How to Fade Your Beard the Right Way

A beard is of little use unless one can maintain it well. Beards demand a good deal of attention and maintenance to get the maximum benefit from them. On that note, one should know what a beard fade is and how to trim and fade a beard the right way.

If trimming and fading suit you, you’ll look manlier than ever. And there is only a slight difference between an awesome beard and an awful beard. So, be watchful, stay on the right side, and enjoy a well-faded beard.

What Is a Beard Fade?

A fade is an effective way to create a smooth transition between the sideburns, the beard, and the hair. It does not only refer to the blend between the sideburns and the hair. Any transition from longer hair to shorter hair, or even to a bald head, can be considered a fade.

A faded beard is often seen as a well-groomed one. Learn how to fade your beard the right way with the steps below.

How to Fade the Beard Effectively

You should fade your beard regularly because untouched sideburns and beard edges can quickly start to look uneven.

Basically, three areas of a beard usually need attention to create a classy and polished fade. These areas are the neckline, the cheek line, and the sideburns that connect the beard to the hair.

No matter where you are going to create the fade, the basic steps are usually similar. Even so, it takes a steady hand to get the best result. Here is how you can fade your own beard.

• First, decide exactly where you want the fade to begin. Choose a longer clipper guard to start with so you do not remove too much hair by mistake.
• Start with a guard longer than the length you want. Check the millimeter setting in your trimmer’s instructions because guard numbers vary between tools.
• For a sideburn fade, keep the lower beard longer and use progressively shorter settings as you move toward the temple. For the neckline, choose a point above the Adam’s apple and curve it below the jaw.
• Work in short, controlled passes and blend gradually. Do not go overboard. A beard fade looks best when the transition is soft and natural.
• Reduce the cutting length in small steps. Work higher up the blend with each shorter setting, using a light outward motion at the edge of each pass.

How to Fade a Beard into a Bald Head

A beard fade looks fashionable, trendy, and sharp at the same time. Fading a beard is a tricky business, but fading one into a bald head is even trickier. To make sure things go smoothly, we have brought this step-by-step procedure for you.

Detangle and Soften Your Beard

Start with a clean, dry beard. Comb it gently into its usual shape so you can judge the lengths before trimming.

Set the Length and Trim Evenly

Now begin by giving your beard a proper trim to make it look neat and well kept. Determine the length you want, choose the best trimmer you have, and trim the beard into the shape that suits you best.

Trim in Clean, Controlled Passes

Set the main beard length first. Then shorten a small area above it, working upward toward the sideburn and using progressively shorter settings.

Blend the Sideburns into a Bald Head

The sideburn area should receive the most attention in this kind of beard fade because it leads directly into a bald head. This keeps the beard from looking as if it ends too abruptly at the temples.

A gradual blend upward looks much more natural and impressive. You can also shave off extra facial hair around the edges so your bald-and-beard combination feels neat and well maintained.

Following all these steps carefully can help you fade your beard into a bald head smoothly.

Watch the Following Video to Learn How to Fade Your Beard into a Bald Head

13 Examples of Faded Beard Styles

The video tutorial is best for beginners. If you want to take your beard fade further, the looks below offer more guidance and inspiration.

1. Bald Head with a Soft Beard Fade

Some people like to wear a bald head all the time. They can keep a long beard and fade it this way to get a flawless transition between the sideburns and the head.

2. Hipster Beard with a Sharp Fade

The hipster beard itself is an excellent beard style. A fade will enhance your funky look and give it a cleaner finish.

3. Slick Back with a Seamless Sideburn Fade

This is one of the most popular types of fade. You can blend the beard into the haircut by fading it smoothly from the sideburns up into the hair.

4. Precision Line-Up Beard Fade

This look pairs a crisp line-up with a clean fade through the temple and sideburn area. A compatible haircut makes the overall finish look even sharper.

5. Refined Taper with a Full Beard

A neat taper through the sides keeps a full beard from feeling too heavy. It is a clean way to blend a classic haircut into a dense beard without creating a harsh break.

6. Short Jawline Beard with a Skin Fade

This short jawline beard is fuller at the chin and lighter near the sideburn. The haircut has a skin fade above the ears, creating a compact shape.

7. Sculpted Beard Fade with Detail

The beard is nicely shaped with an angular finish. The beard fade is clean, and the facial hair gets shorter as it moves upward. The fade becomes more striking next to the brushed-back hairstyle and the sharp parting.

8. Defined Full Beard with a Low Fade

A defined beard shape-up looks even sharper with a low fade and volume through the top. The clean cheek line and controlled outline give this style a polished finish.

9. Subtle Sideburn Fade

This dense beard has a defined cheek line and a shorter sideburn area below the faded haircut. Keep the transition gradual while leaving the chin fuller.

10. Full Beard with a Soft Bald Fade

A messy medium-length full beard looks tamed and well shaped with a soft bald fade. The hair is cropped close at the sides, and the beard thins out as it goes upward, which makes the fade more prominent and stylish.

11. Faded Sides with a Textured Crop and Full Beard

The textured crop has closely faded sides above a full beard. This fade rises higher than a subtle low taper fade, while the beard narrows near the sideburn.

12. Slicked-Back Undercut with a Short Beard

A slicked-back undercut makes even a shorter beard look more deliberate and stylish. The fade through the sideburn area keeps the transition clean and gives the whole look a modern edge.

13. Chin Strap Beard with a Soft Fade

This is a cool faded beard style for those who want to keep facial hair minimal. The beard is narrow and neatly shaped, and the soft fade at the sideburn area helps it blend cleanly into the haircut.

Beard Fade Questions, Answered

What is a beard fade?

A smooth transition from longer hair to shorter, at the sideburns into the haircut, along the cheek line, at the neckline, or all the way down to a bald head.

What guard should I start fading with?

Start with a guard longer than your intended finished length. Check the millimeter setting for your tool, then shorten in small steps as you work toward the top of the fade.

Where should the neckline sit?

Use roughly one to two finger-widths above the Adam’s apple as a starting point, then curve the line toward the area below each ear. Check the shape with your head level.

The Beard Style Verdict

The difference between an awesome beard and an awful one is a few millimeters of blend. Fade in short, controlled passes, keep the transition soft, and the whole face looks barbered.