Walk into any barber in East London and ask for “a fade” and a good barber will ask two questions back: how high and what style. Get those right and you’ll walk out with exactly the cut you pictured. Here’s the full breakdown.
Fade height: low, mid & high
Height is about where the fade starts on the side of your head:
- Low fade — begins just above the ear; clean and understated.
- Mid fade — begins around the temple; the most versatile choice.
- High fade — begins near the crown; sharp, bold contrast.
Fade styles
- Skin (bald) fade — blended right down to the skin for the cleanest finish. See our skin fade guide.
- Taper fade — a softer, more gradual fade that keeps a little length at the edges; smart and low-maintenance.
- Drop fade — the fade “drops” lower behind the ear, following the head’s curve for a rounded look.
- Burst fade — fades in a semicircle around the ear, popular with curly tops and mullets.
Which fade suits you?
Thick or curly hair holds height well, so high and burst fades pop. Straighter hair suits clean low and mid fades. If you want something you don’t have to maintain as often, a taper grows out more gracefully than a skin fade. Whatever you pick, pairing it with a sharp lineup and a beard shape-up ties the whole look together.
Still deciding? Bring a reference photo and book in with Cuts by Chase — we’ll tailor the fade to your hair and face shape.