Knowing how to fade your beard is an essential skill for any bearded man. While trips to the barbershop are still necessary, a man has to know how to tame his mane. The goal is simple - to create a seamless flow from hair, to sideburns, to the beard with the tools you have on hand: barber scissors, a beard comb and beard care products. Faded beard styles come in many forms, but before you get into the more complicated ones, this essential guide on how to fade a beard will go over the basics leading up the fade and how to tackle the fade itself.
Before the Fade
Before you tackle a self-fade, get your beard right with the right beard products, brush, and trim.
Length Matters
If you're going for a specific style – let your beard and mustache grow to your ideal length. Wash and dry your beard frequently, set your trimmer to its longest setting, and trim your beard and mustache against the grain to eliminate any excess bulk.
The more length your beard has, the nicer your final beard fade will look; however, if you prefer a simpler, more subtle look, trim with a shorter setting until you reach your desired length.
Related: How to Trim a Beard
Sharpen Up Your Neckline
Start by brushing your beard downwards, place a finger horizontally just above your Adam’s apple, and trim vertically below the finger line. Trim outwards under your jawline, and do the other side.
Clean It Up
Follow with a clean shave below your new neckline. Do not go over the line you have just created.
Trim Your Cheek Line
For a neat, clean faded style, go for a brusque cheek line. Form a slightly rounded or straight line from the bottom of your sideburns to your mustache tips. Repeat on the other side. Clean up the upper cheek. If you fancy a more natural look, leave the cheek line but get rid of any stragglers on the upper cheeks.
Don't Forget Your Mustache
Brush the mustache hair down. Using the blades’ edge, follow the top lip line, trimming away any straggler over your lip. For a smoother look, trim the top line of your mustache into a clean line.
Shop your top beard oil and beard grooming kit products!
How to Fade a Beard
- Form a rounded line or straight from the top of your sideburns to the top of your mustache. Repeat on the other side.
- 1. Using a trimmer (or scissors) on the cheeks, cut up and outwards, so you don’t go over that new line you’ve just created.
- 2. Now that your beard is ready to go, it’s time for the last and trickiest step of the fade.
- 3. Begin by trimming an inch over your jawline, with a length setting one below your beard’s length. This will lightly trim your facial hair down to initiate the fade.
- 4. Trim the top length of your sideburns another inch.
Repeat this until you reach your hair. You can do this in the opposite way and go from the sideburns down as well.
Related: Things to Do When Trying to Grow a Beard
NOTE: Start at the longest length setting - the level that’s a bit shorter than your overall beard. After that, work your way down to shorter and shorter lengths, and you'll find yourself trying new, more complex styles.
Takeaway
A beard fade is all about the flow to slightly shorter hair; The blending should be smooth as the length changes. It’s a distinguished look for both voluminous and small beards. A beard fade done right gives you a clean appearance. Taking care of a fade is simple. Once the fade is complete, it’s surprisingly easy to maintain. Stay sharp, stay handsome!
Also, check out more of our beard care content for your reading pleasure.
Beard Fade: The Complete Guide to Fading Your Beard
Beard Fade: Understanding the Style
The beard fade is a popular facial hair style that involves a gradient transition from short hair around the neck line to a full beard along the jaw and chin. The transition is marked by hair progressively getting thicker and longer, adding a unique aesthetic depth to the facial hair. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a versatile option to showcase masculinity and sophistication. The defining element of the fade is the smooth transition from short to long, requiring precision, a good beard trimmer, and an understanding of one's facial features.
Fade: More Than Just a Haircut
A fade is not limited to beard styles alone; it is also a popular term in the world of haircuts, specifically referring to a technique that gradually reduces the hair length from the top to the sides and back of the head. A low fade haircut, for instance, starts with longer hair on top that smoothly transitions to shorter hair around the ears and the back of the neck. Fade haircuts are available in various styles, from the traditional taper fade to the modern bald fade. This technique has been a long-standing element in men's grooming, complementing a wide range of hairstyles, from the edgy mohawk to the cool and casual crew cut.
Faded: Adding Depth to the Beard
A faded beard adds depth and visual interest to a man's facial hair. The aesthetic appeal of a faded beard comes from the gradient transition that starts at the neck line with shorter hairs, and becomes fuller and longer towards the chin and cheeks. Fades are versatile, suiting a variety of facial shapes and hair types. The precision required for a clean fade demands a quality beard trimmer and some experience, though with some practice, you can achieve this look at home.
Fades: From Long Hair to Full Beard
The beard fade is a style that works particularly well with men who have long hair, as it offers a balanced, well-groomed look. A full beard, when faded properly, transitions seamlessly into the hair, giving a cohesive and polished appearance. Furthermore, the fade technique can be modified according to the length of the hair and the fullness of the beard, catering to the specific needs of each individual's style.
Full Beard: Fading Techniques for a Refined Look
For men who sport a full beard, beard fading can add a new dimension to their look. The fade technique can be applied to the entire beard, starting with shorter hair on the neck and blending into the lengthier portions of the beard. The full beard fade provides an appealing contrast that adds depth and structure to the facial hair. With the right beard trim, a full beard fade can enhance the features, providing a strong, masculine appearance.
Short Beard: Incorporating Fade for an Edgy Look
On the other hand, the short beard fade is perfect for those looking for a low maintenance yet stylish option. Despite the overall short length, the beard fade offers an appealing gradient that adds complexity to the style. Even a short beard can be faded to match a low fade haircut, which extends the gradient effect from the head to the face for a unified look.
Haircut: Fading the Line Between Hair and Beard
Haircuts play a crucial role in shaping the overall look of a man. The haircut can either be a standalone feature or can be incorporated into the beard style for a harmonious look. A fade haircut, combined with a faded beard, provides a smooth transition that blurs the line between the hair and the beard. From the stylish low fade to the cool high fade, these haircuts can be perfectly paired with faded beards to provide an edgy, modern style.
Conclusion: The Fade - A Hairstyle That Holds Its Own
In conclusion, the beard fade is a versatile style that fits various types of facial hair, from long hair to a full beard or a short beard. The fade technique requires precision and the right tools like a beard trimmer. With the various styles available, from a low fade haircut to a medium or high fade, there is a fade for every man's style and type of hair. So, whether you are reading this as a first-timer looking to change your style, or as a seasoned pro seeking to upgrade your look, remember that the fade is more than just a trend, it is a style statement that has withstood the test of time.
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