The fade haircut is a popular Black men’s hairstyle that has seen a resurgence in recent years. The fade haircut for Black men is the most versatile, in terms of looks, as well as being one of the cleanest cuts to maintain. The look creates a stark contrast between the sides and the top, perfect if you want to draw attention to your hairstyle.
Fades have been the go-to hairstyling choice in Black communities since the 1980s, with stylists personalizing the cut with stylish variations. The range of fade haircuts for men includes so many different looks that any Black man can find something unique.
Low fades are among the most popular Black men’s haircuts. They provide a low-maintenance style option while still making use of really short sides to contrast with and highlight the medium-length hair on top.
Table of Contents
Top 21 fade haircut for black men
1. low fade
The low fade haircut for Black men is a classy haircut for Black men that offers a clean transition with simplicity and sophistication. This understated cut starts above the ears, continuing down to the neckline, and can be an excellent look for business professionals who need a sophisticated style. It easily works with buzz cuts, short curls, sponged styles, and waves, adding a contemporary flair to any approach.
2. Mid Fade
It’s called the mid-fade haircut for Black men because it starts halfway up the sides and back of your head, leaving you with a melted look as it transitions perfectly to your skin. Ideal for guys with wavy, straight, thin, or thick hair, the mid fade is clean-cut, manly, and ridiculously good-looking.
3. The High Fade
The high fade is a very short haircut that exposes much more of the back and sides of your head. The hair at the top is left relatively longer compared to other fade haircuts on this list. This cut will give you that bad boy look if you have long hair because it looks great with a beard. A high faded side part pompadour also goes well with a beard. It’s such a simple yet striking hairstyle for men where the aftershave guy ‘look didn’t exist!
4. taper fade
The taper fade haircut for Black men is a subtle and stylish variation, so if you’re not one to make a fuss of your hair, it’s definitely a go-to cut. Cute taper-faded haircuts blend short to shorter tresses without any obvious lines or stark shaved effects and can be long or short depending on the results you want. It’s easy to maintain, neat, and forever looking effortless.
5. Drop Fade
The drop fade haircut for Black men is a stylish and modern haircut choice for men, whether you have short or long hair. Pick a high, mid, or low fade to finish the cut.
6. skin fade
The skin fade haircut for Black men is a stylish cut that requires dedication to upkeep, as the hair on the sides and back is shaved to the skin, meaning more trips to the barber, but the popular bald faded cut can be worth it. This style exudes a clean, fresh vibe, which is particularly suited for summer.
7. Burst Fade
The burst fade is a newer take on the popular haircut style, and it’s one that definitely gets people talking when done right, as it offers up a more aggressive, blended look that curves around the ear. Unlike other fades, like the drop fade, for example, burst fades keep more hair in the back and instead focus most of their tapering on areas in front and immediately around the ear. In this case it’s paired with a modern Afro-textured mohawk.
8. Temp Fade
The temp fade haircut for Black men is a very nice Black men’s haircut, if you ask us. That’s because it looks incredibly clean and defined, with the kind of sleekness that many guys constantly strive for when they are cutting their own hair.
9. Afro Fade
An Afro fade haircut for Black men is the perfect way to ramp up a retro look. Essentially, an Afro fade is a style for Black men who want to keep their hair short and manageable but with big volume and statement-making texture up top. An Afro fade is generally longer on the sides and back, which makes the tapered puff of an Afro on top all the more striking.
10. High-top fade
The high-top fade haircut for Black men is a 1980s-era hairstyle that marries old-school vibes with new-school barbering. Ultimately, it’s long, structured hair on top aggressively contrasted by very short-cut (or “faded”) sides and back.
On this particular hairstyle example, the top stands 4-6 inches tall & flares out into a rounded kiss curl, tidy, of course. Add to this look with an aggressive high skin or temp fade for extra optical height gains. A more mature aesthetic may keep the top not so high along with relatively low-defined lines.
11. Fade With Lineup
A fresh fade haircut for black men with a line-up is a trendy cut that combines sharp edges and an angular hairline with the perfect graduation on the sides and back. Also known as an edge or shape-up, the crisp lines along the forehead, temples, and beard area elevate any style.
12. Short Afro Curls with Low Skin Fade
A short, curly afro hairstyle is a great option for Black men who want to embrace their natural texture with a low fade on the sides to accentuate the style. The skin fade disconnects the beard while adding a classy but still masculine finish, and the thick curls are cut to be long and trendy. The full, groomed beard adds some extra swag to the look.
13. twists fade
This is a dramatic, kinky twist on the high fade haircut. The stylist has created a modern spiked blonde fringe that dramatically contrasts with the dreadlock hair around it. This hairstyle for Black men works perfectly when paired with a high-fashion wardrobe and an edgy personality.
14. Dread Fade
A dread fade haircut for black men is a trendy, hippie-like style with long hair formed into locs and often swept back to show off a fade on the sides. Here, a burst fade provides contrast and all the focus on the look, but you can opt for a mid-drop fade instead. A blended full beard grows from the tips of this style like it was meant to be there, and crisp line-up work along the forehead, temple, and nape adds sharp detail.
15. Low Skin Fade
A low skin fade haircut for black men looks clean and fresh and screams modern class. The cut is tapered with shaved ends for a sleek look. The fade begins lower on the head and tapers down to the skin, making it a great haircut for Black men who want to ooze confidence and simple luxury. Hair is thick and short, with the transition beginning high on the head and fading to the skin above the ear for an extra subtle finish.
16. Temp Taper Fade
A temp taper fade haircut for black men is an awesome cut that just tapers the hair around your temples, which ultimately gives you a new style with some added contrast. This is a cut barbers use all the time because they’ll get the temped tapered version to really bring features out and get texture.
17. waves fade
This mid-skin fade haircut for black men remains the same as it is, but with a little bit of artistic cultural vibe added to it. It looks good with an angular beard if you are into that chiseled man look. Nice shape-up too; just tell your barber to hook you up.
18. Low taper fade
- This handsome, traditional low taper fade shows off natural hair, and thick waves are introduced for a classy, textured appearance that doesn’t look boring.
19. Mid-Temp Fade with Short Hair and Beard
A mid-temp fade haircut for black men like this one brings all the focus to the front of your cut, while slightly longer hair at the back spotlights the crop shape. Plus, 360 waves and a long, angular beard make for a bold-but-not-too-bold blend.
20. buzz cut fade
A modern buzz cut fade haircut for black men is a functional, military-inspired style with a high-contrast blend for an edgy, clean look. It’s athletic, simple, and easily masculine enough to be worn in casual, business, and formal settings. Choose to wear a soul patch on the chin.
21. Sponged Long Afro Fade
The different types of fade haircut for black men haircuts are a continuation of men’s haircut styles from ages ago and have made their way back into the mainstream of culture in recent years. The fade haircut, also sometimes known as a taper, is the most popular way to cut a guy’s hair on the sides and back.
Types of Fades For Black Men
- Low Fade: The fade haircut for black men begins to taper just above the ear, resulting in a more conservative, office-friendly look.
- Mid Fade: The mid fade is versatile and easy, offering a perfect balance between the high and low fade. The hair is tapered from the temples and around the head, creating a youthful look that still works for professional environments.
- High Fade: A high fade is a super short haircut that starts right near the top of the sides and back and cuts dramatically shorter for a very dramatic look.
- Skin Fade: The skin fade is a really nice, modern trend where we use clippers to blend the hair into the skin and then shave with a razor at the bottom for an ultra-clean look.
- Drop Fade: Drop fade is the new addition to the fade family. This variation drops round to the back of the head, and it’s a style that is going to get you noticed.
- Burst Fade: The burst fade creates a visually striking look with a “bursting” effect around the ear.
Check out the Naturals Salon price list for a range of services, from haircuts to styling, and find the perfect option for your next fresh look!
FAQs
Q1. What is a fade haircut for Black men?
A: A fade haircut is generally any haircut that is tapered in length, gradually gets longer or shorter, and fades into nothing, meaning the ‘bare’ skin.
Q2. How to maintain a fade haircut?
A: Getting regular trims every 2-4 weeks will keep the fade looking sharp and clean. Applying styling products will help to enhance curls and texture.
Q3. Which Fade Haircut is Best for My Face Shape?
A: A low fade is clean, a high fade is edgy, a mid fade is versatile, and a drop fade offers a unique look. Just choose what suits you best.
Q4. Can I style my fade haircut differently for, say, a formal event or a casual setting?
A: Yes, for a formal event, keep it sleek (pompadour or buzz cut), and for casual settings, add texture with curls, twists, or even a mohawk.
