Low fade
Starts just above the ear and stays low around the back. Subtle, clean and work-friendly. A good first fade.
Mid fade
Starts around the temple. The most common middle ground: visible contrast without going all the way up.
High fade
Starts near the top of the head, so the sides are mostly short. High contrast, bold, and great with a textured or longer top.
Skin fade (bald fade)
Any of the above, finished down to bare skin with a foil shaver or razor. The sharpest look, and the one that needs touching up soonest.
Drop fade
The fade line dips down behind the ear toward the nape instead of running straight around. Follows the shape of the head and pairs well with curls, waves and beards.
Burst fade
The fade arcs in a semicircle around the ear and leaves length at the back of the neck. Popular with mohawks, curls and longer tops.
Not sure which one?
Bring a photo, tell your barber how often you plan to come back, and let them read your head shape and growth patterns. That conversation is part of every cut at Original Walker's.
Quick questions
Which fade lasts the longest?
A low fade that stops at a short guard rather than skin grows out the most gracefully.
Do fades work on curly hair?
Yes. Drop and burst fades in particular are built around curls and textured hair.
By the barbers at Original Walker's Barbershop, North Austin. Updated 2026-11-06.