Service · Penzance
Skin Fade — Penzance
Skin, low, mid, high, drop or burst — every fade we cut is built around your hair pattern, not a copy-paste template. Walk in seven days a week. From £20.
132 Google reviews · 4.7★ · On Market Jew Street since 2019
Six Fades, Cut to Suit Your Head
There is no single "skin fade." There are at least six common variants and the right one depends on your hair pattern, head shape and how you wear the hair on top. Below is the menu of fades we cut most often at Selo. If you are not sure which suits you, take a seat — we will talk it through before any clipper work starts.
Skin Fade — bald at the base, blended to length on top
The classic. The hair is taken down to skin at the base of the head and blended seamlessly up into longer hair on top. Sharpest, most modern look — and the hardest to cut well, because there is nowhere to hide a poor blend. Best on dense hair patterns.
Low Fade — fade starts just above the ear
The fade line begins just above the ear and around the bottom of the back of the head, leaving more length around the lower head than a skin fade. Good if you want a faded look without the boldness of a full skin fade — works particularly well with longer hair on top.
Mid Fade — fade starts at the temple
The fade line sits around the temples, midway up the side of the head. The most balanced of the fade options — works on almost every hair type and head shape.
High Fade — fade starts above the temples
A bolder, sharper look. The fade line sits high on the head, leaving only the top section with full length. Best if you want the haircut to make a clear visual statement.
Drop Fade — fade dips behind the ear
A variation where the fade line dips down behind the ear, framing the head shape and giving the cut a curved finish rather than a straight line. Suits round head shapes particularly well.
Burst Fade — fade radiates around the ear
The fade radiates outward from around the ear, "bursting" rather than running in a horizontal line. Popular with mohawk and curly-hair styles.
The Process, Start to Finish
Around 30 minutes in the chair for a standard fade — longer if the hair is being restyled significantly or the fade type is more involved (drop and burst fades take more setup work).
Step 1 — Consultation
Before any clippers come out, we talk through which fade type suits your hair pattern, head shape and the look you want on top. If you have a reference photo, bring it in — it helps.
Step 2 — Length on top
We cut the top section first, scissor or clipper depending on the look. The length on top determines where the fade line should sit, so it goes first.
Step 3 — Setting the guide line
Using a clipper at the chosen guard length, we set the bottom guide line of the fade — this is the "fade line" you can see in the photos. Where this sits on your head determines whether the fade reads as low, mid, high, drop or burst.
Step 4 — Blending up
Each clipper guard length builds the gradient up from the guide line. The blend is done in stages — clipper-over-comb, free-hand fading, and detail work with smaller clippers. This is the part of the cut that takes the time.
Step 5 — Skin work (skin fades only)
For a skin fade specifically, the very base of the cut is taken down to skin with a foil shaver or detail clipper, blended into the lowest clipper length so there is no visible step.
Step 6 — Detail and finish
Clean line-up at the front and around the ears, neck shave, cologne mist, and a good look with the mirror to check the blend from every angle.
Common Questions
How much is a skin fade?
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From £20. Same price for any fade type — skin, low, mid, high, drop or burst. Kids' skin fade (under 12) is from £16.
How long does a skin fade take?
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Around 30 minutes for a standard fade. Drop fades and burst fades can take 35-40 minutes because of the extra setup work.
How often should I get a skin fade re-cut?
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Most people come in every 2-3 weeks to keep the fade sharp. The grow-out on a skin fade is more visible than on a longer cut, so the re-cut interval is shorter than for a basic men's haircut.
Will a skin fade suit me?
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Most head shapes and hair types work with at least one fade variant. Take a seat and we will talk through which type suits you before any clippers come out — there is no charge for the consultation, and we are happy to recommend a different fade type than the one you came in for if it would suit you better.
Can you do a fade with longer hair on top?
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Yes — that is one of the most-asked combinations. Low fades and mid fades work particularly well with longer hair on top because the fade line frames the longer section.
Do I need to book?
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No — walk in any day. Saturdays around 1pm are our peak hour, so a weekday or Sunday morning is usually a quieter chair if you have flexibility.
Make It a Combo
A skin fade combines naturally with our other services:
- Cut & Beard Combo (£29): Skin fade plus a beard trim and hot towel finish — full top-to-chin in one sitting.
- Beard Trim & Shape (£13): Many of our fade customers add a beard trim. See beard services.
- Turkish Hot Towel Shave (£15): For the days you want a clean shave with the fade. See the hot towel shave page.
- Full Turkish Experience (£40): Cut, shave, threading and facial — the works in one chair.
Walk In For a Sharp Fade
92 Market Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2LG. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6:30pm, Sun 10am-4pm.