Markcutit · 650 Matheson Blvd W, Mississauga, ON L5R 3T2
Slick Back Fade: Long Hair Swept Back Over a Skin Fade
Short answer: A slick back fade pairs hair combed back off the face with sides faded short. In this Mark Yousif result, long, straight hair is swept back loosely with no heavy shine, the temple and the area in front of the ear are faded to skin, and the back is left long past the nape. A sculpted beard with a sharp cheek line finishes it. It suits thick, straight hair with real length.
A soft slick back, not a wet one
The hair in this left profile is swept back from the forehead and over the crown, but it is not glued down. There is no wet-look shine; the hair moves and separates, and a few pieces fall near the front.
That matters because "slick back" can mean anything from a hard, glossy pompade finish to this looser version. If you want the wet look, say so and bring a photo, because the product and the cut underneath change.
Where the fade sits on long hair
The skin fade is compact. It sits at the temple and in front of the ear, curving up over the ear in a rounded shape, while everything behind the ear is left long and falls over the neck.
A small fade like this keeps long hair from looking heavy at the sides when it is swept back, without cutting away the length at the back. It is essentially a burst fade shape under a slick back; the burst fade guide explains that curve.
The beard in this result
The beard is short on the cheek and fuller at the chin, with a moustache that connects. The cheek line is cut low and very clean, running in a smooth curve from the sideburn to the corner of the mouth.
The lower edge along the jaw is crisp as well, which is what makes the beard look sculpted rather than simply trimmed. Our beard cheek line guide explains how that line is placed.
How a long slick back with a fade is built
Long hair is cut with the finished direction in mind, so it is combed back before any length is taken.
- Comb the hair back and decide how far past the nape the length should fall.
- Scissor-cut the top and back, keeping length and removing weight from the underside.
- Curve the fade around the ear and take the temple area to skin.
- Blend the fade into the long hair so the edge hides when swept back.
- Shape the beard, then cut the cheek line and jaw edge.
Who it suits and how to wear it
It suits thick, straight hair that is long enough to reach behind the ears when combed back, roughly 12 centimetres (about 5 inches) or more on top. Fine hair tends to split at the crown when slicked back.
To style, blow-dry the hair back with a brush, then work a light cream or low-shine pomade through with your fingers. Rebook every 3 to 5 weeks for the fade and beard; see our slick back guide for product choices.
Slick back fade: common questions
Can I get a slick back fade in Mississauga?
Yes. Book Haircut + Beard with Mark on Booksy; the slick back page for Mississauga covers that visit.
Will the fade show when my hair is down?
Only a little. The fade is small and curves around the ear, so long hair mostly covers it when it falls forward.
What product gives this soft look?
A light cream or a water-based, low-shine pomade holds the direction without a wet finish.
