A low skin fade haircut is a men’s haircut that involves long hair on top, gradually getting shorter until skin level as it goes down to the sides and nape area. Also commonly called a bald fade or a zero fade, the skin fade brings a crisp contrast.
Plus, having it low makes it a great match for modern hairstyles like pompadours, faux hawks, quiffs, high tops, undercuts, and much more! No matter the length of the top hair, Afro barber Matthew Odediran exhibits how to work the low skin fade magic on various styles, textures, and lengths.
Cutting your hair down to the skin creates a low-upkeep, laidback, and clean look that could last for weeks, meaning that it’s a perfect fade for both business and casual settings.
See how celebrity dreamboats Cristiano Ronaldo, Zayn Malik, Tom Hardy, and Adam Levine flaunt their low skin fade cuts handsomely in and out of action!
For the most recent and popular examples, look at this collection of low skin fade haircuts that will make you look no further!
#1: For Curly Hair
In this low skin fade style, I was inspired by the type of hair that, in this case, presented one forward direction and one medium undulation. What I like most about this low skin taper is to take advantage of its natural form and does not alter it, thus giving a very comfortable result for day to day. We usually apply a curl-enhancing styling base for this style and dry naturally.
#2: Gentlemen Burst Fade
Gentlemen’s burst fades are becoming more and more popular. The key to this style is to keep the hair short around the ears and leave length in style. This has faded to the skin and blended tightly into the rest of the hair. This keeps it tidy around the ears leaving plenty to style. Remember that products are key to the finished look. To emulate this natural finish, I recommend using a good styling powder.
#3: Faux Hawk
Style with gel or mousse to create a spiked fohawk. The low shaved sides balance out the fullness up top.
#4: Low Skin Fade for Curly Hair
A low skin fade for curly hair is a modern option to tame your textured hair. Men’s low fade haircuts like this remove bulk and seamlessly transition to full curls on top with clean edges. With this low fade haircut, men can dress up or down, making it extremely versatile.
#5: Slicked Back
Combed over the back creates a cleaned-up look. The low skin fade is the contrasted addition you want to try.
#6: Disconnected Undercut
Ask your barber for a shave close to the skin while having the top portion full. A men’s low fade haircut shines when paired with a sleek pompadour.
#7: Low Skin Fade + Comb Over
After that sharp shave, all the hair can be sliced toward the sides. Gel those streaks up to finish off the look! Mens low fade is a classic haircut that works well with any style.
#8: High Top + Low Skin Fade
The curls do all the work here, but the low skin fade hairstyle complements it. This afro low top fade is timeless and will always be in fashion.
#9: Low Skin Fade with Beard
A little rough around the edges wouldn’t hurt. Tousle up those layers, shave the sides instead of the beard, and you’ll be good to go with this haircut with a low skinfade.
#10: Caesar Cut
Revolutionary and bold, a Caesar cut with a lower skin fade is just what you need to amp up your style. The shaved sides give it a nice taste of balanced volume.
#11: Low Skin Fade with Quiff
Partner anything full, like a quiff to low bald fade sides, and you’ll surely rock any party! Keep your skin fade low to emphasize contrast while preserving hair volume.
#12: Long Hair on Top
If you’re still not ready to let go of your long locks, try this low bald fade that will ease you into having shorter hair. It would be best to have a thick head of hair for this low fade long hair to work well.
#13: Wavy Hair
Mesmerizing waves that fade into a clean-cut puts in that feminine factor that is quite attractive.
#14: Pompadour
Go home or go hard, indeed! This attention-seeking quiff with a low skin fade is the real definition of extra.
#15: Textured and Messy
The ready-to-go hair. The bed hair. The not-so-bad hair day. With full hair on top and minimal hair to style at the sides, the possibilities are endless for this super easy-to-maintain haircut with a low skin fade.
#16: Crew Cut
I would describe the faded mohawk as “awesome is what it is.” This haircut carries a lot of benefits when it comes to styling. Having the upper section of the hair longer than the rest makes it easier to style, depending on the client’s mood, outfit, or occasion. The faded mohawk will always have you covered.
I recommend a mens skin fade haircut for someone who is fashion-forward, strong-charactered, and can own the look. Having well-defined facial characteristics would also bring the best out of this hairstyle.
About products, to create a volume and scruffy effortless look, the boost powder is the best option. A matte dry look, clay, or matte wax would be another suitable option.
#17: Ivy League
This is a stylish, modern, and versatile look. The fade in this style has been left low and very short, and then it starts to blend into more length and volume around the temples. This hairstyle looks good when the hair is slicked back, creating a polished and well-groomed look.
I especially love the low skin fade style, as it’s a popular cut. All fades look different and affect each head and hair type differently.
Always blow dry into shape after washing, and depending on the overall look they were after, use a strong wax or hair powder (which has the same effect but a more natural look).
This particular hair cut allows people to see themselves in a different, tidier, polished light. It creates a sense of hair pride, encouraging them to care more for their appearance – this look changes lives.
As stated before, this is an extremely versatile hairstyle. Men and children can all have this hairstyle. It also works on all hair types, hence why the style is so popular.
As this low skin taper cut is so short, it does require regular maintenance. A visit to the barber every 2-3 weeks would suffice.
#18: Hard Part
Q&A with style creator, José Manuel Guzmán
Barber / Stylist @ Skilled Barber in Levittown, Puerto Rico
How would you describe this look?
This is a low skin fade haircut with a blended beard, a hard part, and a pompadour hairstyle. My favorite thing about such skin fades is doing the blow drying process to create the awesome classic look with a nice definition using a custom comb created by SJ Precision by Sherwin.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Let your hair grow and take care of it with quality products to give the hair the nutrition it needs to be healthy, so the hairstyle can be done correctly and look awesome as it is. Don’t expose the hair too much to the sun because it can be damaged. For blow drying, I use some serum or leave-in conditioner, and after blow drying it, to create the hairstyle, I use Skilled Barber Hair Pomade to create a nice natural shine and mold the hairstyle before finishing it with some hair spray.