How to Give a "Fade" or "Faded" Haircut for Males

The "fade" has been a popular haircut since the 1970s. Made famous first by inner city gangs and skateboarders, the short, tapered cut is mainstream now, even sported by brave young women with good cheekbones. Giving the haircut takes patience, an artist's eye and a good pair of clippers. The taper cut works best on coarse, thick hair, which will stand up.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Mark off the width of each layer where the taper will create the fade look. Use hairclips to separate the sections. Leave the clips in place until you are ready to cut the next layer.

2. Utilize the length guards on the clippers. Set the guard lower and lower for each new row of cutting, until you get to the final row that will be shaved close to the head. The fade haircut can run from front to back or back to front, but is usually cut longest in front and fading to shorter in the back. A fade can also move from the top of the head down to the neck.

3. Use combs with various size teeth if you don't have a guard that changes the length of the clippers. Hold the comb over the hair as you run the clippers. Switch combs to taper the hair to the next length.

4. Make sure the taper is smooth and not choppy. You want the fade lines to be barely discernible. Touch up the ends of each level very lightly with the clippers if the lines are too harsh.