Cuts & Fades
Fade Types Explained
Low, mid, high, taper, skin fade, burst fade — what they mean and how to pick one.
4 min read
A fade gradually blends hair from short at the sides and back into longer length on top. The difference between fade types is how high that blend starts and how short the shortest point goes.
Common fade levels
- Low fade — blend starts low, near the ears. Subtle and professional.
- Mid fade — blend around temple height. The most versatile everyday look.
- High fade — blend starts high on the sides. Bold, sharp contrast with the top.
- Skin / bald fade — fades all the way to skin at the shortest point.
Taper vs burst fade
A taper fade keeps slightly more weight around the neckline — clean but not as dramatic as a skin fade. A burst fade curves the fade line around the ear instead of going straight up; popular with curly and textured tops.
How often to refresh
Most fades look sharpest for 1–2 weeks and stay decent for about 2–3 weeks before the blend grows out. Book a line-up between full cuts if you want the edges crisp.