Skin fade vs taper.

Skin fade

A skin fade blends the hair down until it reaches bare skin. There is no hair left at the very bottom, so the transition can look sharp and dramatic. It also shows regrowth fast, so it needs a refresh sooner.

Taper

A taper shortens the hair gradually at the sideburns and the neckline, and some hair stays visible at every point. It looks cleaner and softer, and it lasts longer between visits.

Taper fade

A taper fade sits between the two: a fade blend with a little length left at the bottom. If you are not sure, this is a safe place to start.

How to ask

Give your barber three things: how short you want the sides, how high you want the fade to start (low, mid or high), and how long you want to keep the top. A photo helps a lot.

See our men's haircuts and fades and how often to get a fade.