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How to Fade Hair
How to Fade Hair
Tapered, tight, and never out of style, the Fade Cut is an easy haircut to do and easier to maintain. Whether you are corporate or creative, here is how you can master the Fade Cut.
Fade Your Hair: Step by Step
1. Begin with Damp Hair
Shower up or dampen your hair with a spray bottle. Comb your hair down so it is lying straight
2. Use a Larger Guide Comb
Guide Comb Math: The smaller the number of the guide comb, the shorter the cut. The larger the number, the longer the hair will be. Always start with a larger guide comb. You can always go shorter, but you can’t add more hair.
3. Start at the Top
Using your Wahl clipper, use the #4 guide comb (1/2") to focus on the top of the head using a front-to-back motion following the contours of your head as you move the clipper from front to back.
4. Sides Next
Once you’ve taken care of the top of the head, attach the #2 guide comb (1/4") and focus on the sides and back of the head. Then begin around the ears, in section #2 of the head, moving towards the back of the head using an upward rocking motion. To get a tighter taper around the ears, pull the skin taut while cutting.
5. Do the Detail Work
Detailing makes all the difference with the Fade haircut. Use the rocking motion or inverted clipper technique to get your hair fade just right. And when it comes to the cowlick, make sure you cut in the opposite direction of the growth. For a well-groomed look, make sure to trim closely around your ears and neckline.
6. Make it Yours
The Fade Haircut will give you a polished look with a bit of an edge. Add styling product to give it more texture or smooth it down so it looks sleek. The key: make it your own. The Fade is the foundation of many great styles. Wear this look with confidence.
What You'll Need
Questions You Are Asking About the Fade Cut:
What is a Fade Cut?
It is a dynamic hairstyle that you can achieve yourself and can be worn in many ways. For a more rockabilly look try a high-and-tight or keep the hair longer on top for a more modern undercut. All you need is a Wahl hair clipper and a little bit of time, and you can get this look yourself.
What Do I Need to Fade Hair?
What are "Sections of the Head?”
Great question. See below for details. And for a handy video and illustrations click here.
Section 1: Back of the neck. (Sometimes referred to as the nape.)
Section 2: Under the rim of the head. (Sometimes referred to as under the crown.)
Section 3: Rim of the head. (Sometimes referred to as the crown.)
Section 4: Top of the head.
How Can I Fade Hair at Home?
Ensure you have a quality clipper and the appropriate guide combs before you begin. Use a well-lit bathroom with a good mirror so you can see what you’re doing and check your progress. And remember to start with a larger guide comb. You can always go shorter, but you can’t add more hair. Scroll up for your step-by-step Fade Tutorial. Take your time and go steady. You got this!
How Do I Cut a Short Fade?
Start with your Wahl Clipper and guide combs #2, #1 and #7.
1) Start on the sides and back of the hair with a #2, which will be 1/4” hair length. Use a slight rocking motion to blend the sides and back into the top.
2) Now fade. Apply a slightly shorter guide comb, such as the #1, and cut halfway up the sides and back of your head, stopping at the same point each time.
3) For the top of the hair, apply a slightly longer guide comb, such as the #7 for 7/8” length of hair. Go against the grain, moving front to back, for an even cut.
What is a Buzz Cut Fade?
A Buzz Cut is a low-maintenance, clearly defined hairstyle that is trimmed as short as possible all over the head. (Not to be confused by the Skin Fade, where all the hair is removed from just above your ears.) A Buzz Cut Fade is still very short, but there is more style to it with a more tapered side and back.
Low Fade, Mid Fade or High Fade? What is the Difference?
The difference is where the line starts on the sides of the head. A Low Fade is more popular as it is less dramatic. It starts close to the ear. While the High Fade begins higher on the top of the head to create a focus on the hair on top of the head. The Mid Fade is a happy medium.
