High Fade Haircut

High Fade Side Part
Textured High Fade
High Fade Short Quiff
High Curly Fade
High Fade Slicked Back Top
High Skin Fade

High Fade Haircut

A high fade involves tapering hair 3-4 inches away from the ears. Sometimes, the high fade is extended to the crown of the hair, depending on how high and tight you want it.

 

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, heart, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Style on clean, conditioned hair.
  • Dampen hair with wax if you want a wet look.
  • Invest in high-quality styling products to maintain your hairstyle.

23 Classy High Fade Haircuts for Men

1. High Fade + Side Part

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@robbert_maldonado

Now:

This simple high fade hairstyle features a side part with a combed-over side and an undercut. You can trim hair at the sides to imitate a high drop fade.

Also:

The undercut should be subtle and not sharp to blend with your skin fade and highlight your edges neatly.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, oblong, diamond, round, rectangle, heart and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Trim hair at the side regularly.
  • Apply wax to your hair to make parting easy.
  • You can pair this style with a beard and mustache if you wish.

2. Textured High Fade

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@barbersandbrews

Get this:

This style is easy to create and maintain. Simply fade the sides of your hair and style the top hair as you wish.

Apply texturizers to the top hair to give a smooth, slick texture when the hairstyle is viewed from the front or side.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, heart, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • If you have a beard, you can pair this style with a temple fade.
  • Apply volume-enhancing products to your top hair to increase its fullness.
  • Use pomade to give your hair a lasting shine.

3. High Fade + Short Quiff

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@xandvil

Here's the thing:

This classy hairstyle works great for formal and informal events.

To create this:

Work a bit of styling gel into the top hair and style it upward, bending the tip of the hair sideways. Feel free to pair your quiff with a high fade and a temple fade.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, round, triangle, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Add a soft shape-up to the edges of your hair.
  • Blow your quiff into shape with a blow-dryer and use styling gel to create a wet look.
  • Combine this style with beards for a gentlemanly look.

4. High Curly Fade

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@erikwendschlag

Look:

Combining a high fade with your curly hair is one of the chicest high fade combos. The high fade highlights your curls and accentuates the edges of your hair nicely.

Pro tip:

Add a soft line-up at the front of your hair so attention is taken off the face and drawn to your curls.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, square and heart

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly, wavy or kinky (thick or soft)

Styling Tips:

  • This style works nicely without facial hair, so worry less if you have none.
  • Use curl enhancers to keep your curls in shape.
  • Utilize moisturizing oils to keep your curls hydrated.

5. High Fade Slicked-Back Top

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@javi_thebarber_

Note:

You'd need to grow your hair to about 6-7 inches to create this style.

However:

You can also achieve this style with shorter hair of about 4-5 inches. Blow out your hair with a blow-dryer, and slick it back using styling gel.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Square, heart, and round

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Thin, thick, straight, and wavy

Styling Tips:

  • Style with a high-shine pomade to keep your hair shiny.
  • Apply a volumizing spray to the top hair for extra volume.
  • Use a textured brush to comb to slick your hair back for a clean look.

6. High Skin Fade

7b6md5dv62cukvr
@_paulinhobarber

See:

A high skin fade is one of the high fade combos that require minimal effort. All you need to do is fade the sides of your hair till your scalp becomes visible and style your top hair as desired.

Note:

You'd need to get regular trims from your barber once side hairs start growing.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Rectangle, heart, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Add texture to the top hair.
  • Feel free to pair this style with a burst fade for a structured look.
  • Keep hair at the sides short and neat.

7. High Fade Buzz Cut

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@glolabarber

So:

If you want to keep your hair really short and nice-looking, go for the high fade buzz cut.

Clip hair all around the head short and leave a little length at the top. You can pair this style with a mustache and beard to complete your look.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, round, diamond, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use high-quality sunscreen to protect your scalp.
  • Pair this style with a sharp line-up and temple fade to highlight your edges.
  • Get regular trims.

8. High Fade with Artistic Design

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@zapartyvictor

Here's the thing:

This artistic design is simple and draws attention to the side of the head.

As such:

You should go for artistic designs of your choice, and feel free to apply them on the side or back of your hair.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oblong, diamond, and triangle

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Straight, curly, thick, and soft

Styling Tips:

  • Pair this style with a high skin fade, so designs are visible.
  • Top hair should be 2-3 inches long.
  • Protect your scalp with sunscreen.

9. High Fade Undercut

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@wesleybarberofficial

So:

A high fade undercut is an excellent choice for a date. It offers a sophisticated, gentlemanly vibe with the soft side part, slicked top hair, and buzzed sides.

Also:

You can worry less if you have no facial hair. This hairstyle still does the trick without it. 

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Thick

Styling Tips:

  • The side part should not be too sharp.
  • Use hair gel to slick the top hair sideways.
  • Finish your hairstyle with hairspray to secure your look.

10. High Temple Fade

0gr01w3h16cukvr
@vitorcorreiabarber

Here's the thing:

This high fade combo blends your high fade with your temple fade without showing too much contrast. It's a nice way to show off your beard and your edges simultaneously.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, round, heart, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Keep beards neat and attractive.
  • Use a textured brush to brush hair regularly.
  • Moisturize your hair with oil.

11. High Fade + Pompadour

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@willferrazi

Look:

A high fade pompadour shows your natural hair length and volume. Style your pomp as you wish and pair it with a high fade to add an edgy look to your pompadour.  

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, square, triangle and round

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Straight

Styling Tips:

  • Style pomp to the side or back and apply sea salt spray for volume.
  • Top hair should be 3-4 inches long.
  • You can add a shape-up to your hairstyle if you like.

12. High Drop Fade

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@fpdocorte01

Know this:

A high drop fade pairs well with various haircuts and requires low maintenance.

To achieve this hairstyle:

Fade the sides of your hair in a downward slopy manner, leaving more depth at the front hairline.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval and round

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Add texture to the top hair.
  • Use a bit of pomade for a shiny look.
  • Keep edges neat and sharp-looking with a shape-up.

13. High Fade + Short Spiky Hair

mmmyktrk9cukvr
@lamafiabarbearia

Note:

Since this hairstyle works great with a variety of hair lengths, you can have your spikes short or long, depending on your hair length or preference.

Work a bit of styling gel through sections of your hair to create spikes, and pair it with a high fade.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Heart and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Pair this style with a mustache and beard for a complete look.
  • Use wax for soft hair to enrich thickness.
  • Keep hair at the back and sides shorter.

14. High Fade + Wavy Hair + Side Part

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@thegordoshop

Now:

This hairstyle features shaved sides, a side part, and a high fade.

To recreate, get a 180 wavy haircut, add a sharp side part, then pair it with a high fade. It's an excellent choice for men who are just starting to grow waves and want to introduce a bit of style into their cut.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Heart, diamond, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Add a sharp line-up for a clean look, and use sunscreen to protect your scalp.
  • The high fade works nicely with both 180 and 360 waves.
  • Use wave-enhancing products to maintain your wavy cut.

15. High Fade + Tattoo

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@ricardobarbermx

See:

This combo allows you to show off your tats while rocking a nice haircut. Shave hair completely from the ears to about 3-4 inches upwards around the head to create a high fade.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, heart, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Partner this style with voluminous beards for a complete look.
  • Feel free to add artistic designs of your choice.
  • Add a shape-up for a clean, sharp look.

16. High Fade + Comb-Over

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@rems_barber

Know what:

A comb-over and a high fade is another elegant high fade combo, passing nicely for business meetings and wedding events.

Now:

To style top hair, comb hair at the crown over to the back and comb hair at the middle of the head over to the side. Finish with a high fade at the sides.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, round, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Keep hair edges neat and attractive.
  • If you have a receding hairline, comb over the hair at the crown to disguise it.
  • Use pomade to give your hair a lasting hold and shine.

17. High Fade + Short Hair

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@taylor.b.hair

Listen:

A great way to style your short hair is by pairing it with a high fade. It gives your hair some depth at the side and takes attention off the short hair at the top of the head.

Pro tip:

A high taper fade would be ideal with short hair rather than a high skin fade to balance your looks.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Heart, round, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use styling gel to style top hair.
  • Combine this style with a temple fade for a suave look.
  • Brush hair edges and keep them neat.

18. High Fade Crop Top

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@adrianbarron_

Here's the thing:

Although simple, a high fade crop top offers you the luxury of looking good without needing much styling and maintenance.

To create this look:

Buzz the sides of your hair short and crop the hair at the crown, leaving a little length on top. You can also add a shape-up to keep your edges neat and sharp.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Heart, round, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Texturize top hair.
  • Go for 2-3 inches of hair length on top.
  • Buzz hair evenly around the head.

19. Two-Toned High Fade Mohawk

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@gary_visions

Note:

Tattoos and artistic lines aren't the only way to get creative with your hair; adding one or two tints takes your creativity a notch higher.

Get this:

For this style, you'd need to get a modern mohawk haircut first. Leave only a strip of hair at the middle part of your head, then tint the topmost part.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Wavy, straight, soft, and thick

Styling Tips:

  • Top hair should be longer than side and back hair.
  • If you have longer back hair, you can get a mohawk mullet instead.
  • Feel free to try any tint of your choice, provided it matches your complexion.

20. High Fade Faux Hawk

0pf5gs7p4fcukvr
@derbysupplyco

Get this:

The fuller top of a faux hawk adds a nice contrast to the skin-faded sides.

In addition, the high fade blends nicely with the temple fade, allowing a smooth transition of the fade into the beards, which completes the look.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Work a bit of styling gel into the top hair.
  • Apply pomade for a sleek look.
  • Brush and moisturize beards regularly.

21. High Fade + Long Fringe

srepv2lr5gcukvr
@adsbarber_shop

Looking for a haircut suited for the beach? Here's one.

To create this hairstyle:

Get an undercut on both sides of your head and pair it with a high fade. Leave the top hair long and let it extend to the forehead. Then style it in the form of a textured fringe.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Inverted triangle, round, heart, diamond, and square

Styling Tips:

  • You can pair this style with a mustache for extra style.
  • Keep hair edges neat.
  • Apply hairspray to maintain your look.

22. High Fade + Side Bangs

jt7gn2sr3hcukvr
@andrew_the_barber

Listen:

Do you want to opt for side bangs instead of the regular front bangs?

To do this:

Comb all your hair backwards, leaving a few stray strands at the sides to form the bangs. You can also add an artistic design at the sides of your hair.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, heart, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Extend your designs to the neckline so that it projects a V-shape from the back.
  • Get regular trims to maintain your designs.
  • Use pomade for a strong hold on top hair.

23. High Burst Fade

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@xbigwesx

Listen:

The high burst fade is a classic combo that uniquely combines a burst fade and a high fade.

You can get a burst fade haircut by tapering the hairline behind the ears following the natural ear curve pattern. Then, fade hair 3-4 inches away from the ear from front to back to create a high fade.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Heart, round, and square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use texturizing products to add texture to top hair.
  • Style top hair as a quiff, pomp, or slick-back.
  • You can combine this style with a temple fade if you have beards.

Conclusion

All in all:

  • The high fade is versatile, pairing well with other fade variations and several hairstyles.
  • This fade works best with fine hair types to give a thicker and fuller appearance.
  • The hairstyle you're opting for must work with your face shape and hair type so you can rock it perfectly.
  • Remember to keep your hair moisturized and your edges neat and sharp-looking.

Lastly:

Did you find your next haircut inspiration? Have you tried out any of these hairstyles before? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Frequently Asked Questions

A high fade features tapered hair 3-4 inches away from the ears. It's usually paired with a temple fade, leaving longer hair on top than the sides and back of the head.
There's no best fade haircut. Each fade variation from high, low, and burst fade to mid, skin, bald and taper fade offers its unique style and purpose. In any case, you can opt for a taper or a low fade if you want something short and simple. However, if you want a fade variation that strikes a balance between high and low, go for a mid fade.
A low fade involves tapering the hair 1-2 inches away from the ears, while a high taper fade extends higher, usually 4 inches or more away from the ears. However, both fades feature shorter hair along the back and sides of the hair.
Since a high fade is the highest fade variation, it's usually done 3-4 inches away from the ears. It starts anywhere in the final third of the head and is sometimes extended to the crown of the head.

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