The low fade is a simple technique used to add a touch of class and elegance to any style. With a low fade, the hair on the sides tapers down, and the taper occurs lower on the head, hence the name “low fade.” The low fade is incredibly versatile, and we’ve selected 11 of our favorite examples.

This casual haircut features an irregular fringe and swooping hair on top. The low fade keeps the hair looking thick and full.

If you prefer a shorter hairstyle, you’ll enjoy this close-cropped cut. Here, the low fade blends the hair smoothly and gives the appearance of a fuller head of hair.

This designer style uses a low fade as part of the faded design that wraps around the head. The resulting shadow effect is very unique and fashionable.

With an even and full appearance, this low-key hairstyle uses an extremely subtle sideburn fade for maximum neatness.

Looking for simple and stylish? It doesn’t get much simpler than this straightforward scissor cut with low faded sides. Even though it’s simple, it’s still sharp and sleek.
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Low fades help to balance out extremely high volume hairstyles. They create great contrast, as you can see with this fohawk-inspired look.

Here’s another voluminous hairstyle that pairs well with a low fade. It’s a trendy, youthful cut that will work well with almost any hair type.

Side parts and fades go together like peanut butter and jelly! This contemporary combination is an easy way to step up your hairstyle.

If you have thicker hair and prefer to have a more relaxed appearance, then this hairstyle might be your next look.

Because the low fade is so versatile, it’s easy to modify it. This cool variation features a shaved line that seems to pass underneath (or through) the ear, creating an amazing visual effect.

This low fade creates loads of negative space around the ear, which perfectly contrasts the thick, voluminous top and messy facial hair.

Here’s a short, curly hairstyle featuring the low fade. This style is elegant, easy to maintain, and works for anyone!

This messy crop is made unique by lowering the fade about an inch. The result is a cool, hipsterish style which we absolutely love.

Add some spice to your pompadour with the low fade. This fantastic example features some connected facial hair, but we promise that’s optional.

Is the low fade not enough spice on its own? Why not incorporate some hairline or neckline patterns? This simple band around the head is an easy extra.

This light quiff is complemented with a low fade at the sides. The neat hairlines on this cut really demonstrate the importance of contrast.

This plain top hairstyle features a dropped, low fade on the sides and back. Did we mention the low fade gives you an awesome place to put tattoos?

Here’s another crop featuring a low fade around the sides. Notice the curvature of the hairline along the side, as it swoops back and downwards, towards the neckline.

Create a handsome look just like this one with only a few elements: a slicked-back top, a low fade on the sides, and some connected facial hair.

This young style is extra long and wavy. You’d think that doesn’t work with a low fade, but you can see here: the side hair is slicked back at the top, with the lower hair trimmed into a fade.

We mentioned hairline patterns earlier, and this one is a great example! The shaved design really contrasts against the thick side hair.

This simple but bold pompadour features a low fade around the sides. There’s nothing particularly unique about this cut, but there’s no denying that it’s a great look.

We think this angular, parted hairstyle is really cool. It’s the razor-straight hairline trim and unique neckline pattern that makes it so special.

Here’s a curly top featuring a low fade on the sides. This cool, young look really does reflect the basic principles of an undercut — and everyone knows the undercut is a great look.

Here’s another pompadour, again featuring carefully trimmed hairlines and a pattern in the neckline. Contrast, contrast, contrast!


Straight low fade with the clean fine taper is what we are looking for. The twin slit shave on the back of the ear is what makes it very modern and trendy. The top is brushed up with back hair brushed up too. The thick hair texture makes hair look like a bundle.

Hard Parts are fun with that side sweep plus the undercut that is followed by that sharp angular line up. The fine fade is just too clean plus the dense side hard part makes the top all thick and heavy. The goatee beard totally balances the clean look yet not so clean at the same time.

How often we see a low fade coming to the rescue to get a beard blended in. The undercut side part with that subtle thin part makes all the difference. The fluffy side brushed quiff with layering towards the back makes it one clean of a look. The line up is so clean that it supports everything that brings details out of it.

low fade plus a vivid undercut fade plus a slit shave plus an undercut taper on the side with that brushed up top with so. much panache. The reason why it gets better is the amazing blend that it has with the balance that the beard makes. Must say the dye is pulling all the fun isn’t it?

This one doesn’t have that drop fade tinge and is more like a straight taper that is not very common. The top is a pocky and pinched texture with that low faded lineup. The top has a slight brush up feel to it with hints of being tossed here and there.


We talked short curls this is even shorter curls with that afro hair texture. This is what volume does to you and that is why you gotta finesse it that way. The sides are tapered but look at that lineup that is tapered clean and trimmed all angular, notice the beard that balances the lower face.

Long strands are always quite fun as they can be styled in a million ways, this one is thin hair so the long strands fall freely on the side with a cheeky low fade that does so much justice to the look. The crisp clean shave is a neat touch to the overall look and can be rocked in a party as well as a meeting.

Who says buzz cut has to be low key and equal all around? This is a classic example of how a generic buzz cut can be tweaked to a little fancier yet classy look. The subtle yet distinct low fade works like a charm and adds that extra heat to the look.

Here is a look that will get you stares at a party, especially with that twin slit shave, it is nothing less than a game-changer. The top is french cropped with high volume and a slight brush up feel to it. The sides are tapered with low fade and to top it off, the line-ups are neat and short.

Who wouldn’t like this fine style, especially this frosty dye combined with a deep hard parted slit shave on the side with taper faded low fade. the top is brushed up with side brush texture. That black hair shadow helps pops this style, even more, another subtle touch of detail.

Highlighted curls are definitely a thing, let this be a prime example where the curls are dense yet not all over the place. The volume is all equal all over with sides being tapered with a very low drop fade to end it all the line up are shortened with taper texture.

If you are someone who likes going that extra mile to take care of your hair then here is the style you should consider. It is both, retro and modern altogether. The top is slightly waved out with sides being tapered, which is a classic move but the temple is vanished due to low fade.


Curls are always special but this one has a special sweet spot. They’re permed with thick rough hair that is curled into a thin long spiral shape. That in itself is quite a statement plus the taper on the side with drop-shaped low fade. The overall cleaner approach to this look is just perfect.

This brush-up is always on the border of less maintenance to using products to have it look pitch-perfect. Little maintenance goes long way. This is clipped on the sides for taper with size 2 and then faded all the way down. The best part being the fade is low as well dropped, best of both worlds.

How can we not like this cool combination of a mullet, a slightly curled caesar, and a sleek low fade? The low fade here also acts like a temple fade which amplifies the look by a thousand. The beard is a smart way to balance the face and make this style look even.