Medium Fade Haircut and Short Fade Ideas, With What to Ask For
A medium fade haircut blends the sides from short at the bottom to longer at the temple, with the blend starting around the middle of the head. It is the balanced choice between a low fade that stays near the ears and a high fade that goes up toward the crown.
The short answer: ask for a mid fade, a number 1 guard or skin at the bottom, and the top left to the length you like. It suits almost every face shape, works on straight, curly and 4C hair, and needs a touch up about every two to three weeks. Here is how it compares with a short fade, a bald fade and a few close cousins.
What is a medium fade haircut?
The medium fade, also called a mid fade, starts the blend about halfway up the sides of the head, around the temple. Below that line the hair is cut very short, and above it the hair gets gradually longer until it joins the top.
It is the cut most men in Southeast Queens ask for first, because it works for school, work and weekends. The line is clear without being extreme. On Black hair, the waves, curls or coils on top stand out against the short sides, which is what makes the cut look so sharp. If you want the fade to dip behind the ear, read about the low drop fade and its variations.
What to say
Ask for a mid fade from our fade cut menu, tell the barber if you want it to go to skin or a number 1 guard, and say how long you want the top. Add a line up if you like the hairline sharp.
What is a short fade haircut?
A short fade keeps the whole head short, with a close fade on the sides and a top cut to an inch or less. It is the cleanest, lowest effort look and the one that fits a quick morning.
It suits men with fine or thinning hair, because the short top does not show gaps, and men who do not want to style their hair at all. A short fade with a crew cut top is a classic, and our guide to the crew cut explains how that top is cut. On 4C hair, a short fade is a tidy cut that is easy to brush with a soft brush to bring out the waves.
Ask for a number 2 or 3 guard on top, a number 1 or skin at the bottom of the fade, and a line up on the front edge.
What is a bald fade and what does a high fade look like?
A bald fade, also called a skin fade, goes to bare skin at the bottom, then blends up to the length you pick. A high fade starts that blend high on the head, near the temple and above the ear, so the sides look shaved and the top stands tall.
The bald fade gives the sharpest contrast and shows off every part of the cut. It also grows out fastest, with the skin showing stubble within a week. The high fade has the most drama and is a good partner for a taller top, a flat top or a hard part. If you are still deciding between heights, low fade versus high fade compares them side by side.
| Fade | Starts | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Just above the ear | Office, subtle look |
| Medium | At the temple | Almost everyone |
| High | Above the temple | Bold, tall tops |
| Bald or skin | To bare skin | Sharp contrast |
Which variations are worth trying?
Once you know the basics you can change the shape of the blend. A taper keeps most of the length and only shortens the edges, as shown in the taper versus the fade. A burst fade curves around the ear and works well with a mohawk or a longer top, as described in the burst fade explained.
For younger boys, a fade is a school ready cut, and boys' fade haircuts covers what to ask for and what it costs. We are patient with first haircuts and with kids who do not like the clippers.
Who invented the fade, and why is it so popular?
Barbers have blended short sides into longer tops for decades. The modern fade grew out of military cuts and was developed and refined in Black barbershops, where it became an art form. Credit for the exact first fade is shared among barbers, and sources disagree.
It is popular because it works. A fade lets a barber shape the head, keeps the sides neat, shows off the texture on top and can be adjusted to any length. In neighborhoods like Laurelton and Rosedale, getting a fade is a weekly or bi weekly ritual for many men and boys.
How do you ask for the right fade and what does it cost?
Tell your barber three things: how high the fade starts, what is at the bottom (skin or a number 1) and how long the top should be.
- Pick the height: low, medium or high.
- Pick the bottom: skin, number 0 or number 1.
- Pick the top: scissor cut, a number 3 or 4 guard, or your natural length.
- Add the finishing touch: a line up for $16.
A fade at Lilacroix is $30. Haircut is $25, afro is $30 and a kids cut is $20. A line up and hair shape up is $16 if you only want the edges done. Cutting a fade at home is hard to get right because blending needs a steady hand, so see the mistakes we fix every week before you try.
How often do you need a fade touch up?
Every two to three weeks for a clean look, and every week for a skin or high fade. The fade grows out in about two weeks, and the blend softens first around the ears and the neckline.
If you cannot come in that often, choose a medium or low fade with a number 1 guard at the bottom, since it hides growth longer than a skin fade. Brush your hair daily, moisturize your scalp and sleep with a satin cap to keep waves and curls neat.
Get your fade at Lilacroix Barbers
Lilacroix Barbers is at 232-12 Merrick Blvd in Laurelton, NY 11413. We are open seven days, Monday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 7 PM, Friday and Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM, Sunday 7 AM to 5 PM. Walk ins are welcome, and you can call (718) 749-5800 to check the wait.
Book our fade cut service and find us on the contact and directions page.
Questions readers ask
What does a fade haircut look like?
A fade shows short hair at the bottom of the sides and the back that slowly gets longer as it goes up the head. The change is smooth, with no hard line.
Can I cut a fade at home?
You can try, but blending takes practice and good clippers with the right guards. Most men find it easier to leave the fade to a barber and keep the top and edges tidy at home.
What is the difference between a bald fade and a skin fade?
They are the same thing. Both go down to bare skin at the bottom and blend up into the length on top.
Does a fade work on 4C hair?
Yes. Short sides with textured hair on top make a clean contrast, and a skilled barber can blend 4C hair into a smooth fade.
How do I fade dark spots on skin?
That is a skin care question, not a haircut one. If you have dark spots from razor bumps or other irritation, ask a dermatologist what can help, and let your barber know so they can avoid irritating the area.