How to Give a Fade Haircut at the Barber Shop

A fade haircut entails cutting the hair on the sides and back of the head progressively shorter.

Short haircuts are appreciated by men and women alike because they're low maintenance and require fewer trips to the barber shop or hair salon. The fade haircut is a cut commonly used for men's hair, and occasionally for women, too, that requires the stylist to cut the hair shorter as it goes down from the top of the head down to the sides and the back of the head. Giving a fade haircut at a barber shop can be done relatively quickly using electric hair clippers.

Things You'll Need

• Brush
• Electric hair clippers
• Clipper gates
• Scissors
• Cutting comb
• Hair styling products, such as mousse, gel or spray

Instructions

1. Discuss how long the customer wants the hair to be on the top of his head and how much of a fade he wants to have on the sides and back of his head. Comb or brush his hair in the direction of its growth.

2. Select a small or medium clipper gate, depending on the desired length and snap it into place onto the electric hair clippers.

3. Cut the hair on the top of his head with the electric clippers to the previously discussed length. Shape the cut at an angle, sloping backward, or level all the way around the top, depending on the customer's styling preference.

4. Remove the clipper gate and change the setting on the electric clippers to the lowest point. Begin at the base of his head at the neckline and trim about 2 inches from the bottom, depending on the size of his head. Repeat the process above each ear, removing about 1/2 inch all the way around the ears, creating a line that is the same shape as the ears (in the shape of a semicircle). Use this time to gently shave the hair completely away behind the ears, lifting them away from his head slightly to give you easier access.

5. Change the clipper setting to the next highest level and trim about 1/2 inch of hair above the initial cut.

6. Move the clipper setting to the middle point and cut another 1/2 inch higher above the previous cut.

7. Set the clipper setting to the second-highest level and repeat the cut as before. Change the setting to the highest setting. Finish trimming the sides and the back of his head, cutting the same length the remainder of the way to the top of the head.

8. Use the fine teeth of a cutting comb and scissors to trim any uneven hairs. Style hair as necessary using hair styling products, such as mousse, gel or spray.

References

• Laura E. Carlson; Cosmetology Student: Rudy & Kelly Academy; Virginia Beach, Va.; August 2011
• Hudson's FTM Resource Guide: Men's Short Haircuts and the Barber Shop
• CoolMensHair.com: How to Fade Hair