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A well-faded beard is like a work of art—it’s a seamless blend of length and texture that draws the eye and makes you look sharp.
- Start with a clean, dry beard.
- Use a beard trimmer with a guard to trim the sides and back of your beard to your desired length.
- Use a razor to create a fade by gradually decreasing the length of the hair as you move up your head.
- Blend the edges of the fade by using a small brush to apply a small amount of beard oil or balm.
- Style your beard with a comb or brush.
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Get the right trimmer with adjustable clippers or plastic guard combs
- Buzz down the overall length gradually using longer guards and making multiple passes
- Define the neckline in a U-shape and taper the sideburns
- Use different guard lengths to fade the sides and cheeks for a seamless blend
Get the Right Trimmer
What’s the best trimmer for fading your beard?
A good beard trimmer with adjustable clipper or plastic guard combs will allow you to achieve a sharp, defined beard line. Look for a trimmer with a variety of length settings so you can create a gradual fade from your longer beard to your shorter neckline.
Start by trimming your beard to your desired overall length. Use a plastic guard at the desired length, adjusting as needed.
Define the neckline in a U-shape that runs to the backside of your ears. Use a dedicated outlining trimmer like Andis cordless T-blade outliner for a clean, sharp line.
Buzz Down the Overall Length
Start by trimming your beard to your preferred overall length. This step is crucial in achieving the desired fade for your beard.
Here are four tips to help you buzz down the overall length effectively:
- Use the shortest guard: When starting, use the shortest guard on your trimmer to create a short stubble look.
- Start with longest guard: Gradually work towards shorter lengths by using longer guards first and making multiple passes until you reach your desired length.
- Fade neckline: Pay attention to fading the neckline as well by using one guard down from your overall beard length and gently cutting along the line between hair and skin.
- Taper sideburns: For a more seamless transition, start tapering at about mid-level of each ear, flicking upward slightly above where you started with each lower-guard setting.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to achieve a sharp and defined fade that enhances both style and grooming of your beard.
Define the Neckline
Now that you’ve buzzed down the overall length of your beard, it’s time to move on to the next step: defining the neckline. This is an important part of achieving a sharp and defined beard line. The neckline refers to the bottom edge of your beard, where it meets your neck.
To define your neckline, you’ll need some specific tools and techniques. First, use a dedicated outlining trimmer or clipper with a T-blade for precision. Visualize an imaginary line that hits a point directly above your Adam’s apple – this will be where you start shaping your neckline.
Begin by creating a U-like shape from one sideburn area to the other sideburn area at about ear level or slightly lower towards the backside of each ear. Take care not to cut too high up on your neck as this can create an unnatural look.
As you’re trimming along these lines, consider using different techniques like scooping motions or even utilizing the flat metal head of clippers for softer transitions between hair and skin.
Defining Your Neckline:
- Use dedicated outlining trimmers.
- Visualize an imaginary line hitting above Adam’s apple.
- Create U-shaped curve around ears.
- Avoid cutting too high up on neck for natural look
Make the Grade
To create a subtle fade, choose a guard one size down from your beard length and trim upward into your beard roughly an inch at the shorter length. This technique will help you achieve a smooth transition between lengths and create a well-blended look.
Start by trimming the neckline with the desired guard length, gradually tapering it upwards towards your jawline.
Then, focus on fading the sides of your beard by starting from the middle of each ear and working upwards, using different guard lengths to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your facial hair.
Finally, fade your cheeks by following the natural direction of hair growth for a subtle gradient effect.
Remember to take it slow and make precise adjustments as needed while maintaining proper grooming habits like using beard oil or balm to keep it healthy-looking throughout this process.
Maintain Your Fade
To maintain your fade, trim your beard and fade it every two days to keep it fresh.
Here are some tips to help you maintain your fade:
- Use beard oil to keep your beard moisturized and healthy.
- Avoid harsh chemicals, such as shampoos and conditioners, that can dry out your beard.
- Use a boar bristle brush to help exfoliate your skin and promote beard growth.
- Experiment with different lengths and styles to find the one that looks best on you.
Why Fade Your Beard?
By fading your beard, you can give it a little something extra, making it look more stylish and groomed. A fade can also help to define your neckline and beard shape, and it can flatter your face shape.
Here are some of the reasons why you might want to fade your beard:
- To give your beard a little something extra
- A fade can make your beard look more stylish and groomed.
- A fade can help to create a sharp, defined neckline and beard shape.
- A fade can help to balance your face shape and accentuate your features.
- A fade can give you the freedom to experiment with different beard styles.
Top 7 Beard Trimmers
To fade your beard, you’ll need a beard trimmer with adjustable length combs.
Here are 7 of the best beard trimmers on the market, along with their pros and cons.
1. Series Mgk3060
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The Braun MGK5280 is a versatile men’s grooming kit that includes a variety of attachments for trimming, styling, and shaving.
- Versatile: The kit includes 4 combs covering 13 precision length settings from 0.5-21mm, a detail trimmer and ear & nose trimmer attachments
- Easy to use: The trimmer is easy to use, even for beginners.
- Washable: The trimmer is fully washable for easy cleaning under running water.
- Pricey: The kit is a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for the quality and versatility.
- Guard is tricky to adjust: The guard on the trimmer can be tricky to adjust, and it takes more than one pass to trim long beards.
- Doesn’t come with a charger: The trimmer doesn’t come with a charger, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.
2. Gillette Styler Beard Trimmer
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The Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000 is a waterproof, 3-in-1 electric trimmer that trims, shaves, and edges with precision.
- Trims evenly, shaves closely, and edges precisely
- Works with any Gillette 5-blade razor refill
- Battery life is great
- Some users reported that the plastic combs are brittle
- The product is a bit expensive
3. Co2CREA Hard Case for Philips Norelco Multigroom
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If you have a Philips Norelco multigroomer trimmer, the co2CREA hard case is a great way to protect it from bumps, dents, and scratches. It’s also shockproof, dustproof, and water resistant, so you can be sure your trimmer will be safe no matter where you take it.
- Shockproof, dustproof, and water resistant
- Perfect fit for Philips Norelco multigroomer trimmer series 3000/5000/7000
- Has more space to accommodate the beard shaver cordless hair trimmer charger and more beard clippers mens grooming kit accessories
- Soft anti static lining can protect your beard trimmer from bumps dents and scratches
- Has a hand strap, so that the Philips Norelco multigroom 7000 mustache trimmer for men electric trimmer for men men grooming kit will easy to carry
- For sale is CASE ONLY! (Philips trimmer shaving machine and beard trimming kit accessories aren’t included)
4. Bevel Beard Trimmer
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The Bevel Beard Trimmer is a sleek, cordless trimmer that’s perfect for beards, mustaches, and body hair. It features a tool-free adjustable zero gapped blade and is designed with the expertise of professional barbers in mind.
- Ideal for beards, mustaches, and body hair
- Get the best cut by adjusting the Bevel Blade to your liking
- Durable and long-lasting
- May be a bit heavy and awkward to hold for some people
- Some kind of comb attachments would be nice to make it more versatile
5. Apsley Fine and Wide Tooth Comb
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For a pocket-sized comb that won’t pull or snag your hair, try the Apsley Fine and Wide Tooth Comb. It’s made from cellulose acetate, a non-petroleum based plastic, and has hand polished and rounded teeth.
- Pocket-sized
- Won’t pull or snag hair
- Made from high-quality materials
- May be pricey for some
- Not suitable for children
6. Beard Brush Stiff Bristles Boar Bristles
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The 100% natural boar bristle beard brush is made in Germany and designed to:
- Exfoliate skin
- Promote growth
- Help remedy beard itch
- Straighten and soften beards naturally
- Ideal for men with short to medium length beards
- Exfoliates skin
- Promotes growth
- Helps remedy beard itch
- Straightens and softens beards naturally
- Ideal for men with short to medium length beards
- Some reviewers found the bristles to be too stiff
- May not be suitable for longer beards
- Small size is easy for travel
7. Andis Slimline Pro Li Cordless Trimmer Clipper
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The Andis Slimline Pro Li Cordless Trimmer Clipper is a cordless, lightweight, and comfortable-to-grip trimmer that’s good for trimming beards. It has a battery life of up to 2 hours, 6,000 cutting strokes per minute, and includes 4 guide combs and a charging stand.
- Cordless
- Lightweight
- Comfortable grip
- Battery lasts up to 2 hours
- 6,000 cutting strokes per minute
- Includes 4 guide combs and charging stand
- Some users reported that the trimmer wasn’t sharp out of the box
- Some users reported that the trimmer died after a few months of use
- Some users reported that the product arrived with hairs on the blade
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a fade and a taper?
A fade is a gradual transition from a longer to shorter length of hair, while a taper is a more abrupt transition.
How do I fade my beard if I have a long beard?
You can fade your long beard by using a beard trimmer with adjustable length combs.
Start with the longest comb setting and work your way down to the shortest setting, blending the lengths together as you go.
How do I fade my beard if I have a receding hairline?
If you have a receding hairline, you can still fade your beard by following these steps:
- Define your neckline.
- Use a beard trimmer to create a gradual fade from your beard to your hairline.
- Blend the edges of your beard with a beard brush or comb.
How do I fade my beard if I have a round face?
If you have a round face, you can create a more angular look by fading your beard.
To do this, start by trimming your beard to your desired length.
Then, use a beard trimmer with a guard to create a gradual transition from the longest part of your beard to the shortest part.
Finally, use a comb to brush your beard in the direction of growth and style it as desired.
How do I fade my beard if I have a square face?
To fade your beard for a square face, start with a long beard and fade it down to a shorter length on the sides and bottom.
Use a comb to create a natural-looking fade.
Conclusion
With a well-faded beard, you’ll look sharp and put-together. So follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to a fade that will turn heads.
- Start with a clean shave.
- Use a beard trimmer to create a basic shape for your beard.
- Use a razor to create a clean fade along the hairline and neck.
- Blend the edges of the fade using a small brush and some beard oil.
- Apply a styling product to keep your beard looking its best.
