A low fade curly hair style is a trendy option for men with naturally curly hair. This cut features hair on the top of the head worn longer and styled into curls or waves, paired with a gradual tapered fade along the sides and back.
The low fade helps showcase the glorious texture and volume of curly locks on top while keeping the look neat and clean. It creates a flattering balance and great visual contrast between the longer curly hair on top and the closely tapered sides.
Though low fade themselves have been popular men’s haircuts for decades, pairing them with voluminous curly tops is a more modern style trend that has become hugely popular in recent years. The curly hair fade allows men with curls to embrace their natural texture while enjoying a stylish, shaped-up cut.
Brief History of the Low Fade Curly Hair Style
Faded haircuts have long been a practical styling choice for men in many cultures around the world. Keeping the hair cropped close along the sides and back while allowing length on top dates back centuries as a classic masculine style.
Fade haircuts emerged as a mainstream trend in African American communities in the early 1900s. Black barbers would use skilled clipper work and meticulous tapering to create clean lines and strong fades for their clients.
Over time, faded haircuts expanded in popularity beyond Black communities and became a signature style among Hispanic American and Italian American men. They allowed men with curly or oily hair to reduce bulk along the sides while showing off their tight curls and waves on top.
In recent decades, faded cuts have become extremely trendy mainstream men’s styles. The low fade curly hair look brings together the vintage appeal of the fade with a modern twist – voluminous curly locks left long on top.
The Importance of Proper Hair Care
Caring properly for curly hair is key to maintaining any curly fade haircut. Because curly hair tends to be drier and more fragile than straight hair, keeping curls healthy and defined requires some special care.
Using moisturizing shampoos and conditioners without harsh sulfates is essential for nourishing curly strands and retaining moisture. Air drying instead of heat styling prevents damage to the delicate protein bonds in curly hair. Regular trims are also a must for avoiding split ends and keeping curls coiled and frizz-free.
While curly hair can be more high-maintenance than straight locks, taking the time to care for your curls properly ensures your low fade hairstyle stays looking fly.
Types of Low Fade Curly Hair
Several types of fades can be paired with curly hair, depending on your personal style preferences and face shape:
Drop Fade
A drop fade begins fading hair very low, slightly above the natural hairline at the temples, curving behind the ears to the nape of the neck. This creates a dramatic contrast between the very short faded sides and back and the full curly hair on top.
Temple Fade
The temple fade tapers hair closely along the temples and sideburns while leaving more length at the nape of the neck. This style allows for high-volume curly fringe and top hair to take center stage.
Mid Fade
As the name implies, a mid fade starts tapering hair in the middle of the sides of the head, creating medium-length faded sides that show off the curl length contrast on top. This is a nice conservative fade option.
High Fade
The high fade tapers hair very short as it reaches the crown of the head. This pairs very short faded sides near the top with longer curly hair on top for volume and texture contrast.
Bald Fade
As one of the boldest fade styles, the bald fade gradually fades hair down the sides and back until the hairline is completely shaved smooth. This maximizes curly hair volume and texture on top.
How To Achieve Low Fade Curly Hair
Achieving the low fade curly hair style involves advanced clipper and fading techniques. With some skill, the right tools, and a few steps, you can learn how to get this expert cut:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Wash and condition the hair with moisturizing products to soften and strengthen curly strands. Rinse thoroughly.
- Work some styling cream through towel-dried hair and comb it through evenly from roots to tips.
- With an adjustable clipper, start by trimming hair to one consistent longer guard length on top, about 2 to 3 inches. Trim the sides and back to a shorter 1-inch guard length using the clipper over comb method.
- With a trimmer, create your desired low fade starting slightly above the natural hairline, and curving up to blend gradually at the crown and the nape of the neck.
- Use clippers with progressively closer guards to blend and taper the fade smoothly and gradually into the trimmed sides.
- Edge up natural hairlines and sideburns; make symmetrically curved lineups at the temples for clean definition.
- Remove any remaining trimmed hairs from the skin with a detailing razor and vacuum attachment. Apply finishing hydrating products.
Essential Tools
- Quality adjustable fade clippers & guards
- Detail trimmer
- Sharp straight edge razor
- Cutting combs & brushes
- Blow dryer & diffuser attachment
- Curl-friendly styling products
Tips for Maintaining Low Fade Curly Hair
- Get regular touch-up trims & fades every 2-4 weeks
- Use moisturizing sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners
- Let curly hair air dry instead of diffusing for volume
- Apply curl cream and leave-in conditioner after washing
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase to prevent frizz & breakage
Popular Low Fade Curly Haircuts
The curly low fade is extremely versatile – letting you customize your curly style by choosing unique lengths, parts, and styling. Here are some of the most popular ways to wear the iconic curly faded cut:
Choppy Curls with Fringe & Low Fade
This daring style features very short, choppy layers cut throughout curly locks on top with long, side-swept fringe dropping over one eyebrow, paired with a dramatic drop fade behind the ear.
Mid-Length Curly Hair with Fade
Near-shoulder length curly hair creates a rounded mop of curls on top with loose strands falling across the forehead. A clean mid-fade on the sides shapes the style.
Short, Neat Curly Hair Fade
Well-defined corkscrew curls are trimmed neatly on top and blend with temple-faded sides. Great for gentlemen looking for a tidy,. professional curly fade style.
Short Afro with High Fade
Natural tight coils are cropped short on top and contrasted with sharp, high fade tapering sides super short near the crown for eye-catching dimension.
Long Curly Hair with High Fade
Lush chin-length ringlets are the highlight of this style, amped up by a drastic bald fade curving around the sides and neckline. Perfect for guys with seriously full curly mane potential.
Curly Hair with Fringe & Fade
Bouncy curls are worn medium-length on top with textured side fringe draping across the forehead. A subtle mid-fade blends the sides for a polished yet casual look.
Curly High Top with Skin Fade
This unique style features very short faded sides and back, complementing the height of longer, kinky curls styled into an eye-catching high top on top.
Styling Low Fade Curly Hair
Choosing products specifically formulated for curly hair is key to maximizing definition and hold when styling low fade curly locks.
Best Products for Styling Curly Hair
- Curl cream – Enhances natural curl pattern and provides moisture
- Anti-frizz gel – Fights fuzz and locks in curl formation
- Matte pomade – Texturizes and seperates curls
- Sea salt spray – Creates tousled, beachy texture
- Argan oil – Nourishes hair and enhances shine
- Leave-in conditioner – Detangles and offers heat protection
Tips for Styling Curly Hair
- Apply products to soaking wet hair and distribute evenly with fingers
- Let hair air dry instead of blow drying for best curl formation
- Scrunch curls gently with a cotton shirt to remove excess water
- Style hair off the forehead to show off curly hair growth and fade
- Finish with light hold hairspray for touchable yet molded curls
Maintaining Style
Using moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is crucial for keeping curly low fades looking fresh between cuts. Limit washing to 1-2 times per week to prevent stripping hair oils. Avoid brushing dry curls as this causes frizz and breakage. For reviving curls on non-wash days, mist hair lightly with water and scrunch in some curl cream or leave-in conditioner.
Low Fade Curly Hair Maintenance
Preserving both the fresh faded undercut and the healthy curls on top requires diligent upkeep.
Proper Hair Care Routine
- Wash hair 1-2 times per week with a curl-friendly shampoo
- Deep condition weekly with a moisturizing hair mask
- Allow hair to air dry instead of diffusing or heat-styling
- Refresh dry curls with leave-in treatments and curl creams
- Protect hair overnight by covering with a satin cap or pillowcase
How Often to Trim Hair
Get a skin fade and trim every 2-4 weeks to keep the low fade curly style looking sharp. Take off just 1⁄4 inch of length when trimming curly tops, careful not to lose density.
How to Prevent Damage to Curly Hair
Avoid procedures like chemical relaxers, colors, and perms which can severely damage the delicate protein bonds in curly strands. Protect hair from sun exposure, chlorine, and heat styling to prevent dryness and breakage over time. Aim to retain as much natural moisture in curls as possible.
Conclusion
With the right cut and care, the iconic low fade with curly hair makes the most of natural texture while delivering sharp men’s style.
This expertly blended fade haircut slims the face and offers flattering contrast by showcasing a lush crown of curls. Customizable fade type and curl length options let gents tailor the look to suit personal tastes.
Achieving the balanced fade effect takes skillful clipping and tapering techniques – best left to talented barbers. But properly maintaining the crisp faded edges along with the integrity of delicate curly strands is the responsibility of savvy curly-haired style icons.
Embracing natural curls and combining them with sculpted faded sides and back allows men with textured hair to experiment with exciting modern hair trends. So if you’re looking to celebrate coiled locks with a clean-cut twist, try out this hot style – the curly hair low fade!
