Taper fade
or skin fade?
The short answer: a taper fade stops at short hair, a skin fade goes down to bare skin. Here’s what that means for upkeep, style and which one to ask for.
Book direct: Isleworth Brentford Whitton Teddington
The actual
difference.
A taper fade grades hair down to a short length at the sides and back and stops there. It never reaches skin. A skin fade keeps grading until it’s bare, then blends up into the length on top. That’s the whole distinction: a taper is short-to-shorter, a skin fade is short-to-nothing. Everything else, the top styling, the part, the texture, sits independently of either fade and can be combined with both.
Side by side,
point by point.
If you only read one section, make it this one.
| Point of comparison | Taper fade | Skin fade |
|---|---|---|
| Where it ends | A short length, usually a number 1 or 2 guard, so there is always some hair left | Bare skin, taken down with a foil or an open blade |
| How it looks | Soft, natural, easy to wear to the office | Sharp, high contrast, the cleanest line against the top |
| How often you’re back | Every three to four weeks | Every two to three weeks, to keep the bare section clean |
| How it grows out | Gently, with no hard line | Fuzzes up fast, and you notice it sooner |
| Height options | Low, mid or high | Low, mid or high |
| Price at Crew | £20 at every shop | £20 at every shop |
The height changes the look as much as the fade type does. See the taper fade guide and the skin fade guide. You are paying for the barber’s time, not the cut name.
Does a taper count
as a skin fade?
Usually no, but the names overlap and that causes the confusion. A taper fade keeps hair at the shortest point. A skin fade removes it. The grey area is a "skin taper" or "tapered skin fade", where the hair is faded to skin only at the very bottom, around the neckline and sideburns, and left longer above. If you’re asking for that, say so, because it sits between the two. Another term you’ll hear is "bald fade", which is just another name for a skin fade.
Some skin fades are finished with a foil shaver to take the last of the stubble off. That’s a finish on a skin fade, not a different fade, and it’s the sharpest version you can get.
See them
in the chair.
Which one
suits you.
Pick a taper if
You want something that still looks tidy three or four weeks in, work somewhere conservative, or you’d rather come in every month than every fortnight. Same price as a skin fade, just less upkeep.
Pick a skin fade if
You want maximum contrast against the top, you’re happy topping up every two to three weeks, or you’re pairing it with a shorter, textured crop.
Not sure? Ask
Tell your barber your job, how often you can realistically get back in the chair, and what you had last time. They’ll steer you to the right one.
Common
questions.
Is a taper fade cheaper than a skin fade at Crew?
No, both are £20. The price is the same, so the choice comes down to look and how often you want to come back in.
Which lasts longer between cuts?
A taper usually holds its shape a little longer than a high skin fade, since there’s no bare-skin line to grow back in. Against a low or mid skin fade, the two are close, around four weeks either way.
Can I get a taper fade with a beard trim?
Yes. Book the fade (£20) and a beard trim (£13) together as one slot on Booksy.
Which is better for curly hair?
Both work with curly hair. A taper tends to sit a little softer against curls, while a skin fade gives a sharper frame.
What is the difference between a taper fade and a skin fade?
A taper fade grades down to a short length and stops, so some hair always remains. A skin fade keeps going to bare skin. The top can be styled the same way with either.
Does a taper fade count as a skin fade?
No. A taper leaves short hair at its shortest point, a skin fade removes it. A "skin taper" or "tapered skin fade" is in between, going to skin only at the neckline and sideburns.
Is a bald fade the same as a skin fade?
Yes, they are two names for the same thing: hair faded down to bare skin.
What about a foil fade?
A foil fade is a skin fade finished with a foil shaver for the smoothest, closest result. It is a finish, not a separate haircut.
Is a crew cut a taper or a skin fade?
A crew cut is short on top and tapered at the sides and back, so it is closer to a taper. It can be done with a skin fade at the sides if you want it sharper.
Should my beard blend into a taper or a skin fade?
Either. A beard blends into the fade at the sideburns. A skin fade gives the sharpest beard blend, and a taper looks more natural. Book a fade (£20) and beard trim (£13) together, and read the beard trim guide.
Book a taper or skin fade.
Both £20, at every Crew shop.
Book direct: Isleworth Brentford Whitton Teddington