If you are looking to change your hairstyle up a bit, fades can be a good way to change your look and give you a new sense of style.
They are very popular haircuts as they are stylish and on-trend, but what style of fade should you choose for your hair?
You cannot simply ask a barber for a fade as that doesn’t give them the information that they need.
Instead, you need to thoroughly research what type of fade you want for your haircut so that your barber can provide you with the haircut that you want.
If you do not specify what fade you want, you may be unhappy with the outcome.
This article will explain more about the different types of fades that you can have so that you can see what fade you should choose to have when getting your hair trimmed.
You can find out more about fades below!
What Is A Fade?
A fade is a haircut that is very popular with people as it adds an interesting element to their hairstyle.
A good fade will create a smooth gradient from the sides and the back of your head that changes in length. The hair at the bottom of your head will be short and the length will gradually increase up to the top of your head.
A good fade will produce a smooth gradient, but a bad fade can produce harsh lines that show how the hair lengths differ.
It is important to make sure that the fade is smooth and does not show an obvious disconnect between the different hair lengths as you want it to be a neat gradient at the back and the sides.
What Haircuts Can You Have Fades With?
You can have a fade with virtually any haircut that you want. If there is a short haircut that you want, then your barber will be able to produce a fade for you. The most important thing about having your hair cut is that you want to be happy with the outcome, so the style is up to you. If you want to have a fade, have a fade!
How High Does A Fade Start?
Fades are often seen as starting quite high up, but you can choose where your fade begins depending on your personal preference.
A low fade begins slightly above the ear, a mid-fade begins further above the ear, and a high fade begins near the temples.
By asking your barber for one of these fades, they will have a good indication of how far up you want your fade to start.
Make sure that you are happy with how high your fade starts as you do not want to be disappointed with the outcome.
Discuss it thoroughly with your barber so that they are aware of what you want and can deliver the hairstyle that you want.
How Short Should The Shortest Length Be?
Once you have decided how high you want your fade to begin, you then need to decide how short you want the shortest length to be.
The shortest length is the starting point for gradually creating a smooth gradient up your head to longer hair, but how short should the shortest length be?
There are several different types of fades that you can choose from when you are deciding what length you want the shortest length to be, but how can you choose?
You can find out more below!
Skin Fade
A skin fade is one of the most popular styles as they are very dramatic and eye-catching.
The shortest length of a skin fade is the shortest that you can get as it is shaved, so a barber will use a razor to create this effect and shave the shortest length.
Skin fades stand out, so it is perfect for people who are looking to give their hair a dramatic look.
It doesn’t matter if your skin fade is low, high, or begins in the middle, it will still create a dramatic effect.
The contrast of having shaved hair on the bottom that leads up to longer hair on the top of your head will always grab people’s attention, so it will always create a strong image.
A high skin fade will be more effective, but a low skin fade is also very impactive.
1 Fade
If you are looking for a fade that is slightly less impactful than a skin fade, a 1 fade provides you with a smooth gradient, but without the shaved hair.
The shortest length of your hair is trimmed to 3mm, which is the length of a number 1 haircut, which then creates the smooth gradient with the longer hair lengths.
Even though a 1 fade is short, it is not as short as a skin fade as it does not involve shaving.
They are still very impactful as they are still short, and although you will not need to shave the shortest length, the hair will be 3mm long.
This appeals to people who want some coverage at the shortest length of their fade as it creates a fuller look.
2 Fade
If a 1 fade is still a bit too short for you, you can ask your barber for a 2 fade, which leaves the shortest hair length slightly longer.
The shortest hair length in a 2 fade is 6mm before it blends into a smooth gradient of longer hair.
A 2 fade is the most subtle fade that you can ask for, which is perfect for people who want some length at the base of their fade.
Your hair may not feel like it is longer than other fades, but a 2 fade provides you with good coverage over the back and sides of your head.
It is the most natural-looking fade that you can ask your barber for, but it is still obvious that you have a fade. They allow you to have a stylish haircut while still maintaining an effortless and natural look.
Is There Much Physical Difference Between A Skin Fade And A 1 Fade?
Although both a skin fade and a 1 fade are short, there are physical differences between them.
As a skin fade requires the shortest length of your fade to be shaved, it creates more of an impact as your skin is on show.
With a 1 fade, it is very short, but the shortest length is 3mm. It is more subtle as you have full coverage, whereas a skin fade is more impactful.
If you have never tried a fade before, it is worth trying a 1 fade before you have a skin fade to see how you feel about the length.
This will allow you to get comfortable with the shortness of the hair to see if you would be happy with a skin fade. You can even try a 2 fade before a 1 fade if you are unsure if they would suit you as they are slightly longer.
Is There A Physical Difference Between A 1 Fade And A 2 Fade?
Neither a 1 fade nor a 2 fade haircut requires part of your hair to be shaved, but there is a noticeable difference between the two as they are different lengths.
For a 1 fade, the shortest hair length is 3mm, but for a 2 fade, the shortest hair length is 6mm before it smoothly transitions to longer lengths.
A 1 fade is similar to a skin fade as the hair is very short, but it still offers coverage across the back and sides of the head.
You can tell the difference between these fades as a 2 fade will be longer at the back and sides than a 1 fade, so if you want to keep some length, opting for a 2 fade over a 1 fade will make sure that you are comfortable with your look.
How To Choose Your Fade
When you are choosing the fade that you want, you need to make sure that you have considered everything before you make your decision.
You do not want to end up being unhappy with your haircut, so making sure that you are happy with your decision before proceeding is important.
Do You Like Being Shaved?
Some people dislike the feeling of shaving both during and after, so you need to consider how you would feel about having some of your hair shaved off.
When you have a skin fade, there is no hiding it. Once it is done, it cannot be undone, so you need to make sure that you will be happy with how your haircut looks.
If you dislike shaving, you can go for either a 1 or a 2 fade.
This will not require any shaving and will offer you more coverage, which some people prefer. It often feels more comfortable than shaving, but it is down to your personal preference.
Is This Your First Fade?
If you have never had a fade before, you might want to consider trying a longer fade before you jump right in and have a skin fade.
It can be very tempting to want a skin fade straight away, but they are very eye-catching and impactful, so you will not be able to hide it if you dislike it.
A 2 fade is a good starting point for someone who has never had a fade before as you can start to see how they look on your head.
If you are used to having your hair short, having a 1 fade will allow you to see a more extreme version of a fade.
You will then be able to see if you would like your fade to be shorter, which is when you then move on to a skin fade.
Taking steps before you go straight in for a skin fade is important if you have never had a fade before as you want to make sure that you will be happy with the style.
It is also a good idea to try a low fade for your first fade to see how you feel. You can then progress towards a high fade if you like the style, but trying more subtle styles first will help you to see what you would prefer.
Consider Your Face Shape
It is a known fact that having long hair can help you shape your face, but a fade can also help to shape your face. The higher up that your fade begins, the narrower your face will look.
This means that having a high fade can slim your face, so it is ideal for people who are feeling self-conscious or want to try a different style.
If you have a lower fade, you will not get this effect as much as the hair on the sides will cause your face to look fuller. With a high fade, there is less hair on the sides, which leads to a narrower face shape.
You will find that with a 2 fade, your face will not look as narrow as the hair is longer, but with a skin fade, you will see a difference in how narrow your face looks.
How Subtle Do You Want Your Haircut To Be?
It is important to consider how much you want your haircut to stand out to make sure that you are comfortable with your look.
If you have a skin fade, it will be a big contrast between the shaved hair and the hair on the top of your head, so it will stand out a lot. If you do not want a more subtle haircut, you should opt for a different type of fade.
A 2 fade is a tidy haircut that is stylish, easy to maintain, and subtle, which is what makes it a very popular haircut.
There isn’t too much of a contrast between the fade and the hair on the top of your head, but it is obvious that you have a fade. It is obvious that you have chosen to have a fade, but the length of the hair is subtle and looks more natural.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are different types of fades that you can choose for yourself, but you need to make sure that you are certain of the decision.
A skin fade is very impactful as it shaves the shortest length, a 1 fade has the shortest length at 3mm, and a 2 fade has the shortest length at 6mm.
Knowing how impactful you want your fade to be is important for making sure that you will be comfortable with the style. You also need to specify where you want your fade to begin.
The higher up the fade begins, the more obvious it will be. This means that you need to be sure of what type of fade you want before proceeding.
If you have never had a fade before, begin with a longer fade and then work your way up to a skin fade. This will allow you to see what style you prefer so that you are happy with your haircut!
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