Mid Fade vs High Fade: Switch Up Your Style!

Fact:

The mid fade and the high fade are stunning hairstyles with similar proportions, and you don’t need a lot of hair to rock either.

So:

How do you differentiate between the two and decide which suits you best?

Worry not! We’re here to answer your questions and help you determine your next fade hairstyle. Dive in!

Mid Fade vs High Fade

The main difference between the mid fade and high fade is the fade level. Also, a mid fade is easier to care for than a high fade. Additionally, a mid fade provides more styling options than a high fade. As such, it has a fuller top than the high fade.

The Main Differences Between a Mid Fade and High Fade

Here are four differences between the mid fade and high fade hairstyles:

Mid FadeHigh Fade
A mid fade starts at the temple region, about four inches above the ear.A high fade starts close to the top, at the forehead level.
The transition is low and subtle.The transition is high and striking.
It does not shed so much hair.It sheds a lot of hair.
It has more styling variety.It has fewer styling options.

What is a Mid Fade?

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@alexvianax

Now:

The mid fade tapers the hair from the back and the sides up to the temple region and leaves the top full. This hairstyle is right for you if you don’t want your fade very high or too subtle, like the low fade.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Triangular, Diamond, Oblong, and Oval

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Keep the top full if you have a round face.
  • Polish up your haircut with a regular trim.
  • Keep the top moisturized with a leave-in conditioner.

What is a High Fade?

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@ronybarberofc

Here’s the thing:

The high fade tapers the hair from the back of the head up to the forehead level and keeps the top full.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Keep the top short if you have an oblong face.
  • Apply sunscreen on your scalp regularly to prevent sunburns.
  • Maintain the fade style with an occasional trim.

5 Mid Fade Haircuts

1. Mid Shadow Fade

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@juniiormmoura

Now:

This hairstyle fades the hair at the sides to the minimum length, increasing the length from the temple region to blend into a full top.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Condition your hair regularly to keep it moisturized and clean.
  • Try keeping the top wavy or curly to compliment your look.
  • Use a fine-toothed comb to keep the top tidy.

2. Mid Fade + Buzz Cut

bl11r5764yl45jr
@alexvianax

To pull this off:

Taper the hair from the sides to the temple region, and keep the top full to define the fade style.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Triangular, Diamond, and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • Wash your scalp regularly to keep it clean.
  • Wear a hat when out in the sun.
  • Pair your buzz cut with a well-groomed beard to enhance your appearance.

3. Mid Fade + Pompadour

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@fadezonehelsinki

To style this:

Start by fading the hair from the back up to the temple region, and increase the hair length as it ascends to a long top.

Then, carefully sweep the top backward and slick it down at the sides.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Heart, and Oval

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips:

  • You need long hair at the top to pull it off.
  • Keep your pompadour sleek with styling wax or cream.
  • Trim your hair regularly to maintain the hairstyle.

4. Mid Fade + Comb Over

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@alexvianax

Now:

This hairstyle begins with a mid fade on the sides that blends into long hair at the top, neatly combed to one side.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Oblong, and Oval

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

Styling Tips:

  • Blow dry the top to keep the style defined.
  • Pair your hairstyle with a side parting to accentuate it.
  • Keep the top slicked back with light styling gel or cream.

5. Mid Fade + Mohawk

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@barbearia_magnatha

Listen:

Start with the mid fade at the sides, but leave the back full. Then, increase the hair length in the middle from the back to the front to form the mohawk style.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly, Straight, and Thick

Styling Tips:

  • You need full hair to pull off this look.
  • Apply hairspray to keep the mohawk sleek.
  • Keep your hairstyle fresh with an occasional trim.

5 High Fade Hairstyles

1. High Spiky Fade

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@barber_shop_pinuccio

Now:

The spiky hairstyle compliments the high fade at the sides by combing up the top to form spikes.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Heart, and Oval

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

Styling Tips:

  • Wash your hair before your haircut and blow dry while it’s damp.
  • Before styling, use a wide-toothed comb to detangle the top.
  • Use styling gel to add volume to the top.

2. High Skin Fade

4rcsirch44m45jr
@samosbarbershop

So:

This hairstyle tapers the hair to the skin from the back to the forehead level and keeps the top full.

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Oval, and Oblong

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly, Straight, and Thick

Styling Tips:

  • Use a straight razor for a clean cut.
  • Apply sunscreen on your scalp to prevent sunburns.
  • Rinse your hair after your haircut to minimize irritation.

3. High Fade + Man Bun

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@idriss_barber_

Listen:

This hairstyle contrasts the fade at the sides and the long bun on top. As the fade moves upward, carefully increase the hair length from the forehead level to blend into a long top.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly, Straight and Thick

Styling Tips:

  • You need at least six inches of hair at the top.
  • Use styling cream to add texture to your bun.
  • Keep the man bun neat with a regular trim.

4. High Curly Fade

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@ceazerbarber

Now:

As the fade moves from the back to the forehead level, the sides are carefully increased to form neat curls at the top.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Curly

Styling Tips:

  • Leave your curls damp before styling.
  • Apply styling gel or pomade to add volume to your curls.
  • Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your curls.

5. High Top Fade

2sdrravi17m45jr
@esmael_barber

Get this:

The high top fade is achieved by fading the hair at the sides and combing up the top to form an afro.

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

icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: Coarse, Curly, and Kinky

Styling Tips:

  • You need at least four inches of hair at the top.
  • You can pair the high top with dreads for a bolder look.
  • Apply leave-in conditioner to keep the top moisturized.

Conclusion

In a nutshell:

  • The mid fade and high fade are stunning and versatile hairstyles.
  • They offer various styling options.
  • The maintenance required depends on your preferred hairstyle.

So:

No matter the time or season, there’s always a fade for you!

Now:

Did we miss out on your favorite haircuts? Do you have any recommendations? Let us know your thoughts by leaving questions in the comment section below!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want a casual look, you can get a mid fade. However, if you prefer something bolder, you should opt for the high fade.
The fade provides many styling options. While the fade haircut is versatile and inclusive of all hair types, the mid fade gives a trendy look that looks great on people with diamond, oval, and triangular faces. In addition, the high fade gives a more formal look suitable for people with oblong, round, and square faces. So, you can determine the fade best suited for you by your preference, face shape, and hair type.
Your preferred hairstyle determines whether your fade will be low, mid, or high. If you want a fade but don’t want to shed a lot of hair, you should opt for the low fade. However, if you’re more interested in a striking look that requires minimal hair, you should get a high fade. And, if you want a fade that’s not too high and not too low, the mid fade will suit you well.
This hairstyle tapers the hair to the skin from the back and stops above the temple region but below the forehead level. Then, the top is kept full.

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