men · haircuts
High Top Fade: Classic and Modern Styles, and Howto Ask
The high top fade is a tall, sculpted top on coily hair with short faded sides. See classic and modern versions, how to grow and maintain it, and what to ask your barber.
Hairover Team
A high top fade is a haircut where coily hair on top is grown tall and shaped into a flat or slightly rounded block, with the sides faded short. It became iconic in hip-hop culture in the late 1980s and early 1990s and still shows up as a bold, retro statement. It works best on tightly coiled hair that can hold height on its own.
Classic and modern versions
1. Classic tall high top. Very tall, perfectly flat on top, with sharp straight edges and a high fade. The full retro look.
2. Short high top. A few inches of height. Easier to grow and maintain, and works in more settings.
3. Slanted high top. The top is cut at an angle, taller at the front or back.
4. Rounded high top. Softer edges on top instead of a hard flat surface. A more modern take.
5. High top with a design. Lines or patterns shaved into the faded sides. See haircut designs for men.
6. High top with twists or sponge curls. The top is twisted or sponged for texture instead of picked out smooth.
7. High top with a low taper. A softer fade at the sides for a less dramatic contrast. See taper fade styles.
High top vs. flat top
People often confuse them. A flat top is usually shorter and can be done on many hair types with product. A high top is much taller and relies on coily hair that naturally stands up.
Who it suits
- Type 4 hair: the best match. See 4C hair and the hair type chart.
- Round faces: the height lengthens the face.
- Long faces: keep the top shorter so the face doesn’t look even longer.
- Strong jawlines: a classic high top shows them off.
How to grow one
- Let the top grow without cutting it, while your barber keeps the sides faded.
- Keep the hair moisturized with a leave-in conditioner and a light oil or butter.
- Pick it out gently from the roots each day so it grows upward evenly.
- Once it’s long enough, your barber shapes and squares it.
How long this takes depends on your growth rate. See how fast does hair grow.
How to ask your barber
“A high top fade. Keep the top at [your height], cut flat and squared off with sharp edges. High fade on the sides and back, with a clean line-up.”
Bring a photo. Shaping a high top is a skill, so choose a barber who shows them in their work. See how to find a good barber.
Daily care
- Moisturize the top daily.
- Pick from the roots outward to keep height.
- Sleep with a durag or on a satin pillowcase to protect the shape.
- Use a wide-tooth comb or pick, not a brush, on wet hair. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that hair is delicate when wet and a wide-tooth comb is gentler.
Upkeep
- Fade and line-up: every two to three weeks.
- Top shaping: every three to four weeks.
Related guides
See the height on your face first
Height changes the proportions of your face. Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio, so you can compare a short high top with a tall one.
FAQ
What is a high top fade?
A haircut where coily or kinky hair on top is grown tall and shaped into a flat or slightly rounded block, with the sides faded short. It became iconic in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
How long does hair need to be for a high top?
It depends on how tall you want it. A modest high top needs a few inches of growth on top. A tall, classic one takes many months of growing before the barber shapes it.
What hair type works for a high top fade?
Tightly coiled hair, like type 4 hair, holds the tall shape best. Looser curls can be shaped into a shorter version, but they tend to fall.
How do you maintain a high top fade?
Keep the hair moisturized, pick it out gently each morning to keep the shape, and see your barber every two to three weeks to keep the fade and the top's edges sharp.
