SIDES#0 at the ear bursting out to #2 in a semicircle, back left unfaded
NECKLINELeft natural down the centre back
UPKEEPRe-cut every 2 to 3 weeks
THE SIDES
Burst fade
A burst fade is confined to a semicircle radiating around the ear. The centre back of the head is never faded — it keeps its full length — which is what makes it the fade of choice for anything with length behind: mullets, mohawks, frohawks. On a cut with no length at the back it has nothing to burst against.
Also called burst taper, ear fade, mohawk fade.
See one on your face — freeCut with a burst fade
Every one of these is photographed at this fade. Tap any of them to see it on your own face.
Also works with one
These are cut with something else by default, so the photographs show that instead — but ask for a burst fade and your barber will know exactly what you mean.
Questions
- What is a burst fade?
- A fade shaped like a fan around the ear, going from skin at the ear outward to about an inch at the edge of the arc. Unlike every other fade it does not wrap the head — the hair down the centre of the nape is left alone.
- What haircuts go with a burst fade?
- Anything keeping length at the back or the centre. Mullets and mohawks are the classic pairings; textured crops, fluffy tops and quiffs all take one too.
- How often does a burst fade need re-cutting?
- Every two to three weeks. The arc is a tight gradient in a small area, so it blurs faster than a low taper.