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What do you look for when creating a fade? Barber Freddy Razo says that a perfect fade can be assessed by hair density, texture and bone structure. 

"Creating a good gradient is generally the main goal," Razo says.

Here, he goes into more detail about each element of a perfect fade. 

Higher density=more contrast.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The higher the density the more opportunity to build contrast from shorter to longer. "If someone has low density, I often take the fade just a bit lower to give myself more room to blend--we call this stretching the fade out," Razo says.

Consider texture.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Razo says it's not always the most important element because the hair can be manipulated with product or styling tools but is essential to help determine needs for the desired look.

Look at the client's bone structure. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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"Understanding is head shape and bone position is going to help adapt how high or low you can go with the fade," Razo says. The biggest mistake is approaching every haircut with the same method. 

Originally posted on Modern Salon