Hathori Hanzo Shears Brand Logo
2023, 2022 & 2021 Reader’s Choice Awardee in Best Shears Beauty Launchpad Magazine. Read more
Cutting The Best High Fade Haircut For Men
Hattori Hanzo Shears

Cutting The Best High Fade Haircut For Men

Read Article

A haircut is undeniably the most important component of a hairstyle. The right haircut can sharpen your personality and lift your image beyond comprehension. A well executed haircut, like a high fade haircut, can instantly create a cleaner and more dynamic look.  

We have covered fade haircuts for men in-depth in the last few articles on the Hanzo blog. So far, we have covered mid fade haircut and  low fade haircut. This article will emphasize the trendiness and charismatic appeal of the high fade haircut. This is one haircut that can instantly make you appear 10x masculine. Barbers and hairstylists love the high fade haircut for all the right reasons – a classic cut that strikes remarkable appeal. 

If your client is looking for a modern look with a distinctive new style, the high fade haircut is the go to choice. This article will explore how to deliver the perfect high fade haircut, tools required for the job, handling different hair textures, and much more. Stay tuned for an information dose! 

What is a High Fade? 

Basics are important – let’s start with What is a High Fade? 

A fade isn’t a standalone haircut; it’s an element added to any hairstyle for a sharper, more modern look. The term ‘fade’ specifically refers to the hair on the back and sides of the head. 

Simply put, the fade haircut can be thought of as a blending of hair with different lengths. The gradual increase in hair length can result in a smooth transition – short hair on the back and longer hair on the top. The overall result is a faded appearance which looks aesthetic. Now, there are various kinds of fade styles depending upon what you choose to do with the hair on the top. 

For instance, if the graduation starts at or just above temples, you will get a low fade as a product whereas a high fade begins much further up the head. 

Will a High Fade Haircut Suit Me?

fade high top haircut

The #1 concern a client has while trying a new style is: Will it Suit me? To answer this question, everything is not for everyone and the same goes for the high fade haircut. The first thing you need to understand is your face type. To summarize, there are five key shapes: (1) round, (2) square, (3) rectangle, (4) heart, and (5) oval.

A hairstylist needs to first determine which face shape is the client and whether this particular hairstyle will fit or not. High fade haircut has a short back and sides which can create an elongating effect making your head appear big. This works nicely for round and heart-shaped face types however is not optimal for rectangular faces. 

People with round, heart, and oval faces can look good in a high fade haircut. Then there are various styles to pair up with your perfect haircut – pompadours and quiffs work as well.  

Best High Fade Haircut Styles  

Fades can be everything but they are NOT boring. There are a million ways to style high fade haircuts if you ever commit to one. One brilliant way to do this is to opt for a Pompadour with high fade. This hairstyle has experienced a resurgence over the last decade and it is a lofty hairstyle that employs a blow-dryer and pomade to style up. Elvis made it popular and Beckham carried the tradition. 

Another commonly adopted style is the high and tight. This style is most famous with military men and due to fascination for armed forces, many young men can be seen rocking this hairstyle. It’s a classic hairstyle which requires little maintenance and a timeless classic. The fade might require a touch-up here and there after 2 weeks but overall, a very rugged hairstyle.    

For the young, there is a cool variation – combine crew cut with high fade and voila, a new chic style. The crew cut also owes its origin to the military. Over the years, this haircut has become a go-to haircut for so many men because of its low maintenance nature. Put a high fade and combine it with crew cut – use a wax, clay or pomade to style. This would give you an amazing edgy look which looks aesthetic.    

There are some styles which are cool and suspicious. This style was popularized by the famous television series Peaky Blinders. This style was popularized and revived by this charismatic series. This style involved short, choppy hair which are quite common in the UK. Shelby from the series wore the style with an undercut variation but a high fade will be an innovative variation.  

How to Cut High Fade?   

fade haircut high

To cut high fade, you will be requiring a number of tools like clipper/trimmer with guards, professional high quality shears, comb, trimmer, etc. Like all other hairstyles, the haircut is divided into three categories: (1) Preparation, (2) Sectioning, and (3) Choosing the Guard. In the preparation phase, we start by washing the client’s hair to remove all hair residue. Use a towel to dry hair, leaving it slightly damp for easier cutting. 

Once the hair is nice and damp, the next step is to use a high quality comb and section off the top portion of the hair. Professional hairstylists often use clips to section off hair which helps in focusing on sides and back. Depending upon the client’s hair length, the hairstylist then attached a guard for the desired length. A #1 or #2 guards are optimal for such purposes. 

Most Important Part – Creating the Fade

The most important part of the high fade haircut is creating a fade. We begin at the bottom of the side, close to the ears. Cutting around the ears is a tricky skill and we recommend checking out our expert guide on this topic. The only purpose here is to create an excellent graduation rather than achieve uniformity. To accomplish this, we move upwards, gradually increasing the guard length to blend the hair smoothly. A scooping motion is desirable to prevent any harsh lines and ensure smoothness.  

After Cut – Blending and Styling

mens high fade haircut

For blending, we need a short guard to blend the hair and switch to a longer guard when moving towards the higher side of the head. This is a pro-tip to ensure seamless blending. For final touches, use a trimmer to clean up the edges around the ears, neckline, and sideburns. Scissors can be utilized for any final-touches and for trimming the top portion of hair. Hairstylists can apply a small amount of styling product to give slight volume to the top hair. Use hands or comb for styling the hair as desired. 

How to Cut Different Hair Types

This section will cover the different hair types that exist and how to cut high fade haircut in each case: 

Straight Hair

Straight hair is generally easier to fade and the entire guide is focused on dealing with straight hair style. Just follow the steps in the guide and you will be good to go. 

Wavy Hair

Wavy hair requires special attention as the natural waves can create uneven sections. For wavy hair specifically, you may need to use shorter guard lengths and make more passes to achieve an even fade. When styling, a product that enhances natural waves needs to be utilized. 

Curly Hair 

Curly hair can be challenging due to high volume and texture. A guard that is one length shorter that the one you use for straight hair is optimal to account for the extra volume. Work slowly in each section and make sure to blend thoroughly. Curly hair might require decent moisturizing to keep the curls defined later on. 

Coarse Hair

Coarse hair is thick and may require more effort to fade smoothly. Use high-quality clippers and make sure they are well-oiled. A higher guard may be needed initially to remove bulk before you start the fade. Pay extra attention to blending and use a trimmer for clean lines.

Afro-Textured Hair

Afro-textured hair requires special care. Use a pick to lift the hair before cutting and start with a longer guard to remove bulk. Gradually work your way down to shorter guards for the fade. Moisturizing products can help maintain the texture and health of the hair.

Maintenance Tips for a High Fade Haircut

  • Regular Trims: Schedule regular trims every 3-4 weeks to keep the fade looking sharp.
  • Proper Styling Products: Use products suitable for your hair type to maintain the style and health of your hair.
  • Hydration: Keep your hair and scalp hydrated to prevent dryness and flakiness.
  • Clean Tools: Ensure your clippers and trimmers are clean and well-maintained for the best results.

By following these steps and understanding how to handle different hair types, you can master the high fade haircut and offer your clients a fresh, modern look.

Conclusion

High fade haircut is a versatile haircut – a timeless classic that never gets old. Popular among the civilians and military fellows alike. Hair Stylists need to be careful when cutting the fade section and the rest is a walk in the park. Follow the steps mentioned in this expert guide and your client would love the end results for sure. 

For best results, always use professional shears from Hanzo.

Related Artciles