A Complete Guide To Zero Fade Haircuts - Natural Selection London (2024)

Nowadays, men who want to attempt short haircuts especially like faded hairstyles. Among the shortest haircuts is a zero fade since it trims the hair to its smallest potential length.

Typically, there is still a small amount of shadow, giving your hair a little bit of a stubble appearance rather than a fully clean shaven appearance.

Understanding what you’re asking for when it relates to fades is crucial. There is nothing like asking for a certain fading and receiving something different.

All you need to learn about the zero fade, one of the more popular ones, is provided in this informative article, to help you achieve the hairstyle you want during your next trip to the barbers.

What Is A Zero Fade Haircut?

The zero fade cut is a style in which the sides’ shortest length is clipped using a clipper’s single blade, leaving behind minor stubble.

From bottom to top, it then gradually gets longer, melding the various lengths into one another. In essence, a skin fade is one step shorter than a zero fade haircut.

Because you aren’t going all the way towards the skin, it doesn’t require shaving and you don’t need a razor to get it. The short stubble on the back and sides is created with a clipper without a guard attached.

When using a clipper without a guard, the typical stubble length ranges between 0.5 and 0.8mm; however, this truly depends on the clipper you’re using and the blade height.

A typical Wahl blade will typically trim to 0.8mm, whereas an Andis or Oster clippers #000 blades will trim to roughly 0.5mm.

The stubble length can also be changed using the clipper’s lever. You can achieve very little longer stubble by keeping the lever open and without a guard attached. It won’t last as long, though, as it would if you attached guards such as a #0.5 or #1, for example.

The length is then gradually increased with the clipper, starting at the #0 level at the bottom and working its way up. For instance, the sides might go from 0 first at the bottom to 0.5, 1, and afterwards 2 at the top.

Because there are no sharp edges between the lengths, the recognisable “fade” appearance is created. It looks interesting with the blurred and fading effect.

The height at which zero fades are placed on the back and sides varies. Based on just how high the sides the 0 length extends before changing to longer lengths, they might be “low,” “mid,” or “high.”

Let’s go into greater detail about these fade heights.

Low Fades

A zero length (0.5mm to 0.8mm) somewhere at the bottom of the sides begins to merge and change into longer lengths about 1/2 inch above the ear in a low zero fade.

The fade lies low on the back and sides, which is a more straightforward way to put it. Because only a little section of the back and sides are trimmed to the zero length, it is a modest version of a zero fade.

Therefore, the low zero fade isn’t as visible or perceptible as, say, a mid or high fade. It’s an excellent choice for men who would like a very short side fade but don’t want it to stand out significantly from the rest of their hairdo.

A really low zero fade is what is known as a “zero fade taper.” From around the top of the sideburns, the length changes from zero at the bottom to longer lengths more up the sides.

Therefore, zero fade taper fades are nearly as undetectable as zero fades can be. A taper may be an excellent option if you want an obvious zero fade that is only a minor aspect of your overall look.

Mid Fades

The #0 length (0.5mm–0.8mm) at the lower part of your sides begins to fade into greater lengths around an inch above the ear in a mid-zero fade. This usually causes the zero length to begin blending into greater lengths midway up the sides.

Obviously, the size of the person’s head determines the optimal height that this occurs.

However, generally speaking, the “one inch above the ear” suggestion is a good bet.

This results in roughly half of the back and sides having the really light stubble of a zero length. This is still really brief, though not nearly as brief as a skin fade.

Mid fades therefore are quite eye-catching and attention-getting. They lack the subtlety of zero fade tapers or low zero fades. A zero length can eventually shift into more length further up, whether that’s a number 1, 2, 3 cut, or perhaps even longer, just like with any zero fades.

The more the difference in length from top to bottom, the more noticeable the zero length’s shortness will appear to be.

Additionally, a zero fade will appear more striking the longer the distance between the hairs at the top and the length at the sides is.

For instance, a medium zero fade will appear more apparent when worn with a pompadour hairstyle at the top than when worn with #2 buzz cuts.

High Fades

The #0 length (0.5mm–0.8mm) at the base of the top and sides begins to shift into greater lengths about the height of the temples in a high zero fade. The highest you can go with fades are high fades.

Any higher and you’d be entering dangerously high ground. Given how short the actual zero length is, high fades are very attention-grabbing.

The majority of the back and sides are essentially clipped to really short stubble, which is then blended into longer hair at the area of the temples.

This is quite obvious because that’s pretty far up to start extending the length. However, the high zero fade’s eye-catching allure is what draws so many guys to it. It’s a fantastic method to express yourself and give your haircut a little extra flair.

However, for somebody looking at their first ever fade, it probably isn’t a good idea. Choose a shorter fade or a lengthier fade if you want to experiment with fades. Consider a high 2 fade rather than a high zero fade, for instance.

Instead of a steep fade, choose a lower zero fade or even a zero fade taper. There is no reason that you can’t get a high zero fade during your next attempt if you like the look after evaluating the results for a few days.

Given that they are frequently confused with one another, it is crucial to distinguish among a high fade and an undercut. A high fade is distinct from an undercut.

Undercuts don’t have a high fade’s progressive shift from the side to the top. Instead, there is no gradual blending; rather, there is a stark and abrupt change from the super short sides towards the hair on top.

Additionally, top hair with undercuts is frequently left long and pulled back, though not always. The sides are equally as short with high fades as they would be with undercuts.

But before it approaches the long layers at the top of the head, the zero length gradually blends into greater lengths rather than abruptly switching from sides to top.

How To Cut Your Hair Into A Zero Fade

If a man wants a zero fade, he’ll often visit a barber. Due to the amount of accuracy needed, performing this cut on oneself is rather difficult.

Using a particular kind of hair trimmer makes getting a zero fade the simplest. To provide shorter and shorter fades, these trimmers are always developing. To keep the hair neat and short, zero fades require constant care.

Tell the barber that you want the zero length at your sides and back when requesting a zero fade. Additionally, let them know if you want the low, medium, or high fade and which length you would like the length to move into.

To specify the smallest length of the fade, simply ask for a “zero fade,” and the barber should be able to do it. However, you must also inform them of the change you want to make as the style grows out.

The most straightforward way to explain this all to a barber is to actually show a picture of the desired fade. This is the greatest choice because a fade that you may have initially believed to be a zero fade is actually not.

It prevents any unpleasant shocks at the conclusion of the cut. You’ll be fully aware of what you’re signing up for.

What Is The Duration Of A Zero Fade?

The duration of a zero fade is about two weeks. Many individuals with such a zero fade may feel the need to have it renewed at the 2-week point, though given the cost, most will opt for 3-weekly cuts.

It’s no secret that maintaining a fade is difficult, especially if your fade is really short. This is because, with really short cuts such as zero fades or skin fades, even a few millimetres of growth on top can significantly alter the cut you initially received.

This isn’t as big of a concern when working with 1 fade and 2 fade styles, for example, and you could possibly wait a week or longer until getting it fixed up.

However, anything less than two-weekly fades is likely to fall short if you want to maintain a constant fade all the time and won’t accept anything less than perfection.

The cost of doing this shouldn’t be understated and will undoubtedly be a significant obstacle for the majority of people who want to maintain a clean-looking fade at all times.

Make sure the hairdresser you go to is skilled if you want your zero fades to remain longer. Good hairstylists know how to create fades that blend seamlessly and are long-lasting.

It’s that simple: a poor fade won’t last as long. You might also think about teaching yourself how to fix fades. This isn’t for everyone because it’s possible to screw up a fade, so you shouldn’t make this choice carelessly.

However, freshening up your fade might not be quite as difficult as you think if you are already somewhat comfortable using a pair of clippers. There are online tutorials available that do demonstrate how to do it.

Having stated that, if you would like the greatest effects, a professional should always perform the majority of a fade.

The period between trips to the barber may be simply extended by learning how to perform small touch-ups.

A Few Style Ideas For Zero Fade Haircuts

1. Designed Fade

The appropriate canvas for creating artistically beautiful artwork on your head is provided by the Designed Fade. Every age group will be comfortable with the designs. Therefore, even young guys can enjoy trying them out.

You might have elaborate designs covering your entire head or even just two simple stripes on the side. Step outside your comfort zone to seem cool and effortless.

The intended fading may be pricey and definitely require professional talent and experience depending on your level of customization. However, if you consider it, it’s a tiny price to pay for a drastically different haircut.

2. Top Braid

Your zero fade will look fantastic with the top braid added (You might want to check out A Guide To Travis Scott Braids). The ends of the braids can be made into a messy bun, a Norse-style braid, or little braids that can be made into a ponytail. There are countless opportunities for innovation.

This kind of hairstyle typically combines braids and high zero fades. As a result, it leaves the majority of the head bald and gives the crown volume.

3. Highlights

Playing with highlights is always enjoyable. You’ll gain power and youth from them. And if you grow bored, you can swap them out.

While providing a foundation for your future hues, silver or blonde highlights will improve anything. To make it seem stunning, though, be careful to match it to either your cold or warm skin tone.

In addition, highlights will draw attention to your attractive features without any fades. So, obtaining them never results in a loss.

Get your highlights and fade, then rock any look!

Final Thoughts

The zero fade haircut incorporates a low, medium, or high fade style with long hair on top, a pompadour, a mohawk, a quiff, and essentially anything else that strikes your fancy.

If you’re a fan, there’s no reason you can’t ask your hairstylist for one on your subsequent visit now that you understand exactly what one is and how it looks.