Low Fade vs High Fade: Take Your Pick!

Considering a fade as your preferred haircut? Great stuff!

Don’t know if the low fade or high fade would fit you better? We are here to help you make the right choice for your face and hair type.

So:

Keep reading for more information about both haircuts and tips for styling them.

Low Fade vs High Fade

If you are wondering what would suit you better between the low fade and high fade, note this. Your face shape and hair type are crucial factors to consider. The low fade is short on the sides, but the high fade involves more shaves at the back and sides. Keep this in mind when deciding.

The Main Differences Between a Low Fade and a High Fade

Get this:

From the features to the styling process, there are various differences between a low fade and a high fade. Here are some of them:

Low FadeHigh Fade
The low fade begins an inch above the ear region.The high fade goes above the temple region.
The low fade is clipped with light hair at the back and sides.The high fade is shaved, revealing more skin at the back and sometimes at the sides.
The low fade transition appears softer.The high fade transition appears firmer.
The low fade gives balance without making the head prominent.The high fade elongates the face.
The low fade requires fewer salon visits.The mid fade requires more salon visits to keep the hair clipped to the required length.
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@paulanthonymen

You see:

The low fade is a sophisticated haircut that features full hair on top with a short back and sides. The short back and sides blend into a fuller volume at the top.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Heart, Oval, Rectangular, Round, and Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use styling gel to give the top a glossy look.
  • Ensure there is balance on the sides and back for a full look.
  • For round or heart-shaped faces, go for styles with more height like a quiff.

What Is a High Fade?

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@joecamacam

Here’s the thing:

A high fade gives a fresh look with the fade going as high as above the temple of the head, making it extremely obvious. In addition, the back and sides are clipped short.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Heart, Oval, Rectangular, Round, and Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Choose the right guard side for the fade line.
  • Trim your hair with a good fade clipper regularly to prevent patchy hair at the sides.
  • Ensure there is enough hair at the front for balance.

5 Low Fade Haircuts

1. Low Fade + Curls

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@martymcerlean90

Get this:

This is a fabulous style with a subtle fade at the back and a full curly top at the front, creating a unique contrast with the curls.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, Round, Triangular, and Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Straight, curly and Wavy

Styling Tips:

  • Ensure your hair is dry before styling. Blow dry if the volume at the front requires it.
  • Moisturize with pomade from the back and sides to the front.
  • Keep fringe in place with hairspray that suits your hair type.

2. Low Fade + Slicked Back

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@bentaylorhair

So:

After washing and drying your hair, cut a subtle fade at the back and sides of your head. Then, pull the hair at the front backwards with a comb, pomade and styling gel.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, Round, Square, and Triangle

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Wavy and Straight

Styling Tips:

  • Wash and condition hair regularly.
  • Brush hair backward with a textured comb for a slick look.
  • Use a moderate amount of styling wax to keep hair intact.

3. Low Fade + Quiff

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@andreymoskaliyk

Now:

This style gives a refined look with a modern touch. With the back and sides clipped in a short fade, the hair progresses forward with lengthy waves.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, Round, Triangular, and Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Thin, Wavy, and Straight

Styling Tips:

  • Ensure there is sufficient hair in front for lengthy waves.
  • Use a dryer on the quiff before styling.
  • Apply moisturizer from the back to the front.

4. Low Fade + Afro

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@cristian_barbershop_oficial

Know this:

This style makes heads turn, with its symmetrical fade at the back working up to an extremely full, kinky hair standing out at the front.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, Round, Triangular, and Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Straight, Curly and Wavy

Styling Tips:

  • Detangle the hair before styling.
  • Apply moisturizer to soften the hair.
  • You could add color to the hair if you want.

5. Low Fade + Buzz Cut

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@bean_yourfavorite_barber

Now:

This style gives a mature look with low maintainance. To achieve this look, keep the front low but slightly higher than the back and the sides.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, Heart, Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Ensure that the front of the hair has more length.
  • Brush and properly moisturize your hair to maintain it.
  • Keep the scalp hydrated and protected with sunscreen.

5 High Fade Haircuts

1. High Fade + Beard

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@patty_cuts

Here’s the thing:

The style gives a clean-cut appearance, with harsh fades from the back of the head to the temple of the head. The cut extends towards the face to the beard line, smoothly clipping off excesses.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, Heart, Diamond, Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Keep the top at a length you can maintain easily.
  • You could add a side part for a unique flair.
  • Apply sunscreen to your scalp to prevent sunburn.

2. High Fade + Taper Cut

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@jakfinchhair

Get this:

This is a haircut with the sides trimmed gradually shorter, from the top of the hair down to the sides of the hair and the hairline.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, Heart, Diamond, Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Brush properly when styling.
  • You could dye your hair with a color that suits your face and skin tone.
  • Apply moisturizer from the back to the front.

3. High Fade + Quiff

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@anton_marchenko_ 

So:

This style involves cutting the back and sides in a harsh fade, with the hair progressing forward in lengthy waves.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, Heart, Diamond, Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Thin, Wavy, and Straight

Styling Tips:

  • Ensure there is sufficient hair in front for lengthy waves.
  • Use of a dryer on the quiff before styling.
  • Ensure the fade is more intense to give it a full look.

4. High Fade + Flat Top

5u5ww4jm7brukvr
@vagabondbarber

Note:

This is a high, box-shaped haircut. It has volume at the front and is firmly faded or totally bald at the sides and back of the head.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Round, Heart, Diamond, Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Straight

Styling Tips:

  • Ensure you moisturize with pomade when your hair is dry.
  • You could style your hair with wax or gel to maintain the hairstyle.
  • Go for firmer edges to maintain your unique look.

5. High Fade + Slicked Back

o18c5prm3drukvr
@javi_thebarber_

Now:

This style is created by cutting a bold fade at the back and sides. Then, the hair at the front is pulled backwards with a comb, pomade and styling gel.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, Round, Square, and Triangle

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Wavy and Straight

Styling Tips:

  • Wash and condition hair regularly.
  • Brush hair backward with a textured comb for a slick look.
  • Use a moderate amount of styling wax to keep hair intact.

Conclusion

All in all:

The low fade and high fade are both hairstyles that can be explored in various ways with the styling options discussed above.

Note:

  • Low fade features subtle progression from the back to the front of the hair.
  • High fade depicts a bolder fade line from the back to the front of the hair.
  • Both styles require attention and maintenance.
  • If you are looking to give your hair breathing room, both styles would suffice.

Did we miss out on your favorites? Do you have any recommendations? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!

Frequently Asked Questions

The major difference is the fade line. A high fade is more intense than a low fade at the back and the sides. While the low fade extends slightly above the ear, the high fade extends to the temple of the head.
Yes, a low fade looks great, especially when styled properly. You could throw in a quiff, side part or even a fringe for extra finesse.
A low fade consists of full hair on top with a short back and sides.The short back and sides blend into a fuller volume at the top.
The fade is so versatile that it can be explored with so many styles. As such, it is hard to choose the “best fade.” In any case, you should go for a fade that suits your face type and shape. For example, a low fade + slick back would be great for round-faced men with straight or wavy hair. On the other hand, a high fade with a quiff would be spectacular for oblong and heart-shaped face men with wavy or curly hair.

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