Ask The Experts: The Ultimate Skin Fade Tool Kit

Ask The Experts: The Ultimate Skin Fade Tool Kit

Updated on 02nd Sep 2025

Looking to sharpen your fade game? BaBylissPRO Ambassador and expert barber Pete Cranfield reveals the must-have FX ONE tools that every barber needs for clean blends, sharp outlines, and next-level skin fades. From the FX ONE Clipper to the Skeleton Trimmer and Foil Shaver, discover how each tool plays a role in creating flawless fades that keep clients coming back.

FX ONE Clipper: The Foundation of Every Fade

The clipper is the cornerstone of any fade; it’s the only tool that truly delivers the precision needed for a flawless result. In this haircut, the clipper creates a uniform length using guard attachments and the taper lever, allowing you to build a perfect graduation through seamless blending. The FX ONE Clipper is built for exactly this kind of detailed work. With a long-lasting, interchangeable battery system, it delivers continuous cordless power. The newly engineered S-shaped blade feeds hair directly into the cutting edge, making it easier to pick up every strand and ensuring more effortless and efficient clipper work. Whether you’re fading or tapering, this blade design enhances accuracy and smoothness in every pass.

Key benefits of the FX ONE Clipper:

  • Seamless blending for flawless graduation
  • Cordless, long-lasting power with interchangeable batteries
  • S-blade design for precise, efficient cutting 

FX ONE Skeleton Trimmer: Sharp Detailing and Clean Transitions 

A trimmer plays a vital role in refining a fade, allowing you to go shorter than a clipper and create sharp, clean outlines around the hairline. It’s essential for achieving a true skin fade - transitioning seamlessly from full length to bare scalp. The FX ONE Trimmer is ideal for this stage thanks to its titanium T-blade (which is zero gap adjustable). I use the FX ONE Trimmer to refine all of my haircuts - the blades are incredibly effective at removing bulk quickly and carving out crisp, defined lines for a polished finish.

Key benefits of the FX ONE Skeleton Trimmer:

  • Titanium T-blade for sharper, cleaner cuts
  • Zero gap adjustable for precision fades
  • Ideal for outlines, detailing, and transitions 

FX ONE Foil Shaver: Take Your Fade to The Next Level 

To take a skin fade to the next level, the foil shaver is crucial. It removes every last trace of hair on the scalp, creating that ultra-smooth finish that defines a true fade to skin. The FX ONE Foil Shaver excels here with a flexible shaving head that can be locked in place or left to pivot, adapting to the curves of the head for consistent, close contact. This added control means you get a clean shave without irritation or missed spots, even in tricky areas.

Key benefits of the FX ONE Foil Shaver:

  • Ultra-smooth, irritation-free finish
  • Flexible or lockable shaving head for maximum control
  • Essential for achieving flawless skin fades 

Why Barbers Choose BaBylissPRO FX ONE

For barbers, mastering the fade isn’t just about technique - it’s also about using the right tools. The FX ONE Clipper, Skeleton Trimmer and Foil Shaver give you the complete fade toolkit, designed for precision, efficiency and client satisfaction. 

Sian Jones

Sian Jones

Published 02nd Sep 2025

Sian is Editor of Modern Barber and Deputy Editor of Hairdressers Journal International. Sian graduated with a degree in journalism and has over a decade of experience writing for numerous print publications.

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