34 Best Beard Fade Haircut & Hairstyle Ideas for a Modern, Rugged Look

Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

A beard fade is a men’s hairstyle where the facial hair is transitioned seamlessly with the hair around the ears and temples. After all, a well-trimmed beard is a perfect way to show off your stylish masculinity!

Whether you want crisp lines or a natural fade, modern faded beard hairstyles can match this fade well. The polished combover, the edgy undercut, or the casual quiff – these are only a preview of the unlimited choices you’ll have!

Ensure your barber works with a good trimmer to blend your beard with your mane effectively. Check out the works of veteran barber Robert Marcotte. Get inspired by his excellent bearded creations!

His best advice for men wanting to get a beard fade haircut? “Have several different references with you on hand, even if it comes straight from the barber’s social media, to help achieve your desired look,” he shares.

Regarding maintenance, Marcotte says, “The beard hair is dry. Ensure you hydrate the hair with a decent conditioner formulated for dry hair.” He recommends a beard balm that is coconut oil-based. “It will not only keep the skin hydrated throughout the day, but it doesn’t leave a greasy residue on your face,” he explains.

Before your next trip to the barber, check out these inspiring photos of the trendiest beard fade haircuts and hairstyles.

Photos
Brunette Mullet with Faded Beard for Guys
Instagram @tailorfade

#1: Brunette Mullet with Faded Beard

If your style is edgy, a brunette mullet paired with a faded beard can enhance your natural texture. The cut begins with a skin fade at the temples. It then blends into a longer, textured length. The sides and back are typically around 3-4 inches long. This enhances your natural waves or texture. Use salt spray, like R&Co’s ROCKAWAY, for an effortless look. Apply it from root to end on damp hair. This adds volume and texture, giving your hair a beachy vibe.

Pompadour with Bald Fade and Beard Fade for Guys
Instagram @mehdi_farahh

#2: Pompadour with Bald Fade and Beard

A bald fade pompadour with a beard can look very neat and defined. Styling products like a root lift and a texturizing pomade are important to achieve the style. Visit your stylist or barber every 2-4 weeks to maintain the shape of your pomp and keep your beard well-trimmed.

Crop Mullet and Beard Fade on Men with Thick Hair
Instagram @mehdi_farahh

#3: Crop Mullet and Beard

A beard can look good with a short mullet. Ensure your hairdresser or barber blends your hair into your beard for a smooth transition. See your hairdresser or barber every 2 to 4 weeks to keep clear lines and a smooth blend.

Quiff with Shaved Line and Beard Fade for Guys
Instagram @mehdi_farahh

#4: Quiff with Shaved Line and Beard Fade

Consider this quiff with a distinct, shaved line and a faded beard if you want a unique style. The style features a zero fade, which blends smoothly into the beard. The hair on top could be around 3-4 inches, depending on how your hair feels. It would be best if you asked for extra texture in the quiff. It ensures the best styling results. The barber can achieve this lightly with point cutting. With extra thick hair, they may use thinning shears. At home, you can add volume with a blow dryer. Then, apply the matte clay from the roots to the ends for a hold that lasts all day.

#5: Long Messy Top with a Faded Beard

Incorporating a long messy top with a faded beard and a skin fade can give a perfect finish, as seen with this dude. There is a disconnection between the sides and top, and this is necessary to keep the length to create the long, shag look. The beard has been shaped to create a masculine jawline, disconnected from the fade, leaving the focus on the style on top. Be prepared to prep this hair style with beard every day.

Sexy Beard Fade with a Sharp Hard Part for Guys
Instagram @ali_bar.ber

#6: Beard Fade with a Sharp Hard Part

This beard fade with a sharp hard part will surely draw you some attention. So let’s talk about the benefits it may have for you! First, this is a simpler and more contoured version of many of the high and tight type of fades we have been seeing. It combines a scissor cut, some advanced clipper work, and tapering around the ears and neck. An advantage to this hairstyle with beard is that the hard part allows for simple styling. And it’s a clean-cut look for your new hairstyle.

Faded Beard with a Messy Top and Mid Fade
Instagram @spukthebarber

#7: Faded Beard with a Messy Top and Mid Fade

If you want more relaxed than a slick back or a buzzcut, you may want to try this faded beard with a messy top and mid fade. Not only is this a clean zero fade on the sides, but you also get the satisfaction of a blended beard. It’s a textured yet clean scissor cut on top. I suggest matte clay for a dry, spiked feel for beard fade styles.

Messy Top with Highlights and a Beard Fade
Instagram @hosein.brz

#8: Messy Top with Highlights

You can try this messy top with highlights if you want to add a twist and bring some life back to your hair! Ask your barber for a low skin fade and an applicable length on top that works for your face and hair texture. Dry textures such as this are created using matte clay. You will want to avoid a pomade that adds weight to your hair and creates shine.

Faded Beard with a Short Spiky Top for Guys
Instagram @nikolaymezhva

#9: Faded Beard with a Short Spiky Top

A faded beard with a short spiky top is the way for men wanting to make a bold, rugged impression. This classic style pairs best with thick hair and an oval or diamond face shape. Ask your barber to use clippers on the sides and back of your head to get this look. All while keeping the top longer than usual before styling it into spikes. Finish prepping fade beard styles using American Crew Pomade or a similar product for hold and shine.

#10: Dark Caesar Squared Front with a Beard

A caesar with a beard complements the dark hair perfectly. It has been lined in at all edges to keep the style sharp. The fade has been dropped around the ears and base of the neck, leaving just enough to line it all in. You will need to see your barber every 2-3 weeks to keep the lines of such mens hairstyles with beard fresh. A sea salt spray and styling powder will be easy to use and create all that texture.

Short Blonde Hair with a Faded Beard for Men
Instagram @kompaniettowe

#11: Short Blonde Hair with a Faded Beard

Short blonde hair with a faded beard style is a tidy classic cut to suit most men. It works better with a fuller hairline to not expose too much of the top of the scalp. It also works well on a rounder face, as the beard’s length and the fringe’s height can elongate the face shape. This style does need styling every morning. For best results, blow-dry the hair with a volume spray and hold it with a matte clay or paste.

#12: Mohawk with Beard Fade

Mohawk with beard fade gives plenty of options for men to style. You should leave at least three inches of hair on top for styling. Don’t forget to tell your barber to taper your beard to transition from the beard to the haircut seamlessly.

See more mohawk fade haircuts and hairstyles.

#13: Short Curly Top and Shaped Beard

A short curly top and shaped beard is a good choice for a new curly top haircut. Curly hair can be hard to maintain at times. Tapering the sides to a shadow is an option when exploring hairstyles for men with curly hair.

#14: Blurry Fade with Beard

Blurry fade with beard is a tricky yet great haircut for men to try. I suggest consulting a well-experienced barber knowledgeable in a beard-cutting style to execute a nice low blurry fade. It should have a flawless transition from the skin to the desired length, leaving no room for blending flaws. A razor-sharp hairline takes this low fade haircut with beard to the next level of excellence.

Beard Fade into Goatee
Instagram @chechecuts

#15: Beard Fade into Goatee

Turn your beard fade hairstyle into a goatee, and see the unique flair it can provide you. The pointed facial hair on the chin part makes it unique from the other beard styles. It’ll even let your cheeks look neat and stylish, perfect with a sharp faded haircut.

High Top Fade with Sharp Beard Neckline
Instagram @omithebarber_

#16: High Top Fade with Sharp Beard Neckline

Want to flaunt your medium-length kinks with style? Here’s a high-top fade with a sharp beard neckline to give prominence to your black hair’s natural texture. The sides and nape gradually fade to suit the shape of your neat facial hair.

Full Beard and Undercut Fade Hairstyle
Instagram @barber_gin

#17: Full Beard and Undercut Fade Hairstyle

The full beard and undercut fade hairstyle are excellent for men with mid-length black hair. It’s a modern take on what a manly beard style looks like.

#18: Beard with Mid Fade

The refined finish of a beard with a mid-fade will look dope on you. Styling it with texture gives your black hair a fuller-looking payoff.

#19: Low Beard Fade

Let your natural texture do its job. A low beard fade will work nicely on your black and wavy hair. For maintenance, a good beard trimmer is a must-have.

Bald Fade with Beard Cut
Instagram @nik_hairdesign

#20: Bald Fade with Beard

Consider a neat faded beard cut for your fine brown hair! This bald fade haircut with a beard will give you a dapper edge that’s easy to maintain. This is one of the best beard styles for boys with medium to thick hair density.

Medium Fade Haircut with Beard
Instagram @re_malia

#21: Medium Fade Haircut with Beard

Working best on thick and black hair, a medium fade haircut with a beard is very masculine! Texture forms flow and movement, creating contrast between the hair on top and the sides.

Low-Maintenance Buzz Cut with Beard Fade
Instagram @barberodessa

#22: Low-Maintenance Buzz Cut with Beard Fade

A shape-up with a full beard haircut will not harm your entire style. Ask your barber for a buzz cut with beard fade to show how stylish your black hair can be.

Comb Over Fade with Beard Hairstyle
Instagram @17cuts

#23: Comb Over Fade with Beard

Go for a comb-over fade with a beard if you’re thinking of trying a sleek style. Part your hair to one side, comb it into place, and put it together with gel. Now, that’s how you rock a modern men’s hairstyle.

Beard Fade for White Guy
Instagram @joey_shakes

#24: Beard Fade for a White Guy

If you’re a white guy, consider a beard fade that emphasizes the dense, black hair on top. Add a little texture for a more handsome style.

Beard Fade Cut for Black Man
Instagram @aaronmybarber

#25: Beard Fade for a Black Man

There’s always a perfect beard fade for a black man. Get this toned-down look by trimming your hair neat and short. Your curly hair will form waves, creating dash and charisma to your style.

#26: Taper Beard Fade

Grab the opportunity to pull off a taper fade. All it needs is a taper beard fade and well-styled, textured hair.

Beard with Temp Fade Haircut
Instagram @jeffthebarber

#27: Beard with Temp Fade

Deal with every mood of yours by wearing a beard with temp fade. It’s sharpness and dapper-looking finish suit whatever vibe you’re going for.

Mid-Length Curly Hair with Beard Fade
Instagram @barbermour

#28: Curly Hair with Beard Fade

There’s a lot of movement going on here. Opt for curly hair with a beard fade to flaunt your innate texture. Your black hair contrasts with the skin fade sides nicely.

Short Beard Fade Cut
Instagram @rikzothebarber

#29: Short Beard Fade

Tapered sides that complement shaped-up facial hair make one short beard fade with a tight and neat neckline. Black hair on top shouldn’t be too short or long — just enough length to result in a textured look with short bangs.

Drop Fade with Beard
Instagram @aztroo

#30: Drop Fade with Beard

You got to love the gradually faded sides in this cut! Partnering a drop fade with a beard like this will level up your styling game.

Hairstylist Enrique Tapia from Hesperia, CA, created this haircut. “This is called a mid fade with hooks on the side, a textured top, and a beard lineup. I would describe this cut as easy to style as the top has been point cut and follows the theme of a rugged choppy texture look. My favorite thing about this cut is how the fade radiates a clear contrast in length that stands out to the eye. It is the focal point of this cut,” states Tapia.

“I would advise a dude interested in beard fade cuts first to consider going with a shadow fade (a fade without going skin) to avoid a tan line on the skin. After having a shadow fade, you can slowly work your way down to a bald mid-fade. From experience, this will make the transition appear more gradual in the long run. Overall, beard fade hairstyles are very popular and currently trending,” Tapia explains.

High Beard Fade Haircut
Instagram @jazthebutcher

#31: High Beard Fade

Pull off this high beard fade with enough hair length on top for easy styling. This look is called a 0.5 fade into the beard with a spiked back top by barber Jaz Bailey of Toronto, ON.

“My favorite thing about the look is the seamless transition from the middle of the head from light to dark, going both ways. The hair fades into the top and bottom,” Bailey notes.

The advice that Bailey would give to a man who wants this look is to consider the top of the hair. He adds, “I work on trying to see how we can get the top looking exactly how they want it, whether through texturing or styling with blow-dry and product.”

#32: Long Beard Fade

Merge a long beard fade with a delicate faded cut to spice up your brown hair.

Created by stylist Gleb Morozov of Russia, this is the look of a modern hero who needs to spend more time caring for his hair. “Despite the simplicity of the design, this bow has its details, and the density and structure of the hair and beard allow you to add personality to the image,” Morozov emphasizes.

What’s great about beard fades is their versatility. Morozov explains, “By combining the beard shape and the haircut shape, we can achieve the perfect balance on any head with any bone structure of the face, and the fade of the beard will emphasize the accuracy and character of the person.”

Skin Fade with Short Bangs and Beard Fade
Instagram @eseesvita

#33: Skin Fade with Short Bangs and Beard Fade

The short bangs are what make this skin fade haircut full of spirit.

This beard fade cut is called a crop fade with a beard fade, designed by barber Gabriel Silvagnoli of Ponce, PR.

“I first saw the crop fade in European men. The best part is that it’s not time-consuming to style at home. If you have a fast life and consider yourself edgy, bold, and fashionable, this style is for you,” says Silvagnoli.

short spiky beard fade
Instagram @spukthebarber

#34: Short Spiky Beard Fade

Try a short spiky beard fade if you want a textured haircut with clean lines. Tightly tapered sideburns blended into a trimmed beard create a visually seamless flow. Be prepared to visit your barber every 2-3 weeks to keep faded beard styles looking fresh.