A skin fade blends the sides and back all the way down to bare skin. A taper fade only shortens the hair around the sideburns and neckline, leaving more length on the sides. Skin fades look sharper and bolder; tapers are more subtle and grow out more gently.
What is a skin fade?
A skin fade takes the hair down to the skin at the lowest point, usually with foil shavers, and blends it upward into the length on top. It can be low, mid or high depending on where the fade starts. At Annan a skin fade is $47.95.
What is a taper fade?
A taper keeps most of the length on the sides and only fades the edges: the sideburns and the neckline. It looks neat and professional and suits people who want a cleaner outline without a dramatic change.
What about a zero or half fade?
A zero or half fade sits between the two. It blends down to a very short clipper guard rather than bare skin, so you keep a little coverage at the bottom. At Annan it is $42.95.
Which lasts longer?
Tapers grow out the most gently and can go three to four weeks between cuts. Skin fades look sharpest in the first two weeks, which is why many regulars book every two to three weeks.
How do I ask my barber?
Say where you want the fade to start (low, mid or high), how short you want the bottom (skin, zero or half) and how much length to keep on top. A photo always helps.
