How to Do a Temple Fade (Temp Fade)
The temple fade focuses on the area around the temples — creating a clean transition from skin to the side length at the temple corner. It is a finishing detail that transforms any haircut from decent to sharp. Here is the complete technique.
What Is a Temple Fade?
A temple fade (also called a temp fade) is a fade that focuses specifically on the temporal area — the region between the sideburn and the top of the ear. The skin line runs from the sideburn down to the top of the ear, then either continues into a full side fade or stops there as a standalone detail. Most haircuts benefit from some degree of temp fade cleanup.
Temple Fade — Step by Step
- 1Establish where the temple skin line runsThe temp fade skin line typically follows the natural hairline from the sideburn corner, curves slightly down toward the top of the ear. Some clients want it tight to the ear; others want it slightly further up. Confirm before cutting.
- 2Use T-outliner or open-lever clipper for the skin lineSwitch to your T-outliner for precision. Run the skin line first — a single clean pass following the natural temple curve.
- 3Blend #0.5 above the skin lineWork just above the skin line with your lowest-setting clipper, using short upward strokes. This creates the first blend transition at the temple.
- 4Connect to the main side fadeWork upward through #1, #1.5, #2 to match the guard you are using on the main sides. At the temple, this should connect invisibly to the larger fade.
- 5Sharpen the sideburn angleThe sideburn should end at a clean angle — typically a slight V shape or horizontal cut. Use your T-outliner for this final detail.
The temple fade is where most barbers rush and make mistakes. Take your time on the temple corner — it is the most visible part of the haircut from the front. A clean temp fade elevates any cut.