Haircut Styles We Teach and Offer
At South Hill Barber Academy, students learn classic and modern haircut techniques through hands-on practice under instructor supervision.
This guide explains common haircut styles so clients can better understand what to ask for before sitting in the barber chair.
Fade Haircuts
Low Fade
A low fade starts fading close to the bottom of the head, usually around the ears and neckline. It gives a clean look without making the haircut too bold.
Best for: Professional looks, kids, and clients who want a clean but conservative style.
Maintenance: Medium. Usually looks best with a cleanup every 2 to 3 weeks.
Ask for: “A low fade, not too high, blended clean around the ears and neckline.”
Mid Fade
A mid fade starts around the middle of the sides. It gives more contrast than a low fade but is not as extreme as a high fade.
Best for: Modern styles, most face shapes, and clients who want a balanced fade.
Maintenance: Medium.
Ask for: “A mid fade with a smooth blend into the top.”
High Fade
A high fade starts higher on the sides, usually near the temple area. It creates a sharper, bolder look and makes the top hair stand out more.
Best for: Bold modern styles, short haircuts, and clean military-style looks.
Maintenance: High. The fade grows out quickly.
Ask for: “A high fade with strong contrast on the sides.”
Skin Fade
A skin fade fades the hair all the way down to the skin. It can be low, mid, or high depending on where the fade begins.
Best for: Very clean, sharp, modern looks.
Maintenance: High. It may need a touch-up every 1 to 2 weeks.
Ask for: “A skin fade blended smoothly into the top.”
Drop Fade
A drop fade curves down behind the ear instead of staying straight around the head. It follows the natural shape of the head.
Best for: Textured tops, curly hair, and clients who want a stylish detailed fade.
Maintenance: Medium to high.
Ask for: “A drop fade that curves naturally behind the ear.”
Taper Fade
A taper fade only fades the sideburns and neckline area while leaving more hair on the sides compared to a full fade.
Best for: Professional clients, students, and people who want a natural clean haircut.
Maintenance: Low to medium.
Ask for: “A taper on the sideburns and neckline, keeping the sides natural.”
Low Taper Fade
A low taper fade keeps most of the sides natural while softly fading the sideburns and the lowest part of the neckline. It gives a clean finish without changing the overall shape too much.
Best for: Conservative styles, professional looks, kids, and clients who want a subtle cleanup.
Maintenance: Low to medium. It grows out more naturally than a full fade.
Ask for: “A low taper fade around the sideburns and neckline, keeping the sides full.”
Mid Taper Fade
A mid taper fade starts a little higher around the temple and neckline than a low taper. It gives more visible contrast while still keeping the haircut natural on the sides.
Best for: Balanced modern styles, textured tops, curly hair, and clients who want clean edges without a full side fade.
Maintenance: Medium. Usually looks best with a cleanup every 2 to 3 weeks.
Ask for: “A mid taper fade with a clean temple taper and neckline taper.”
High Taper Fade
A high taper fade brings the taper higher around the temple area and higher into the neckline while still leaving more hair on the side panel than a full high fade. It creates a sharper, cleaner outline.
Best for: Modern styles, longer tops, curls, waves, and clients who want a sharp look without fading the whole side.
Maintenance: Medium to high. The temple and neckline areas grow out quickly.
Ask for: “A high taper fade on the temples and neckline, but keep the sides natural.”
Classic Haircuts
Regular Haircut
A regular haircut is a traditional men’s haircut with shorter sides and longer hair on top. It is simple, clean, and easy to manage.
Best for: Everyday wear, work, school, and clients who want a simple clean look.
Maintenance: Low.
Ask for: “A regular haircut, shorter on the sides and cleaned up around the neck.”
Crew Cut
A crew cut is short on top and even shorter on the sides. It is clean, simple, and easy to maintain.
Best for: Active clients, kids, and people who do not want much styling.
Maintenance: Low.
Ask for: “A crew cut, short and clean, but not completely buzzed.”
Buzz Cut
A buzz cut is a very short, clean haircut clipped close to the scalp, usually with an even length on top, sides, and back. It gives a sharp, simple, low-maintenance look and works well for clients who want a neat style without daily styling.
Best for: Clients who want a clean, masculine, easy-to-maintain haircut, active lifestyles, military-inspired looks, and people who prefer very short hair.
Maintenance: Low. Usually needs a cleanup every 2 to 3 weeks to keep the length even and the edges sharp.
Ask for: “A short buzz cut with an even length all around, clean edges, and a natural taper around the neckline and sideburns.”
Modern Haircuts
Textured Crop
A textured crop has short-to-medium hair on top with choppy texture. The fringe may sit forward toward the forehead.
Best for: Thick hair, straight hair, younger clients, and modern styles.
Maintenance: Medium. Product may help show texture.
Ask for: “A textured crop with a natural messy top.”
Slick Back
A slick back keeps the top longer and styled backward. The sides can be tapered, faded, or scissor-cut.
Best for: Classic, professional, or stylish looks.
Maintenance: Medium to high. Product is usually needed.
Ask for: “A slick back with enough length on top to comb back.”
Mohawk Fade
A mohawk fade keeps longer, textured hair through the center of the head while the sides are faded smoothly down to the skin. It creates a bold, modern shape with strong contrast and movement from the front to the back.
Best for: Curly or textured hair, bold modern styles, and clients who want the center section to stand out.
Maintenance: Medium to high. The fade usually looks best with a cleanup every 1 to 2 weeks, while the center may need regular shaping.
Ask for: “A textured mohawk with a high skin fade on the sides, keeping the center longer from the front through the back.”
Burst Fade
A burst fade fades around the ear in a circular shape. It is often used with mohawks, faux hawks, or curly hairstyles.
Best for: Trendy styles, curly hair, and sharper designs.
Maintenance: High.
Ask for: “A burst fade around the ear with a clean blend.”
Kids Haircuts
Basic Kids Cut
A basic kids cut is a simple, clean haircut that is easy to maintain. It can be done with clippers, scissors, or both.
Best for: School, everyday wear, and younger children.
Maintenance: Low.
Ask for: “A simple kids cut, clean around the ears and neckline.”
Kids Fade
A kids fade is a smaller version of an adult fade. It gives a clean, modern style while still being appropriate for school.
Best for: Kids who want a stylish but neat haircut.
Maintenance: Medium.
Ask for: “A kids fade, clean but not too high.”
Facial Hair Services
Beard Trim
A beard trim shapes the beard and removes uneven length. It helps the beard look cleaner and more controlled.
Best for: Clients with medium or long beards.
Maintenance: Medium.
Ask for: “A beard trim to clean the shape and remove extra length.”
Goatee Trim
A goatee trim shapes the hair around the chin and mustache area. It keeps the goatee balanced and clean.
Best for: Clients who wear goatees or partial facial hair.
Maintenance: Medium.
Ask for: “Clean up and shape my goatee.”
Mustache Trim
A mustache trim removes extra length and shapes the mustache around the lip line.
Best for: Clients with mustaches who want a clean appearance.
Maintenance: Medium.
Ask for: “Trim my mustache so it looks clean around the lip.”
