21 Best Low Skin Fade Haircuts for 2025

Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

A low skin fade haircut is a men’s haircut that involves long hair on top, gradually getting shorter until skin level as it goes down to the sides and nape area. Also commonly called a bald fade or a zero fade, the skin fade brings a crisp contrast.

Plus, having it low makes it a great match for modern hairstyles like pompadours, faux hawks, quiffs, high tops, undercuts, and much more! No matter the length of the top hair, Afro barber Matthew Odediran exhibits how to work the low skin fade magic on various styles, textures, and lengths.

Cutting your hair down to the skin creates a low-upkeep, laidback, and clean look that could last for weeks, meaning that it’s a perfect fade for both business and casual settings.

See how celebrity dreamboats Cristiano Ronaldo, Zayn Malik, Tom Hardy, and Adam Levine flaunt their low skin fade cuts handsomely in and out of action!

For the most recent and popular examples, look at this collection of low skin fade haircuts that will make you look no further!

Photos
Low Skin Fade for Curly Hair
Instagram @studio22homme

#1: For Curly Hair

In this low skin fade style, I was inspired by the type of hair that, in this case, presented one forward direction and one medium undulation. What I like most about this low skin taper is to take advantage of its natural form and does not alter it, thus giving a very comfortable result for day to day. We usually apply a curl-enhancing styling base for this style and dry naturally.

Messy French Crop with Low Skin Fade for Young Men
Instagram @federica.anita_hairstylist

#2: Messy French Crop with Low Fade

Low fades are popular styles. They suit those who want to keep a lot of hair for texture but also prefer it super short at the back and sides. The transition point in the fade starts at the midpoint and blends quite heavily into the top. Sea salt spray and styling powder are often used to give a re-workable look.

Low Skin Fade with a Messy Quiff Top for Men
Instagram @osman.karaev

#3: Low Skin Fade with a Messy Quiff Top

When you want a fashionable yet simple-to-manage hairstyle, this low-skin fade with a messy quiff top is a great choice. This hairstyle suits many hair types but works best with coarse hair. It will look better if the hair on the top is thinned out for increased flow. To make the hair look longer, try a low-to-high fade cut on the sides.

#4: Low Skin Taper Fade for Thick Hair

Do you have a lot of hair and need to shed some locks? If so, opt for this low-skin taper fade for thick hair. Not only do you get the tapered effect around the neck and ears to keep your hair clean and easy. But you get to keep enough on top to style and keep it classy. Ask your barber or stylist about today’s cut and style with matte clay for the best results.

#5: Gentlemen Burst Fade

Gentlemen’s burst fades are becoming more and more popular. The key to this style is to keep the hair short around the ears and leave length in style. This has faded to the skin and blended tightly into the rest of the hair. This keeps it tidy around the ears leaving plenty to style. Remember that products are key to the finished look. To emulate this natural finish, I recommend using a good styling powder.

#6: Faux Hawk

Style with gel or mousse to create a spiked fohawk. The low shaved sides balance out the fullness up top.

#7: Low Skin Fade for Curly Hair

A low skin fade for curly hair is a modern option to tame your textured hair. Men’s low fade haircuts like this remove bulk and seamlessly transition to full curls on top with clean edges. With this low fade haircut, men can dress up or down, making it extremely versatile.

Slick back hair with low skin fade
Instagram @cheobarberpr

#8: Slicked Back

Combed over the back creates a cleaned-up look. The low skin fade is the contrasted addition you want to try.

Low skin fade disconnected undercut
Instagram @barberamazan

#9: Disconnected Undercut

Ask your barber for a shave close to the skin while having the top portion full. A men’s low fade haircut shines when paired with a sleek pompadour.

#10: Low Skin Fade + Comb Over

After that sharp shave, all the hair can be sliced toward the sides. Gel those streaks up to finish off the look! Mens low fade is a classic haircut that works well with any style.

#11: High Top + Low Skin Fade

The curls do all the work here, but the low skin fade hairstyle complements it. This afro low top fade is timeless and will always be in fashion.

Low skin fade with bear
Instagram @_srlucaslima

#12: Low Skin Fade with Beard

A little rough around the edges wouldn’t hurt. Tousle up those layers, shave the sides instead of the beard, and you’ll be good to go with this haircut with a low skinfade.

caesar cut with a skin fade
Instagram @cal_newsome

#13: Caesar Cut

Revolutionary and bold, a Caesar cut with a lower skin fade is just what you need to amp up your style. The shaved sides give it a nice taste of balanced volume.

Quiff
Instagram @reyesthebarber

#14: Low Skin Fade with Quiff

Partner anything full, like a quiff to low bald fade sides, and you’ll surely rock any party! Keep your skin fade low to emphasize contrast while preserving hair volume.

Low skin fade with long hair on top
Instagram @bryanfadezz

#15: Long Hair on Top

If you’re still not ready to let go of your long locks, try this low bald fade that will ease you into having shorter hair. It would be best to have a thick head of hair for this low fade long hair to work well.

#16: Wavy Hair

Mesmerizing waves that fade into a clean-cut puts in that feminine factor that is quite attractive.

Pompadour with low skin fade
Instagram @real_barbers_

#17: Pompadour

Go home or go hard, indeed! This attention-seeking quiff with a low skin fade is the real definition of extra.

Textured and messy haircut with low skin fade
Instagram @rabstarbuzz

#18: Textured and Messy

The ready-to-go hair. The bed hair. The not-so-bad hair day. With full hair on top and minimal hair to style at the sides, the possibilities are endless for this super easy-to-maintain haircut with a low skin fade.

#19: Crew Cut

I would describe the faded mohawk as “awesome is what it is.” This haircut carries a lot of benefits when it comes to styling. Having the upper section of the hair longer than the rest makes it easier to style, depending on the client’s mood, outfit, or occasion. The faded mohawk will always have you covered.

Low skin fade ivy league cut
Instagram @ali_mbarber

#20: Ivy League

This is a stylish, modern, and versatile look. The fade in this style has been left low and very short, and then it starts to blend into more length and volume around the temples. This hairstyle looks good when the hair is slicked back, creating a polished and well-groomed look.

Hard Part
Instagram @capo_thebarber

#21: Hard Part

This is a low skin fade haircut with a blended beard, a hard part, and a pompadour hairstyle. My favorite thing about such skin fades is doing the blow drying process to create the awesome classic look with a nice definition using a custom comb created by SJ Precision by Sherwin.