The "fade" haircut is a popular and flattering style. This style includes any kind of cut where the hair is cut short near the neck and gradually gets longer nearer the top of the head. Do a little research to determine which type of fade you want, then use a razor and barber's shears to cut the fade. Read on to find out how to get started.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Plan the Haircut
Step 1. Decide how short to cut the hair
Fade haircuts are usually short, almost bald, close to the nape of the neck. The hair gradually increases in length on the back and sides of the head, and is longest on the top of the head. Any type of gradual shift from short to long is considered a fade, so before you start, it's important to know how short you want the shortest section to be, and how long the longest section should be. Consider the following special ''fade'' hairstyles:
- ''Caesar fade'': The ''Caesar fade'' is a very short cut at the back and sides with a bit longer at the top. The hair at the top is slicked forward, rather than parted, and short bangs are usually brushed to the side.
- ''High and tight'': A ''High and tight'' haircut is an almost completely shaved side and back, with a bit of almost bald hair at the top. Popular style for military.
- ''Princeton'': This type of haircut is an inch or two of hair at the top with a gradual fading of shorter lengths at the back and sides.
- ''Fauxhawk'': This cut is like ''Princeton'', but with a sharper fade. The top is quite long and the back and sides are almost bald or shaved.
Step 2. Decide where to start the fade
Everyone has a different choice of where the hair should fade from longer to shorter. Fade haircuts usually start at the ears and get shorter as they go down to the neck. The hair starts to fade at the ears making most head shapes look better, but you should consider the following factors to create the cut to your liking:
- If a person's hair is finer in some places than others, the fade should begin where the hair texture changes (as long as it's close to the ear). This will make it easier to create a blended look.
- If a person has swirls of hair that will make it difficult to fade at a certain point on the head, plan to start the fade just above or below the swirl of hair.
Part 2 of 3: Cutting Fade Hair Short
Step 1. Use a shaver
Use the shaver for a thin cut with an even and clean effect that is difficult to achieve with a hair clipper. The best way to create a ''High and tight'' or other shorter style is to use a shaving head setting for each length - #3 for the top, #2 for the sides, and #1 for the neckline. This method is often called the 1-2-3 method.
Step 2. Start with head #3
Set the shaver to head length #3 and shave the entire head, including the top, sides and back, so that each section of hair is a uniform length. Work in the opposite direction of the hair to achieve the same cut.
Step 3. Replace with head #2
Starting at the back, cut the hair in a vertical motion from the neck to the crown, stopping just before the crown so that the hair on the top of the head stays long.
- When you are near the crown with each movement, pull back a little so that the length of hair thins together smoothly. Do the same with the sides of the head, paying attention to pulling back on the same sections around the head.
- Smooth out any uneven areas by cutting them back with head #2.
Step 4. Finish with head #1
Start at the nape of the neck and work in an upward motion towards the center of the back of the head. Pull back a little to blend the shorter hair with the longer hair. Continue around the head, pulling back at the same height in each area.
Step 5. Check the pieces
If any point is uneven, too short or too long, return to that point with the proper shaving heads. Shave the hair from the neck to create a neat end at the bottom of the hair.
Part 3 of 3: Cutting Long ''Fade'' Hair
Step 1. Use a combination of scissors and shaver
More complicated ''fade'' haircuts such as ''Caesar'' and ''Princeton'' require the use of more than one tool. The concept remains the same - longer on top, shorter on the sides and back - but the methods for achieving the look of a longer fade are very different.
Wetting longer hair can make it easier to work with. Tell the person you're getting their hair cut to shampoo and pat dry with a towel before you start
Step 2. Trim the lower part of the hair
This time, start by trimming the lower part of your hair, starting at the nape of your neck and working your way up. Use a comb to lift the section of hair between your index and middle fingers. Your fingers should be vertically straight with your head. Use the scissors to trim the hair that sticks out between your fingers. Continue to gather small sections of hair and trim them to the same length until the back of the hair has been trimmed from the nape of the neck to just below the ears.
If the person you're getting their hair cut wants almost bald hair at the bottom of the fade haircut, use head #3 on the shaver to trim the hair from the nape of the neck to just below the ears and a row in between around the back of the head. Use an upward motion and gradually pull back just before you reach your ear
Step 3. Move to the sides and back of the head
Using the same method as gathering the sections of hair between your fingers and trimming the hair that sticks out of the fingers, work the sections around the sides of the head and above the ears at the back of the head. This time, slide your fingers slightly away from your head so that less hair sticks out of your fingers.
- Point the scissors slightly so that they follow the tilt of the head. Pointing the tip of the scissors toward your head, rather than slightly away, will result in a cut that looks uneven.
- When you're done with the second part of the thinning haircut, check your hair. Your hair should be shorter around the neck and to the ear row, and slightly longer above the ears and just below the crown. Fix any spots that look uneven by carefully trimming sections of hair with scissors that are always directed to follow the tilt of the head.
Step 4. Trim the top
Lift sections of hair straight up from the top of your head so that the tips of the hair stick out between your index and middle fingers. Cut the ends of the hair with scissors. Continue trimming the hair at the top of your head in this way until they are all trimmed to the same length.
- Check for “fade” from the crown to the back of the head. Is the “fade” smooth? If not, use scissors to flatten. Remember to hold your finger vertically, not horizontally, to prevent the rung effect.
- Check the front of the hair. Have the bangs been trimmed to the right length? Pay close attention to trim your bangs and sideburns neatly.
Step 5. Check the haircut
Comb the hair, then have the person check the sides and back to make sure he or she is happy with the result. If necessary, re-wet your hair and use scissors to smooth out any areas that look uneven.
