Best High Fade Haircut Styles for White Guys This Year
Think high fades are only for guys with sharp jawlines or naturally perfect hair? Think again. High fade haircuts have shattered the mold — and not just in barbershops, but in boardrooms, on social feeds, and even wedding aisles.
What was once seen as an edgy street style has now evolved into a polished, versatile staple for white men looking to elevate their haircut and beard game. From clean-cut professionals to creative types with unruly manes, the high fade adapts — and it flatters. It’s bold, sculpted, and refreshingly modern.
This isn’t just a trend. It’s become a signature cut for the man who doesn’t shy away from style — who makes it part of his identity.
Why High Fade Haircuts Are a Top Style Choice for White Guys Right Now
The Rise in Popularity: Why High Fades Are Trending
Why are barbers across the globe averaging more high fades each week than almost any other style? Easy — it’s the perfect cocktail of precision, modern edge, and low-maintenance appeal.
High fades gained mass attention as hip-hop and street-inspired fashion infiltrated mainstream culture. But then something fascinating happened: Wall Street started wearing it. Hollywood adopted it. Average Joes realized it makes your face pop and your style look intentional — even if you rolled out of bed late.
Social media also played a massive role. Search for “high fade men’s haircut” on Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll instantly see why it’s become the go-to cut for guys wanting a sharp, camera-ready look without working too hard for it.
What Makes a High Fade Unique Compared to Other Fades
Not all fades are created equal — and if you’ve ever sat in a barber’s chair silently regretting your “mid fade” request, you’ll understand how true this is.
A high fade starts higher up the head, typically just above the temples, and it drops quickly into shorter lengths or even skin. This creates a striking contrast between your sides and the style on top. It makes the hairstyle pop.
Other fades, like low or mid fades, transition gradually much lower and offer a softer overall look. Think of the high fade as the attention-grabbing suit in a room full of polos — it makes a statement right away.
How High Fades Complement White Men’s Hair Texture and Face Shapes
White guys often deal with hair textures ranging from pin-straight to wavy and occasionally fine or thinning. A high fade works with all of these — not against them.
If you’ve got fine or thinning hair, a high fade instantly removes the contrast between your scalp and longer strands, making hair appear fuller. Wavy textures? A high fade emphasizes that bend, giving your style natural dynamic shape. Straight locks? It creates clean angles to frame your face, especially if you’ve got a round, oval, or even a long facial structure.
It’s like contouring for your head — sharpening cheekbones, jawlines, and overall symmetry. Even better when paired with the right beard style for contrast and balance.
Best High Fade Haircut Styles for White Guys This Year
High Fade with Textured Crop
This is the poster child of modern masculine cool — short, textured on top, matte-finished, and aggressive detail where it counts. The contrast between messy crop and clean high fade builds a deliberate edge.
Ideal for: guys with wavy or thick straight hair. Add matte clay and twist sections with your fingers for a casual-but-refined je ne sais quoi.
High Fade with Pompadour
Want to feel like James Dean meets modern CEO? The high fade pompadour channels timeless, gentlemanly flair with a sharp silhouette worthy of attention.
High volume on top + tight sides = dramatic profile that practically carves out your cheekbones. Use a blow dryer and strong pomade to lock in lift and control all day.
High Fade with Side Part
This is a killer option if you’re trying to land somewhere between classic and current. The deep side part gives a polished aesthetic, while the high fade keeps it young and sharp.
Perfect for professionals or formal settings where you still want that stylish edge without being flashy. Works best with medium to thick hair textures.
High Fade with Slick Back
Clean. Cool. Calculated. The high fade slick back is what happens when you merge confidence with structure. Ideal for guys who want that Wall Street vibe with streetwear credibility.
Use a shine pomade or grooming tonic and comb everything straight back. It elongates the face and screams “together” even if you’re winging your day.
High Fade with Quiff
Think pompadour, but with a looser mood. The high fade intensifies the lift of the quiff, making the style more directional and dynamic.
Great for dudes with natural volume or guys who enjoy a little extra styling time in the morning. Blow-dry upward and forward, and apply a matte finish wax or paste.
High Fade with Buzz Cut
Minimal effort. Maximum style. This combination screams confidence. The high fade adds contour and shape to the head, so even a short buzz looks tailored and sharp.
If you’ve got a strong bone structure or want something ultra low-maintenance, this is your cut. Pair it with a sharp beard fade to create balance and texture contrast.
High Fade with Messy Top
Get that artfully disheveled look with structure at the sides. The messier the top, the more striking the contrast — and the more laid-back it looks.
This is especially good for guys with natural waves or curls. Throw in a sea salt spray or texture cream and run your fingers through — no comb required.
Choosing the Right High Fade for Your Hair Type and Face Shape
Best Styles for Straight vs Wavy vs Fine Hair
If you’ve got straight hair: Go for a slick back, pompadour, or side part style. These add shape and flow while the high fade trims away bulk.
Wavy hair? A textured crop or messy top works wonders. Let the natural bend in your hair do some of the heavy lifting — these styles emphasize movement and volume.
Fine hair? Opt for a crop or quiff. The high fade removes weight from the sides, creating the illusion of thicker hair up top. Bonus: add volume powder or microfiber products to build body.
Matching a High Fade to Your Face Shape
Oval face? You’ve hit the jackpot — almost any high fade variation will work.
Round face? Look for height on top (pompadour or quiff) and a sharp fade on the sides to add angles.
Square or rectangular face? Try soft texture or messy top styles to round out sharp bone structure.
Long face? Avoid too much vertical volume. Instead, go for side parts or crops to build visual width and balance.
When to Add a Beard or Stubble for Balance
Want to level up your high fade? A beard can change the game entirely — especially for white guys with fair skin or angular features.
If your haircut creates a lot of vertical space, a beard grounds your look and adds masculine weight to the lower half of your face. This is crucial for guys with longer or thinner face shapes.
Try stubble for a laid-back edge, a boxed beard for sharp definition, or go full lumberjack if that’s your vibe. Just remember: a well-blended beard fade is the secret sauce that ties it all together.
Styling and Maintenance Tips for High Fade Haircuts
How Often to Get It Trimmed to Keep It Sharp
Want to avoid the dreaded “my fade disappeared” phase? Schedule barber visits every 2–3 weeks to maintain clean lines and crisp blending.
The higher the fade, the quicker it loses its edge as your hair grows out. Don’t wait ‘til it’s unruly — stay ahead with regular touch-ups.
Best Products for Volume, Texture, and Hold
For volume: Use a blow dryer and volumizing mousse or sea salt spray. Blow-dry against the grain to lift the roots.
For texture: Matte clay or texture paste gives that natural, flexible finish — perfect for crops and messy styles.
For hold: Pomade (medium to strong) or styling wax keeps slick backs, pomps, and side parts looking intentional and structured.
How to Style Your High Fade at Home
Start with towel-dried hair. Apply your product of choice evenly — less is more. Use a blow dryer to style into position: up for volume, back for slick, forward for crop.
Invest in a quality comb and round brush. And don’t ignore the fade line — a daily neckline trim with a trimmer keeps the look tight between barber visits.
FAQ: High Fade Haircuts for White Guys
Is a high fade a good choice for thinning hair?
Absolutely. A high fade removes thinning sides and makes the top appear thicker. Pair it with shorter styles on top, like a cropped cut or short quiff, to avoid emphasizing sparse areas.
What’s the difference between a high fade and a skin fade?
A high fade describes how far up the sides the blend starts. A skin fade refers to how short the fade goes, usually down to the bare scalp. You can have a high skin fade… or a high fade that stops at a #1 guard.
How long does a high fade typically last before needing a touch-up?
Typically 2–3 weeks max. The sharper the fade, the faster regrowth ruins the crisp blend — so don’t push it too long between trims.
Can I combine a high fade with a beard style?
Yes — in fact, it’s one of the best combos out there. A faded beard blends seamlessly into the haircut and balances your facial proportions. Tailor the beard shape to your jawline and cheekbones for maximum effect.
Do high fades work well with curly or wavy hair?
They absolutely do. High fades carve contrast into curls and waves, preventing the style from appearing bulky or unkempt. Just keep curls trimmed and moisturized, and you’re golden.
Khamis Maiouf is a professional barber who graduated from Hinckley College in England with a degree in hairdressing. He has also won several barbering contests and successfully operated a barbershop for the last two decades. As a skilled hair stylist for 20 years, his goal is to teach others how to achieve a beautiful appearance through their hairstyles.