Today, I will explain why the fade has officially kicked the bucket. I’m also going to go over some super sexy, fresh styles to try that are lower maintenance and look amazing.
Why the fade is OUT!
- Oversaturation. For about 10 years, everybody got some faded hairstyle, whether super short, bald, or a bit longer. It was the popular style that required more product and effort to style, which guys started to realize was annoying.
- High maintenance. For a tight fade to look good, you must freshen it up every 2 to 3 weeks, or it will grow out and look terrible. Guys also started to realize this was annoying and expensive.
- Products. Guys are opting for lower-maintenance screaming routines now. They don’t want to fuss around with a bunch of products. They want to be able to style it, put a product in, and have effortless style.
- Classic styles. We’re seeing a return to classic styles that were popular anywhere from 20 to 50 years ago. Trends are cyclical, and the mullet is a perfect example.
- Textures. Guys are embracing their natural textures. Instead of trying to straighten curly hair, they are embracing the texture.
- Grooming trends. Casual, sexy aesthetic grooming trends are shifting currently. Men are gravitating towards an unintentional look, wanting to look good but not looking like they spent much time doing it.
The best casual, one-product hairstyles
If you want a casual hairstyle that doesn’t look full of product, check out Pete & Pedro Texture Powder. Sprinkle a little in your hair, then style it any way you want. You don’t need wet hair, either. Texture Powder provides a bit of a hold with a matte finish, and it’s absolute perfection. The key to these styles is natural playfulness and a casual look that doesn’t look like you put too much time into it.
- Messy Fringe. This style features bangs coming down casually. The key is having texture on top with layers. Opt for a stylist rather than a barber who uses razors or thinning shears to create different layers.
- Modern Mullet. This style comes in many different shapes and styles, from super tight on the sides and short on top to everything in between. One thing I love so much about the mullet is that you can do it yourself because you don’t need a mirror to get the reverse action on the back of your hair. Easily tighten the sides with beard grooming tools or a hair-cutting set. This style doesn’t need to be perfect, which fades need to be, and I’ve seen some terrible fades. Make it tight on the sides with a mullet that has a bit of fading. Combine it with a beard, soul patch, or mustache, and you’re killing it.
- The Wolf. This style is new and sexy — think mullet with layers that grew out. It’s longer on all sides and back, casually draping your face. Texture and a proper haircut are necessary because straight hair all one length will look lifeless. Levels and layers are needed to give the style volume.
- The Flow. This style is a bit longer but not as long as the Wolf in the back. It’s a casual, elegant, youthful, and old-money style that is medium-length, casually pushed back, and draping.
- Classic Side Part. This style comes in a lot of variations. In the old days, you would see a hard part with a skin fade that was the ultimate of maintenance (aka a pain in the ass). It’s now casual with a side part that’s not as tight and a bit longer, so you can go three to four weeks between cuts. Also, grab your beard grooming tool or scissors to edge around your ears to keep the haircut looking good for longer.
- French Crop. You’ll often see this style with very tight faded sides, but here I am talking about a style that’s grown a little bit more and is not as tight on the sides. It’s more casual and almost natural-looking; that’s all about texture, making sure you have movement, and ensuring your hair is not crunchy or stiff. Do not look like you have a helmet-head!
- Slickback. This is an incredibly versatile style that you can dress up or elevate. If you’re in a professional environment or going to a black-tie affair, you can push your hair back off your face and hold it in place with a high-hold, low-shine product like Pete & Pedro Putty or a higher-hold, high-shine (wet-look) product like Pete & Pedro GELous. The slickback style is a versatile style that looks amazing, casual, playful, and badass.
