What is a textured French crop?

It is a short men's haircut with the hair generally worn forward toward the fringe, with texture added through the top so it has movement rather than sitting as one solid shape.

What's the difference between a low taper and a skin fade?

A low taper concentrates the shorter graduation around areas such as the temples and neckline, leaving more weight through the rest of the sides. A full skin fade usually extends the graduation further around the head.

Is a French crop good for thick hair?

It can be. Thick hair gives the crop plenty of density and texture, but how much weight is removed should depend on the individual hair rather than following one formula.

Is this haircut low maintenance?

Styling can be fairly simple because the top is designed to work with texture rather than a highly polished finish. The taper will need more regular maintenance if you want it looking very sharp.

Can I get this cut without going down to skin?

Yes. The same overall shape can be adapted with a softer taper or longer graduation if you don't want the sides taken as short.

How often should I get a textured French crop maintained?

Around two to three weeks if you want the taper looking consistently sharp. You can stretch to four weeks if you're happy for the sides to soften slightly and the crop to grow out a touch. The fade sitting low means the shape holds better between visits than a high skin fade.

21 May 2026 Prince

The Textured French Crop with a Low Taper Fade

Clean where it needs to be. Heavy where it matters.

Textured French crop with low taper fade on thick dark hair by Fresh By Prince in Surry Hills Sydney

The cut

Style: Textured French Crop
Fade: Low Taper Fade
Top: Short, textured, forward
Best for: Medium to thick hair
Finish: Natural / matte
Maintenance: Approx. 2 to 4 weeks
Cut by: Prince
Location: Surry Hills, Sydney

Prince calls this The Textured French Crop with a Low Taper Fade, and the whole point of the cut is balance.

The top keeps its weight and movement, with enough texture through the fringe to stop it looking flat or over-styled. Around the temples and ears, the low taper fade cleans everything up without taking the sides too high.

That matters. A higher fade would completely change the shape of this haircut. By keeping the taper low, Prince leaves enough darkness through the sides to connect naturally into the heavier top. You still get that sharp, fresh finish, but the haircut doesn't look disconnected from the head. The result is modern without trying too hard.

What he wanted

The goal here was to keep a strong, textured shape on top while cleaning up the sides and neckline. Not a full skin fade running halfway up the head. Not something overly polished. Just a haircut that looks sharp when you leave the chair, but still has enough natural weight and movement to work when you're styling it yourself three days later.

What we did

Kept the length through the top and worked texture into the hair rather than stripping the density out
Fringe sits forward in the classic French crop shape, but with movement. Not cut into one hard, blunt block
Low taper fade concentrated around the temple and ear
Blend gradually back into the natural weight of the sides
Clean finish on the profile without the fade becoming the main event

Why the cut works

This is a good example of why a haircut shouldn't just be copied from a photo. The proportions matter. The client has thick hair, so completely removing the weight through the sides could have made the top look heavier and more disconnected. Prince instead uses that density as part of the shape. You get contrast, but not a massive jump from skin to hair. That makes the cut feel cleaner and more considered. It also means the grow-out should remain softer than a high skin fade, because there isn't such an aggressive transition sitting halfway up the head.

Who this cut suits

Men with thick, straight or slightly wavy hair
You want shape without needing a slick finish
You want to work with natural texture, not fight it
You want to keep some density through the top
Clean enough for work but still with personality
You want to style it quickly in the morning
You don't want to rely on a high fade to look fresh

Maintenance and grow-out

If you want the taper looking consistently sharp, around two to three weeks is a good rhythm. If you're comfortable with the sides softening up a little, you can stretch it further and let the crop grow out more naturally. Because the fade sits low, the haircut doesn't depend entirely on that freshly-cut skin-fade look to hold its shape.

At home

You don't need to overthink this one. The texture is supposed to look natural. Start with towel-dried hair, use a small amount of matte styling product, then work it through the top with your fingers. Push the fringe forward and break it up rather than trying to make every strand sit perfectly. If it looks slightly undone, good. That's the idea.

What to ask your barber

Don't just walk in and say "French crop." Show the photo. Then explain that you want a textured French crop with a low taper fade, keeping some weight through the sides rather than taking the fade high. The fringe should sit forward with texture, while the taper stays concentrated around the temple and ear. More importantly, let the barber adjust it to your own head and hair. A haircut should be referenced, not photocopied.

Frequently asked

What is a textured French crop?

It is a short men's haircut with the hair generally worn forward toward the fringe, with texture added through the top so it has movement rather than sitting as one solid shape.
What's the difference between a low taper and a skin fade?

A low taper concentrates the shorter graduation around areas such as the temples and neckline, leaving more weight through the rest of the sides. A full skin fade usually extends the graduation further around the head.
Is a French crop good for thick hair?

It can be. Thick hair gives the crop plenty of density and texture, but how much weight is removed should depend on the individual hair rather than following one formula.
Is this haircut low maintenance?

Styling can be fairly simple because the top is designed to work with texture rather than a highly polished finish. The taper will need more regular maintenance if you want it looking very sharp.
Can I get this cut without going down to skin?

Yes. The same overall shape can be adapted with a softer taper or longer graduation if you don't want the sides taken as short.
How often should I get a textured French crop maintained?

Around two to three weeks if you want the taper looking consistently sharp. You can stretch to four weeks if you're happy for the sides to soften slightly and the crop to grow out a touch. The fade sitting low means the shape holds better between visits than a high skin fade.

Coming from outside Surry Hills?

Coming from the Inner West?

If you're travelling from Newtown, Erskineville, Marrickville, Petersham, Stanmore, Ashfield or Burwood, getting into Central makes Fresh By Prince an easy city-side appointment rather than a cross-Sydney mission.

Coming from the Eastern Suburbs?

Clients coming from Randwick, Kensington, Kingsford and the eastern light rail corridor can use the light rail network toward Surry Hills and Central.

Coming from Western Sydney?

If you're travelling from Parramatta, Strathfield, Lidcombe or further west, get the train into Central and walk up toward Devonshire Street.

Coming from North Sydney?

Metro and rail connections make Surry Hills accessible from North Sydney, Chatswood and the Lower North Shore without needing to drive across the city and hunt for a park.

Like this cut?

Book the Haircut and bring the photo. Consultation covers the rest.

Book the chair

216 Devonshire St, Surry Hills · L1 light rail at the door