A temple fade, also known as a Brooklyn fade or low fade, is a type of short men's haircut in which the hair tapers from the skin to about 0.5 inch (1 cm) long, starting at the temples. This extreme taper cut tends to have longer hair at the top and back of the head, and is extremely close-cut along the back and sides. It originated in salons that catered to specific ethnic subcultures. The temple fade does poorly on men with receding hair or a very rectangular face, but can flatter round faces and people with large facial features.
This haircut goes under many different names, and may be mistaken for some other styles. It and several other tapered cuts may be referred to simply as fades. The temple fade is sometimes called a blowout or Philly fade, and should be discussed extensively with the stylist before cutting. While the style itself always features a few basic features, the extent and severity of the fade vary significantly from stylist to stylist.
Any temple fade will taper cleanly from the hairline to the temples in front. In most examples, the style includes longer hair on the top of the head, from a short distance above the eyebrows to the back of the head. The hair on the nape of the neck and above, behind and in front of the ears, is clipped very close to the skin. Some examples extend the longer area slightly in back.
This haircut originated in salons and barber shops that served Americans of Italian, Indian, and Mexican descent, as well as Somali-Americans and many African-Americans. By the mid-2000s, the temple fade had become popular outside of its original ethnic subcultures, and was a mainstream style in the United States. Temple fades enjoy the greatest popularity in the northeastern part of the country.
Not all men can wear a temple fade well. The smooth taper of this haircut emphasizes a receding hairline or other male pattern balding signs, and the close-cut shape can make a square or rectangular head seem even more angular. Men with oval faces do well with a temple fade, as do those with round faces, provided the hair on top is left a little longer or textured slightly. Since fade cuts keep hair away from the face, they can also work to draw attention away from large facial features or a low forehead.