Low Fade vs Mid Fade

If you can’t decide between a low fade and a mid fade, you’ve come to the right place. In this roundup, we explain both haircuts with styling tips.

What Is a Low Fade?

Low Fade Haircut
@mohamad_yeganebarber

Now:

The low fade is a classy haircut that stuns with close-cropped hair at the back and the sides that blend into a fuller length at the top.

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

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Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips

  • Keep the sides of your hair well proportioned with an occasional trim.
  • Apply styling gel to keep the top sleek.
  • Wash and moisturize your hair regularly to keep it healthy.

What Is a Mid Fade?

Mid Fade Haircut
@hamedjavanacademy

So:

The mid fade is a trendy haircut with a full top gradually tapered off from the temple region to the back of the head. It is a balance between the high fade and low fade haircuts.

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Ideal Face Shapes: Triangular, Diamond, Oblong, and Oval

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Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips

  • Keep the top at a length you can maintain easily.
  • Trim your hair regularly to avoid split ends.
  • Keep the top short if you have an oblong face.

The Main Differences Between a Low Fade and Mid Fade

Here are five distinctions between the low fade and mid fade hairstyles:

Low FadeMid Fade
Begins slightly above the ear region.Starts at the temple region, about four inches above the ear.
Looks formal and sharp.Is casual and trendy.
Transition appears softer because it starts low.Transition appears harsher because it starts high above the ears.
Makes the head appear rounder.Makes the head look longer.
Has limited styling options.Offers more styling options.

5 Low Fade Haircuts

1. Low Fade + Quiff

Low Fade Quiff
@private_cuts_lv

Now:

The low fade paired with a quiff gives you a polished look. With the back and the sides cut short, the hair at the top is swept into full lengthy waves.

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

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Ideal Hair Types: Straight, Thin, Wavy, and Coarse

Styling Tips:

  • You need about four inches of full hair at the top to pull off this hairstyle.
  • Use a blowdryer occasionally to maintain the quiff.
  • You can pair this hairstyle with well-groomed facial hair to elevate your appearance.

2. Low Fade + Buzz Cut

Low Fade Buzz Cut
@gaborklncs

Listen:

With the Buzz Cut, you get a fresh masculine look that requires minimal care. To pull it off, keep the hair at the top short, although longer than the sides, to define the low fade.

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Ideal Face Shapes: Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use a light styling cream if the top is thick.
  • Keep your hair and scalp hydrated and soft with an oil conditioner.
  • You can pair this hairstyle with a neat beard to boost your appearance.

3. Low Slick Back Fade

Low Fade Slick Back
@willthemoraes

So:

After the low fade is cut, wash your hair and air dry. Then, slick the hair at the top backward with a styling gel or pomade.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Thin and Straight

Styling Tips:

  • This hairstyle requires a full top for a defined look.
  • Apply styling products regularly to maintain the style.
  • Ensure your hair is damp before styling.

4. Low Fade + Undercut

Low Fade Undercut
@cosmohairstylingvelserbroek

Now:

Keep the sides and back of your hair short, then increase the length from the middle to the top with the hair combed upwards.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Straight and Wavy

Styling Tips:

  • Use a styling gel to keep the top slicked up.
  • You can pair this look with a side part to spice things up.
  • Use a fine tooth comb to brush the hair up regularly.

5. Low Curly Fade

Low Fade Curly Hair
@alejomighty_barber

Get this:

This hairstyle flaunts your curls and is easy to maintain! To pull it off, carefully increase the short hair on the sides to form a neat set of curls at the top.

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Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Oval, Round, Square, and Triangular

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly

Styling Tips:

  • Apply styling gel and curl enhancers to help your curls flourish.
  • Ensure your curls are damp before styling.
  • Air dry your hair to maintain your curl shape.

5 Mid Fade Haircuts

1. Mid Fade + Taper

Mid Fade Taper
@hamedjavanacademy

Now:

The mid taper fade begins with a full top gradually tapered off from the temple region to the back.

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Ideal Face Shapes: All

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Apply moisturizing cream regularly to prevent dryness and irritation on your scalp.
  • Trim hair at the back to keep a fresh look.
  • If the top is full or long, keep it elegant and shiny with styling gel.

2. Mid Skin Fade

Mid Skin Fade
@sean_the_barber

Listen:

Keep the top sharp and voluminous, and carefully reduce the length to a skin cut as the fade descends to the back of the head.

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Ideal Face Shapes: Square and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use a foil shaver or a straight razor for a sharper skin cut.
  • Keep the top at a length you can maintain easily.
  • Apply sunscreen to your scalp to prevent sunburn.

3. Mid Drop Fade

Mid Drop Fade
@cutbyxo

Now:

The mid drop fade consists of full hair cut in a U-shape around the middle of the head before it is cut off at the sides.

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Ideal Face Shapes: Square and Round

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Wavy and Curly

Styling Tips:

  • Keep regular barbing appointments to maintain a neat fade.
  • You can pair this hairstyle with a crew cut to accentuate your look.
  • Apply moisturizing cream regularly to protect your hair follicles.

4. Mid Fade + Waves

Mid Fade Waves
@__iam_flyger__

So:

With this hairstyle, the hair on both sides is cut short, and your waves are concentrated at the top.

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Ideal Face Shapes: Oval, Round, and Square

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly, Wavy, and Afro

Styling Tips:

  • Wear a cap or durag often to add texture to your waves.
  • Brush your hair regularly with a good wave brush.
  • You can wolf your hair for a short time to achieve 360 waves.

5. Mid Razor Fade

Mid Razor Fade
@daniel_barbershop

Get this:

A razor fade is specifically cut with a straight razor. Start by completely cutting off the hair at the ear region and back. Then, carefully increase the length from the middle to the top.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Use a good straight razor for a clean and precise look.
  • Keep the hair at the back and sides in a skin cut to emphasize the style.
  • Also, you can use a straight razor to align the edges of your hair.

Conclusion

All in all:

The low fade and mid fade are rich hairstyles with many styling options.

So:

The best haircut depends on the look and feel you're going for.

Now:

Let us know what you think about these hairstyles through your comments and questions in the comment section below!

Frequently Asked Questions

The low fade and the mid fade are stunning haircuts. Your ideal fade style depends on your preference, face shape, and hair type.
The fade hairstyle has many variations. So, the fade best suited for you depends on your face shape, hair type, and preference.
Definitely! The low fade is a classy cut that suits all hair types and most face shapes.
The low fade is cut straight from the ear region to the back, while the drop fade is cut around the head before it is tapered off at the ear region and the back.

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