Temple Fade Haircuts Guide: 6 Modern Styles You Should Try

Clean, sharp, and endlessly versatile, a temple fade is the low-key detail that can completely transform a man’s haircut. Whether paired with a crop, an afro, a quiff or dreads—it elevates everything it touches.

Temple fades (also known as ‘temp fades’ or ‘Brooklyn fades’) have edged their way into barbershop royalty, and for good reason. They add structure to softer styles, edge to longer looks, and polish to nearly everything in between. It’s the kind of cut that tells the world you know exactly what you’re doing—even when you don’t.

So, what exactly is it?

What Is a Temple Fade?

A temple fade is a taper-style haircut where the hair gradually fades out around the temples and sideburns, sometimes dipping behind the ears. Unlike a high fade or skin fade that climbs up the sides of the head, the temple fade keeps things tight and precise, focusing its fade around the temples and neckline.

It’s a precise art—executed well, the fade transitions seamlessly from hair to skin, with an ultra-clean finish around the ears and sideburns. It can be paired with almost any haircut on top: waves, curls, pompadours, buzz cuts, and even longer textured styles.

In short, it’s the detail that makes a haircut look intentional.

Key Characteristics

• Tapered fade focused on the temples and sideburns
• Clean, tight edges with sharp outlines
• Works with both short and medium/long styles on top
• Adds contrast and structure to any cut

Who Does the Temple Fade Suit?

The great thing about the temple fade is that it’s democratic. It doesn’t care if your hair’s curly, unruly or straight, if your jawline could cut glass or cushion clouds. What matters is the execution—and a good barber.

Face Shapes

• Oval: Works with pretty much anything. Consider this your green light.
• Square: The sharp lines of a temple fade highlight that strong jaw.
• Round: The tight fade adds structure, creating a more angular silhouette.
• Diamond/Triangle: Keeps things balanced, especially with volume on top.

Hair Types

• Curly: Temple fades pair beautifully with volume and texture.
• Wavy: Great for contrast and movement.
• Straight: Keeps clean lines, especially with pompadours, crops or slick-backs.
• Afro-textured: The temple fade enhances shape and precision and is hugely popular in black hairstyles.

6 Temple Fade Haircuts to Try

The Natural Crop Temple Fade

Low effort, high impact. This temple fade keeps things natural on top with a tousled/messy texture, while the sides stay sharp and structured. It’s a modern take on the French crop—but with a fade that doesn’t scream for attention. Think subtle confidence, not corporate polish.

This style works especially well if your hair has a bit of wave or curl. The texture adds volume without needing constant styling, and the temple fade carves in just enough definition to keep things clean.

Best For

• Hair Type: Wavy, unruly, curly or thick, straight hair
• Face Shape: Oval, diamond or heart-shaped faces

How to ask your barber

“Keep the top natural with plenty of texture and enough length to mess it up a little. Then I’d like a temple fade that’s tight around the edges but not too high. Leave the fringe long enough to wear forward or pushed up.”

How To Style

Use matte clay or a sea salt spray to boost texture. Rough dry with fingers—not a brush—for a perfectly imperfect finish.

The Comb Over Temple Fade

The gentleman’s choice—with a modern upgrade. This temple fade is paired with a crisp side parting or comb-over to deliver timeless style with a sharp contemporary twist. The temple fade keeps things tight and tailored, giving the traditional silhouette a clean, modern taper at the edges.

Whether slicked down with product or left with a bit of natural wave, this one’s all about contrast: sleek up top, faded at the sides. Ideal for those who like a cut that works from the boardroom to the bar with zero effort.

Best For

• Hair Type: Straight to wavy hair
• Face Shape: Square, oval or round (the height and side parting help elongate the face)

How to ask your barber

“Keep length on top for a comb-over with a defined side part. I want a clean temple fade—tight around the ears and tapered out cleanly. Blend the fade smoothly into the top without going too high.”

For a contemporary statement finish, you could ask for a razor part to really define the comb-over.

How To Style

Use a pomade or styling cream for hold with a slight shine. Comb through when damp and let it set naturally. For more volume, add a root boost powder to damp hair then use a blow-dryer and vent brush.

The Pompadour Temple Fade

The pompadour temple fade is what happens when old-school cool meets precision grooming. It’s big on volume, but smart on detail—longer hair swept back with body and shine, balanced by a clean fade around the temples for that crisp, modern edge.

This is the kind of cut that turns heads in the street and earns nods in the office. Stylish without shouting, confident without trying too hard.

Best For

• Hair Type: Straight or wavy hair with a bit of natural thickness
• Face Shape: Square, round or oval (the height adds balance)

How to ask your barber

“I want a classic pompadour or swept-back style with length left on top—enough for volume. Keep the fade tight around the temples and sideburns, but not too high. Taper it neatly into the neckline.”

You’ll get bonus points if you request a slight drop fade around the back for a softer finish.

How To Style

Blow dry your hair back using a round brush to create lift, then set it with a medium-to-high hold pomade. For a matte finish, go for a clay or paste. Either way, volume is your best friend here.

The Afro Temple Fade

Bold shaping meets clean edges. The Afro temple fade blends the natural volume and texture of Afro hair with razor-sharp detailing at the temples. It’s a celebration of texture and identity, while still keeping things sculpted and precise.

From rounded silhouettes to tight coils with a squared-up hairline, this cut puts the spotlight on natural curls—allowing the fade to frame the shape, not fight it. It’s a timeless style with modern finesse.

Best For

• Hair Type: Afro-textured or tightly coiled hair
• Face Shape: Oval, square, or round (the height and structure add balance)

How to ask your barber

“I want to keep the natural shape of my afro, rounded or slightly squared. Add a clean temple fade around the edges—tight at the sideburns and tapered into the neckline. Keep the hairline sharp and defined.”

For more structure, ask for a shaped-up hairline and optional parting to add detail.

How To Style

Use a leave-in moisturiser or curl cream to keep coils hydrated and defined. A regular shape-up every couple of weeks will keep the fade and lines crisp.

The Curly Temple Fade

Curls with structure—that’s the sweet spot. A temple fade paired with natural curls is like putting a frame on a masterpiece. The sides stay neat and sculpted, letting the curls on top do their thing—whether that’s tight coils or looser, tousled ringlets.

This cut leans into texture but keeps it looking sharp, not scruffy. Whether you’ve got naturally defined curls or a bit of frizz and bounce, the temple fade gives your hair an effortlessly cool polished contrast.

Best For

• Hair Type: Curly, coily or wavy hair
• Face Shape: Oval, round or triangle (the height and width work wonders for balance)

How to ask your barber

“Leave my curls longer and natural on top—just shaped a bit. I want a temple fade to clean up the sides and around the ears. Blend the fade smoothly, but keep the curl definition on top.”

For extra flair, ask your barber to shape the curls slightly forward into a loose fringe or leave them high for more volume.

How To Style

Use a curl-defining cream or leave-in conditioner to enhance texture and reduce frizz. Let your hair air dry or diffuse it gently. Less heat, more bounce.

The Buzz Cut Temple Fade

No-nonsense, all style. The buzz cut with a temple fade is about as low-maintenance as a haircut gets—but don’t let that fool you. Add a sharp temple fade, and this military staple suddenly becomes modern, sharp and seriously slick.

Whether you’ve got straight hair, coarse curls or want to rock waves, this style keeps things tight and tidy with a fade that adds shape without fluff.

Best For

• Hair Type: All hair types—straight, wavy, curly, Afro-textured
• Face Shape: Oval, square or oblong (clean lines add symmetry)

How to ask your barber

“I want a buzz cut all over—short but not skin-level—and a clean temple fade around the sides. Keep the fade smooth into the beard or neckline. Line me up around the forehead for definition.”

If you want to wear waves, ask for enough length on top to maintain the pattern, and request a clean shape-up to frame the waves.

How To Style

For waves: brush daily and use a durag overnight to train the pattern. For a classic buzz cut: apply a little moisturiser or scalp oil to keep things healthy and flake-free. Otherwise, this one practically styles itself.