A faded beard is a beard that gets shorter toward the cheeks and neck and blends into the hair on the sides of your head, so there is no hard line where the haircut stops and the beard starts. It is the finishing touch that makes a fade haircut and a full beard look like one decision.
The short answer on how to get one: book a fade and a beard trim in the same visit, tell your barber the length you want at the chin, and ask that the sideburn and cheek line blend from the haircut into the beard. For a professional office, keep the fade low or mid, the beard short and the neckline clean. The rest of this guide covers how it is cut, what to ask for and which fade styles suit a suit and tie.
What is a faded beard?
It is a tapered beard. The hair is longest at the chin and gets shorter as it moves up the cheeks and toward the ears, finishing in skin or a very short shadow. Because the sides of the haircut are faded too, the two blend, and your face looks structured and clean.
The effect is subtle but noticeable. A beard that is simply trimmed to one length can look boxy and sit apart from the hair. A faded one frames the jaw and makes the beard look intended. It is one of the most requested combinations in our chairs, and the Classic Combo of a fade plus beard is $48. If you want a full tour of beard shapes first, see our guide to beard styles, and for the detailed fade heights and guard numbers read the beard fade guide.
How does a barber cut a faded beard?
The barber works from the longest area to the shortest, blending as they go. Here is the usual sequence.
- Wash or comb the beard so the hair lies flat and even.
- Set the chin length with a guard, usually a number 3 to 5.
- Choose a fade height and start the taper with a shorter guard on the cheeks.
- Blend the taper upward with lighter strokes, using the clipper lever or a lower guard.
- Connect the beard to the haircut at the sideburn so there is no gap.
- Set the neckline and cheek line with a trimmer, then finish with a hot towel and balm.
That last step is part of why our beard trim and grooming service works so well. The warm towel softens the skin and the balm calms it, so you walk out comfortable as well as sharp. See the details on our beard trim and grooming service at $18.
How do you give a fade haircut?
A fade is built in layers. The barber starts with the shortest guard at the bottom of the sides, then moves up with progressively longer guards, blending each pass into the next so there is no line. The skill is in the blending, which is why most men leave the fade to a professional.
What you can ask for
- The starting height: low, mid or high.
- The bottom: skin or a short shadow.
- The top: a short scissor cut, a crop or a longer style.
- The finish: a line up on the hairline and a hot towel neck finish.
Our fade haircut is $35 in low, mid, high and skin versions. If you want to see how a taper fits into a longer style, our guide to taper haircuts walks through each step.
Can you high fade your own hair?
You can, but the back and sides are hard to see and the blend takes practice. Many men do their own top and trust a barber with the fade line.
Which fade haircut styles work best in a professional office?
The most office friendly fades are low to mid and keep some length on the sides. They look clean and show no stark contrast. Here is how the common styles compare for a Midtown office.
| Style | Fade height | Look | Office fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow fade | Low, ends in a number 1 or 2 | Soft, almost invisible | Very conservative |
| Low taper fade | Low | Neat and natural | Suits most offices |
| Mid fade | Mid | Balanced and modern | Good for creative and client facing roles |
| Textured crop | Low or mid | Short, textured top | Smart and low maintenance |
| High skin fade | High | Bold contrast | Better outside strict dress codes |
For the most conservative option, the shadow fade is the one to ask for. For a modern but still professional look, the textured crop is a strong choice, and it works well with a short faded beard.
How should a faded beard match your haircut?
Match the fade height. A low fade on the head works with a low fade in the beard, and a mid fade with a mid fade. A mismatch looks like two separate cuts.
Match the length too. A short crop calls for a short beard around a number 2 to 3. A longer top can carry a fuller beard at a number 4 to 5. If your hair and beard are different colors, a fade can help blend the transition, and a gray beard looks best trimmed short and kept even.
If you are unsure how much beard your face can carry, our post on how to shape a beard to your face shape will help you decide before you commit.
How do you keep a faded beard sharp between visits?
Clean the neckline, wash and moisturize. That covers most of it. Do not try to re fade the cheeks at home, because the blend is the hardest part to redo.
Trim only the neckline below the guide line, about two fingers above the Adam’s apple, and let the rest wait for your barber. Wash the beard a few times a week and apply a little balm to keep the skin comfortable. How often you need a visit depends on how sharp you like it, and our guide on how often to get a haircut breaks it down by style.
For most clients a faded beard needs a refresh every two to three weeks. A line up and beard between full visits is the Sharp Edge package at $30.
Is a weekly fade and beard trim worth it?
For some men, yes. If you work in front of clients, have a skin fade or go on camera, a weekly visit keeps the lines at their sharpest. For most, every two to three weeks is plenty.
A simple way to split it: do the full fade and beard every second or third week and add a quick line up in the weeks between. Our barber packages make this easy to price, since bundles such as the Classic Combo at $48 and the Sharp Edge at $30 cost less than buying the services one by one. Walk ins are always welcome, so a quick Sunday visit works too.
Get a faded beard at Deja Vu in Murray Hill
Deja Vu Barbershop is at 101 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm, closed Saturday. Walk ins are always welcome and you can book online.
We serve Murray Hill, Kips Bay, Midtown East, Gramercy, NoMad and Turtle Bay. Our barbers are New York State licensed with 15+ years of experience on the team. Call (212) 576-1062 or visit our contact details, and start with a beard trim and grooming visit or the fade haircuts to get started.
Questions readers ask
How do I high fade my own hair?
It takes clippers, all the guards and a second mirror for the back. Most men find the blend hard to see, so they cut the top themselves and leave the fade to a barber.
Is Deja Vu good for weekly fades and beard trims?
Yes. You can come as often as you like to keep the lines sharp, and walk ins are welcome Monday to Friday and Sunday. A fade plus beard is $48 as the Classic Combo.
What is the best barbershop in New York City for a fade?
Look for licensed barbers, clean sanitized tools and photos of fades that match what you want. Deja Vu at 101 E 34th St in Murray Hill offers low, mid, high and skin fades.
Can I get a faded beard if my beard is patchy?
Often yes. Fading the cheeks to a very short length hides thin patches and keeps the fuller chin hair as the focus.
Do I need to book a faded beard in advance?
No, walk ins are welcome, but booking online guarantees your time. Ask for a fade and beard together so the barber blends them in one visit.