This style is great for boys with naturally wavy or textured hair, as it enhances their natural hair pattern.
15. Undercut Fade
The undercut fade is a bold, trendy style that’s perfect for little boys who want to make a statement. This cut features longer hair on top with very short, faded sides and back, creating a dramatic contrast.
The hair on top is left quite long, usually about 3-4 inches, while the sides and back are cut very short and faded. The transition between the top and sides is abrupt, creating a striking look.
This versatile cut can be styled in various ways – slicked back for a sleek look, tousled for a more casual appearance, or even braided for a unique style. It’s a great option for boys who like to experiment with different looks.
16. Mohawk Fade
The mohawk fade is an edgy, eye-catching style that’s perfect for little boys who want to stand out. This cut features a strip of longer hair running from the forehead to the nape of the neck, with faded sides.
The center strip of hair is left longer, usually about 2-3 inches, while the sides are faded very short. The width of the mohawk can vary depending on preference – it can be wide for a more subtle look or narrow for a more dramatic appearance.
To style this cut, use a strong-hold gel or pomade to style the center strip of hair upwards. This cut can be styled into a full mohawk for special occasions or left more relaxed for everyday wear.
17. Brush Up Fade
The brush up fade is a stylish, modern cut that’s great for little boys who like a neat but trendy look. This style features longer hair on top that’s styled upwards, with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left about 2-3 inches long to allow for the brushed-up style. The sides and back are faded, creating a clean backdrop for the voluminous top.
To style this cut, use a blow dryer and a brush to style the hair upwards and slightly backwards. Finish with a strong-hold product to keep the style in place. This cut works well with most hair types and face shapes.
18. Comb Over Fade
The comb over fade is a classic, versatile style that’s perfect for little boys who prefer a neat, put-together look. This cut features longer hair on top that’s combed to one side, with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left about 2-3 inches long to allow for the comb-over style. The sides and back are faded, creating a clean, crisp look.
To style this cut, use a comb to create a side part and sweep the hair to one side. A small amount of styling product can be used to keep the hair in place. This style can be made neater for formal occasions or more relaxed for everyday wear.
19. Textured Faux Hawk Fade
The textured faux hawk fade is a modern, edgy style that combines the boldness of a faux hawk with the texture of a crop cut. This style features a strip of longer, textured hair on top with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left about 2-3 inches long and is heavily texturized to create movement and dimension. The sides and back are faded, creating a stark contrast with the textured top.
To style this cut, use a texturizing product and your fingers to style the hair upwards and towards the center, creating a faux hawk effect. The textured nature of this cut allows for a more relaxed, less severe look than a traditional faux hawk.
20. Layered Top Fade
The layered top fade is a versatile, stylish cut that works well for little boys with thick or wavy hair. This style features longer hair on top that’s cut in layers for added texture and movement, with faded sides and back.
The hair on top is left about 2-3 inches long and is cut in layers to reduce bulk and create movement. The sides and back are faded, creating a clean backdrop for the layered top.
To style this cut, use a small amount of styling product to enhance the natural texture and movement of the layers. This cut can be styled neatly for a polished look or tousled for a more casual appearance.
In conclusion, these 20 little boy short fade haircuts offer a wide range of styles to suit every preference and hair type. Whether your little man prefers a neat and tidy look or something more bold and edgy, there’s a fade haircut that’s perfect for him. Remember, regular trims are key to maintaining these styles and keeping your little boy looking sharp!