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You’re tired of the same old beard style and ready for a new look. Faded and tapered beards are in – but can you get the perfect fade at home? Relax.
With the right tools and techniques, you’ll be sporting a sharp, sculpted faded beard in no time. First, arm yourself with quality clippers, guards, scissors, combs, and a steady hand.
Next, line up your beard’s edges for a clean look. Now, begin fading from the sideburns, tapering the length gradually toward the chin.
Sculpt cheek lines to define your jaw. Fade up from your neckline for a polished finish. Maintain your fade with regular trims. Finally, style and shape your new tapered beard into one of today’s hottest looks.
Follow these pro tips for men, and you’ll be fading your beard like a barbershop pro.
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What is a Beard Fade?
- What is a Tapered Beard?
- Tools Needed for Fading Your Beard
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fade a Beard at Home
- Benefits of Fading Your Beard
- Why Fading Your Beard at a Barber is Better
- Best Face Shapes for Faded Beard Styles
- How to Style and Maintain a Faded Beard
- Top 10 Tapered Beard Styles of 2023
- Tips for DIY Beard Fading Success
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Use quality clippers, guards, scissors, and combs for a steady fade.
- Line up beard edges for a clean look.
- Fade sideburns down to the chin, tapering the length gradually.
- Blend well to avoid obvious fade lines.
What is a Beard Fade?
You’d want a faded beard to sculpt your face into a sharper shape than an untrimmed growth can achieve at home. A beard fade tapers the facial hair down from the sideburns to the normal beard length at the chin.
It starts with either bald skin or very short stubble at the top near the sideburns. Then, the beard gets longer gradually as it goes down the face to the chin line. The key is creating a smooth graduation of length from the skin to the desired fuller beard length.
This gives a soft, natural look rather than a stark disconnect between long beard hair and bare skin.
Unlike a beard of uniform length, the fade can contour the face for a slimming effect. But fading a beard well takes practice, limiting how sharp it can look if done solo without visiting a skilled barber.
What is a Tapered Beard?
Seriously, a tapered beard’s simply a faded beard – it gradually gets shorter from the sideburns to the chin. Whether you call it a taper or fade, sculpting a beard to be longer at the chin and tapered up towards the sideburns creates a rugged yet refined style.
Using a quality beard trimmer, start the fade right at the top of your sideburns. Here, go for either clean-shaven skin or super short stubble. Then use guards to leave slightly longer growth in sections as you move down the cheeks toward your jawline.
It’s key to fade down to the edges of your chin, not down your actual chin beard.
Take your time blending and smoothing each section into the next for the most natural look. Fading your beard takes practice, so go slowly. Use the corners and flat sides of your trimmer to scoop-cut and flick along the hair’s grain.
Focus on evening out your facial hair into the fade, leaving no random long pieces jutting out. When done right, a tapered beard balances your features for a strong, masculine style.
Tools Needed for Fading Your Beard
When fading your beard at home, having the right tools makes all the difference for a tight, professional look. Statistically, adjustable trimmers with multiple guards are used by over 90% of men to achieve the perfect fade.
Start with quality clippers that allow you to dial in exact lengths. Look for a trimmer with at least half a dozen guards, as this range gives the precision to taper from bald skin up to a longer beard.
The guards, typically ranging from 1 to 8 millimeters, control how much hair gets sheared off.
Use the lower guards starting at the very top of your sideburns to leave just stubble behind the ears. Slowly increase the guard size down the cheek and jawline to blend the fade smoothly into your chin beard.
For hard lines around the neck and cheeks, a foil shaver helps define a crisp border. Regularly knock off any built-up hair debris from the blades. Remaining patient and detail-oriented is key. The right tools help create a flawless fade, but technique makes all the difference.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fade a Beard at Home
When you’re ready to fade your beard at home, make sure you have the right tools on hand, like quality clippers, multiple guide combs, and a foil shaver. Next, prepare your facial hair by washing, combing, and outlining key edges so you’re ready to start blending your fade.
Then, work methodically, starting at the neckline and moving up the sideburns, cheeks, and jawline as you transition the guide combs from the lowest to the highest setting to taper your beard smoothly and evenly.
Gather Your Tools
Before fading your beard at home, gather all the necessary tools:
- Beard trimmer
- Guards
- Cheek line outliner
Blend and fade your beard smoothly using high-quality tools. Precision trimmers allow you to achieve exact lengths. Multiple guards provide control for a tight taper. A slim outliner crisply defines the cheek line.
Clean Up First
Brush your beard thoroughly, matey. A clean canvas is key to mastering your Mona Lisa. Prep your beard before fading by washing your face, detangling with a beard brush, and evening out your length with trimmer guards.
Line It Up
Mark out your sections with a barber’s pen, mate. Sketch lines down your entire beard to mark fade areas on your face. Pull the beard tight and make crisp marks following your lines. Blend the faded beard subtly between sections for a natural look.
Get Ready to Fade Your Beard
First, assemble the trimmer and any guards or combs you’ll need, pal. You’re prepped and ready to start fading your beard! With checked cheek lines, fade into a short buzz at the top using step-down guards.
Remember to cut in a downward direction with the grain and delicately blend the lengths.
How to Fade Your Neckline
Rake those knuckle-duster neck whiskers downward, good sir, as we sculpt a blended fade into the beastly bristle below your noble chin! To fade your neck:
- Start with the longest clipper guard below beard length.
- Angle the trimmer upwards to taper into the fade.
- Use shorter guards as you work downwards.
How to Fade the Sides of Your Beard
You want to fade those side whiskers, bud? Angle the trimmer up the sides from mid-ear, lifting into growth. Make a diagonal line from the sideburns and fade it out. Switch to lower guards and stroke upward.
How to Fade Your Cheeks
Carefully blend the beard’s cheek area with smaller guards, always cutting with the grain for a gradual, natural-looking fade. Stroke the trimmer upwards, starting mid-cheek with the highest guard, then go down in size.
Maintain Your Fade
Let’s maintain that masterpiece fade by keeping it fresh every few days. Trim your beard and softly blend the fade regularly to keep it sharp. Consistency is key in the fading process for the best look. After each trim, gently wash your face and style your beard.
Benefits of Fading Your Beard
Man, you’ll be the envy of your neighborhood if you rock that fresh faded beard look. A properly executed fade can transform your beard from shaggy to sharp, giving you a polished, put-together style that demands attention.
Fading refines and sculpts your facial hair, creating definition along your cheek line and a clean taper down to your neck. It makes your jawline look stronger and your face appear slimmer by contouring your beard to complement your features.
The fading process gives you more versatility to try different lengths and experiment with your appearance. A faded beard also looks intentional, like you’ve put real thought into your grooming.
So go ahead, treat yourself to an eyebrow-raising makeover. Once you master the art of the fade, you’ll never want to hide your handsome face behind an overgrown bush again.
Why Fading Your Beard at a Barber is Better
Y’ain’t getting that crispy fade at home, bro. Let a skilled barber style up your beard professionally. Sure, you’ve watched some YouTube tutorials and think you can DIY a fresh fade, but trust me, nothing beats having an expert barber taper and blend your facial hair.
Only the seasoned hands of a pro can sculpt the perfect fade that contours your cheekbones and jawline to really make you look chiseled and defined.
When you try to fade your own beard at home, it’s tricky getting the clipper lengths just right. One slip, and you’ve screwed up the blend. But barbers have years of experience blending and tapering men’s beards into flawless fades day in, day out.
Their sharp eye catches any uneven spots, and they finesse those clippers with surgical precision.
Sitting in a real barber’s chair just hits different too – that nostalgic smell of shaving cream and the steady buzz of their tools. For about 20 to 80 bucks, your local barbershop will hook up your beard with a fade sharper than a Ginsu knife.
Trust the process, invest in yourself, and let an expert shape you up. You’ll exude confidence and turn heads everywhere you go when your beard is barbershop fresh.
Best Face Shapes for Faded Beard Styles
Are you wondering what face shapes are best suited to a faded beard style? A faded beard can be a game-changing look for certain men’s face shapes. The tapering and blending process of a beard fade helps minimize a wide or round jawline.
That’s why this style works wonders for gentlemen with square, circle, oval, or heart-shaped faces.
The fading visually elongates and slims the lower half of the face. This makes the whole fading process easier on shorter, wider face shapes. For example, fading down from the sideburns to the chin gives the illusion of a stronger jaw and more chiseled cheekbones.
So next time you visit the barbershop, consider getting your stylist’s input on whether your facial structure would benefit from a fresh new beard fade.
How to Style and Maintain a Faded Beard
You’re gonna want to keep that new fade of yours lookin’ fresh with some daily upkeep, bro. Use quality products like beard oil and wax regularly, and be sure to brush and comb it daily.
- Invest in a good beard trimmer with adjustable guards to touch up the fade at home between barber visits.
- Use a quality beard comb and brush daily to shape, detangle, and distribute oils in your faded facial hair.
- Apply beard oil and balm after showering while the hair is slightly damp for maximized absorption.
- Use beard wax, paste, or clay to style and hold your fade in place if needed. Start with a pea-sized amount and add more as required.
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase to minimize friction that can disturb your fade while you sleep.
Getting a sharp professional fade takes time, skill, and the right tools. Maintaining that crisp look at home requires diligent daily grooming and styling. Invest in quality beard care products and take a few minutes each day to upkeep your fade.
Top 10 Tapered Beard Styles of 2023
When it comes to the most stylish tapered beard trends this year, you’ll want to consider rocking a short faded beard for a subtle rugged vibe. You can also try a medium-length faded beard for a modern professional style. Another option is a long faded beard paired with a sculpted, full beard shape fading sharply into the sideburns for an edgy masculine look.
Other hot facial hair fades gaining popularity include an ultra-sharp beard fade for a meticulous polished appearance and a more rugged scruffy minimal beard fade for added contrast. Whichever length or style you choose, a faded beard can give your facial hair an artfully groomed shape and style.
Short Faded Beard
Take that broppercut to the next level, my man! Flaunt a sharp beard fade to boost your rugged dome’s swag factor tenfold. The short faded beard is one of the boldest yet classic beard styles. Start with a zero or one guard close to the sideburns.
Then transition downwards with slightly longer lengths as you approach the jawline. Keep your neck and cheek lines ultra-crisp and define the fade around your chin strap for optimal masculinity.
Medium-Length Faded Beard
Step up from the dude-fro with a boost of beard flair. Rock a medium faded beard to add rugged gent oomph to your look.
- Beard 3-6 inches long
- Fade top to blend with hair
- Use multiple trimmer guards
- Define cheek and neck lines
- Looks professional with some scruff
Long Faded Beard
Let that facial mane flow freely, brother! A long faded beard exudes wisdom and grit. Achieve the professional look with a trim every two weeks from your local barber, Mark Marrero or Barber Josh Periera.
They will ensure an even fade throughout, while also defining your entire neckline and cheeks.
Sculpted Big Beard Faded Into Sideburns
Channel your inner lumberjack and achieve a rugged, masculine look with a sculpted big beard that fades into sideburns. Showcase your mature masculinity by requesting a high fade up the temple that seamlessly blends into your full sideburns and beard.
Precisely trim and define the cheek line to enhance your strong jawline. Keep your untamed facial mane in check by combing it daily and scheduling biweekly trims.
Ultra-Sharp Beard Fade
You’d achieve an edgy, polished look with an ultra-sharp beard fade; over 80% of men under 30 rock this style for its sleek dimensionality.
- Start the fade high up on the temples.
- Use a low guard setting on top.
- Slowly increase the guard length downward.
- Finish with a precise neckline razor shave.
An ultra-sharp fade demands care to complement your face shape, texture of hair, and overall beard length. Subtly transitioning guards creates clean lines yet natural dimensionality. Mastering this subtle art yields an edgy, suave style.
Tips for DIY Beard Fading Success
Transitioning from the trendy tapered beard styles, let’s focus on achieving an expertly groomed fade yourself without visiting the barbershop. With the right tools and techniques, you can master the art of beard fading in the comfort of your own bathroom.
When first attempting a beard fade on your own, opt for a more subtle, minimalist style to allow some margin for error. You’ll want to invest in a quality adjustable trimmer with multiple guard lengths.
Top recommendations include the Wahl Stainless Steel Lithium Ion+ Beard and Detailer Kit, Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000, and the Remington PG6025 All-in-1 Lithium Powered Grooming Kit.
Next, follow these key steps for DIY beard fade success:
- Define a crisp neckline and cheek line to establish your fade boundaries.
- Section off your beard using clippers with no guard to create a bald baseline.
- Work upwards, using longer guard combs to gradually taper into your full beard length.
- Use a precision trimmer to refine lines and create a seamless fade.
- Finish with beard oil to condition and bring out shine.
With some trial and error, you’ll be fading your facial hair like a pro barber. Just remember to take it slow, work in sections, and invest in quality tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I fade my beard?
You should fade your beard every 2-3 days to maintain a fresh, clean look. Fading more often risks irritating the skin. Letting it grow longer loses sharp lines. Find the right balance for your beard’s growth rate.
What are the best fade lengths for my face shape?
You’ve got quite the canvas to showcase your personal style. A tapered fade can accentuate your jawline and bring out the best in your face shape. Go for a subtler look that tapers closer to the skin to elongate or grow the lower third longer to add fullness where needed.
The options are limitless – experiment and find the fade that brings out your most confident self.
What clipper guards should I use for fading?
First, I suggest using guards that can be precisely adjusted between lengths. Then, start with a longer guard on top and gradually use shorter guards as you work downwards. This provides a smooth, gradual fade from longer hair on the chin to shorter hair towards the ears.
How do I clean and oil my clippers for best performance?
Keep the blades clean of hair. After each use, wipe with rubbing alcohol to disinfect. Apply oil drops along the blades to lubricate and prevent rust. Use light machine oil made for trimmers. Read the manual for the recommended frequency and amount. Let air dry fully before the next use.
What mistakes should I avoid when fading my beard?
Don’t rush; take your time fading in small increments. Using too low of a guard at first can damage hair or leave patchy spots. Always follow the beard’s grain, lifting the trimmer upwards. Check often for evenness.
Conclusion
Fading your facial hair following these fundamental fade techniques creates a handsome and well-groomed look. With the right tools, technique, and time, you can transform your tangled beard into a tapered masterpiece.
Maintaining your beard requires regular attention to the fade in order to keep it looking fresh. Sporting a sharp and sculpted beard takes effort, but the result is a polished and professional appearance that will turn heads.