What is a drop fade, and what do I ask the barber for?
A drop fade is a fade whose line curves down behind the ear instead of running level around the head. Ask for it by name, say how high the fade should start and how short it should go, and say how much to leave on top. The details vary between barbers, so a photo helps.
Try a drop fade on your own photo — free
What to check
- How high the fade starts: low, mid or high.
- How short it goes at the bottom: a guard number, or skin.
- Where the curve sits behind the ear.
- Top length and texture, and whether you want a part or a hard line.
- Neckline: tapered, rounded or squared.
What the card lists
The FitMyFace drop fade lists a top of about 5 cm, point-cut for texture, a mid fade at the sides from #1 (3 mm) to #3 (10 mm), a low fade at the back in the same range, a tapered neckline, short sideburns and a typical guide of a haircut every 2 to 3 weeks. The catalog says a stylist can usually cut it on straight, wavy, curly and coily hair. These are suggested starting points, not reviewed by a barber.
Words your barber will use
A fade blends the sides down to very short hair or skin; a taper shortens only the edges. If those terms are new, read fade vs taper, and see clipper guard numbers for what each number means in millimetres.
How to compare on your photo
Use a clear front-facing photo in even light. Try two or three options on the same photo and look at the outline, the length and how much styling each seems to need, then save the ones you like. The preview is an illustration on your photo, so treat it as a starting point for a conversation with your stylist or barber, not a promise of the result.
FitMyFace hair previews are approximations, not predictions of how your hair will fall, curl or grow. Ordinary try-ons perform face analysis on-device. The optional AI previews send a 500 px square of your photo to our AI (Cloudflare) and it is deleted right after; it is never stored. Your consent is the one "I agree" on the scan screen, and a switch on the results turns the AI off. For adults 18 and over. Not available in Illinois.
Questions
Is a drop fade harder to keep up than a regular fade?
The shape is similar, but crisp lines show growth quickly, so many people book every two to three weeks.