Not sure whether a skin fade or a taper fade suits you best? This guide breaks down the key differences, how each style grows out and which works best for different head shapes and hair types. Written by experienced Peterborough barbers to help you ask for the right cut and get a cleaner, longer-lasting result.
When you’re choosing between a skin fade and a taper fade, you’re not deciding between “good” and “bad”. You’re choosing how sharp you want the contrast, how you want it to grow out, and how often you want to be back in the chair. In other words: it’s a style decision and a routine decision, especially in the UK right now, where a lot of men are looking for haircuts that stay looking intentional for longer.
At Ritzy Barbers in Peterborough, we cut both every day. And the truth is simple: the best choice is the one that fits your hair type, your lifestyle, and the way you actually wear your hair Monday to Sunday, not the one that happens to be trending on your feed this week. (Although yes: fades are still everywhere, and they’re not going anywhere.)
A skin fade blends the hair down to the skin at the sides and nape, creating a high contrast finish and a clean silhouette. It’s a technical haircut: the gradient has to be smooth, the outline has to be crisp, and the blend needs to suit the head shape, not fight it.
Skin fades are popular because they look instantly “fresh”. They frame the face, sharpen the profile, and make almost any style on top look more intentional, whether you wear a textured crop, a curly top, or something slicked back.
A taper fade keeps more length around the sides and neckline instead of taking the fade right down to skin. The transition is softer and more natural, but still clean and structured. This is why taper fades have become the go-to for men who want that “barbered” look without the harsh grow out.
Think of a taper as refined rather than severe. You still get the shape. You still get the polish. You just buy yourself more time before it looks like you need a clean-up.
If you remember one thing, remember this:
Why does that matter? Because the shorter the cut, the more obvious the regrowth. A skin fade can look immaculate for a week, then start to soften quickly depending on how fast your hair grows and how you style it. Barber education content frequently recommends booking more frequently when you want a fade to stay crisp, often in that 10–14 day window for the sharpest result.
A taper fade generally gives you longer runway. If you want a cut that still looks good as it grows, and you don’t want to live in the barbershop, a taper is usually the smarter move.
A premium fade isn’t copy-and-paste. Here’s how we think about it in the chair.
Straight or fine hair
If your hair is fine or light, ultra-high contrast fades can sometimes lose detail because the “blur” is less visible. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a skin fade, it means you need the fade height and finish chosen carefully, and you need the top styled properly so the cut reads intentional rather than just “short.”
Thick hair
Thicker hair holds a fade beautifully because the blend has density. You can go skin fade or taper, both work, but your decision is usually lifestyle: bold contrast (skin) versus longer-lasting shape (taper).
Curly hair
Curls love structure. A fade cleans up the sides so the curl pattern on top becomes the hero. If you like definition and a sharper outline, a mid or low skin fade can look incredible with curly texture. If you want your curls to grow without constant maintenance, go taper and keep the outline tidy.
Afro-textured hair
Afro hair can be worn clean, sharp and versatile in a huge range of shapes, from tight fades to grown-out silhouettes. UK trend commentary has increasingly pushed back against the idea that Afro hair must be kept short and “neat” to be acceptable, more men are wearing grown-out, shaped styles with intentional outlines.
In practice: skin fades on Afro hair look sharp and graphic; tapers support a cleaner grow-out while keeping the shape controlled. Both can be premium, what matters is the plan for maintenance and your preferred silhouette.
Fade height changes the whole energy of the cut.
Low fade / low taper
Subtle, wearable, and easy to adapt for work. Great if you’re new to fades or you want polish without the most dramatic contrast.
Mid fade / mid taper
Balanced and versatile. It gives you a visible fade without going full statement.
High fade
Most impactful. It pushes the fade up higher and can feel more “severe” if you’re used to length on the sides. High fades often need more frequent maintenance to keep the contrast looking deliberate.
One of the fastest ways to level up your haircut is to ask better questions. This is the “Ritzy consultation” approach:
Start with how you want it to grow out:
Then talk shape:
Then talk top styling:
If you’re unsure, bring a photo. Even the best description can be interpreted five different ways; a reference image makes your result far more predictable.
The best fades don’t rely on luck; they rely on routine.
Keep the basics tight:
High-end barber content repeatedly frames maintenance as the difference between “had a good cut once” and “always looks sharp.”
If you want bold contrast and that ultra-clean profile, go skin fade. If you want polish that lasts longer and grows in softer, go taper fade, especially if you’re aiming for a more relaxed shape as the weeks go by.
Either way, the premium result comes down to: correct fade height, correct silhouette, and a barber who understands your hair texture.
Ready to choose? Book with Ritzy Barbers in Peterborough and we’ll recommend the right version for your hair type and the way you actually live.
