Skin Fades & Tapers in Downtown LA
A skin fade done right: smooth blends with no lines and no rushed corners. Tell us where you want the fade to start — we match it to your head shape, hair type and how often you want to come back.
221 Google reviews · Mon – Sun, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Skin fade
- $55 · 50 min
- Fade + beard
- $70 · 1 hr 15 min
- Upkeep
- Every 2–3 weeks
- Walk-ins
- Welcome
Low, mid, high, skin or taper?
The difference is where the blend starts and how short it goes at the bottom. Not sure? Ask for a mid skin fade — it suits most people.
| Style | Where it starts | The look | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low fade | Just above the ears and neckline | Subtle and office-friendly | A first fade, conservative dress codes |
| Mid fade | Around the temples | Balanced — our most requested | Most head shapes and hair types |
| High fade | Close to the top of the head | Strong contrast, bold | Short tops, flat tops, high-tops |
| Skin (bald) fade | Blends down to bare skin | The sharpest, cleanest finish | Anyone happy to rebook every 2–3 weeks |
| Taper | Only at the sideburns and nape | Natural, grows out softly | Longer hair, curls, low upkeep |
| Drop fade | Curves down behind the ear | Follows the head shape | Curly tops and textured crops |
What goes on top
High skin fade + textured crop
Short choppy top, tight sides. The lowest-maintenance fade there is.
Skin fade + curly top
Curls kept on top, faded clean underneath so the shape stays neat as it grows.
Taper + curly top
A softer option for curls — the edges stay clean without exposing skin.
Mid fade + textured crop
Our everyday fade: works with stubble, a beard or clean-shaven.
Skin fade + classic short cut
Short side-part look with a sharp fade and a groomed mustache.
High-top + taper
Height on top, tapered sides and a trimmed beard to frame it.
Mahbod Style is hands down one of the best barbershops in LA. The shop is super clean and modern, and everyone really know their crafts, sharp fades, great attention to detail, and professional services. The staff are friendly and make you feel comfortable, and booking is quick and easy. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fresh cut in the city.
Fade prices
Prices match our online booking.
How to make a fade last
Tell your barber
- Where it starts: low, mid or high
- How short at the bottom: skin, 0.5 or #1
- Keep or skip the line-up and a hard part
- Show a photo if you have one
Between visits
- Rebook before you leave — 2 to 3 weeks keeps the blend clean
- Don’t trim the fade line yourself; it’s the hardest part to fix
- Use matte product on top so the fade stays the focus
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase and keep the scalp moisturized
What makes a fade look clean
Every barbershop in LA offers fades. Not every fade is smooth. The difference shows up in good light: a clean fade has no dark bands, no visible guard lines and no patchy spots around the ears. Here's what goes into one — and how to tell a good fade from a rushed one.
The blend
A fade is a gradient: the hair gets shorter in small steps from the top of the sides down to the neckline. The barber works through clipper guards and lever positions, then goes back over each transition with clipper-over-comb, a detailer and sometimes a foil shaver until the steps disappear. That last pass is where a 30-minute fade and a 50-minute fade differ. We book skin fades for about 50 minutes for exactly that reason.
Where it starts matters more than how short it goes
A low fade that starts just above the ear looks conservative even when it goes to skin. A high fade that starts near the top of the head looks bold even with a little length at the bottom. If you're unsure, a mid fade is the safe choice — it suits most head shapes and grows out evenly. Round or wide face? A higher fade adds height and narrows the sides. Long or narrow face? Keep it low and leave a bit more weight.
Skin fade vs. taper
A skin fade takes the sides all the way down to bare skin. A taper only shortens the sideburns and the neckline and leaves the rest of the sides fuller. Tapers are the better choice for longer hair, curly tops and anyone who can't come back every two to three weeks — they grow out softly instead of turning fuzzy.
Fades on curly and coily hair
Curls hide mistakes on top but show every one on the sides. On curly and coily hair we cut the fade a touch longer at the transition, use a drop fade behind the ear when it follows the head better, and finish with a sharp line-up if you want one. Tell us if you prefer a natural hairline — not everyone wants a hard edge.
How to keep a fade fresh
- Rebook before you leave: every 2–3 weeks for a skin fade, 3–4 for a low fade or taper.
- Don't touch the bottom with home clippers — the blend is the hardest part to fix.
- Use matte product on top so the fade stays the focus.
- Pair it with a beard trim so the sideburns and beard connect cleanly ($70 for fade + beard).
Ready? Walk in any day from 9 AM to 8 PM at 650 S Grand Ave, or book online and pick your barber. See our gallery for recent fades before you come in.
Fade questions
What is a skin fade?
A skin fade (also called a bald fade) blends the hair on the sides and back all the way down to bare skin, with a smooth transition into the longer hair on top.
How much is a skin fade in Downtown LA at Mahbod Style?
A skin fade is $55 and takes about 50 minutes. With a beard trim it is $70, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
How often should I get a fade?
Every 2–3 weeks for a skin fade. A taper or low fade can stretch to 3–4 weeks.
Low fade or taper — which is more subtle?
A taper is the most subtle: it only shortens the sideburns and neckline. A low fade goes a little higher and shorter but still sits below the temples.
Can you fade curly or coily hair?
Yes. Curly tops with a skin fade, drop fade or taper are some of our most popular cuts.
Do you take walk-ins for fades?
Yes, every day from 9 AM to 8 PM. Booking online means no wait and lets you choose your barber.
Is a fade good for thinning hair?
Often, yes. Short sides make the top look fuller, and a textured crop hides thinning at the front. A taper or low fade usually looks more natural than a high skin fade.
Get your fade in DTLA
- Address650 S Grand Ave #100, Los Angeles, CA 90017
- HoursMon – Sun, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Mon – Sun, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- ParkingPaid street parking (meters) on Grand Ave and nearby streets, when spaces are available.
- Metro7th St/Metro Center station (A, B, D and E lines) is a short walk away.