Quick answer: A mohawk fade is a mohawk whose sides are faded rather than shaved flat. The hair blends from skin or a #0 near the ear up to a #2 or #3 just below a two to three inch wide strip on top. The strip runs to the nape, which separates it from a faux hawk.
Mohawk Fade Styles at a Glance
Every style on this page with its clipper guard, top length and trim interval. Tap a name to jump to that card.
Mohawk fade haircuts keep the strip of a mohawk but swap the bare, hard-edged sides for a blend, so the cut looks cleaner and grows out without a harsh line. The fade height, its shape around the ear and the length of the strip set each version apart. Below are 55 styles grouped by fade, burst shape, top, hair type, beard and variation.
What Is a Mohawk Fade?
A mohawk fade is a strip haircut where the sides blend from very short at the bottom to a few guards longer just below the strip. A typical blend runs from skin or a #0 at the fade line through a #1 and #2, ending at a #3 where the side meets the strip. The strip is two to three inches wide, runs from the front hairline to the nape and is usually two to four inches long on top. The fade height can be low, mid or high, and the shortest guard is your choice.
Because there is no hard shaved border, the strip looks attached to the head rather than placed on it. The most popular version curves the fade around the ear in a half circle, called a burst fade mohawk. A classic mohawk haircut keeps the sides bare with no blend, and our fade types guide explains each fade height. Our skin fade page covers the bare bottom section if you want maximum contrast.
How Is a Mohawk Fade Different from a Faux Hawk?
Both use a fade on the sides and a longer center, so they are easy to confuse. The difference is how far the short hair climbs and whether the strip has an edge. In a mohawk fade the blend rises close to the strip and the strip is clearly narrower than the top of the head, running all the way to the nape. In a faux hawk the sides stay longer near the top and the hair is simply pushed toward the middle, so there is no visible strip once it is combed flat.
If you need a cut that can look plain at work, the faux hawk is easier, because the strip disappears once you comb it down. If you want the strip to show every day, choose the mohawk fade. It costs a little more time in the chair, since the barber has to cut the strip edges and carry them to the nape, but it holds its shape between visits better than a faux hawk. The table compares the three cuts.
How Is a Mohawk Fade Different from a Faux Hawk?
Feature
Mohawk fade
Faux hawk
Classic mohawk
Sides
Faded from skin to #2 or #3
Faded or tapered, longer near the top
Shaved bare, no blend
Strip
Defined, runs to the nape
Not cut in, styled inward
Defined, hard edge
Combed flat
Strip still visible
Looks like a short cut
Strip fully visible
Typical trim
Every 2 to 3 weeks
Every 3 to 4 weeks
Every 1 to 2 weeks
Who Suits a Mohawk Fade?
Round and square faces suit it best, since faded sides slim the cheeks and a raised strip adds height. Oval faces can wear any fade height. Long faces should choose a low fade and a shorter strip so the head does not look stretched. Diamond faces do well with a burst fade, as the curve around the ear softens wide cheekbones without exposing the temples.
Thick, wavy and curly hair give the strip body with little product, and coarse or coily hair shows the clearest fade. Fine or light hair can show patches in the blend, so a low fade or a #1 at the bottom is safer than skin. The cut suits men who want a strong shape but cannot get to the barber every week, because a fade looks tidy for longer than shaved sides.
Filter the styles
Showing all 55 styles
Fade
Hair
Length
Mohawk Fades by Fade Height
The fade height sets how much skin shows and how fast the cut grows out. Low fades are the quietest, while high and bald fades give the sharpest contrast against the strip.
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The blend softens by week three.
Best For:Oval, round, square faces + thick or wavy hair.
About This Style
The standard request: a mid fade from skin at the temple line blending through a #1 and #2 into a #3 below a two and a half inch strip. The strip runs from the hairline to the nape and is cut to about three inches on top, two at the back. It looks sharp from every angle without the stark border of shaved sides.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the strip upward with your fingers lifting the roots.
Work matte clay through from root to tip and pinch it toward the center.
Ask Your Barber
"Mohawk fade, mid skin fade blending through a #1 and #2 to a #3 under the strip, strip two and a half inches wide, three inches on top."
Best For:Long, oval faces + straight, wavy or fine hair.
About This Style
Starting the fade just above the ear keeps most of the side at a #2 or #3, so only a thin band of skin shows. The strip shows less contrast than on a high fade, which makes this the most workplace-friendly mohawk fade. It suits long faces, since the fuller sides add width. Fine hair benefits too, as there is less exposed scalp in the blend.
How to Style at Home
Rub a little styling cream through damp hair.
Push the strip up for evenings or forward for a softer daytime shape.
Ask Your Barber
"Low fade mohawk, fade starting just above the ear from a #0 to a #3, strip three inches wide and two inches long on top."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Temple skin shows growth by week two.
Best For:Oval, square, round faces + most hair types.
About This Style
A temple-height fade balances contrast and upkeep. The skin section ends roughly level with the outer corner of the eye and the blend climbs to the strip over about two inches. Most barbers treat this as the default if you only say mohawk fade, so naming the height avoids surprises. A medium strip of three inches fits it well.
How to Style at Home
Dry the strip upward with a round brush for lift.
Shape it with texture clay and leave the ends piecey.
Ask Your Barber
"Mid fade mohawk, skin at the temple line blending to a #3 under the strip, strip two and a half inches wide, three inches long."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Large skin area shows stubble fast.
Best For:Round, square faces + thick, coarse or coily hair.
About This Style
Bare skin climbs all the way to the parietal ridge, so the blend into the strip is short and steep. From the front this looks close to a shaved mohawk, but the brief blend avoids a hard border. Round faces gain the most height and slimming. The large bare area means stubble shows within a week, so it is a cut for frequent visitors.
How to Style at Home
Rub scalp oil over the bald sides after showering.
Pinch matte paste into the strip to keep a tight ridge.
Ask Your Barber
"High bald fade mohawk, foil shave to the parietal ridge, quick blend through a #1 and #2 into the strip, strip two inches wide and three inches long."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Temple corners lose their shape quickly.
Best For:Oval, heart faces + coily, curly or wavy hair.
About This Style
Only the temples and the corners of the hairline are faded to skin; the rest of the sides are clipped short with a #1 or #2. Also called a temp fade, it adds a crisp frame at the front without taking the whole side down. It pairs well with a sharp line-up and a strip of sponge twists or tight curls.
How to Style at Home
Apply leave-in to the strip and twist or sponge it into shape.
Brush the edges and temples with an edge brush.
Ask Your Barber
"Temple fade mohawk, fade the temples to skin with a sharp line-up, sides at a #1 elsewhere, strip two and a half inches wide."
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
Here the blend touches only the sideburns and the nape, and the sides stay at a #2 below the strip. On a bad hair day you can push the strip forward and the cut passes for a short crop. Tapers lose their edge gradually rather than showing a line, which stretches the time between visits to a month for most men.
How to Style at Home
Towel-dry the hair and rub in a little matte cream.
Lift the strip with your fingers; skip the dryer on short tops.
Ask Your Barber
"Taper fade mohawk, taper only the sideburns and nape to skin, sides at a #2, strip three inches wide and two inches long."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. No skin means slower visible regrowth.
Best For:Oval, square faces + fine, light or thinning hair.
About This Style
Instead of skin, the fade bottoms out at a #1, leaving a gray shadow rather than bare scalp. That makes the blend easier on fine or light hair, where skin fades often look patchy, and it hides small scars or bumps. The contrast with the strip is softer, so it reads as a mature, low-key version that still shows a clear center ridge.
How to Style at Home
Spray thickening spray into damp roots before drying.
Blow-dry upward and set with a little texture powder.
Ask Your Barber
"Shadow fade mohawk, no skin, start the fade at a #1 and blend to a #3 under the strip, strip two and a half inches wide, two inches on top."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The curve behind the ear softens first.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
Starting at the temple, the fade curves down behind the ear toward the nape instead of running level around the head. Under a mohawk strip, the drop leaves more weight at the back of the sides, so the strip seems to flow down into the neck. Skin or a #0 sits at the bottom, blending to a #2 below the strip. It reads softer than a level high fade.
How to Style at Home
Push the strip up with matte clay on dry hair.
Check the curve behind each ear in a hand mirror.
Keep the nape below the drop clean with a trimmer.
Ask Your Barber
"Give me a mid drop fade, starting at the temple and curving down behind the ear, with my strip left at three inches."
Recommended Products
Matte Clay
Edge Brush
Burst Fade Mohawks and Back Shapes
A burst fade curves around the ear and leaves length behind it, which gives the strip a fuller back. These versions change the shape of that curve and the finish at the nape. See the burst fade guide for the fade itself.
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The arc above the ear blurs first.
Best For:Oval, diamond faces + curly, wavy or thick hair.
About This Style
The semicircle of skin sits low, just around the top of the ear, and fans out to a #2 within an inch. More hair stays on the upper sides, so the strip looks wider and fuller. It is a gentle introduction to the burst shape for men who want the curve but not a lot of exposed skin, and it sits well on diamond faces.
How to Style at Home
Scrunch curl cream or sea salt spray into the strip.
Push the hair up and slightly forward while drying.
Ask Your Barber
"Low burst fade mohawk, skin in a tight arc around the top of the ear blending to a #2, strip three inches wide and three inches long."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Less skin means a slower fade-out.
Best For:Oval, round faces + coily, curly or wavy hair.
About This Style
A smaller arc of skin, often only an inch across, sits around the ear and blends into a #1 or #2 within a short distance. It keeps the curve of a burst but with less bare scalp, so it grows out gently. This is a common choice for students and men in client-facing jobs who want the shape without much contrast.
How to Style at Home
Spray leave-in on the strip and shape it with an afro pick.
Pat the top lightly so the outline stays rounded.
Ask Your Barber
"Burst taper mohawk, small arc of skin around each ear tapering to a #2, strip two and a half inches wide, two inches of length."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Curved lines and tail need shaping.
Best For:Oval, round faces + curly, coily or wavy thick hair.
About This Style
South of France is the barbershop nickname for a burst fade mohawk with a fuller, textured strip of three to four inches and a short tail at the nape. It spread through music videos and barber social media. The burst curves are cut deep around each ear and the strip is usually curly or twisted. Ask for the name and bring a photo, since versions differ.
How to Style at Home
Wet the strip, then twist it with a curl sponge in small circles.
Leave the tail at the back loose and shape it with your fingers.
Ask Your Barber
"South of France cut, deep burst fade to skin around the ears, strip two and a half inches wide with three and a half inches of curls, short tail at the nape."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Bare arcs show stubble quickly.
Best For:Round, square faces + thick, coarse hair.
About This Style
With a foil shaver, the burst arc is taken to bare skin and widened so it nearly reaches the strip above the ear. The sharp curve leaves a clear outline of skin around each ear. It gives more contrast than a standard burst, so the strip looks taller. The shaved arcs need regular touch-ups to keep the edge clean.
How to Style at Home
Rub scalp oil into the bare arcs after washing.
Style the strip up with matte paste for height.
Ask Your Barber
"Skin burst mohawk, foil-shave a wide arc around each ear to bare skin, quick blend to a #2, strip two inches wide and three inches tall."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. The point at the nape grows out first.
Best For:Oval, square faces + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
From behind, the faded sides angle down toward the center of the neck so the strip ends in a sharp V point at the nape. The V gives the back a clean, deliberate shape and makes the strip look longer. Barbers cut it with the trimmer after the fade is done. It works with any top, but shows best on a short strip.
How to Style at Home
Style the strip up with texture clay worked in from the roots.
Use a hand mirror to check that the V stays centered between visits.
Ask Your Barber
"I'd like a Mohawk fade with a V at the back, mid fade to skin, angle the fade into a sharp point at the nape, strip two and a half inches wide."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. The tail needs a trim to keep its shape.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
The hair at the back of the strip is left long, around two to three inches, and combed in from both sides so it meets in a ridge at the nape like a duck's tail. A low or mid fade frames the sides. It mixes 1950s rockabilly styling with a modern fade, and it suits straight hair that can be combed into place with pomade.
How to Style at Home
Comb pomade through damp hair, front to back.
Comb the back hair from both sides toward the center ridge.
Ask Your Barber
"Ducktail mohawk fade, low fade from a #0 to a #3, strip two and a half inches wide, keep three inches at the back so I can comb it into a ducktail."
Best For:Oval, round faces + curly, wavy or straight hair.
About This Style
Higher than a low burst, the semicircle here peaks around the temple, so more skin shows above and behind the ear. The strip runs through untouched from front to nape, and the hair behind the arc stays at a #2 or #3. It sits between the subtle low burst and the more dramatic South of France version. Wavy and curly strips suit it.
How to Style at Home
Scrunch curl cream into the strip while damp.
Let the strip air dry for natural shape.
Book every two weeks to keep the arc round.
Ask Your Barber
"I'd like a mid burst mohawk fade with the arc peaking at the temple, skin around the ear and three inches left on the strip."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Large arc shows regrowth fast.
Best For:Square, oval faces + thick or coily hair.
About This Style
Here the burst arc rises above the temple and close to the strip, so almost the whole side is skin except a curved band behind the ear. The contrast with the strip is strong. It works best with a tall, textured strip of three or more inches. High bursts need frequent visits because so much skin is exposed.
How to Style at Home
Lift the strip with a blow dryer before styling.
Set the height with a strong texture clay.
Apply scalp oil to the faded skin after washing.
Ask Your Barber
"Can I get a high burst fade, arc reaching just under the strip, skin around the ear, with three to four inches on top?"
Recommended Products
Texture Clay
Scalp Oil
Mohawk Fades by Top Style
The strip can be short and brushed, long and lifted, spiked or pushed into a quiff. These cards use a mid or low fade so the focus stays on how the top is cut and styled.
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Short tops need little shaping.
Best For:Oval, square faces + thick, coarse or coily hair.
About This Style
Cutting the strip to half an inch to an inch, often with a #4 to #8 guard, gives a neat ridge that needs no styling at all. Paired with a mid fade, it looks like a crew cut with a defined center. It is a common choice for athletes and men who wear helmets, since there is nothing to flatten and nothing to restyle after training.
How to Style at Home
Wash and towel-dry the hair; no styling product is needed.
Brush the strip forward with a soft brush if it sticks up unevenly.
Ask Your Barber
"Short mohawk fade, mid fade from skin to a #2, strip two and a half inches wide clipped with a #6, clean neckline."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Fade needs it; strip ends every six to eight weeks.
Best For:Oval, long faces + thick straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Five to eight inches on a faded strip gives you options: up for evenings, slicked back for work or left to drop over one ear. The fade keeps the cut from looking heavy, and the length gives more ways to wear it than any short version. It takes several months to grow, during which the fade should be kept sharp so the shape looks planned.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the strip back with a round brush for volume.
Comb light pomade through to keep it smooth.
Ask Your Barber
"Long mohawk fade, mid fade from a #0 to a #3, strip three inches wide, keep the length on top and only trim the ends."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Texture fades as the strip grows.
Best For:Round, square faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Point cutting and razor work break the strip into uneven pieces of two to three inches, so it looks messy and full rather than smooth. Texture also hides a cowlick at the front. The finish is matte and loose. It is a common mohawk fade for straight hair, since it needs only a small amount of product to hold its shape.
How to Style at Home
Spray sea salt spray into damp hair and rough-dry it.
Rub matte clay into the ends and twist pieces apart.
Ask Your Barber
"Textured mohawk fade, mid skin fade, strip two and a half inches wide and three inches long, point cut and razor the top for choppy texture."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Even spike length matters for shape.
Best For:Round, oval faces + straight, thick hair.
About This Style
Short spikes of one and a half to two and a half inches point straight up along the strip, held with gel or a firm paste. A high or mid fade makes them look taller. The look recalls early-2000s spikes but with a cleaner fade. It suits thick straight hair, which holds a point well, and round faces that benefit from the extra height.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the strip straight up while it is damp.
Pinch firm gel into the tips to form separate spikes.
Ask Your Barber
"Spiky mohawk fade, high fade from skin to a #2, strip two inches wide with two inches on top, point cut the ends for spikes."
Best For:Long, oval faces + fine, straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Rather than lifting the strip, you push it forward so the front falls just above the brow. That shortens a long face and covers a high forehead. The strip is cut a little longer at the front, about three inches, and shorter at the crown. It is the quickest top style here and holds well with a light cream.
How to Style at Home
Towel-dry and rub a little styling cream into the strip.
Brush the hair forward and slightly to one side with your fingers.
Ask Your Barber
"Brushed forward mohawk fade, low fade from a #0 to a #3, strip three inches wide, three inches at the front tapering shorter to the crown."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Front length controls the lift.
Best For:Round, square faces + thick straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Four inches at the front is blown up and back into a quiff, and the length drops toward the nape so the crown sits lower than the forehead. Tight faded sides push all the volume to the front. Unlike a pompadour, the quiff has a messier, matte finish with separated pieces. A blow-dryer is needed every morning to get the lift.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the front up and back over a round brush.
Work matte clay into the front and shape the quiff with your fingers.
Ask Your Barber
"Quiff mohawk fade, mid fade to skin, strip three inches wide, four inches at the front tapering to two at the crown and one at the nape."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Top length holds; the fade needs upkeep.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Four to five inches on the strip are combed straight back with pomade instead of lifted, so the mohawk lies flat from the forehead toward the nape. The mid fade on the sides keeps the outline clean. This version looks neater for offices or events and can be messed up into a standard mohawk at night. Straight hair holds the backward line best.
How to Style at Home
Comb pomade through damp hair from front to back.
Use a fine-tooth comb for a neat finish.
Let the strip dry in place before touching it.
Ask Your Barber
"Slick back mohawk fade: a mid fade on the sides and five inches on the strip so I can comb it straight back."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Front height needs shaping each visit.
Best For:Round, oval faces + thick, straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
The front of the strip is kept at four to six inches and blown up and back into a rounded pompadour, shortening toward the crown. A high or mid fade on the sides makes the front look taller. It combines rockabilly height with a modern faded outline. A round brush and blow dryer are needed most mornings.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the front up and back with a round brush.
Apply pomade and shape the front into a curve.
Comb the back of the strip flatter than the front.
Ask Your Barber
"Pompadour mohawk fade, about five inches at the front of the strip, shorter toward the nape, mid fade on the sides."
Recommended Products
Pomade
Round Brush
Mohawk Fades by Hair Type
Texture changes how high the fade can safely start and how the strip is cut. Coily hair has its own gallery in mohawk hairstyles for Black men.
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Curls hide uneven growth on top.
Best For:Oval, round, diamond faces + loose or tight curls.
About This Style
Curly hair stacks into a rounded strip that looks taller than its length, so two and a half to three inches is plenty. The barber cuts the curls dry to see how they sit, and the fade is often a burst or mid. Define the curls with cream and avoid brushing, which turns them to frizz. A diffuser speeds drying without flattening the shape.
How to Style at Home
Rake curl cream through soaking wet hair with your fingers.
Scrunch the strip upward and diffuse on low heat.
Lift the roots with a pick once dry.
Ask Your Barber
"Curly mohawk fade, mid burst fade to skin, strip two and a half inches wide, cut the curls dry to three inches with a rounded shape."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Waves need even length to sit together.
Best For:Oval, square, heart faces + loose wavy hair.
About This Style
Loose waves give the strip natural movement, so it looks styled even with little product. Three to four inches lets the wave form, and a low or mid fade keeps the sides neat. Sea salt spray brings out the bend while matte cream controls frizz. The strip often leans slightly to one side, which is normal and can be cut in on purpose.
How to Style at Home
Spray sea salt spray into damp hair and twist small sections.
Air-dry, then smooth the outer layer with matte cream.
Ask Your Barber
"Wavy mohawk fade, low fade from a #0 to a #3, strip two and a half inches wide, three and a half inches long, scissor cut to keep the wave."
Best For:Oval, round faces + straight, fine or medium hair.
About This Style
Straight strands lie flat unless set with heat, so the strip needs a blow-dry each morning. Point cutting splits it into pieces that hold a shape. A mid fade suits it, since a high skin fade can look harsh against flat, shiny hair. Two to three inches is the easiest length to manage, and matte products hide the shine that straight hair shows.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the strip straight up, then hit it with cool air.
Rub matte paste through and twist small pieces apart.
Ask Your Barber
"Can you do a Mohawk fade for straight hair, mid fade from skin to a #3, strip two and a half inches wide and three inches long, point cut for texture."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Dense hair puffs out as it grows.
Best For:Square, round faces + thick, dense, coarse hair.
About This Style
Dense hair gives a crisp fade but a bulky strip, so the barber thins the inside of the strip with texturizing while keeping the outline. The fade can start higher than usual because thick hair blends without patches. Without that weight removal, a thick strip can look like a block. Two to three inches is enough for it to lift with only a dab of clay.
How to Style at Home
Let the hair air-dry most of the way first.
Work a pea-size amount of texture clay through and lift with your fingertips.
Ask Your Barber
"Give me a Mohawk fade for thick hair, high fade from skin to a #2, strip two and a half inches wide, take weight out inside the strip, three inches on top."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Short strips keep scalp from showing.
Best For:Oval, long faces + fine or thinning hair.
About This Style
Fine hair can look patchy in a skin fade and sparse in a narrow strip, so this version starts the fade at a #1 and widens the strip to about three inches. The top stays under two inches so it does not separate. Thickening spray and powder add grip. Expect a softer result than on thick hair, but a clearly defined strip.
How to Style at Home
Spray thickening spray into the damp roots of the strip.
Blow-dry upward and finish with a light dusting of thickening powder.
Ask Your Barber
"Mohawk fade for fine hair, low fade starting at a #1 blending to a #3, strip three inches wide, two inches on top."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Straight, outward growth shows on the sides.
Best For:Oval, round, square faces + straight, thick Asian hair.
About This Style
Thick, straight East Asian hair often grows outward on the sides, so a fade that starts at a #0 and climbs to a #2 keeps it from puffing out between visits. The strip is cut to two to three inches with point cutting so it spikes or splits naturally. Some men add a soft perm to the strip for more body.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the strip upward with a vent brush.
Twist matte clay through the ends for separated texture.
Ask Your Barber
"Asian mohawk fade, mid fade from a #0 to a #2 so the sides do not puff out, strip two and a half inches wide, point cut to three inches."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Thick, dark hair shows fade lines fast.
Best For:Oval, square faces + thick, straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Thick, dark, straight or wavy hair, common among Latino men, shows a sharp contrast in a skin fade. A burst or high fade with a textured strip of two to three inches is the usual request, often with a sharp line-up. This sits close to the takuache style, but with a full mohawk strip running to the nape rather than a crop. Thinning the strip helps it stand.
How to Style at Home
Blow-dry the strip upward on medium heat before adding product.
Use a matte paste to break the strip into texture.
Keep the line-up sharp between visits with an edge brush.
Ask Your Barber
"Mohawk fade with a high skin fade and a line-up, three inches of texture on the strip thinned out so it stands."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Fade grows out before the twists.
Best For:Oval, round faces + coily or tightly curled hair.
About This Style
Two-strand twists of two to three inches run down the strip, while the sides are faded from skin to a #2. The twists give the strip definition and protect the hair. Ask for a little untouched hair around the outer twists so the clippers do not thin them. Twists are redone every two to four weeks, and the fade every two.
How to Style at Home
Spray leave-in on the twists every other day.
Retwist the roots with a light loc gel.
Wear a satin cap or durag at night.
Ask Your Barber
"Keep my twists on the strip, fade the sides from skin to a #2, and leave a margin around the outer twists."
Recommended Products
Leave-In
Loc Gel
Mohawk Fade with Beard, Design or Line-Up
A beard balances the height of the strip, and a line-up or design sharpens the faded sides. Each card names how the fade connects to the beard or where the lines go.
Best For:Oval, long faces + thick hair and a dense beard.
About This Style
The fade runs down the sides and into the sideburns, then grows back out into a dense beard, so hair and beard connect in one continuous blend. Beard weight at the jaw balances the height of the strip. For a long face, trim the chin shorter than the cheeks so the outline stays wide. Set the cheek line low and natural rather than high and sharp.
How to Style at Home
Comb beard balm through the beard and shape it down.
Style the strip up with matte paste to match its volume.
Brush the beard with a boar bristle brush.
Ask Your Barber
"Let's go with a Mohawk fade with a full beard, mid fade from skin, fade the sideburns into the beard, strip two and a half inches wide, beard shaped at an inch and a half."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Thin beard lines need trimming every few days.
Best For:Round, square faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
A narrow band of beard, about half an inch wide, follows the jawline from ear to ear and connects to the faded sideburns. The thin line defines the jaw, which suits round faces, and repeats the clean lines of the fade. It needs careful trimming every few days to stay even, so it is best for men comfortable with a detail trimmer.
How to Style at Home
Trim the strap with a #2 guard and shave above and below it.
Rub beard oil into the strap and style the strip with clay.
Ask Your Barber
"I'm after a Mohawk fade with a chin strap, mid fade to skin, connect the sideburns into a half-inch chin strap along the jaw, strip two and a half inches wide."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Shave the cheeks every few days.
Best For:Round, square faces + any hair type.
About This Style
Pairing a goatee with a high fade means shaving everything on the face except the chin and the area around the mouth. With the sideburns blended to nothing, the only facial hair sits in a vertical patch under the strip, so the head reads taller. Keep the goatee short, about half an inch, and shape its outline every few days with a detail trimmer.
How to Style at Home
Shave the cheeks and neck, leaving the chin and mustache.
Trim the goatee with a #4 guard and comb it down.
Ask Your Barber
"Could I get a Mohawk fade with a goatee, high fade with the sideburns faded to skin, strip two inches wide and three inches long, line up the goatee."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Designs blur within ten days.
Best For:Oval, round faces + coarse, coily or thick hair.
About This Style
A pattern is cut into the faded side, usually just above the fade line where the hair is a #1 or #2, so the shape shows against a short background. Curved lines that follow the arc of a burst fade are a common choice. Coarse, dark hair shows designs most clearly. Recut it every visit, since even a week of growth softens the edges.
How to Style at Home
Leave the design untouched for a day so the skin settles.
Keep the design area moisturized with a drop of scalp oil daily.
Ask Your Barber
"Mohawk fade with a design, burst fade to skin, cut two curved lines following the fade above each ear, strip two and a half inches wide."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Sharp edges soften within days.
Best For:Oval, square faces + coily, curly or wavy hair.
About This Style
Edged with a trimmer, the hairline, temples and sideburn corners become crisp lines that frame the strip from the front. Follow the hairline you have; a line pushed back too far looks forced and takes months to recover. This works on any fade height, but the crisp front reads clearest when the sides are short, so book the line-up and fade together every visit.
How to Style at Home
Brush the edges with an edge brush each morning.
Shape the strip with leave-in and a curl sponge.
Ask Your Barber
"I'd like a Mohawk fade with a line-up, mid fade to skin, crisp line-up following my natural hairline, do not push it back, strip two and a half inches wide."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Stubble is easy to keep at home.
Best For:Oval, square faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Three to seven days of growth kept at a #1 or #2 adds some shadow to the jaw without the commitment of a beard. With a low or mid mohawk fade, the sideburn is faded down into the stubble length so the two meet. The stubble softens the hard shape of the strip. It is easy to keep with a trimmer every few days.
How to Style at Home
Trim the stubble with a #2 guard every three days.
Clean the neckline under the jaw with a bare trimmer.
Style the strip up and back with a little matte clay.
Ask Your Barber
"Low mohawk fade with three inches on the strip, and blend the sideburns down into my stubble at a #2 so they meet."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Beard lines soften with the fade.
Best For:Round, oval faces + thick, straight or coily hair.
About This Style
A boxed beard, about half an inch long with straight cheek lines and a squared jaw, gives the face a frame under a high, narrow strip. The fade runs into the sideburn at a #2 and then the beard. The squared beard balances the vertical strip and suits round faces. Sharp lines at the cheek and neck keep it neat.
How to Style at Home
Trim the beard with a #4 guard every week.
Line the cheek with a detail trimmer after each beard trim.
Comb beard balm through to keep the shape.
Ask Your Barber
"Fade me from a mid mohawk fade into a #2 at the sideburn, then a boxed beard at a #4 with straight cheek lines."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Van Dyke edges need shaving every few days.
Best For:Round, heart faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
The Van Dyke is a pointed goatee with a separate mustache and shaved cheeks. Paired with a mohawk fade, the fade stops at a clean sideburn and the cheeks stay bare, so nothing connects. The pointed chin and tall strip together lengthen the face. Keeping the gap between mustache and goatee clean is the main upkeep.
How to Style at Home
Shave the cheeks clean every two to three days.
Trim the goatee to a point with scissors.
Wax the mustache ends with a little beard balm.
Ask Your Barber
"High mohawk fade with clean sideburns and shaved cheeks. Shape my Van Dyke with a pointed chin and a separate mustache."
Recommended Products
Beard Balm
Texture Clay
Mohawk Fade Variations: Color, Mullet and Kids
These versions change the color, the back length or the audience. They also cover the grow-out stage, which helps if you are moving from a mohawk fade into a different cut.
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Dark roots show against light tips.
Best For:Oval, round faces + thick, healthy hair of any color.
About This Style
Bleaching only the strip to blonde or platinum makes the shape clear even when it lies flat, and the faded sides stay natural. On dark hair the contrast is strong. Bleach dries hair out, so keep the strip at two to three inches and use leave-in conditioner. Roots show within three to four weeks, and a colorist should handle touch-ups.
How to Style at Home
Spray leave-in through the strip after every wash.
Use a purple shampoo once a week to cut brassy tones.
Ask Your Barber
"Blonde mohawk fade, mid fade to skin, strip two and a half inches wide, two and a half inches long, keep the bleached ends and trim any breakage."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Fade needs it; back length every six weeks.
Best For:Oval, square faces + wavy, curly or thick hair.
About This Style
A burst wraps around the ears while the hair at the nape grows two to four inches past the neckline, joining the strip into one long ridge. It is popular with younger clients and works best with waves or curls that give the back some shape. The fade keeps the sides neat so the length reads as planned.
How to Style at Home
Scrunch sea salt spray into damp hair, focusing on the back.
Lift the front of the strip with texture clay.
Ask Your Barber
"Can you do a Mohawk fade mullet, burst fade to skin around the ears, strip two and a half inches wide and three inches on top, leave three inches at the back."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Kids grow out of the shape quickly.
Best For:Ages 5–12 + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
For kids, a low fade that bottoms out at a #1 avoids foil shaving young skin and keeps the contrast mild enough for most classrooms. Leave the strip around an inch and a half so a child can push it up with a little gel or wear it flat on school days. Ask the school about its hair policy before booking, because a few prohibit strip cuts outright.
How to Style at Home
Wash your child's hair with a mild kids shampoo every few days.
Rub a dab of light gel between your palms and push the strip up.
Ask Your Barber
"Boys mohawk fade, low fade starting at a #1 with no skin, strip two inches wide and one and a half inches long, tidy neckline."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. The shaved part line fills in fast.
Best For:Oval, square faces + straight or wavy thick hair.
About This Style
A thin line is shaved along one or both edges of the strip, marking where the fade meets the top. It makes the strip outline sharper without shaving the sides bare. Most barbers cut it with a trimmer in one pass. The line grows in within about ten days, so book a quick edge-up between full cuts.
How to Style at Home
Comb the strip up and slightly away from the part line.
Set with pomade for a smooth, defined edge.
Ask Your Barber
"Give me a Mohawk fade with a hard part, mid fade to skin, shave a thin line along each edge of the strip, strip two and a half inches wide."
Trim:Every 4–6 weeks. Only the outline needs a tidy-up.
Best For:Oval, square faces + wavy, curly or thick hair.
About This Style
After four to six weeks without a visit, the fade fills in to about half an inch and the strip loses its edge. Rather than fighting it, a barber can square off the neckline and blend the sides to a #4, leaving a soft strip that can be worn messy. It is also the first step if you plan to grow the sides back into a crop or undercut.
How to Style at Home
Rough-dry with sea salt spray for loose texture.
Push the strip up loosely with your fingers and a little clay.
Ask Your Barber
"Grown out mohawk fade, keep the sides long and just blend them to a #4, tidy the neckline, leave the strip at four inches."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Red fades fast and the fade grows out.
Best For:Oval, square faces + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
Only the strip is dyed bright red or a deep burgundy, while the faded sides stay natural. Bright reds fade faster than any other color and need a color-safe routine and frequent touch-ups. Darker hair needs lightening first for a vivid red. The color makes the strip the focus, so a simple mid fade works best.
How to Style at Home
Wash with cool water and a color-safe shampoo.
Wash the hair only two or three times a week.
Touch up the color every four to six weeks.
Ask Your Barber
"Mid fade on the sides, three inches on the strip. My color is done separately, so do not cut into the dyed ends."
Best For:Teens + straight, wavy, curly or coily hair.
About This Style
Teenagers often want a version that looks current but still passes school rules, so a low fade and a short strip of one and a half to two inches is the usual request. It can be pushed up for weekends and brushed forward for school. Teen skin can be sensitive, so a #0.5 bottom may be gentler than full skin. Parents can check school dress codes first.
How to Style at Home
Push the strip up with a pinch of matte clay.
Brush it forward on school days if needed.
Wash the faded area gently to avoid bumps.
Ask Your Barber
"My son wants a low mohawk fade that bottoms out at a #0.5, not skin, with about two inches on the strip for school."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Silver toning fades and the fade grows out.
Best For:Older men + gray, white or salt and pepper hair.
About This Style
Natural gray or white hair on the strip, or a silver color for younger men, contrasts quietly with a low or mid fade. Gray hair is often coarser and holds height well. The strip is kept at two to three inches with a textured, messy finish rather than tall spikes. A purple shampoo once a week keeps the silver bright.
How to Style at Home
Use a purple shampoo once a week to keep yellow tones out.
Work matte clay into the strip for texture.
Keep the strip at a moderate height rather than tall spikes.
Ask Your Barber
"Low mohawk fade for my gray hair, please, with two to three inches on the strip and a textured, choppy finish."
Recommended Products
Matte Clay
Thickening Spray
Mohawk Fades by Strip Width and Long Styles
The width of the strip and what you do with long hair change the mohawk fade as much as the fade height. These seven cover wide and narrow strips, locs, braids and tied styles. See the mohawk guide for classic versions.
With a strip of four inches or more, this version looks closer to a short-sided cut than a classic mohawk. The fade runs up to a wide top, keeping the outline gentle. It suits men who want a mohawk shape without a dramatic narrow strip, and it is easier to grow into another cut. Coily hair picked out on a wide strip looks rounded.
How to Style at Home
Style the strip up and slightly back with matte clay.
Leave the edges of the strip softer than the center.
Book every three weeks to keep the fade fresh.
Ask Your Barber
"Wide mohawk fade: a mid fade, a strip four inches wide with about two and a half inches of length, blended softly."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Narrow strip and fade both show growth.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight or thick hair.
About This Style
Cut to about one and a half inches wide, the narrow strip makes a sharp line down the center of the head over a high fade. The thinner the strip, the more skin shows on the sides, so it looks closer to a classic punk mohawk. It holds spikes and height well. Narrow strips need a barber to keep the edges straight.
How to Style at Home
Set the strip upright with a firm texture clay.
Shape it into one ridge or several spikes.
Use light gel on the edges to keep them tight.
Ask Your Barber
"Narrow mohawk fade with a high fade, the strip only an inch and a half wide, and three inches of length kept for height."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. The fade needs care more than the locs.
Best For:Oval, square faces + loc'd coily hair.
About This Style
Locs grow from the strip while the sides are faded from skin into a #2. They can be short starter locs or long, mature locs worn down or tied. Keeping a small margin between the fade and the outer locs protects them. The fade makes the locs look neater and keeps the sides cool in summer. Starter locs on a mohawk strip often lock faster because they are handled less.
How to Style at Home
Retwist the roots every four to six weeks.
Moisturize the locs with a light leave-in spray.
Tie the locs back to keep the fade clean.
Ask Your Barber
"Fade the sides from skin up to my locs, leave a small margin of hair, and do not touch the outer locs."
Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. Braids last weeks; the fade needs two-week visits.
Best For:Oval, long faces + curly or coily hair long enough to braid.
About This Style
Cornrows or a single plait run down the strip from forehead to nape, while the sides are faded. The braids keep the strip flat and neat for weeks. Single plaits suit straighter hair, while cornrows suit coily hair. A braider should keep tension light at the hairline to avoid strain. Braids also make the strip easier to manage while growing it out.
How to Style at Home
Oil the scalp between braids with a light scalp oil.
Wear a durag at night to keep the braids flat.
Take the braids out after three to four weeks.
Ask Your Barber
"Braided mohawk fade: fade the sides up to my braid line and keep enough length on top for cornrows down the strip."
Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. The sides need fades, not the bun.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
Long hair on the strip, six inches or more, is gathered and tied into a bun at the crown, while the sides are faded. With the sides faded, the bun reads as deliberate rather than just tied back. Ask the barber to fade up to the part where the hair is gathered so no stray hair hangs under the bun.
How to Style at Home
Tie the hair loosely to protect the hairline.
Smooth stray hair with a small amount of styling cream.
Let the hair down at night to rest the roots.
Ask Your Barber
"Taper the sides with a mid fade up to where I tie my hair, and leave the strip long, at least six inches, for a bun."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Spikes need daily setting and the fade softens.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight or thick hair.
About This Style
Long hair on the strip, five to eight inches, is formed into separate tall spikes set with strong gel and hair spray, a punk look. A fade on the sides makes it cleaner than shaved sides. The spikes take time to set and do not survive rain or sleep. It is mostly worn for events and concerts.
How to Style at Home
Section the strip into even triangles with a tail comb.
Apply strong gel to each section and twist it into a point.
Blow-dry each spike upright on high heat to set it.
Ask Your Barber
"High fade on both sides, and please keep six to eight inches on the strip so I can set it into liberty spikes."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. The tail needs trimming to stay narrow.
Best For:Oval, heart faces + straight, wavy or curly hair.
About This Style
A narrow tail of hair, two to four inches long, is left at the nape below the strip, while the rest of the back is faded. It is a throwback detail that has returned with mullet styles. The tail is usually under an inch wide and can be braided. A burst fade around the ears keeps the sides clean.
How to Style at Home
Leave the tail loose, or braid it for a neater finish.
Trim the tail ends every month to keep them even.
Keep the area around the tail faded with a trimmer.
Ask Your Barber
"Burst fade around the ears, strip three inches long, and leave a narrow rat tail at the nape about three inches long."
Recommended Products
Matte Clay
Light Gel
How Do You Ask Your Barber for a Mohawk Fade?
Name four things: the fade height, the shortest guard, the strip width and the strip length. A clear request sounds like this: mid burst fade starting at skin above the ear, blending through a #1 and #2 to a #3 under the strip, strip two and a half inches wide from front to nape with three inches on top. Say whether the back follows the burst into a V or fades straight across.
Height terms vary between shops, so point to where the fade should start. Low sits just above the ear, mid at the temple and high at the parietal ridge where the head turns from side to top. The clipper guard numbers chart converts each guard to inches, and how to ask for a fade helps if the terms feel new.
Clipper Guards Used in Mohawk Fade Styles
A clipper guard is the plastic comb that clips onto the blade and sets how much hair is left: a #1 leaves 3 mm (1/8 inch), each step up adds about 3 mm. The right column lists the cards on this page that call for each guard. See the full clipper guard numbers guide for the complete chart.
The sides need nothing, so styling is all about the strip. Short strips of one to two inches take a pinch of matte clay or texture powder, pushed up and slightly toward the center. Longer strips need a blow-dry first: point the nozzle at the roots and lift the hair with your fingers before adding clay or paste. Curly and coily strips need moisture, so use curl cream or leave-in and shape with a pick or curl sponge instead of a brush.
Keep the faded skin moisturized, especially in cold weather, when bare scalp flakes faster, and use sunscreen on the short sides in summer. Wash out heavy gel or paste every night so build-up does not weigh the strip down. The pomade vs clay vs wax guide compares hold and shine for each finish, and a silk pillowcase helps a tall strip survive the night without flattening on one side.
What Mohawk Fade Mistakes Should You Avoid?
The most common mistake is asking for a mohawk fade without a strip width, which leaves the barber to guess and often produces a faux hawk. Another is starting a skin fade too high on fine hair, where the blend looks patchy because scalp shows through the guard lengths. Cutting the strip too narrow on thin hair leaves it unable to stand. Skipping the nape is a quieter error: if the strip stops at the crown, the cut reads as a faux hawk from behind.
Book every two to three weeks to keep the blend sharp, and ask for a quick neck and edge clean-up between full cuts if the strip still looks good. If lines show in the fade, why a fade looks patchy explains the causes and what to ask for next time. The skin fade guide covers the bare finish in more depth, including how long the skin section stays clean.
Which Mohawk Fade Is Right for You?
Pick your hair type and how much upkeep you will put in. The matches below come from the Best For and Maintenance notes on each card. Upkeep follows the Maintenance badge: low means a cut every 3 to 6 weeks and almost no daily styling, high means weekly line-ups or daily product.
Q1: What is the difference between a mohawk and a mohawk fade?+
A classic mohawk shaves the sides bare with a hard edge where the strip begins. A mohawk fade blends the sides from skin or a #0 up to a #2 or #3 just below the strip, so there is no sharp border. The fade version grows out more softly and needs fewer visits.
Q2: What is a burst fade mohawk?+
It is a mohawk fade where the fade curves around the ear in a half circle instead of running straight across the head. Hair behind the ear stays longer and joins the strip at the back, often ending in a V or a short tail at the nape. It is the most requested mohawk fade.
Q3: What guard numbers are used for a mohawk fade?+
Most mohawk fades start at skin, a #0 or a #0.5 at the fade line, then blend through a #1 and #2 to a #3 under the strip. A #0 leaves about 1/16 inch and a #3 leaves 3/8 inch. Fine hair often looks better starting at a #1 so the scalp shows less.
Q4: What is a South of France haircut?+
South of France is a nickname for a burst fade mohawk with a longer, textured strip and a curved fade around each ear. The name spread through barbershop social media and music culture. Ask for a burst fade with a strip of three to four inches and a short tail at the nape.
Q5: How long does a mohawk fade last?+
A skin mohawk fade looks sharp for about one to two weeks. Stubble shows on the bare section within days, and the blend softens by week three. Most men book every two to three weeks. Starting the fade at a #1 instead of skin adds roughly a week between visits.
Q6: Can you get a mohawk fade with straight hair?+
Yes. Straight hair needs a blow-dry to make the strip stand, followed by matte clay or paste. Point cutting the strip helps it separate into texture rather than lying as one flat piece. A low or mid fade suits straight hair best, since it keeps some weight on the sides.
