What Is a Boosie Fade? Everything You Need To Know

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Learn why the Boosie fade haircut is so popular

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: December 1, 2024 Fact Checked

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• What is a Boosie fade?
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• How to request a Boosie fade
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• Why is the Boosie fade a meme?
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• Alternatives to the Boosie Fade
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• How to Cut a Boosie Fade
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• Video

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The Boosie fade is a high & tight fade that leads up to a longer, more pronounced top. It was popularized by Louisiana rapper, Boosie Badazz, who started the trend by sporting the haircut throughout his career. If you are looking for a haircut that is sleek, smooth, and subtle, this is the way to go. In this article, we will teach you all about the Boosie fade, including how to cut it and how it became a meme.

The Boosie Fade: Quick Overview

The Boosie fade is a high-cut, low skin fade with a longer top. The contrast between the tight skin fade and long top makes the Boosie fade distinct. If you have a diamond or square shaped head, this cut is a good route to go, as it draws attention upward.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

What is a Boosie fade?

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1. 
   The Boosie fade is a high-cut, low skin fade on the sides and back and a longer top. It is named after legendary Louisiana rapper, Boosie Badazz, who popularized the look. The rapper is known for his hard and honest demeanor, which has made the hairstyle a staple in the rap community. If you have a square or diamond-shaped head, the Boosie cut is a good style, as it draws attention upward and blends well with the rest of the head.

   • People like the Boosie fade because it symbolizes uniqueness and personal expression with its sharp look. It is a timeless, versatile style that works for many different types of people.
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Section 2 of 5:

How to request a Boosie fade

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1. 
   Ask your barber for a high-cut, low-skin fade. Then, ask your barber to cut the fade around the sides and back. Ask for the fade to blend into a rounded square at the crown of the head. Request that they line up your hairline and sides. Bring reference photos to make the process easier, as your barber will likely recognize the Boosie fade once they see a picture of it.

Section 3 of 5:

Why is the Boosie fade a meme?

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1. 
   A satirical photo of someone asking for a Boosie fade went viral. A video of a man requesting a Boosie fade but receiving an unblended bald fade with a long top went viral, spawning countless memes of bad haircuts with the caption “Bruh wanted a Boosie fade but got this instead.” The most popular meme was of Patrick Star from the cartoon, SpongeBob Squarepants, who was pictured wearing a water bucket on his head with the same caption.

   • Patrick clearly has a bucket on his head, but the caption that he asked for a Boosie fade and got that instead makes for a funny visual of the barber putting a bucket on his head in place of a sharp, precise cut.
   • The Boosie fade meme is usually referenced when someone posts a photo or video of their haircut onto social media.
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Section 4 of 5:

Alternatives to the Boosie Fade

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1. 
   1
   Philly Fade This is good if you’re looking for a wider blended look. A Philly fade is a gradual fade with a darker bar where the blend begins. It’s a great choice if you want a longer, more flexible top.
2. 
   2
   Southside Fade If you want a low cut that sports a strong, contrasting fade, go with the Southside fade. The Southside fade is a high and tight skin fade that seamlessly blends with the hair at the top of the head. Although the Boosie fade leaves room for a hair up top, the Southside fade is the way to go if you’re looking for a similar look with a lower, less shaped top.
3. 
   3
   South of France If you want to sport the same tall fade as the Boosie fade but still keep your length, the South of France is the way to go. It features a skin fade towards the bottom and gradually rises in length as you make your way towards the top. The key difference is that the hair remains on the back of the head, with the fade only taking up the sides.

   • It’s a great choice if you want a more versatile look.
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Cut a Boosie Fade

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1. 
   1
   Bald the foundation. Bald out from the sideburns and back of the neck to the middle of the head, just above the ear. This will create a guideline, which will serve as the foundation for your Boosie fade.

   • Start to shape any extra bulk to assist in the blending process.
2. 
   2
   Begin building the fade. Open the lever and cut an inch above the guideline to start the fade. Cut around the area multiple times to create the middle line. This will help start the fade.
3. 
   3
   Develop the top. Using an open 1-guard, dig into the hair above the middle line. Cut straight up to further develop the shape. If the person you’re cutting has bulky areas, freehand and cut their hair to the shape of their head.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Yan Kandkhorov

   Hair Stylist

   Yan Kandkhorov is a Hair Stylist and Owner of K&S Salon, a hair salon based in New York City's Meatpacking District. Yan has over 20 years of experience in the hair industry, is best known for paving the way for iconic hair trends in the industry, and has operated his salon since 2017. His hair salon has been voted one of the Best Hair Salons in New York City in 2019 by Expertise. Yan and K&S Salon has collaborated with leading fashion magazines and celebrities such as Marie Clair USA, Lucy Magazine, and Resident Magazine.

   

   Yan Kandkhorov
   Hair Stylist

   Don’t let your client cross their legs when you’re cutting their hair straight. It can result in a lopsided cut or uneven shape. If your client has their legs crossed, kindly ask that they uncross them and sit up straight so you can make sure their hair is even.
4. 
   4
   Flick out. Using a 0-guard with a closed lever, flick out from the middle line upwards to further aid in the blend. This will make the shape begin to pop.
5. 
   5
   Accentuate the bottom. Grab a closed lever with no guard. Using the same “flick out” technique, start cutting from the bottom of the fade up to the middle line. This will blend the top and bottom and you will start to see the Boosie fade form.
6. 
   6
   Define the shape. Focusing on the back, freehand and dig into the long hair at a slope so that the fade comes in smooth at the crown, which is the point where the temple and hairline meet.
7. 
   7
   Line up your client. Sharply cut your client’s hairline into a straight, horizontal line. Spray hairspray beforehand if you want a crispier lineup, as it stiffens the hairline.
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