Classy and fresh, the mid fade is a versatile haircut that matches every face shape, age, and occasion. Celebrities like David Beckham and Ryan Gosling are self-confessed fans of the mid fade, not surprising, considering it’s the kind of haircut that looks amazing without the 10-step routine.
Everywhere we look, we are seeing the mid fade, but don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you won’t stand out from the pack. It’s important to know that all mid fade styles have the same base: the fade starts between the temples and the ears to create a smooth transition down the back and sides of the head. Apart from that, the mid fade has dozens of variations with different textures, lengths, and styles. All perfectly suited for you.
1. Short Mid Fade Haircut
If you’re itching for a change but the last thing you want is to style your hair in the morning, go for the short-mid fade. This mid-fade style should be paired with buzzcuts, crew cuts, or comb-overs.
2. Mid-Drop Fade Haircut
The mid-drop fade starts at the middle of the head and drops down behind the ear, creating an exciting transition at the front and back. It’s a low-maintenance haircut but bound to give you a trendy look.
3. Mid Skin Fade Haircut
Every generation’s signature “bad boy” haircut, the mid-skin fade, is combined with clean-shaven buzzed sides. If you have a tattoo design behind the ear, this is the perfect men’s hairstyle to show it off.
4. Comb Over Mid Fade Haircut
Mid fade haircuts also work on long hair (surprise). For example, the comb-over mid fade is perfect for a professional look. This haircut keeps the volume at the top, so you don’t need more than the occasional visit to the hairdresser to trim the ends. Apply a bit of hair gel or pomade on your hand and flip your hair to the side to get the best style.
5. Mid Bald Fade Haircut
The mid bald fade involves shaving the hair at the bottom and creating contrast by styling longer hair at the top. It looks great on everyone, but it’s especially impactful if you have some ink to show off. In general, the mid bald fade starts at zero (or one, if you don’t want to go too dramatic right from the start) and works up to a maximum of four.
6. Mid Fade Haircut for Short Hair
If you want a maintenance-free yet stylish cut, you can’t go wrong with this one. The mid fade haircut for short hair is clean and natural, making it the perfect choice for men who want a smart, timeless look.
7. Mid Taper Fade Haircut
This is a great business-professional hairstyle that keeps it simple. You only fade the sideburns and the neckline with the mid-taper fade, keeping a sharp line around the ear.
8. Mid Fade Haircut for Curly Hair
Curly hair looks fantastic, but it can be a bit of a pain to manage. That said, hear us out: by going for a mid fade, you can control precisely how much curl you want so that you can keep your signature look, minus the mess. For an interesting contrast, ask your barber to also give you a mid-skin fade on the sides. This hairstyle looks best paired with a well-groomed beard.
Pro tip: invest in high-quality hair care products made especially for curls, like hair mousse. Trust us, it makes a world of difference.
9. Low Mid Fade Haircut
The low mid-fade haircut is a little less dramatic than the high fade, striking the perfect balance between detail and length. It looks flattering on everyone, giving you a clean and polished look.
10. Mid Fade Haircut Long on Top
A mid-fade haircut emphasizes your hair’s length, regardless of its style. The mid fade will make it stand out whether it’s straight, curly, spiky, or anything in between. Use a pomade to boost volume and keep your hair in place all day for maximum effect.
11. Mid Fade Haircut for Straight Hair
Straight hair is the most versatile hair, giving you endless styling choices. You can pair a mid-fade haircut with anything from a quiff to a man bun, so you can always switch up your look when you get bored.
12. Mid Fade Slick Back Haircut
With this haircut, all you have to do is brush the longer hair straight back. The slicked-back hair is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, while the mid-fade gives it a youthful, contemporary feel. Depending on the effect you want to achieve, you can use a matte hair pomade or glossy gel to get the desired look.
13. Mid High Fade Haircut
A mid high fade haircut starts further up than other options, which is actually a pretty good trick if you want to enhance your facial features and make your face look slimmer. Also, since the focus is at the top, this style goes well with voluminous hairstyles such as quiffs, curls – basically anything that adds a little more “oomph.”
14. Mid Fade Pompadour
Named after Madame de Pompadour, this style goes back to 18th century France. But don’t worry – there’s nothing ridiculous or outdated about this modern interpretation. It’s not easy to pull off, we’ll give you that, but if you can pull it off, you’ll look like the perfect modern-day gentleman.
15. Mid Fade Haircut Short on Top
This is one of the most popular variations of the mid-fade, and we can understand why almost every man who goes into a salon looking for a no-fuss cut asks for this. It’s clean, sharp, requires virtually no touching up in the morning, yet it has that cool modern edge.
16. Mid Fade Haircut with Design
Who said you need ink to show off a cool design with your mid fade cut? Your barber can also create different designs with a clipper, so you’ll get the same effect, minus the commitment. Popular hair designs include lines, geometric shapes, waves, and stars, but feel free to pick whatever inspires you.
17. Mid Fade Haircut with Side Part
Versatile and flattering, the mid fade haircut with a side part is the go-to choice for the modern Don Draper. To get this look, you need at least two to four inches of hair. If you have thicker hair, you’ll need a bit of hair gel or pomade to keep it in place.
Pro tip: part your hair on the left if it grows clockwise and on the right if it grows counterclockwise.
18. Mid Fade with Waves
If you’re the proud owner of wavy locks, a mid fade cut will help you emphasize them while also making them more manageable. Your stylist can cut a few curls short for a dynamic look, and you can brush your hair forward or part it on the side.
19. Mid-Level Fade
The mid-level fade strikes the perfect balance between a short and long fade. It looks professional yet effortless, and it can be paired with just about every dressing style.
20. Mid-Drop Fade with Quiff
Coming from the word “coif,” the quiff is a hairstyle where the forelock is brushed or gelled upward. The style originates from the 1950s, but the mid fade gives it a modern, up-to-date look. We won’t lie to you and say that a quiff is easy to style – you won’t be able to leave your home without spending a few minutes in the mirror, but the result is worth it.
21. Mid Fade Haircut for Thick Hair
Are your friends envying your full head of hair, but you’re exasperated by how messy it looks without styling? A mid-fade haircut can take away most of the volume, making it more manageable while still leaving room to experiment with various styles.
22. Mid Fade Undercut
To achieve this look, your barber will combine a fade and an undercut by shaving the sides of your head from the ears to the temples. The mid fade undercut looks best on long hairstyles, but you can rock it if you have short hair too.
23. Mid Fade Haircut with Dreadlocks
You didn’t think we’d leave one of the most unique hairstyles out, did you? The mid fade can be easily combined with dreads, allowing you to create countless combinations. It works best with short to medium-length dreadlocks and, for some extra oomph, you can ask your barber to create designs such as lines and waves.
24. Mid Razor Fade
Also called a straight razor fade, this is a type of skin taper fade where the hair on your sides and back is shaved. It’s a striking, high contrast look that many celebrities swear by because it emphasizes your best features and slims down the face.
Mid Fade Haircut FAQ:
What is a mid fade haircut?
The mid-fade haircut gives you the best of both worlds between a low fade and a high fade. A mid fade starts halfway up the sides and back, offering a gradual blending of the hair. One of the most versatile haircuts for men, the mid-fade can be adjusted based on your preferences (you can go from zero up to twelve), and it can be combined with just about any existing hairstyle.
They’re great for every hair density and texture, and you can style them in a way that’s appropriate both for clubbing and business meetings. In general, mid-fade haircuts are relatively low maintenance, but some require a little more care.
How long does a mid fade haircut last?
On average, a mid-fade haircut lasts for three, up to four weeks. After that, you’ll need a touch-up. As a general rule, the shorter the fade is, the more maintenance it will need.
How to ask for a mid fade haircut?
The mid fade is a universally loved haircut, but we know that the terminology can make it a bit tricky to ask for. Tell your barber that you want a mid fade, then explain to them where you want the fade to start and how short you want the hair to be (from zero to twelve). For example, I’d like a 0.5 fade into a three. Tell your barber how much time you want to spend on styling or what facial features you want to emphasize if you’re unsure which mid-fade is best for you. But the easiest way to ask for a mid-fade haircut is simply to show your barber a photo of your ideal cut.
What does a two mid fade haircut look like?
When getting a mid-fade haircut, your barber will use clippers with guards numbered from one to twelve, zero being the shortest (1/16 inches or 1.5 millimeters). As far as fades go, #2 is by far the most popular choice because it cuts the hair short with minimum scalp exposure. Number 2 is ¼ inches or 6 millimeters: it’s pretty short but has just a tiny bit of length. It’s a great option if you want a short, easy-to-maintain haircut and still want to keep a bit of length.