I asked for a high fade, but barber gave me a low fade?

Fade means a very close taper on the back and sides of the head. High or low refer to how high the very close tapering goes up the back and sides of the head. Fade clippers adjust to cut between 1/125"(#00000 blade length) and 1/50"(#000 blade length), so the faded portion of the taper on the back and sides is cut extremely close. A high fade means tapering it very close high up on the back and sides of the head. A low fade means tapering it very close not very high up on the back and sides of the head, an inch or less above the top of the ears.

Fade does not refer to the style of the hair on the top of the head. Numerous styles can be worn with a variety of tapers on the back and sides of the head-short, semi-short, medium, long, extra long- including a butch, burr(short butch), brush cut(long butch), the short pomp(pompadour) styles-crew cut, ivy league(long crew cut), flat top crew cut- forward brush and a regular haircut.

http://oi57.tinypic.com/2empv9s.jpg

The main difference between a short pomp style and a butch/burr/brush cut is that a short pomp style is graduated in length on the top of the head from the longest hair at the front hairline to shorter hair at the crown; the back and sides of a short pomp style and a butch/burr/brush cut are similarly tapered. In side profile, the outline of the top hair of a short pomp style approaches the horizontal, when it is brushed back off the head and standing upright with a short pompadour formed at the front hairline. A butch/burr/brush cut is a uniform short length on the top of the head and the outline of the top hair reflects the contours to the skull shape.

From your description, it seems that you probably wanted a butch, brush or crew cut with a certain taper on the back and sides of the head and received a burr with a very short taper on the back and sides.

Hair grows on average 1/8" per week. The best way to describe a style to a barber or stylist is with a photo.

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/f4803e2cd2b73ef1_...

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/aaeb59a41b9eca83_...

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/d2fa8bbb01002161_...

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/54ffc488d4cc3d9f_...

http://oi59.tinypic.com/nyrzb6.jpg

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/7b080221763423ee_...

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/91c259fc3d9d7c79_...

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High Top Low Fade

High Low Fade

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You can ask for a low taper haircut or a low fade haircut they are pretty much the same with a few differences mainly with the side burns fading to a lighter hair shade. Taper is when you just get the sideburns and the neck shorter than the rest of your hair, whereas a fade is usually done all over from top to tip. The barber must use 3 to 8 guards for a high taper fade to get that gradual smooth look.

RE:

I asked for a high fade, but barber gave me a low fade?

Ok so I was getting my hair cut, asked my barber for a high fade and he faded it out great, but he cut it all off when I told him to give me a high fade... So how would I ask him to give me a high fade( where more hair is on the top)? Also I'm African American so would I need to ask differently?

It may be your barber.. I'm black and only get fades as well. I say "leave it dark on top" I am saying it may be your barber because mine knows what a low and high fade is.