Walk into any barbershop and you'll hear "fade" mentioned more than anything else. It's the foundation of most modern men's haircuts. But within that one word sits a whole spectrum of styles, and two of the most requested are the skinfade and the taper fade. They sound similar, they look related, but they produce noticeably different results.
If you've ever sat in the chair and not been entirely sure which to ask for, this guide will clear things up.
A taper fade is the more gradual of the two. The hair gets progressively shorter as it moves down the sides and back of the head, but it never goes all the way down to the skin. At the shortest point, you'll still see a thin layer of hair, usually around a grade 1 or 0.5.
The transition is subtle. From a distance, it looks clean and polished without being dramatic. That's what makes it a safe choice for almost anyone. It works in professional settings, suits most face shapes, and grows out fairly gracefully.
Taper fades tend to pair well with:
A skinfade takes the same concept and pushes it further. The hair fades all the way down to bare skin, typically around the temples and neckline, before blending upward into longer hair. The contrast is sharper and more defined.
Skinfades look incredibly clean on the day of the cut. That crisp line where hair meets skin gives the style a sharp, intentional edge that a taper doesn't quite achieve. It's bolder, and it makes a statement.
Skinfades pair well with:
It comes down to three things: your personal style, your face shape, and how often you're willing to visit the barber.
Face shape matters. If you have a rounder face, a skinfade can add definition by creating a sharper silhouette at the sides. For longer or narrower faces, a taper fade keeps things balanced without adding too much contrast.
Your workplace might factor in too. While attitudes have relaxed enormously, if you're in a very traditional environment, a taper fade reads as polished without being bold. A skinfade is still perfectly smart, just a touch more fashion-forward.
Hair type plays a role. Thicker hair tends to hold a skinfade beautifully because there's enough density on top to create that satisfying contrast. Finer hair often looks better with a taper, where the more gradual transition avoids exposing too much scalp.
This is the biggest practical difference between the two.
A skinfade looks its absolute best for about a week. After that, the regrowth at the skin line starts to blur the crispness. Most of our clients who rock a skinfade book in every two to three weeks to keep it looking sharp. It's a commitment, but the results speak for themselves.
A taper fade is more forgiving. Because the shortest point still has some hair, the grow-out is less obvious. You can comfortably go three to four weeks between cuts, sometimes longer if you don't mind a slightly softer look.
If you're not sure how often you should be visiting, our guide on how often to get a haircut covers different styles and hair types in more detail.
Absolutely. A lot of our clients go for something in between, like a low skinfade that only goes to skin right at the hairline, then transitions into a taper higher up. Or a mid fade that splits the difference. The beauty of fading is that it's a spectrum, not a binary choice.
The best thing you can do is have a conversation with your barber about what you're after. Bring reference photos if you have them. We'd rather spend an extra minute discussing the cut than have you leave with something you didn't expect.
Whether you're after a sharp skinfade or a clean taper, we cut both daily at our shop in Eamont Bridge. Skinfades start at just £20, and you can book your appointment online so there's no waiting around.
Not sure which to go for? Just ask when you sit down. We'll look at your hair type, face shape, and what you're after, and help you decide.