Burst fade: what it is, who it suits and what to tell your barber
Burst fade is a short cut listed under men's cuts in the FitMyFace catalog. The catalog describes it this way: a distinct burst fade radiating around the ears, longer tousled top and natural back.
Try the Burst fade on my photo — free
Who it suits
The catalog lists round, oval, square, heart-shaped and diamond face shapes as suiting the burst fade. It marks no face shape as a weaker fit.
For a round face: Add height on top and keep the sides slimmer to lengthen the face. For an oval face: Balanced proportions: most cuts work, so pick for your lifestyle. For a square face: Soften a strong jaw with texture, layers and movement.
The catalog says a stylist can usually cut it on straight, wavy, curly and coily hair.
Barber card summary
Top: 6 cm (2¼ in), point-cut for texture, loose, finger-styled.
Sides: skin fade, bare skin up to #3 (10 mm, 3/8 in), keep the corners.
Back: #3 (10 mm, 3/8 in) all over, no fade.
Neckline: natural.
Sideburns: short, to the top of the ear.
Upkeep (typical guide): haircut every 2–3 weeks; daily styling about 2–5 min, comb or brush through.
The card records the look you want and starting measurements; your barber checks and adjusts the final cut. The picture is illustrative. The values are suggested starting points, not reviewed by a barber. In the app you can edit any line on the card.
What to tell your barber
Fade around ears in a semicircle, keep top and nape longer.
How to ask for it
Say that you want the fade to curve around the ear in a semicircle, with the top and the nape left longer. Point to the sides line on the card, and ask the barber to keep the curve even on both sides, since a burst fade shows any imbalance.
FitMyFace hair previews are approximations, not predictions of how your hair will lie after a cut. Ordinary hairstyle try-ons perform face analysis on-device. The optional AI previews (hair and glasses) send a photo to Cloudflare; your consent is the one "I agree" on the scan screen, and a switch on the results turns them off. FitMyFace is for adults 18 and over and is not available in Illinois. For haircuts, a 500 px square of your photo, face included, goes to our AI (Cloudflare) and is deleted right after. Never stored. 18+.
Questions
Does the burst fade suit my face shape?
The catalog lists round, oval, square, heart-shaped and diamond face shapes as suiting the burst fade. It marks no face shape as a weaker fit. Face shape is a starting point, not a rule.
What do I tell my barber?
Show the card above or say: Fade around ears in a semicircle, keep top and nape longer. Your barber checks and adjusts the final cut.
How often does it need a trim?
Haircut every 2–3 weeks; daily styling about 2–5 min, comb or brush through. This is a typical guide, not a rule.
Can I try the burst fade before cutting?
Yes. FitMyFace shows it on your own photo, or on a sample face first. It is a preview, not a promise of how your hair will fall.