Barber Tips & Tricks
Follow us for the latest barber techniques and tips
Barber Tips & Tricks
Follow us for the latest barber techniques and tips
Top 7 Reasons Why Your Clients
Aren't Returning
Stay Ahead in the Barbering Game: Nurturing
Lifelong Clientele
You might have come across the saying “give a client a good cut at a reasonable price, and they'll be yours for life.” Unfortunately in reality this is not always the case. That’s where we come in! Check out some of the reasons why your clients may not be returning, whether they were long-term customers or a first-time appointment, below.
Top 7 Reasons Why Your Clients
Aren't Returning
Stay Ahead in the Barbering Game: Nurturing
Lifelong Clientele
You might have come across the saying “give a client a good cut at a reasonable price, and they'll be yours for life.” Unfortunately in reality this is not always the case. That’s where we come in! Check out some of the reasons why your clients may not be returning, whether they were long-term customers or a first-time appointment, below.
Career in Mobile Barbering: Key
Things You Need to Know about
While most barbers work in physical barbershops or hair salons, there are a growing number of barbers who work on-call. What does it mean to be a mobile barber? What are their primary responsibilities? Where to find them? In this blog, we will explain some key terms you should know about mobile barbering and how you can start a new career in it.
Career in Mobile Barbering: Key
Things You Need to Know about
While most barbers work in physical barbershops or hair salons, there are a growing number of barbers who work on-call. What does it mean to be a mobile barber? What are their primary responsibilities? Where to find them? In this blog, we will explain some key terms you should know about mobile barbering and how you can start a new career in it.
Top 4 Ways for Barbers to
Promote Themselves
Marketing is key. Knowing how to market yourself as a barber can be the difference between having 5 to 20 clients a day. If you are interested in boosting the number of your customers and furthering your advertising skills, read the list below with four ways to promote yourself as a barber.
Top 4 Ways for Barbers to
Promote Themselves
Marketing is key. Knowing how to market yourself as a barber can be the difference between having 5 to 20 clients a day. If you are interested in boosting the number of your customers and furthering your advertising skills, read the list below with four ways to promote yourself as a barber.
5 Tips for Social Media Content
Creating as a Barber
It is next to impossible to find someone who is not on social media today. More than just a tool for connection, social media is key helping barbers market themselves and promote their names and skills. If you want to up your barber game quickly, here are five tips on how to promote content online that you don't want to miss out on.
5 Tips for Social Media Content
Creating as a Barber
It is next to impossible to find someone who is not on social media today. More than just a tool for connection, social media is key helping barbers market themselves and promote their names and skills. If you want to up your barber game quickly, here are five tips on how to promote content online that you don't want to miss out on.
5 Best Haircuts for Men with
Early Hair Thinning
Losing your hair is never a good feeling, most men tend to feel self-conscious about it. Some men decide to completely shave off their heads or constantly wear a hat. One of the most common insecurities men face is hair thinning; for some men, it starts as early as in their 20s. The loss of confidence really starts to affect the way men do their hair and the types of hair cuts they get. Men start to worry about how they will be perceived by friends, family, and colleagues. Hair thinning should not be the cause of self distraughtness, and it should not limit men to have to continuously cover their heads. CADMEN Barbershop has compiled a list of the top 5 best haircuts for men experiencing early hair loss.
The High Top Fade: History, Execution, and Modern Versions
The High Top Fade: History, Execution, and Modern Versions
The high top fade is one of the most technically demanding haircuts in barbering and one of the most iconic styles in the history of Black men's haircuts. It originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s, defined an era, faded from mainstream popularity, and has returned in updated forms in recent years.
What Defines a High Top Fade
Three elements are required: a flat, squared top section; a high skin fade on the sides; and significant height in the top section.
The flat top means the hair on the top of the head is cut to create a flat, horizontal plane. When viewed from the front or side, the top appears as a flat shelf sitting above the faded sides. This requires either very dense natural growth or significant product to maintain the shape.
The height of the top section is what gives the style its name. The hair grows upward to a height of 2 to 4 inches or more before being cut flat. This contrasts dramatically with the skin fade on the sides.
The skin fade on the sides starts high, often at or above the temples, and fades to skin. This maximizes the visual contrast between the bare sides and the towering flat top.
Who It Suits
The high top fade was developed specifically for coiled and tightly curled hair. Natural coiled hair grows upward with enough natural structure to hold the flat top shape. This is why the style originated in Black barbering culture. The hair type itself provides the structure the style needs.
Straight and wavy hair lacks the natural upward growth pattern to hold a flat top without significant product and structural support. While technically possible with heavy products, the style is most naturally suited to coiled hair.
Execution
The barber uses a comb and clippers or scissors to establish the flat top plane. A pick comb lifts the hair straight upward. The clippers or scissors cut the upward-lifted hair flat across the top. This requires working in small sections and checking the plane regularly from the front and sides to ensure the flat surface is level.
The sides are then faded from the top line down to skin, typically a high skin fade that starts at or near the top section boundary.
Maintenance is more demanding than most cuts. The flat top needs refreshing every 2 to 3 weeks as the hair grows and the precise flat plane softens.
Modern Variations
The contemporary high top fade is often lower in height than the classic 1990s version. A 2-inch flat top reads as a modern high top. The original versions often reached 3 to 4 inches or more.
Tapered high tops soften the sharp edge between the flat top and the sides rather than maintaining a hard 90-degree corner. The overall shape is softer and less architectural.
The box fade is a related style that adds a squared or rounded box shape to the top section with skin-faded sides. It is related to the high top fade but emphasizes the box shape over the maximum height.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone get a high top fade?
The style is achievable with most hair types, but it is most naturally suited to coiled or tightly curled hair. Straight hair requires product to build the structure the top section needs. A barber experienced with the style can assess whether your hair type will hold it effectively.
How long does the top need to be to start a high top fade?
At least 2 to 2.5 inches of growth for a modest high top. More height requires more length. Some men grow the top section for 4 to 6 months before attempting a high top.
What is the difference between a high top fade and a box fade?
The high top fade prioritizes vertical height. The box fade prioritizes a squared or boxed shape. A high top will often have greater height and a flatter, more precisely leveled top surface. A box fade may have a more pronounced squared perimeter. The two terms overlap significantly in contemporary usage.
How do I maintain a high top fade at home?
A pick comb lifts and maintains the top section between barbershop visits. Light product helps hold the shape. The flat plane requires barber maintenance every 2 to 3 weeks to keep the top level and the fade sharp.
Is the high top fade appropriate for professional settings?
This depends entirely on the industry and specific workplace. Creative industries, entertainment, and tech environments typically have no issue with bold hairstyles. A well-maintained, clean high top fade in a modest height looks intentional and styled rather than unkempt.
Related Reading From CADMEN Barber Academy
- The High Top Fade: How It Works and What It Requires
- How to Do a High Top Fade: Building the Flat Box and Clean Fade Foundation
- The High Top Fade: A Guide to the Classic Structure
- High Top Fade for Men: What It Is and How to Wear It
- High Fade for Men: What It Is and How It Changes the Look
- The Top 5 Most Important Tools to Have in Your Barber Beginner Kit
5 Best Haircuts for Men with
Early Hair Thinning
Losing your hair is never a good feeling, most men tend to feel self-conscious about it. Some men decide to completely shave off their heads or constantly wear a hat. One of the most common insecurities men face is hair thinning; for some men, it starts as early as in their 20s. The loss of confidence really starts to affect the way men do their hair and the types of hair cuts they get. Men start to worry about how they will be perceived by friends, family, and colleagues. Hair thinning should not be the cause of self distraughtness, and it should not limit men to have to continuously cover their heads. CADMEN Barbershop has compiled a list of the top 5 best haircuts for men experiencing early hair loss.
For any request, please contact us at info@cadmen.ca