A man with a fade haircut and an earring.

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

A man combing his hair down in preparation to fade his 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

A Wahl hair clipper and guards on a counter.

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

A man using a Wahl hair clipper on the top of his hair.

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

A man watching himself in the mirror as he uses a Wahl hair clipper to give himself a fade haircut.

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

A man using a Wahl hair clipper to fade the back of his head.

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

A man using hair product to finalize his style after fading his hair.

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.