How to Ask Your Barber for a Fade
A fade is easy to get right once you can describe it. Answer three quick questions, bring a photo, and you and your barber will be on the same page before the clippers ever turn on.
The three questions
Answer these and your barber knows exactly what you want
Almost every fade decision comes down to three things. Decide them before you sit down and the whole cut goes smoothly.
1. How high does the fade start?
This is where the short hair begins climbing up the side of your head. A low fade starts just above the ear and is subtle. A mid fade starts around the temple for a balanced, popular look. A high fade starts near the crown for the boldest contrast. Say the word low, mid, or high, and point to where you mean.
2. How short at the bottom?
At the very bottom of the fade, do you want the skin showing through (a skin or bald fade) or a little length left behind? Skin gives the sharpest edge but grows out faster. Leaving a shadow of hair is softer and lower maintenance.
3. How do you want the top?
The fade handles the sides, but your barber still needs to know the top. Tell them how much length to keep, whether you want it textured or left heavy, and how you usually style it. If you comb it a certain way every morning, say so.
A few pro tips
Small things that make a big difference
Bring a photo. One clear picture settles more than a paragraph of description, because fade height and blend are genuinely hard to put into words. If you can, bring a second photo of a look you want to avoid.
Describe how you want it to look in two weeks. A cut looks its sharpest on day one, so tell your barber how you want it to sit as it grows out. That helps them decide how tight to go.
Be honest about upkeep. A skin fade looks crisp but needs a touch-up every two to three weeks to stay clean. A lower taper stretches much longer between visits. Pick the one that fits your schedule.
A good barber consults with you before touching your head, so don't be shy. At The Stache's fades and tapers service, the conversation comes first and the clippers come second.
Quick answers
Fade questions, answered
Tell your barber three things: where the fade starts (low, mid, or high), how short it gets at the bottom (skin or a little length), and how you want the top styled. A photo makes all three clear in seconds.
A taper gradually shortens only around the edges and neckline, keeping more hair on the sides. A fade blends the whole side of the head from short up to longer, usually with a bigger change in length.
Yes. A photo settles more questions than words ever will, because fade height and blend are hard to describe precisely. Bring one clear picture of the look you want, and one of a look you want to avoid if you have it.
A low fade starts just above the ear for a subtle look, a mid fade sits around the temple for balance, and a high fade starts near the crown for maximum contrast. If you are unsure, ask for a mid fade and adjust next time.
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