How to Cut a Fade Haircut

Last Updated: August 18, 2020 References Approved

The fade haircut is a popular, flattering style where the hair is cut short near the temples and neck and gradually gets longer near the top of the head. Depending on the hair and personal style, fades can be high and trimmed or start lower and blend into the neckline. Even if you've never faded hair before, cutting this style is simple as long as you have the right tools.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Planning the Fade and Washing the Hair

1
Try a low fade on hair with more texture. If your client’s hair is thick or wavy, buzz the hair with the shortest clipper guard settings at a lower area, preferably below the ears and around the nape of the neck. Low fades show off a hair's texture better and work with the hair's natural pattern.^{[1]
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- The longer the hair is on top, the lower the fade should be.
2
Choose a high fade for more contrast. If you want a cleaner, more buzzed style on the back and sides, go with the lowest clipper guard settings moving up to the temples. Try a high fade for a sleeker look.
- High fades work well with square or round face shapes because they lengthen the appearance of the face.^{[2]
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3
Use a pair of clippers and styling scissors to cut a fade. Choose a pair of clippers with at least 3 guard lengths so you can blend the client’s hair as you go. Use clippers on the back, sides, and nape and styling scissors on the top.
- If you prefer a softer fade, you can also use styling scissors on the back and sides. However, keep in mind that this is an advanced technique, so do not attempt it unless you are very experienced with fades.
- Do not use household scissors to trim hair, as it can result in a blunt or uneven cut.
- Keep in mind that you can use clippers near the top of your head too if you like it shorter than 1 in (2.5 cm).
4
Wash and dry the hair before cutting it. Damp, clean hair is easier to work with while cutting fades. Wash the person's hair with shampoo, rinse it with water, and air or towel dry it until it is damp.^{[3]
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- The hair should be somewhat damp, not dripping wet, to make cutting it simpler. The client’s hair should not be so wet that it clumps together or you may end up cutting out chunks of it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Fading the Hair

1
Trim the top with styling scissors. Lift sections of hair from the top of the head so that the tips of the hair protrude from between your forefinger and middle finger. Trim the tips of the hair with the scissors at your desired length.^{[4]
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- Continue trimming the hair at the top of the head in sections until you've trimmed it to the same length.
- If the person has bangs, trim the bangs in sections for a neat and even line.
2
Trim the entire sides and back with a long guard size. Set the clippers to a long guard length, depending on how long you want the top of the fade, and buzz the entire back and sides. Continue trimming until each part of the hair is a uniform length.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
- Use a vertical movement to cut the hair starting at the hairline and up towards the top of the client’s head.
- Work against the grain of the hair to achieve an even cut.
- Lift the clippers up and outwards slightly at the end of each stroke as you get close to the rounded part of the person’s head to help the cuts fade together smoothly.^{[6]
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3
Cut the back of the head with the next shortest guard. Switch to the next shortest guard and, beginning in the back, cut the hair in vertical strokes from the neck toward the crown. Stop just below the crown so that the hair on top of the head is left long.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
- If you were using a #3 guard size, for example, switch to a #2.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Arthur Sebastian
  Professional Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
- Blend any uneven lines that you notice by going back over them with the clippers.
4
Buzz the nape with the shortest guard setting. Start at the nape of the neck and cut in upward strokes toward the back of the head's center. Work your around the head's back and sides, pulling back at the same height for an even finish.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
- Pull back with your clippers to blend the nape's short hair with the back's long hair.
- Shave the hair from the nape and below to create a clean, neat edge.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cleaning Up and Styling Fades

1
Clean the edges with your clippers. Move your clippers on the shortest guard setting along the nape and edges of the sides. If you find any poorly blended or uneven spots while you go, go back over them with the appropriate clipper guard. You should also turn the blade around and use it to go around the edges of the hairline. This will help to create a clean outline.
2
Inspect the fade and brush off any hair clippings. Ask the client to look at their new cut and determine whether they would like a shorter or longer fade. Brush away any cut hair from the neck and collar before you move on to styling the hair
- If the person wants a shorter cut, trim off small amounts at a time to avoid cutting off too much.
3
Style the top with a hair styling product. Clay, wax, gel, and pomade all work well with faded hair. Work a small amount of styling product into the top, brushing or combing it as you do so to give it a clean, neat look.
- Ask the client what products they normally use and, if possible, incorporate these items, so they can replicate the style themselves.
4
Trim the fade every 4 to 6 weeks, as regular maintenance. To maintain the same hair length and fade, re-trim the cut approximately once every 4 to 6 weeks. Although fades grow out evenly, their style can change significantly as they grow out and require routine trims.^{[10]
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- Use the same clipper guards and styling method that you did while initially cutting the hair.

Community Q&A
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Question

What attachment do you use for the end of the fade?

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing.

Arthur Sebastian

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The end of the fade is typically going to be 0, which is skin. So you may start with like a 2, then move to like a 1.5, then a 1, and a 0.5. This will give you that nice seamless fade.
Question

How do you blend a fade haircut?

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing.

Arthur Sebastian

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Start with a higher number of guard size, like a 3. Then, go down 1 size as you work your way down from the crown of the head. Go down 1 size for each layer of the fade.
Question

Is this haircut popular?

Community Answer

This kind of haircut is definitely in style for men today. It's fairly easy to maintain, and tends to look pretty good.

Warnings

Because fades are a complicated cut, avoid cutting your own hair unless you have hairstyling experience. Cut another person's hair or have someone cut your hair so the person cutting can see the entire head and blend the cut evenly.^{[13]
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