50 Cool Zero Fade Haircut and Hairstyle Ideas for 2024 (With Pictures) (2024)

Last updated on May 6th, 2024 at 07:04 pm

There is no doubt that the end of the 2010s and the early 2020s have brought forward a new favorite among men’s hairstyles. The zero fade haircut combines a low fade, medium fade, or high fade with a long top, a pompadour, a quiff, spikes, a mohawk, a fauxhawk, and pretty much anything else that tickles your fancy. That’s exactly what this list comprises. 50 modern and cool zero-fade haircut ideas to get your creativity working.

What is a Zero Fade Haircut?

To achieve a zero fade cut, follow these steps:

1. Start by using a clipper with a single blade to trim the sides to the shortest length possible without shaving the skin, leaving behind minimal stubble.
2. Gradually increase the length from bottom to top, blending the various lengths seamlessly into one another. Think of a skin fade as one step shorter than a zero fade cut.
3. You don’t need a razor for this style. Simply use a clipper without a guard attached to create short stubble on the back and sides.
4. Depending on the clipper and blade, typical stubble length ranges between 0.5 and 0.8mm. Wahl clippers usually trim to 0.8mm, while Andis or Oster clippers #000 blades trim to around 0.5mm.
5. Adjust the stubble length using the clipper’s lever. Keep the lever open for slightly longer stubble without a guard attached. However, note that this won’t last as long as using guards like #0.5 or #1.
6. Gradually increase the length using the clipper, starting from the #0 level at the bottom and progressing upwards. For example, the sides may transition from 0 at the bottom to 0.5, 1, and eventually 2 at the top.
7. The absence of sharp edges between the lengths creates the recognizable “fade” appearance, characterized by a blurred and fading effect.
8. The placement of zero fades on the back and sides can vary in height—commonly categorized as “low,” “mid,” or “high,” depending on how far up the sides the 0 length extends before transitioning to longer lengths.

1. The Messy Zero Fade

If Harry Potter lived in the modern age, this is the haircut he would go for. It’s a messy medium top with a set of upturned bangs and, of course, a zero fade around the ears and in the back. Plus, the round glasses is the added touch that made the young wizard famous. Ask your barber for a zero guard and taper it upwards in a gradual transition to the top. Afterwards, add a little bit of styling product such as wax or styling paste for some more texture.

2. The Wavy Zero Fade

This superb version of the fade comes with a high and wavy top that can be an awesome solution if you have thick hair. Use a soft brush and some hair wax to pull back your hair and comb it over the crown of your hair. This is a popular choice for a burst fade, which transitions your hair from your ears to the top. This type of hairstyle requires a skilled barber who knows his way around a clipper.

3. Fade Cut with a Design

If you want to be creative, you can add a design to your fade. They are called hair designs or hair tattoos, and you can get basically anything you want. From geometric patterns, logos, brands to superheroes, letters, and more. This type of cut is popular with kids and young boys. This low zero fade is one of the shortest length you can get. Because the cut is so short, it really works with all types of hair. The hair design leaves behind some short stubble that will require regular maintenance and cutting. Only the most skilled barber can work with the type of precision required for these designs.

4. Gelled Mohawk with a Hair Design

This is a hair tattoo with a gelled mohawk and a zero fade. If your little boy wants to get this style, he will look like the coolest guy in school for sure. But make sure that he is allowed to first.

5. Zero Fade Haircut for Little Boys

Speaking of kids, here is what the zero-fade might look like on a toddler. This version has an army top with a hard part on one side. We think it simply looks adorable and makes him look like a little man. We also have a list of great boys haircut ideas that you can check out!

6. Zero Fade Haircut with a Hard Part

Expanding on the hard part, let’s explain what it is. It typically follows the same line as a natural side parting of the hair. The difference is that your barber or stylist creates it for you using a razor. While there are many different types of fades, this one offers a very sleek and clean look. The fading goes up towards the temple while you can leave longer hair at the top for a quiff or a pompadour.

7. Zero Fade Haircut for Teenage Boys

It’s straight from little boys to teenagers for us as we move through the age groups to show you just how versatile, timeless, and ageless the zero fade haircut really is. It looks fantastic on everyone.

8. Zero Fade with a Caesar

This haircut is called a Caesar because it resembles the overall look of the emperor of Rome is depicted as wearing in his statues. The hair has to come down from the top of your head toward your forehead in small layers.

9. Gelled High Zero Fade

All you need to do to copy this look is stock up on hair gel. It’s also called the wet look because once you’ve used enough hair gel, it will look like you’ve just come out of the shower. It’s perfect for men with lots of volume to their locks.

10. The Modern Mohawk

The mohawk has been through a lot of changes since we’ve seen the first of it back in the 70s. But the most important thing to remember is that it was never a cookie-cutter haircut. There is no single way of doing a mohawk.

11. The Bald Fade Mohawk

Continuing on the above, a mohawk represented the spirit of rebelliousness. Through it, the punks of the 70s and 80s were trying to rebel against the formality of the former decades as well as against the flower power of the 60s.

12. The Platinum Zero Fade Cut

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind now that platinum and extreme blondes, in general, should be crowned as this year’s reigning hair color. Everywhere you look, you can see both men and women sporting it.

13. Casual Zero Fade Hairstyles for School Boy

One of the best things about a zero fade with a short to medium-length top is that it requires minimal maintenance on your part. Of course, it all depends on how fast your hair grows, but the average person will only need to visit the barber once every month or so.

14. The High Top Zero Fade

You can build up this high top by using some hair wax or hairspray and then adding hair gel on top to make it extra shiny. The top layer will also help you in getting the wet look we’ve mentioned before.

15. Cool Zero Fade Style with a V-shaped Cut

This has got to be one of the coolest zero fades we’ve seen so far. Everything comes together so well to make this look stand out. The neck tattoo looks modern and fresh, the platinum blonde is contemporary, and the hair design is outstanding.

16. Hipster Zero Fade Hairstyle

Even though the hipster trend is not what it used to be a few years ago, you can still bring it back to the public’s attention if you combine it with more modern elements such as face piercings and a zero fade.

17. Banana Yellow Zero Fade Cut

Another color that has been hugely on the rise lately is banana yellow. This neon color works wonderfully well with platinum blonde or white. Together, they will make you look fresh, extra, and very current.

18. Zero Fade with Curly Bangs

Speaking of current trends, we have to mention curly bangs. It’s a trend that originated with the ladies, but it quickly spread to men as well. It’s easy to pull off if you have naturally curly hair but you can do it with straight hair as well.

19. Zero Fade with a Textured Crop

This textured crop will help you if you have thick hair because it removes some of the bulk sitting on top of your head. The light, feathery hairstyle will give your locks some bounce as well as make them feel airier.

20. Salt and Pepper Zero Fade

Salt and pepper is the name we give to naturally graying hair. Remember – just because your hair is gray or because you’re a grandpa now that doesn’t mean you have to act like one. You can still be the coolest poppy around.

21. V-shaped Style and Zero Fade with Trimmed Beard

This haircut is called thusly because of the finish in the back. The top part of the hairstyle ends in a V rather than in a straight line as you might be accustomed to seeing in traditional look of this type.

22. Fade with Small Pompadour

It has become a common practice these days to pair a skin fade with a pompadour. It’s one of the most appreciated hairstyles by men and some of the edgier women out there. This is what it looks like with a small pompadour.

23. Large Pompadour Zero Fade with a Goatee

Now let’s take a look at the same type of hairstyle only, this time, with a full-blown pompadour. Did you know that this haircut was invented all the way back in the 1700s in France for Madame de Pompadour? She was King Louis the XIVth’s mistress.

24. Zero Fade with a Natural Long Top

African-American hairstyles are equally interesting when it comes to zero fades. This is just an example that includes a fade and a natural long top with spikes. You can pair it with a well-groomed beard in the style of your choosing.

25. Curly Fade with a Thick Fringe

If your hair is thick, the main problem you will have is styling it in the front. One solution is to grow a pair of thick bangs and let them fall heavily on your forehead. You can go for baby bangs, medium or traditional ones.

26. Zero Fade with Textured Hair

This feathery haircut is awesome if you want a longer top. It has a lot of layers that have been slightly raised using some hair wax. They have also been highlighted through platinum tips here and there.

27. Zero Fade Cut with Beard and Brushed Up Hair

This is not a mohawk, but a fauxhawk seeing as the top does not consist of the traditional spikes but rather of a brush-up. The haircut also has an undercut skin fade, a lineup, and a beard that has been trimmed to perfection.

28. Zero Fade with Textured Top

Another staple of the African-American lookbook is this short and sweet textured top. It’s a very convenient and serviceable haircut that allows you to save money rather than blow a hole through your budget at the stylist.

29. The Military Zero Fade

The top of this hairstyle has come to be known as the military haircut because it was borrowed from the service along with the crew cut and the buzz cut. It quickly permeated pop culture, and now it’s one that all men love.

30. 80s Inspired Fade Hairstyle

This is what happens when you cross a zero fade with an 80s-inspired haircut. These long spikes are very reminiscent of that crazy decade when it seemed that all bets were off style-wise, and you could get away with anything.

31. The Curly Fauxhawk

If Clark Kent ever wore a fauxhawk, this is what it would look like. A series of well-formed curls on top of your head with a sweet one hanging right on your forehead. You know what they say. The curls that get the girls.

32. The Textured Slick Back

In case you’re wondering, it’s a long and textured slick back combined with a zero fade and a beard. There are no sideburns to disrupt the perfection of this hairstyle. This styling is great if you want to keep your long hair at the bottom while shaving the bottom of the sides all the way up to the temple area. At the barbershop, you could ask your barber to create a gradual blending on the sides as well.

33. The Loose Pony Zero Fade

In case one of your burning questions in life was what a loose ponytail with a slick back looks like, we’ve got the answer. It’s not a haircut for the most traditional guys out there, but it works if you’re edgy enough to pull it off. This look is for those who want to keep the long hair flowing and you could also add some gel to create a mohawk style as well.

34. Zero Fade for Long Thin Hair

We’ve talked a lot about thick hair. Now it’s time to see a zero fade designed for men with thin or thinning hair. Use it to your advantage. Comb it over your head and use hair gel to create that wet look everyone loves so much.

35. The Sergio Ramos

Not even celebrities could resist joining the trend of zero fades. Here’s soccer superstar Sergio Ramos looking elegant and dapper in a dark gray suit and a superbly executed zero fade with a slicked-back long top. There are so many different types of haircuts you can choose from, and Sergio certainly chose one that suits him very well.

36. The Zayn Malik

Former One Direction singer Zayn Malik went for the buzz cut complete with a zero fade on the sides and in the back, of course. He looks completely badass with his countless tattoos, choice of jewelry, and face piercings. Notice the incredible gradual blending on the sides, which is a cool, modern look for those wanting shorter haircuts.

37. Short Tops Minimalist Style with Zero Fade

Just like Zayn Malik, you can embrace the minimalist style as well. Go for a skin fade on the sides and keep your hair short on top. As they say, sometimes, less really is more. In this way, you can accessorize more dramatically.

38. Layered Haircut with Brushed Up Tops

A layered haircut is always a good idea for men with thin hair. Layers should be your go-to solution because they give the illusion of volume and thickness where there isn’t, in fact, any of that.

39. The David Beckham

If you ever had any doubt that David Beckham is a trendsetter, you shouldn’t. Here he is in a picture taken more than 15 years ago wearing the exact style that men are going nuts for today. Long before we even thought about it. This is definitely one of the shorter cuts in our list and you can decide the stubble length at the top depending on what you like.

40. Short Summer Hairstyle with High Zero Fade

Here’s a superb solution for your summer hairstyle problems. This zero fade is both serviceable and looks amazing. This means that it will keep you cool and dry while still looking incredibly fashionable and contemporary.

41. Fade with a Manbraid

First, there was the top knot. Then we were treated to the man bun, the hairstyle that sent the entire world into a heated debate. Next, there came man braids or warrior braids. Here is an example mixed with a skin fade.

42. Stylish Zero Fade with Long Tops

If you want to become an Instagram model, this is how your pictures should look like. The haircut is so edgy and chic, and the clothes are simply gorgeous and high-couture. Not to mention the urban background.

43. The Viking

There is no historical evidence that this is how the Vikings wore their hair, but it is how they were depicted in the hit TV series Vikings. And we love it. We also think this should serve as an inspiration to everyone who wants to get warrior braids.

44. Zero Fade with Waves

This is a zero fade haircut with curly waves on top, specific to African-American male hairstyles. It’s a great way to stay stylish in a minimal kind of way if you love skin fades and want to show off your tattoos at the same time.

45. The Faux Hard Part

In most cases, a hard part, even though it’s created with a razor, it still needs to look blend well and look somewhat natural. However, when it doesn’t, you get the faux hard part. This is a perfect example of when a hard part resembles more of a design line than anything else. In our list, this is one of the top haircuts that we recommend. Head to your nearest barbershop now!

46. The Curvy Faux Hard Part

Building on the above, you don’t necessarily have to get a straight faux hard part line. It can also be curvy if you want. Let your creativity run wild or discuss your options with your stylist.

47. Ginger Haired Fade

Whether you already have ginger hair, or you must get it out of a bottle, we absolutely advise you to try it at least once. It’s one of the ‘it’ colors this year for every man out there that thinks of himself as a trendsetter.

48. Zero Fade and Dreads

The zero fade haircut is so versatile that you can even pair it with dreadlocks. Not just that, but it also looks absolutely outstanding and badass. Summer holiday on a tropical island, here we come!

49. The Long Afro

This is a high skin zero fade with a long afro for a top. You may notice that the afro has been blown or teased out to give it more body and more personality. This all depends on you if you want it or not. The barber did an amazing job on the blends right into the afro.

50. The Platinum Gray

This metallic platinum gray is all you could wish for if you want to be the epitome of fashion and trend this year. So, don’t waste any more time and bleach your hair right now. Just not at home. Visit your stylist!

Conclusion

So, write to us in the comment section below and let us know which one of these ideas was your favorite!