Barber Tips: Maintaining a Skin Fade

The skin fade is a consistently popular haircut - despite its popularity slightly fading in 2016 in favour of textured, messy cuts, it is still an ideal option for those wanting a contrast between a natural look top with a smart, tight back and sides. However, it does need some tips on how to maintain it at home, so you don't have to visit your barber every 2 or 3 weeks.

Richard Tucker, who cuts in our newly opened Shoreditch shop, has a few tips on how to maintain the haircut:

"The Summer weather affects the skin - we sweat more, and are subjected to more extreme heat conditions... high temperatures outside combined with cool air conditioned rooms can play havoc with the skin."

"When dealing with a skin fade, it is important to keep your head healthily moisturised as you would your hands and face, so I would recommend:

• a moisturiser to the exposed part of the scalp to keep the skin healthy and fresh
• using Ruffians original shampoo, to avoid any chance of dead skin particles distracting from the new do!
• towel drying your hair
• applying a styling paste to create a smooth texture on the top section (which also embraces a wave if you have curls)
• using a bristle brush in a firm downward motion (in the same direction as the falling hair) into the fade of the hair for a contrast
• return to Ruffians for a quick tidy up a few weeks after your appointment!

Model and sometimes client Chris Millington is pictured at the top of this post.

Ruffians Styling Paste has been used on the top to maintain hold and volume, while on the sides the Ruffians Classic Pomade is added to keep it looking slick and tight around the edges.