Heavy Fringe and Drop Fade: A Two-Block Look From the Back

What this photo actually shows

The photo is taken from behind the right shoulder, so the fringe itself is out of view and what you see is the weight and the fade. The top is thick, dark and straight, and it hangs down over the sides like a canopy, covering the top of the fade.

Below that weight, the hair is faded from the bottom of the dark band down to bare skin around the ear and at the nape. The fade line drops lower behind the ear than in front of it, following the curve of the back of the head.

Why the top hangs over the fade

The hanging top is what makes this a two-block look rather than a standard fade. Instead of blending the top into the sides, the long hair is allowed to sit on top of the faded area, so from most angles you see a clean, soft outline with the fade peeking out below it.

That overhang needs thick hair to work. Straight, dense hair holds the curtain shape; fine hair tends to separate and show the scalp. Our two-block haircut guide explains the weight line in more detail.

How this kind of cut is built

The fade and the top are cut almost as two separate haircuts, which is the idea behind the name.

1. Section off the top so it stays out of the way.
2. Cut the drop fade underneath: skin around the ear and nape, rising to a darker band, dipping behind the ear.
3. Let the top down and cut the fringe and sides of the weight to length, usually with scissors so the edge stays soft.
4. Point-cut or texturize the ends so the heavy top moves instead of looking like a helmet.
5. Clean the outline around the ears and neck.

Who a heavy fringe with a drop fade suits

It suits thick, straight hair that grows downward and forward, and faces that look good with the forehead partly covered. The drop fade keeps the back from looking bulky, which is often the problem with growing a fringe out on its own.

It is not a good match for strong cowlicks at the crown or very fine hair. If you want to compare fade shapes first, read our drop fade guide.

Upkeep: two schedules in one cut

The fade needs attention every 2 to 3 weeks to keep the skin at the ear and nape clean. The heavy top grows into the eyes over about 4 to 6 weeks, so the fringe often sets the rhythm for a full cut.

Blow-drying the top downward and forward with a light cream keeps the curtain shape. In humid summer weather a little matte product stops the fringe from splitting.