The fade haircut is indisputably the best men’s haircut to exemplify coolness. This hairstyle was first used by the U.S. Military in the ’40s and the ’50s. The military has a reputation for strict grooming standards so it is not surprising that the fade haircut is still popular with military men. The basis of the angles and harsh lines signified that it meant business.
New trends are inevitable in modern times. Black people have experimented with many hairstyles over the years, including the Jheri curl and the afro. Black barbers had created a new, more edgy and sultry version of the fade by the mid-80s. It would quickly become a standard in hip hop culture during its golden age. The hi-top fade, also known as the. The flattop. The flattop was popularized by Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Eric B & Rakim before Grace Jones showcased one on her 1980 Warm Leatherette album. Many believe Queen Nefertiti’s crown is a close match to the hi-top and most believe it originated from the ancient Egypt. The way we dressed and wore hair was influenced by hip-hop. We relied heavily upon Black leaders such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali, who wore afros to influence our social engagements in additional to our appearance. The artists who made sure that their hair and clothes stood out alongside their music, just like hip-hop, also emerged.
The popularity of rappers like Kid ‘n Play, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The New Prince and the box-office success stories of Lean on Me and Do The Right Thing helped to propel the flattop haircut into greater notoriety. Although the hi-top haircut is most popular among men, some women have taken it out for a spin including Queen Latifah in her “Ladies First” video. The hi-top ha trend gradually diminished in the early 1990s but there were still Black celebrities like Usher, Kanye West, Nas, Will, i. am. And Kendrick Lamar trying to modernize it in 2010s, and the hi-top gradually evolved back to a more tapered appearance, much like when it began.
There are many types of fades, with the most popular being the high and low fades. The only way to determine which one is high or low fade is by determining where the demarcation is located relative to the temple or occipital bones of the head. Above is high, and below is low. It can go too low and it will become a blend. Anything lower than that is a taper. A higher level than that is called a high or tight. This will depend on the client’s face and head shape. Everyone sporting a fade knows that a fade is only as good as its barber. How do you know if you have found a competent barber? When cutting a fade haircut for the first-time, a good barber will be thorough and ask many questions. More important than assessing and consulting the client, having the right equipment is essential. Using clippers that are not designed for the natural texture of a client’s hair can cause a bad fade.
It is all about seamless hair progression, the transition from lighter to darker. A rotary motor clipper will work best for straight hair. A magnetic motor clipper works better with coarser or textured hair. Although many barbers are reluctant to reveal their precise technique, it is the skill of wrist that makes the perfect fade. It is important to not put a hard line through the hair when doing a perfect fade. This concept is not something that all barbers are familiar with, but it is the key to achieving a great hairstyle. A well-executed fade haircut can instantly make you look more edgy, cool and pulled together. Fades are very easy to maintain, depending on the rate of hair growth.
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