Beard Fade Tutorial: How to Easily Fade Your Beard At Home

Spencer Bryce |

March 6, 2024

Crafting the perfect beard fade from home isn't something that comes easily to most of us. In fact, the thought of messing up our hard earned growth prevents most of us Beardsmen from ever attempting to fade your own beard.

The result? Expensive barber visits to get the fade or beard style you're looking for. Now, not to bash on barbers, if you find the right one he or she can be worth way more than what they are charging you. But trust me, that $20 fades start to add up pretty quick.

I personally went to the barber for my fades nearly every other week until I watched him enough times to have enough confidence to give it a shot myself. Now, my first beard fade from home wasn't quite as clean as the barbers, but I've perfected it over the years and learned a thing or two that I want to share with you.

Beard Fade 101

If you're not sure what a faded beard is, the overall idea is to trim your beard hairs to different lengths, from shortest to longest from the top of your sideburn down your cheek and into your beard. You want to blend the hairs together so there are no hard lines separating the different lengths, but rather they gradually blend from short to long in a seamless transition.

The main idea when you fade a beard is that is that you don't notice any of the lines, and it just slowly kind of gets longer in length until it blends into the bulk of your beard. What this is gonna do is really clean up around the ears around the sideburns. It makes your beard look tighter and gives it a more uniform shape.

Fading your sideburns into your beard will make a huge impact on the overall look of your beard, and in my opinion, the sideburns area has the biggest impact on whether a beard is "unkept" or "groomed" in the eyes of most people. You can have your beard seem very well put together by keeping the sideburns and upper cheek area trimmed, even with 12+ inches of beard.

Tools of The Fade

The only tool you'll need to craft the perfect faded beard at home is a good set of clippers with a set of guards. The guards are what allow you to trim the hairs down gradually and blend them together.

Depending on the length you desire, you may blend from a 0 or a 2 at the sideburns, and work your way down into a 4, 6, 8 etc. This will again vary on how tight you want the sideburn area to be.

How to Fade Your Beard

Make sure to start with the biggest guard and begin on your upper cheek, slowly working your way smaller in guard size and up towards your sideburn. This will give you a safety net so you don't take it too short and lose the ability to blend it smoothly into the longer length of your beard.

Before you actually connect the guard to your clippers, make sure to do a dry run with the guard only to really see what size you want to start with. With the guard only, you can see what hairs will be above that guard height and will ultimately be cut off. This will give you a good idea how much you will be cutting off before you commit to it. I highly recommended starting with a size bigger than you think for your first pass as you can always take more off.

A good rule of thumb is that you really only want to fade down to a horizontal line at your top lip, up to the top of your sideburn. So choose your largest guard size first from your top lip line, and trim everything up to your sideburn.

From there, grab the next guard size down and move up your cheek about a quarter inch or so and trim everything up to your sideburn with that shorter guard. Repeat this process as you work your way to the smallest guard towards the top of your sideburn (shortest length).

What Are the Different Types of Beard Fades?

Beard fades are a popular technique that creates a gradual transition from a shorter length (often near the sideburns or cheeks) to the longer, fuller part of your beard. This gives your beard a clean, sculpted look and can enhance your face shape. The main types of beard fades are categorized by where the fade begins.

Different Types of Beard Fades

Low Fade: This is the most subtle and classic fade. The taper begins just above the neckline, about a finger's width above your Adam's apple, and just below the ear. It creates a soft transition that is clean but not overly dramatic.
Mid Fade: As the name suggests, the mid fade starts at a higher point than the low fade, usually around the cheekbones or the middle of the ear. This creates a more noticeable and defined line of contrast between your beard and the hair on your head.
High Fade: This is the boldest fade, starting high on the temples or even higher, creating a sharp, striking contrast. A high fade removes a lot of hair from the cheeks and sideburns, drawing more attention to the jawline and the fuller parts of the beard.
Skin/Bald Fade: This is a more intense version of any of the above fades, where the hair is cut down to the skin (or shaved bald) at the shortest point of the fade. The effect is a stark, smooth transition from bare skin to beard hair.

How Do I Know Which Type of Beard Fade Is Right for My Face?

Choosing the right beard fade depends on your face shape, beard density, and personal style.

For a Subtle, Natural Look: A low fade is a great choice. It's universally flattering and works well for those who prefer a less dramatic style. It also requires less frequent maintenance than higher fades.
For Versatility and Definition: A mid fade is a safe and popular option. It offers a balance between subtlety and definition, making it suitable for a wide range of face shapes and beard lengths.
For a Strong, Edgy Statement: A high fade is best for those with a strong jawline or angular features, as it accentuates them. It's a bold look that pairs well with a high-fade haircut.
For a Clean, Sharp Style: A skin/bald fade is perfect if you want to look meticulous and modern. This fade is also a good option if your hair doesn't grow in thick on your cheeks or sideburns, as it can hide a patchy look.

When in doubt, it is always best to start with a low or mid fade, which you can easily adjust or take higher later. It is also highly recommended to consult a professional barber, as they can assess your face shape and beard growth to recommend the perfect fade for you.

What Are Some Techniques I Can Use With My Trimmer to Blend Between Different Lengths and Avoid Harsh Lines?

Using a trimmer to blend different lengths and avoid harsh lines is a key skill for achieving a professional-looking beard. Here are some effective techniques you can use:

1. The Guard-by-Guard Method

This is the most common and beginner-friendly technique.

Start with Your Longest Guard: Begin by trimming your entire beard to the longest length you want to use. This will be the base for your blend.
Create Your "Guide" Line: Switch to a shorter guard (e.g., one size down). At the point where you want your blend to begin (e.g., the top of your jawline), create a horizontal "guide" line. This is the area where the fade will start.
Work Your Way Up: Use the shorter guard and trim the area just above your guide line. Work in upward, overlapping strokes.
Blend in Increments: Continue this process, switching to a progressively shorter guard each time and moving your trimming area higher up your cheek towards your sideburns. Each new, shorter section should be slightly smaller than the last. This step-by-step process builds a gradual gradient.

2. The "Flicking" Motion

This technique is vital for blurring the lines between different guard lengths.

Change Your Angle: When you're trimming with a shorter guard, as you approach the boundary of the next, longer section, "flick" the trimmer away from your face.
Use the Edge: The key is to use only the very edge or "corner" of the trimmer blade to graze the transition area. This softens the line and blends the two lengths together.
Be Patient: This requires a bit of practice. Go slowly and use this motion repeatedly on the same area until the harsh line disappears.

3. The Clipper-Over-Comb Technique

This is a more advanced but highly effective method for blending and shaping. It's often used by barbers.

Start with a Comb: Use a fine-tooth comb and place it into the area you want to blend (e.g., where your beard meets your sideburn). The comb will lift the hair away from your skin.
Trim the Excess: With your trimmer (no guard on), carefully trim the hair that is sticking out through the comb's teeth.
Angle for a Blend: By changing the angle of the comb, you can control the length of the hair you are cutting. Hold the comb flatter against your face for a shorter cut and angle it away for a longer cut. This allows you to create a perfect, seamless transition without relying solely on guard sizes.

4. The "No Guard" Detail Work

After you've done the main blending, you may still see some minor, harsh lines.

"Tapping" Motion: Use your trimmer without a guard (or with an adjustable lever on a clipper, "open" the blade). Gently "tap" the very top of the lines you want to blend. This lightly takes off the darkest part of the line without creating a new, shorter one.

Remember to always start with a longer guard than you think you need. You can always go shorter, but you can't add hair back. Consistent practice and a good mirror setup are also essential.

How Can I Be Sure the Fade Is Even on Both Sides of My Face?

Achieving symmetry in a beard fade can be tricky, but these tips can help you ensure both sides are even.

Use Your Fingers as a Guide

Your own fingers can be your most reliable tool for checking symmetry. Use your index and middle finger to measure the length of your beard at key points on one side, then use the same two fingers to compare the length on the other side. Do this for the fade line and the overall length.

Use a Comb as a Ruler

A beard comb is a great visual guide. Place the comb horizontally along your face, from your ear to your chin, and use it to align your fade line on both sides. This helps ensure that the highest point of the fade is the same on both cheeks.

Face-on Mirror Check

Periodically step back from the mirror and look at your face straight-on. Tilt your head left and right and look at the beard from different angles. This wider perspective helps you spot imbalances that are hard to see when you're focusing on one small area.

Use Natural Facial Features as Reference Points

Your ears, cheekbones, and jawline are built-in guides. Ensure your fade line begins at the same point relative to your earlobe, or that the highest point of your fade is in line with the top of your cheekbone on both sides.

Work Back and Forth

Don't complete one side and then start the other. Instead, trim a small amount on the left side, then trim the same amount on the right side. This back-and-forth approach helps you maintain symmetry as you go, rather than trying to fix an imbalance at the end.

If I Accidentally Create a Line or an Uneven Spot, Can I Fix It?

Yes, you can almost always fix an accidental line or an uneven spot, but the solution usually involves going shorter or adjusting your beard's style. Here’s how:

The "Go Shorter" Method

This is the most common and effective fix. If you've created a line or a patch that is too short, you have to match the rest of your beard to that new, shorter length.

Lower the Guard: Identify the shortest part of your mistake. Switch your trimmer to a guard that is one or two sizes shorter than your current length.
Match and Blend: Trim the area around the mistake to blend it in. Then, use that shorter guard to carefully trim the rest of the corresponding side of your beard to match.
Symmetry Check: Once one side is done, trim the other side to the same new, shorter length. It’s always better to have a slightly shorter but symmetrical beard than an uneven one.

The "Redesign" Method

If the mistake is a very clear line, you can sometimes use it as a starting point for a different style.

Embrace a New Fade: If you accidentally pushed your fade line too high on one side, you can simply do a higher fade on the other side to match it. A high fade is a bold look that can be a great way to recover from an error.
Change the Beard Shape: If you cut a line into a section of your beard, you might be able to incorporate it into a new style. For example, a line cut on the jawline could be used to create a sharper, more defined "boxed" look.

For minor, less noticeable mistakes, the best solution is often to simply stop and wait. Beard hair grows relatively quickly. Give it a week or two, and the area will likely fill in enough for you to correct it without a drastic trim.

The Last Cut on Beard Fades

Learning to fade your beard from home can be difficult at first, but I can promise you it gets much easier with time. I truly hope these tips help give you the confidence to give it a shot yourself. If you have any questions or have any specific questions we can answer for you, don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime!

Live Bearded, Brother!