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 zero or bald fade, skin fades are clean, low-maintenance cuts for guys who want striking contrast to complement their volume and texture. Some of the latest and most flattering men’s hairstyles come with bald faded sides to create the perfect fashion-forward aesthetic.
For an edgy approach, ask your barber for a short high skin fade to achieve a masculine and casually cool vibe. A low or mid-faded cut can be a suitable choice for classy, timeless looks.
Before visiting the barbershop, browse these awesome examples of skin fade haircuts to inspire your next look.
Trendy Men’s Skin Fade Haircuts
Brushed Up and Back with Low Skin Fade
Brushing your hair up and back is the perfect textured style for any young guy who wants a classy, 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, 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, a short military-inspired style, is a classic choice for men who have sharp, masculine features and want a low-maintenance look. A low skin fade pairs naturally well with a buzzed haircut while a line up adds precision and edge.
Casual Ivy League with Low Fade
The Ivy League is a classy cut with a casual side-swept fringe for a handsome look. The short sides offer a modern low fade that complements the longer top, making the style versatile and elegant. Use a medium pomade or wax for a balanced hold that allows for some flexibility and movement.
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 offers a stylish hairstyle, combining versatility and simplicity with the daring allure of the mohawk. Use a matte styling product to infuse texture on top while pushing the longer length towards the middle, creating the faux mohawk. Ask your barber for a seamless fade to emphasize the height and edgy finish.
Bleached Blonde Spiky Hair with High Skin Fade
Bleached blonde spiky hair is an awesome trend that features high volume in the front with textured, brushed up styling 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, manageable look that will always work, especially in the summer. The mid skin fade offers a modern and clean look that complements the textured, brushed forward style.
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
This messy quiff with a hard part is a modern style for those with thicker hair who want to showcase their natural volume and extroverted personality. Apply a strong pomade to tousle your locks and fashion loose spikes. The low skin fade and tight edge up 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 a trendy men’s hairstyle that symbolizes individuality and rebellion. This edgy mullet haircut starts with longer hair on top and in the back but involves a taper fade on the sides for a low-maintenance touch. The variation incorporates some light contrast while emphasizing flow and dimension.
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 fashionable short haircut that features buzzed sides and volume on top for a striking, masculine style. The high skin fade will create a fresh look, accentuate your strong jawline and draw attention to the cropped cut on top. Ask your barber to add a design for a bold and playful finish.
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 daring hairstyle for any young man wanting to stand out and express himself. The very high skin fade comes with minimal blending but still provides the foundation for a dramatic fohawk. Talk to your barber about a mid fade for more structure and versatility.
Brushed Up Skin Fade
The brush-up with a skin fade is a bold and sexy style for any young professional guy willing to experiment with an edgy approach. The high skin-faded sides are sharp and cool for a low-maintenance touch, while the longer volume on top requires a high-hold product to achieve the perfect spiky finish.
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
A fluffy wavy hairstyle offers a playful and fashionable look for younger men who want to stand out. This example highlights the natural fullness and bounce in the front but pairs the style with a low skin fade on the sides, instilling some sharp contrast that draws attention.
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 a simple haircut for black men seeking to add understated contrast and unique flair to their style. This faded cut, which involves blending the sides around the temples, offers a lighter touch and doesn’t require too much from the back.
Man Bun with Low Fade
A man bun with a low fade is a charming style that will exude confidence and turn heads anywhere. Grow out your hair to get the length and pull all your strands back, tie everything into a bun and show off your fresh look. The fade will keep the sides tapered and easier to manage.
Textured French Crop with Fringe and Low Skin Fade
The textured 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. A small amount of styling clay can be enough product to show off your natural texture and shine, ensuring a fuller look.
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 fade is a stunning haircut for men that features a timeless look with some modern attitude. The hard part and low tapered sides create subtle contrast, making for an instant classic. Get extra lift and maintain the look all day by applying a high-hold, matte pomade.
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. Classy and subtle, choose a low skin fade to emphasize the longer swept style while maintaining a classic cut on the sides.
Slick Back with Low Skin Fade and Beard
With skin-faded sides, a slicked back hairstyle is a masculine, timeless look that can be effortlessly achieved. The low bald fade ties the look together while keeping everything uniform, ensuring a sleek, smooth finish.
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 the perfect style for any fashion-forward man who appreciates wants to sport a masculine, low-maintenance look. After the tight skin fade, get a short haircut with enough length to create a textured, fluffy finish. A short beard will balance your more masculine features and complete the rugged aesthetic.
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 a classic hairstyle that will suit any occasion for a sharp, handsome look. 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
A thick buzz cut with waves is a cool haircut for black men and can be paired with a trimmed beard and shape up to achieve an attractive look. The low skin fade offers a low-maintenance approach to the sides and back, letting the grooved waves command attention.
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 simple way to create an attractive haircut with some intrigue and weight. The short low fade curves around the ears and begins to drop in the back for a beautiful, modern style.
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. Ask your stylist to shorten your hair by cutting at an angle, a technique that will add visual drama 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
A short spiky hairstyle with a mid fade and design can feature flattering texture and personality for a timeless appearance. The uneven spikes are visually appealing while the sleek skin-faded sides are refreshing and perfect for the warmer summer months.
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 trending top knot is a cool hipster look for the adventurous man with unmatched style. After growing it out, the longer hair can be left untouched and should be tied up tightly on the top. Fashion-forward and easy, ask your stylist to fade down the sides for a low-maintenance touch that will also enhance focus. 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 simple way to focus attention on your fringe and achieve a charming, youthful appearance. A mid skin fade boasts personality while delivering contrast for a sleek gentleman’s cut. Use a light-hold clay styling product to get a beautiful, textured pattern.
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 Styles
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.