67 Fresh Skin Fade Haircut Ideas

The skin fade is a bold and modern haircut that will effortlessly taper the sides and back shorter for a sleek, smooth finish. Also known as a bald or zero fade, skin fades are clean-cut, low-maintenance looks for guys that feature striking contrast and will complement your volume and texture. If you want a fresh look, there are many different types of fades to choose from depending on your desired style.

A short high skin fade can be a masculine and edgy choice for a casually cool vibe, while low and mid-faded cuts are suitable for classy, timeless looks. For a versatile approach, ask your barber for longer hair on top with a skin fade to get a flattering and popular combination.

Before visiting the barbershop, check out these stylish examples of the best skin fade haircut ideas to inspire your next look.

Skin Fade Haircut Styles

Brushed Up and Back with Low Skin Fade

Brushing your hair up and back is the perfect style for the young professional guy who wants a classy and timeless look. A low skin fade on the sides creates the contrast necessary to draw attention to the styling on top. For a natural finish, use a texturizing medium-hold pomade and a blow dryer to style.

Skin Fade with Long Hair on Top

A skin fade with long hair on top is a trendy and flattering look that will effortlessly exude confidence and style. The taper fade will keep your sides short and low-maintenance, while the extra length can offer access to several stylish longer men’s hairstyles, including the modern comb over, quiff, slick back, brush up and messy fringe. Whether you’re revamping your haircut for school, work or fun, use a matte hair product to add texture and fullness to your long top.

Burst Skin Fade

The burst skin fade is a bold haircut for guys who want to stand out with a cool style that shows off their personality. The burst fade cut follows the natural curve around the ear and drops down the neck, offering a look that’s equal parts punk and professional. Try asking for a design on the sides to amp up the attitude.

Buzz Cut with Low Skin Fade and Line Up

The buzz cut is a short military-inspired haircut for guys who want an effortlessly masculine look. Pair this with a low skin fade and line up for an unbeatable style with precision and edge.

Casual Ivy League with Low Fade

The Ivy League is a cut that requires little effort even when it’s longer and casual. Since the top is left longer than the sides, you’ll have versatility when styling while a low fade will help this haircut from getting shaggy too quickly.

Comb Over with Low Fade

The comb over with a low fade is a fantastic hairstyle for guys who want to rock a timeless and chic look. Keeping the top long will add weight and movement, while the faded sides keep it clean. Add some pomade to get your hair locked all day long.

Faux Hawk with Medium Skin Fade

A faux hawk with a medium skin fade is an outstanding choice for the guy thinking about a mohawk but isn’t ready to go all the way. Ask your barber to put texture on the top and push your hair towards the middle with gel for the illusion of a hawk. Complete the look with a fade for the ultimate finish.

Bleached Blonde Spiky Hair with High Skin Fade

Bleached blonde spiky hair is a trend we’ll never get rid of, and you can’t tell us otherwise. This haircut opts for high volume in the front with textured spikes throughout the top. A high skin fade softens the back and sides for an unbeatable look.

Hard Side Part with Mid Skin Fade

A hard side part is a modern cut that plays on a classic style. Precise and sharp, this stylish look is achieved like your standard comb over, but with a line shaved in at the part with trimmers, adding a stark contrast. Paired with a mid skin fade, you’ll create a voluminous style that lasts all day.

High Skin Fade

The high skin fade is a short haircut for men who want a low-maintenance, edgy and dramatic look on the sides and back. The high fade can be a fantastic choice that will complement a short hairstyle, providing extreme contrast and personality. You won’t find an easier faded cut to manage.

High Top with Low Skin Fade and Design

The high top with a low skin fade is an excellent style if you like a strict, vertical cut. You can add to the height of the look by asking your barber for a tighter fade. Finish the cut with a shaved line at the temple, just where the fade meets the high top.

Ivy League with Short Taper Fade and Beard

The Ivy League is an effortlessly elegant hairstyle for guys who want a short side-swept look that will steal the show. Since the top is left longer than the sides, you’ll have versatility with how you style it, and a short taper fade will help this haircut from getting shaggy too quickly. Top it off with a well-trimmed beard and everyone will be fawning over you.

Long Crew Cut with Mid Skin Fade

A long crew cut is a short haircut style for guys who want a stylish, but manageable look that will always work. The mid skin fade adds a modern edge to the classic look and will keep you cool all summer long.

Low Skin Fade

The low skin fade is a classy and versatile haircut for guys who need a universally flattering and professional look with some edge. The low fade can work with short to medium hairstyles, providing contrast and flair that adds intrigue. Whether you’re styling a comb over, quiff or crop, a low skin faded cut will elevate your style for a clean look.

Messy Quiff with Low Skin Fade and Part

The messy quiff with a part is a classic and timeless style that lets the gents with thicker hair embrace their natural volume. Apply a strong pomade to help your look defy gravity and ask for a low skin fade will make your hair look fuller and cleaner.

Mid Skin Drop Fade

The mid skin drop fade is a trendy haircut that offers dimension and texture for a bold look. The mid fade can be a balanced choice while the drop and skin combination take the cut to a new level. Blended down to the neck, this daring taper fade comes with structure, weight and fullness for a popular look.

Modern Mullet with Skin Fade

The modern mullet is back and here to stay. It’s edgy and bold and not everyone can wear it well. The hair is kept long over the top and into the back and you can opt for a skin fade to keep the sides nice and short.

Puffy Side Brushed Up Style with Mid Fade

The puffy side brush-up is a high-volume style tailored for men who like to take risks with their looks. The mid fade offers dimension and flair to the style while a blow dryer and a clay or wax add lift.

Quiff with Disconnected Undercut Fade

A quiff is an easy go-to for the man who likes a reliable haircut. Medium length and messy on top, this variation is updated by going for an undercut fade up to the temple, which adds structure to your face.

Sharp Burst Skin Fade

The sharp burst skin fade is ideal for the guy that wants an easy look. Using only clippers, the top is kept short and neat while the sides are taken into the skin to show the world that your style stays one step ahead of everyone else.

Thick Longer Top with Short Fade and Beard

A thick and textured longer top can look striking and ruggedly attractive with a short fade to take the style to another level. The skin faded cut creates a sleek finish on the back and sides while the beard balances the cool hairstyle. Ask your barber for this cut if you want a smooth transition.

Short Afro with Low Skin Fade

A short afro is a refreshing option for black men trying to figure out a fresh look. This cut can keep your hair from getting unruly and pairing it with a low skin fade gives an undeniably sharp flair.

Short Curly Hair with Skin Fade Undercut

Short curly hair is a fun option for men looking to create a clean-cut look. Bite the bullet with a skin fade undercut for a slick finish and style with a touch of pomade for a long-lasting look.

Buzz Cut with Mid Skin Fade

The buzz cut is a short military-inspired style for guys that looks cleaner and tighter with a mid skin fade on the sides and back. The zero fade will keep the cut sharp and focus attention on the thick buzzed top, while a heavy stubble beard can be a masculine addition to the overall look.

Short Messy Hair with High Fade

A short messy hairstyle is an easy, classic and fun approach that can be suitable for any occasion or texture. Get a high skin fade for fashionably drastic contrast and a versatile look. Run a matte product over the top for irregular texture and you’ll be good to head out the door in no time flat.

Textured Crop with High Skin Fade and Design

A textured crop is a stylish way to beat the heat in the summer. The top is cut to no more than an inch and a high skin fade helps bring out your jaw without looking severe. Try adding a design to this iconic look to bring out the tough guy in you.

Mid Skin Fade with Quiff

If you like the quiff, a mid skin fade can be the perfect haircut on the sides and back to complement your longer volume on top. The cut adds contrast and helps to keep your face tall and sharp. Sexy and fresh, take this photo to your barber as soon as possible.

Modern Pompadour Fade

For a modern take on a classic look, the pompadour fade offers a handsome look for any man who appreciates volume and height. The hair at the front of your head must be longer to attain the trademark bump while the faded sides will underscore the extra dimension. A strong hair product like pomade can keep your look solid all day long.

Faux Hawk with High Skin Fade

The faux hawk fade is a versatile option for gents who want a daring hairstyle. Going for a high skin fade is a brilliant way to add structure to this effortless look.

Brushed Up Skin Fade

The brush-up with a skin fade is a bold cut for the young professional looking to stand out among his colleagues. The skin-faded cut will leave length at the corners of your head, allowing for more styling flexibility.

Curly Mohawk with Low Skin Fade and Beard

The curl mohawk is a cut that every man should try once in their life regardless of their style. Men with curly hair have an advantage here thanks to the natural volume of the curls. Seal the deal with a low skin fade and a trimmed beard for the ultimate look.

Classic Pompadour with Mid Razor Fade and Full Beard

The classic pompadour is a traditional haircut style that exudes class and sophistication. This impressive cut opts for a full beard and goes long on top with an exaggerated bump, while the mid razor fade keeps the look symmetrical and tidy. Pomade and hairspray solidify this look.

Fluffy Wavy Hair with Low Skin Fade

Fluffy wavy hair is an ideal cut for young men in college since it’s both fashionable and super easy to style. This fluffier take emphasizes the natural bounce in the fringe and opts for a low skin fade to take the sides down, allowing for a sharp contrast.

Full Textured Brush Up with Low Skin Fade

The full textured brush-up is a youthful hairstyle that pulls out all the stops, from point cutting to texturizing shears, to give men a trendy look that defies gravity. Ask your barber to cut in a low skin fade to add necessary contrast to this voluminous style.

High and Tight Skin Fade

The high and tight is an easy cut that you can do with the help of a friend or partner. If you only want to use clippers, opt for a number three guard to cut the hair pretty close to the scalp. A skin fade helps to pare down the sides for a professional look.

Low Skin Fade with High Volume Comb Over

If you want a low skin fade with longer hair, a high-volume comb over is a trendy style that will elevate your appearance. While the top is textured with a razor, the sides are neatly trimmed, tapering down to the skin when it gets to the sideburns. A touch of pomade will lock the height of this look in place.

Low Temp Fade

A low temp fade is an edgy way to add subtle contrast to your final look. This kind of fade allows the hair on top to stand out with more personality, without cutting too much from the back.

Man Bun with Low Fade

A man bun is a simple look that never goes out of style. Getting it to the right length may stress you out, but once you’re there you’ll be rewarded with luscious locks that you can pull up into a righteous bun. Opt for a low fade to keep the sides easier to manage.

Textured French Crop with Fringe and Low Skin Fade

The textured French crop is a fashionable cut for the popular guy trying to update his style. The fringe and low skin fade make this cut flattering and easy to manage. You’ll only need a dime-sized amount of hair clay to emphasize the texture.

Short Wavy Hair with Low Skin Fade and Line Up

For men with short wavy hair, a thick brush-up paired with a low skin fade can be a cool hairstyle that leverages your natural texture. Get a low drop fade and line up to keep the sides short and your hairline sharp. This haircut maintains some length and waves on top, but when the sides are taken shorter, it opens the door for contrast and versatility.

Side Part Fade

A side part with a fade is a stunning haircut for men that features a timeless look with some modern attitude. The clean part and faded sides create powerful contrast, making for an instant classic. To finish the look, brush it back with matte pomade for extra lift.

Mid Skin Fade

The mid skin fade is a stylish haircut that balances boldness and elegance for the perfect finish. The medium taper fade offers a versatile option between a high and low cut, creating some contrast without looking too extreme. Fashionable and masculine, ask your barber for a mid-faded skin cut to highlight your volume on top. If you’re new to fades, this is where you’ll want to start.

Side Swept Hair with Low Skin Fade

The side-swept look is a charming hairstyle for any gentleman wanting an attractive and always stylish look that will exude confidence. Choosing a low skin fade will highlight the drastic difference between the top and sides. Let your hair dry after the shower for a naturally messy look.

Slick Back with Low Skin Fade and Beard

With skin-faded sides, a slicked-back hairstyle is a masculine look that can be effortlessly achieved and will always keep your locks out of the way. The low bald fade ties the look together and keeps the look uniform while ensuring that not a single strand is out of place.

Skin Fade with Design

A skin fade is already a stylish solution to many men’s hair woes, and adding a design really helps your style shine through. Experiment with different looks and work closely with your barber so the result is always on point.

Short Textured Style with Straight Fringe and Low Skin Fade

A short textured style is a fresh haircut that most guys will appreciate in the summer. The length keeps you cool, while a straight fringe and low fade ensures that your style remains fresh throughout the entire season.

Curly Hair with High Skin Fade

For guys blessed with tight, curly hair try asking for a high skin fade. Let the curls run strongly on top for a youthful look that some guys don’t naturally have. A pump of sea salt spray will give this style bounce.

Textured French Crop with Mid Skin Fade and Straight Fringe

The textured French crop is a trendy style for guys who like a relaxed look. Have your barber add a variety of layers and a straight fringe to add fun to the look. A mid fade brings weight to the back of the head while keeping the sides short and easy.

Spiky Crew Cut with Low Skin Fade and Short Beard

A spiky crew cut is perfect for the man who doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of long hair. After the tight skin fade, ask your barber to take the top down to an inch or two for extra texture. A short beard will help complete the look and balance your more masculine features.

Soft Side Swept Hair with Skin Taper Fade

Soft side swept hair is the perfect look for guys with a finer hair texture. The hair naturally parts to the side, which makes it easy to style, while a skin taper fade helps to sharpen up the edges and strengthen your jawline.

Textured Brush Back with Mid Skin Fade

A brush back is the perfect cut for the young professional. A mid skin fade makes it easier to style and keeps the sides nice and short. It may take a bit of effort to get the hang of using a blow dryer to style it, but once perfected, you’ll be ready for anything.

Short Semi Faux Hawk with Skin Faded Sides

The short semi-faux-hawk is a youthful look for modern guys and teenage boys who appreciate a fresh, on-trend look. Faded sides lend a dramatic touch to the haircut, and the fohawk can be easily styled with some matte hair clay.

Very Low Skin Fade

A very low skin fade is a clean and subtle haircut for classy guys who want to slightly taper the sides, back and neckline for a flattering look. Combined with longer hair on top, this faded cut minimizes skin exposure while still lending some personality to the overall style.

Waves with Low Skin Fade and Beard

If you’ve rocked waves for a while now and don’t know where to go, switch things up by asking your barber to hook you up with a low fade. Not only will this help the cut last longer, but it’ll give enough contrast to level up your rugged good looks, and it would pair well with a trimmed beard.

Short Slicked Back Hair with Undercut Fade

With a faded undercut, the short slicked back hairstyle is a bold option for any gentleman wanting a tight look that requires minimal effort. The style is immovable, and the high undercut fade adds to the drama of the look by keeping the back and sides nearly shaved.

Side Swept Style with Skin Fade

The side-swept hairstyle can be a handsome and versatile choice for the modern man wanting a short, masculine and business professional look that will suit any occasion. Whether you get a low or mid skin fade on the sides, this long crew cut with a swept fringe is easy to style and will always look on point.

Short Hair with Low Skin Fade and Shape Up

Short hair is always a strong option for men looking to keep their look manageable week over week. Take hits simple look one step further and add on a low skin fade and shape up for a crisp hairline and tidy sides.

Skin Drop Fade

The skin drop fade is a fashionable way to give your hairstyle more intrigue and weight. While the fade is taken super short on the back and sides, the fade begins to drop as it gets to the back to provide fullness.

Messy Spiky Hair with Low Fade

Classy and fun, a spiky messy hairstyle can be a fashionable look with a low fade and well-groomed beard to balance out the vibe. Simply, have your barber point cut the top to add angles to your spikes. Getting a low cut on the sides and back will help project height, while a matte pomade or wax creates texture and fullness.

Short Curls with High Skin Fade and Beard

Short curly hair is the perfect cut for the low-maintenance man, and throwing in a high fade keeps the top looking full while helping you survive the scorching summer heat.

Spiky Top with Mid Fade

Spiky hair never went away, it just got an upgrade. Add unrivaled texture by asking your stylist to point cut on top. Meanwhile, a mid fade keeps the look voluminous and clean.

Textured Brush Back with Skin Undercut Fade

A textured brush back is an easy haircut that elongates the face. When you pair this with a skin undercut fade, you’ll be able to keep your look narrow and sharp, while also emphasizing the height of the final cut.

Top Knot with Skin Fade and Beard

The top knot is a cool look for the adventurous man with unmatched style. After growing it out, the longer hair on top is left untouched and tied tightly while the back and sides are taken down to the skin to add gravitas. A well-tailored beard only amplifies the final look.

Wavy Mohawk with Drop Skin Fade

This wavy mohawk is a fun look to try because you don’t have to fully commit to the punk rock look. Let your waves flow freely and ask for a drop skin fade to give the illusion of the hawk. This is a truly unbeatable look.

Brushed Forward Style with Mid Skin Fade

The brushed forward style is a great way to take your fringe to the next level. Use a strong clay for lasting hold and pair it with a mid skin fade for those clean-cut lines.

Thick Quiff with Low Fade

The thick quiff is a great reminder that even men with the most challenging hair types can rock the trendiest of hairstyles. Ask your stylist for a low fade to help debulk the back and sides, making it appear less poofy.

Short Hair with Skin Fade

For a tight cut, pair a skin fade with short hair to create a masculine, low-maintenance look. This short faded haircut is easy, fashionable and impossible to ignore for a fashionable style.

Short Spiky Hair with Blunt Fringe and Mid Skin Fade

Short spiky hair with a mid fade and line up is a popular combination that makes a masculine statement. By adding a blunt fringe to the cut and finishing it off with a skin fade, you’re left with an inimitable haircut that every man will want to ask for. A matte hair clay will help amplify the texture and lock in the style for hours.

What Is A Skin Fade?

The skin fade is a modern and edgy haircut that tapers the sides and back, blending short hair into the scalp for a clean finish. Generally, a skin fade haircut comes with longer hair on top and effortlessly transitions into a shorter cut on the sides to offer contrast. Also known as a bald fade, you can ask your barber for a low, mid or high skin fade cut to complement your hairstyle, texture and face shape.

Zero Fade vs Skin Fade

A zero fade is a very short haircut that seamlessly blends the sides and back into the skin, revealing the scalp. When talking to your barber, there is no difference between a zero and skin fade since both cuts taper the hair shorter and use a razor or foil shaver to create a smooth look at the bottom. Combined with longer hair on top, these short fades will take your haircut style to the next level for a striking finish.

Popular Skin Fade Haircut Ideas

The most popular skin fade haircuts are sleek, classy and modern looks for men that can be combined with longer hair on top to create an attractive style featuring volume and texture. These stylish men’s hairstyles include the French crop, quiff, comb over, faux hawk, crew cut, slick back, afro, high and tight, shag, mullet and side part.