Fades have been steadily eclipsing traditional short back and sides hairstyles for well over a decade. They offer a sharper, more modern look, and perhaps best of all, there are numerous ways to execute them. One such variation is the drop fade.
You may not be familiar with this undulating take on the 21st century’s favorite trim, but it has been gaining traction among trendsetters for some time now. From Premier League footballers to rap royalty, some of the biggest names in men’s hair fashion have embraced this contemporary cut. If you’re seeking inspiration for your next visit to the barber, the drop fade is definitely worth considering.
So, what exactly is a drop fade? Essentially, it’s a type of fade haircut where the fade line drops lower behind the ear, creating a more pronounced curve. This design adds a unique dimension to the haircut, making it stand out from traditional fades. The drop fade can be combined with various styles on top, allowing for a personalized look that suits your individual taste.
Determining whether a drop fade is the right choice for you depends on several factors, including your face shape, hair type, and personal style. The drop fade works well with a variety of hair textures and lengths, making it a versatile option for many men. If you’re looking for a haircut that offers both style and adaptability, the drop fade could be an excellent fit.
What Is A Drop Fade?
A drop fade is an intricate and characterful hairstyle that leans towards a youthful aesthetic. Before we dive into the specifics, it’s helpful to revisit the basics of what a fade actually is.
Understanding Fades
A ‘fade’ refers to a particular technique used in cutting the back and sides of the hair. It is characterized by a gradation in length, transitioning from short at the bottom to longer higher up. This style can be paired with a variety of hairstyles on top, making it a versatile choice for many men. Typically, this gradation in length is uniform all the way around the head, but this is where the drop fade sets itself apart.
The Unique Characteristics of a Drop Fade
As the name implies, a drop fade features a lower fade around the back of the head, creating the visual effect of the hairline ‘dropping’ behind the ears. This distinctive design not only helps to outline the face from the front but also adds more hair coverage around the crown of the head.
The drop fade introduces an element of drama to the back and sides of a haircut, which often play a secondary role in the style on top. This added flair makes the drop fade a popular choice for those looking to elevate their hairstyle while maintaining a clean and polished look.
Why Choose a Drop Fade?
Choosing a drop fade can enhance your overall appearance by providing a modern twist to traditional hairstyles. It works well with various hair types and lengths, allowing for personalization based on individual preferences. Whether you prefer a more casual look or something more refined, the drop fade can be adapted to suit your style.
In summary, the drop fade is a unique and stylish option that offers a fresh take on the classic fade haircut. Its ability to frame the face and add character to the overall look makes it a fantastic choice for anyone looking to update their hairstyle.
Who Suits A Drop Fade?
Thinking a drop fade might be your next hair update? Before making the leap, there are a few important factors to consider to ensure this style complements your features.
Face Shape Considerations
As with most hairstyles, a drop fade won’t suit everyone. Certain styles are better suited to specific face shapes, so the first step is to determine yours and assess whether this haircut will be a good match.
There are five key face shapes: round, oval, square, rectangle, and heart. To identify your face shape, stand face-on in front of a mirror and evaluate which of these shapes most accurately describes the outline of your face.
Round Faces: The fundamental nature of fade hairstyles means they’re short on the sides, making them particularly well-suited for those with rounder, wider face shapes. A drop fade worn with a style that adds height on top, like a pompadour, can help balance out the dimensions of the face, creating a more elongated appearance.
Oval Faces: If you have an oval face, you’re in luck! This shape is versatile and can pull off a variety of hairstyles, including the drop fade. You can experiment with different lengths and styles on top to find what suits you best.
Square Faces: For square face shapes, a drop fade can work well, especially when paired with softer styles on top. Adding some texture or volume can help soften the angular features of a square face, creating a more balanced look.
Rectangular Faces: Those with rectangular faces have a lot of flexibility when it comes to hairstyles. A drop fade can complement this shape beautifully, allowing for experimentation with various styles. You can opt for a more dramatic look or keep it simple and clean.
Heart Faces: If your face is heart-shaped, a drop fade can also be a great choice. The shorter sides can help balance out a wider forehead, while styles that add volume at the crown can enhance your overall look.
Lifestyle Considerations
In addition to face shape, it’s essential to think about your lifestyle. Like all fade hairstyles, drop fades require regular maintenance to keep them looking sharp. If your schedule doesn’t allow for frequent visits to the barber, it might be best to stick to a more laid-back style that requires less upkeep.
If you’re someone who enjoys experimenting with your look and can commit to regular haircuts, a drop fade could be a fantastic addition to your style repertoire. However, if you prefer a more low-maintenance approach, consider opting for a style that allows for more growth between cuts.
5 Key Drop Fade Hairstyles
One of the great things about a drop fade is its versatility; it can serve as a foundation for hundreds of different hairstyles. To save you the trouble of sifting through countless combinations, we’ve compiled a list of five failsafe, future-proof options that showcase this technical trim at its best. Each of these styles highlights the unique characteristics of the drop fade while allowing for personal expression.
Crew Cut With Drop Fade
The classic crew cut is arguably one of the most sensible haircuts a man can choose. This traditional military style has served as the default ‘men’s haircut’ for nearly a century. However, by incorporating a drop fade, you can elevate this timeless look and bring it into the modern era.
The Classic Crew Cut
A crew cut is characterized by its short length on top and even shorter sides, creating a clean and polished appearance. The fringe is often styled up and slightly to the side, adding a touch of personality to the otherwise straightforward cut. Traditionally, crew cuts are worn with a simple short back and sides, but the addition of a drop fade introduces a contemporary twist that enhances the overall style.
The Modern Twist: Drop Fade
The drop fade seamlessly blends with the crew cut, providing a stylish contrast between the longer hair on top and the gradually shorter sides. This fade creates a smooth transition that adds depth and dimension to the haircut, making it visually appealing. The drop fade also helps to frame the face, drawing attention to your features while maintaining a clean and sophisticated look.
How to Ask for It?
When you visit your barber, simply ask for a crew cut with a drop fade. A skilled barber will understand exactly what you mean and can tailor the cut to suit your preferences. You can specify how high you want the fade to start and how much length you’d like to keep on top, ensuring that the final result aligns with your personal style.
Textured Crop With Drop Fade
The textured crop with a drop fade is a modern, choppy take on a classic hairstyle that has surged in popularity over the last decade, largely due to its prominent appearance on the hit show Peaky Blinders. This style, famously worn by the character Tommy Shelby, combines a rugged aesthetic with a contemporary twist.
The Signature Look
Tommy Shelby’s signature trim features a disconnected undercut, which creates a striking contrast between the shaved back and sides and the longer hair on top. This bold look has captivated many, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a stylish yet edgy haircut. However, adding a drop fade to this style is an excellent way to soften the overall appearance while keeping it fresh and modern.
The Benefits of a Drop Fade
Incorporating a drop fade into the textured crop not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a smoother transition between the longer hair on top and the shorter sides. The drop fade adds depth and dimension, making the haircut more versatile and easier to maintain. It also frames the face nicely, allowing for a more balanced look.
Communicating with Your Barber
While many barbers are familiar with the textured crop, it’s still a good idea to bring a photograph of the desired style to your appointment. This visual reference can help ensure that you and your barber are on the same page. When discussing your haircut, be sure to specify that you’d like a drop fade instead of a traditional undercut. This clarification will help your barber understand the exact look you’re aiming for.
Short Sponge Curls With Drop Fade
Pairing short sponge curls with a drop fade is an excellent way to showcase afro hair in a contemporary and stylish manner. This combination not only highlights the natural texture of the hair but also offers a modern twist that suits a variety of personal styles.
The Aesthetic Appeal
The drop fade creates a tapered silhouette from the front, with short sides that contrast beautifully against the longer curls on top. This design adds volume and height, making it a fantastic option for those with rounder face shapes, as it helps elongate the appearance of the face. For individuals with longer faces, it’s advisable to keep the curls on top slightly shorter to maintain a balanced proportion.
Styling and Maintenance
Maintenance is crucial for achieving and maintaining this look. To style the hair on top, you’ll need a curling sponge, which is essential for creating those defined curls. Using the sponge, move it in a circular motion to coil the hair and form the twists. This technique not only enhances the texture but also gives the hairstyle a polished finish.
Regular visits to the barber are also important to keep the drop fade looking crisp and fresh. The fade should be maintained every few weeks to ensure that the transition between the longer curls and the shorter sides remains sharp. This upkeep will help you achieve a clean and stylish appearance that stands out.
Slick Back With Drop Fade
A slicked-back top paired with a buzzed back and sides is a striking hairstyle that exudes confidence and attitude. While it may not be the best choice for those working in strict corporate environments, it serves as an excellent option for anyone looking to make a distinctive statement with their hair.
Achieving the Right Length
The key to mastering this style is to grow your hair out long enough initially. You’ll need sufficient length on top to allow the hair to lay flat against the head when combed back, avoiding any awkward sticking up. This length is crucial for achieving that sleek, polished look that defines the slick back.
Visiting the Barber
Once your hair has reached the desired length, it’s time to visit the barber. When you arrive, simply ask for a classic slick back with a drop fade. A skilled barber will understand the request and can tailor the cut to suit your preferences, ensuring that the fade complements the slicked-back style perfectly.
Styling at Home
After your haircut, you can style your slick back at home using a comb and your preferred hair product. A strong-hold pomade or gel works well to keep the hair in place throughout the day, providing that polished finish. Simply apply the product to damp hair, comb it back, and you’re ready to go.
Maintenance
To keep your slick back with drop fade looking sharp, regular maintenance is essential. Plan to return to the barber every few weeks to keep the fade fresh and the top looking neat. This upkeep will ensure that your hairstyle remains striking and well-groomed, allowing you to maintain that confident look.
Pompadour With Drop Fade
The pompadour is a classic mid-century haircut that gained immense popularity during the rock ‘n’ roll movement. By replacing the traditional slicked-back or tapered sides with a drop fade, you can give this throwback trim a distinctly modern edge that feels fresh and stylish.
The Classic Pompadour
The pompadour is characterized by its voluminous front, styled up and away from the face, tapering toward the back of the head. This height creates a striking silhouette that adds drama and flair to the overall look. Because of the added height on top, the pompadour is particularly well-suited for those with round or oval face shapes, as it helps to balance proportions.
However, it’s important to consider your face shape when opting for this style. The short sides of the drop fade can elongate the face even further, so if you already have a long face, you might want to approach this style with caution. In such cases, you could consider keeping the volume on top slightly lower or opting for a different hairstyle.
Communicating with Your Barber
When you’re ready to get your pompadour with a drop fade, any skilled barber will be familiar with the style. However, it’s always a good idea to bring a picture along to ensure you and your barber are on the same page. This visual reference can help convey the specific look you’re aiming for, including the desired height of the pompadour and the length of the drop fade.
Styling Your Pompadour
Once you’ve had your haircut, styling your pompadour at home is key to achieving that polished look. Use a strong-hold pomade or styling cream to help maintain the volume and shape. Start with damp hair, apply the product evenly, and then use a comb to style the hair up and back. You may need to use a hairdryer on a low setting to add an extra lift and hold.
Maintenance
To keep your pompadour with drop fade looking sharp, regular maintenance is essential. Plan to visit your barber every few weeks to keep the fade fresh and the top well-shaped. This upkeep will ensure that your hairstyle remains striking and well-groomed, allowing you to maintain that confident, stylish appearance.
