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15 guides

Burst Fade Guides: Styles, Hair Types and Comparisons

A burst fade curves around the ear, leaving the back as a separate part of the haircut to discuss with your barber. Start with the main burst fade guide to understand that outline, then choose a guide for your hair texture or the shape you want on top.

This collection brings together the mullet, mohawk, Edgar, fringe and beard combinations, along with low, mid and high placement examples. The comparison guides help you decide whether a burst, drop or taper gives you the outline you had in mind.

Guides in this section

15 articles
ComparisonDrop fade vs burst fade — a drop fade curving down behind the ear and across a faded nape beside a burst fade arcing around the ear with the back left long.

Drop Fade vs Burst Fade: Key Differences & Which to Get

A drop fade curves down behind the ear and fades across the nape, while a burst fade arcs around the ear and keeps the back long. How to tell them apart in photos, which suits your hair type, hairstyle and head shape, low, mid, high and skin versions, the five-point barber request, and upkeep.

15 min read
ComparisonBurst fade vs taper fade — a curved arc radiating around the ear next to a taper fade blended at the sideburns and neckline with the side panel left alone.

Burst Fade vs Taper Fade: Differences, Maintenance & What to Ask For

A burst fade curves around the ear while a taper fade stays at the sideburns and neckline. The real differences, which hair types suit each, and what to ask your barber.

12 min read
Burst FadeBurst fade for boys — the fade curves in an arc around the ear while the back of the head stays longer than a standard fade.

Burst Fade for Boys: 15 Styles by Hair Type, Height & Upkeep

A burst fade for boys curves around the ear and leaves the back longer than a standard fade. 15 styles by hair type, low vs mid vs high, the six-detail barber script, and how often to touch it up.

10 min read
Burst FadeBurst fade with beard — a fade curving in a half-circle around the ear and carried down the sideburn into a trimmed beard.

Burst Fade with Beard: How to Cut, Blend & Keep It Sharp

A burst fade with beard curves around the ear and carries the same gradient through the sideburns into the beard, so hair and facial hair read as one shape. How to cut it, blend it, pick a height for your beard density and keep the join sharp.

14 min read
Burst FadeHigh burst fade — a rounded fade curving around the ear and carried high up the side while the top and back stay longer.

High Burst Fade: Styles, Barber Guide & How to Maintain It

A high burst fade curves around the ear and climbs high up the side, leaving the top and back free to stay long or short. How it compares with low, mid, drop, taper and high fades, five styles, the five-detail barber brief, upkeep and scalp care.

14 min read
Burst FadeMid burst fade — a rounded fade curving around the ear and climbing about halfway up the side while the top and back keep their length.

Mid Burst Fade: Styles, Comparisons & Barber Guide

A mid burst fade curves around the ear, climbs about halfway up the side and leaves length on top and at the back. How it compares with low, high, drop and taper fades, who it suits and how to brief your barber.

15 min read
Textured FringeBurst fade textured fringe — a rounded fade curving around the ear with longer top hair pushed forward into a separated, piecey fringe.

Burst Fade Textured Fringe: How to Ask, Style & Maintain

A curved fade around the ear under a piecey, forward fringe. Which variation to pick, who it suits, how it compares with a French crop and Edgar, the five-decision barber brief, styling and upkeep.

16 min read
Straight HairBurst fade for straight hair — the fade curving in a semicircle around the ear while straight hair keeps its length on top and at the back.

Burst Fade Straight Hair: 9 Styles, Barber Script & Care

Straight hair holds its outline, so every transition in a burst fade shows. Nine styles by effort, low vs mid vs high, skin vs shadow, the six-point barber script, styling and upkeep.

13 min read
Edgar HaircutBurst fade Edgar — a blunt, cropped Edgar fringe at the front with the fade curving in a semicircle around the ear.

Burst Fade Edgar: 5 Styles & What to Ask Your Barber

A burst fade Edgar pairs a blunt cropped fringe with a fade that arcs around each ear. Five styles, the burst-vs-taper-vs-drop comparison, the six details to agree, styling and upkeep.

12 min read
MohawkBurst fade mohawk — a center strip of longer hair with the sides faded in a half-circle arc around the ear.

Burst Fade Mohawk: Styles, Barber Tips & Maintenance

The burst fade mohawk keeps a strip down the center and curves the fade around each ear. Styles by texture, the barber brief, styling, touch-ups and grow-out.

13 min read
Black Men's CutsBurst fade for Black men — the fade curving in a half-circle around the ear while the top and back keep their natural length.

Burst Fade for Black Men: 15 Styles, Photos & Barber Tips

The arc curves around each ear and the back keeps its weight — which is why the burst works on coils, waves, twists, an Afro, locs and braids. 15 styles, the six-point barber script, bump-safe finishes and upkeep.

15 min read
Curly HairBurst fade curly hair — the fade curving in a rounded arc around the ear while defined curls keep their length on top.

Burst Fade Curly Hair: Styles by Curl Type & Photos

The arc curves around the ear and the finish is a separate call — which is why the burst fade works on waves, curls and coils. Styles by silhouette, low vs mid vs high, the six-point barber brief, styling and care.

14 min read
MulletBurst fade mullet — the fade curving in an arc around the ear while the crown and the back of the neck keep their length.

Burst Fade Mullet: Styles, Barber Guide & Maintenance

The burst curves around the ear so the back can stay long. What the cut is, the four settings that create every version, styles by texture, the five-point barber brief, styling, and the two-schedule upkeep.

14 min read
Burst FadeBurst fade haircut — the fade at its shortest directly behind the ear, radiating outward in a curved semicircle while the top and nape keep their length.

Burst Fade Haircut: Low, Mid & High Styles With Photos

Burst names a shape, not a length — an arc that radiates from behind the ear. What the cut is, who it suits, low vs mid vs high, five styles, how it differs from drop, taper and skin fades, the five-point barber brief, styling, and upkeep.

11 min read
Burst FadeTaper low burst fade haircut — a low taper on the sides with a curved burst arcing around the ear and a textured top.

Low Burst Fade With Taper: Styles, Photos & Barber Guide

What a taper low burst fade is, who it suits, the best styles to ask for, how to describe the curved fade at the chair, and how to keep it sharp between cuts.

7 min read
Keep browsing

Other sections of the blog

Taper Fade Basics

54 guides

Low Taper Fade

47 guides

Mid Taper Fade

24 guides

High Taper Fade

15 guides

Curly & Textured Hair

26 guides

Straight & Fine Hair

17 guides

Beards & Statement Cuts

26 guides

Drop Fades

12 guides

Fringe Haircuts

6 guides

Fades With Beards

6 guides

Haircut Comparisons

12 guides

Lengths & Styling

13 guides
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