iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%86+46.9Reliability 24%83+20.1Value 14%85+12Replies to reviews 7%49+3.5Craft & service penalty80−2Experts Score= 80Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.80SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#63 of 101 hair salonsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 38%
4.8★★★★★496 Google reviews · 23 photos
95%five-star reviews
4.84★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
1.9%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
7%reviews answered by the owner
$45typical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate Fade48 barbershop 4.8 out of 5 based on 496 reviews, with the owner responding to 7% of them. Customers frequently praise the staff for professional communication, punctuality, and delivering clean fades and line-ups at reasonable prices. However, low-star reviews highlight instances where barbers failed to follow specific instructions regarding hair length or texture, as well as complaints about perceived disrespect toward late arrivals and inaccurate online operating hours.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 496 reviews (95% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 496 Google reviews (398 with written comments, 17 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 7% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 10, 2026.
Service: Hair Salon serving O'Fallon, Illinois.
Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.
Score profile vs other hair salons
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.
Fade48 barbershopHair Salons median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Fade48 barbershop: 86/100 on this factor. Category median: 88.A
86
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Fade48 barbershop: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.A
83
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Fade48 barbershop: 80/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
80
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Fade48 barbershop: 85/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.A
85
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Fade48 barbershop: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Fade48 barbershop: 49/100 on this factor. Category median: 47.C
49
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
496 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars46995%
4 stars82%
3 stars20%
2 stars10%
1 star163%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 398 written reviews
95%praise
Praise38695%
Complaints195%
Price
What customers reported paying
$45-22% vs typical hair salons
Middle half of what 132 customers paid ($42–$52) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude12130%
Quality & results10827%
Would recommend9924%
Speed & response246%
Price & value205%
Honesty & trust205%
Communication133%
What customers talk about
We read 398 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Highest skilled barbers around the area, have been going for 9+ years and always keep it professional.”
“The attitude I received was unprofessional and completely unnecessary.”
“His talent and attention to detail are truly unmatched.”
“Bilal gave the worst haircut.”
“If you've spent enough time in a barber chair you know how this can make or break your visit so for me Ezel and Fade 48 get 5 Stars.”
“Kay Farrah is discriminatory and I would NOT recommend that he cuts your hair.”
“I came in got seen right away he did everything I asked and then some!”
“I was 20 minutes late for my appointment,”
“Ezél got me right, only took 15 minutes and good price too.”
“I’ve only gone 1 time but from that experience, I learned everyone at Fade 48 genuinely cared!”
“He listened to everything I asked for and had a lot of great suggestions for me as well.”
People customers mention
Kareem38 reviews
Bilal36 reviews
Kay15 reviews
Farah7 reviews
East5 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Fade48 barbershop for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Marcus2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
I have been using fade 48 for about a year now and they have been great and consistent since day 1. Being mixed I have unique hair that I have had messed up a time or two but inexperienced barbers but Ezel has never done me wrong. His fades are clean and his line ups are crisp. There's also something great about a…
Paid $30–40Haircut
Jon2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
I had a great experience. Will took excellent care of me. It was my first time and I will definitely be a repeat customer.
Paid $50–60HaircutWaxingBeard trim
AbeLocal Guide · 30 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
My go to shop when I lived in the midwest! They all get down but I’d always get cut by Kareem, he always had me looking right!
Paid $40–50Haircut
Don6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Kay is a master of his craft. His talent and attention to detail are truly unmatched. After years of searching for the right barbershop, I won't go anywhere else. Highly recommend Kay Farah!
Paid $40–50HaircutBeard trim
AmyLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
I'm a salon owner myself and I would highly recommend these guys. They were absolutely amazing and worked well with my son. We definitely will be back!
Paid $50–60Haircut
Jay7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Highest skilled barbers around the area, have been going for 9+ years and always keep it professional.
I have been using fade 48 for about a year now and they have been great and consistent since day 1. Being mixed I have unique hair that I have had messed up a time or two but inexperienced barbers but Ezel has never done me wrong. His fades are clean and his line ups are crisp. There's also something great about a barber and a barbershop that can read the room and your mood, they know when to have a discussion and when to just let you chill while they give you your cut (I have two young kids at home so sometimes peace and quiet is hard to come by but also a good conversation with another adult can be just as important). If you've spent enough time in a barber chair you know how this can make or break your visit so for me Ezel and Fade 48 get 5 Stars. If your wondering about a new barber don't hesitate to give them a shot. Top tier professionals and a clean shop environment.
Price: $30–40
Services: Haircut
Busyness: A little busy
Service duration: 0–30 min
Sam Ruscher7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sam has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I paid the $80 which included nose wax but wasn’t offered that service. Also, I think they (well the barber I went to) is used to cutting only straight hair. You can decipher what I mean.
Don Shultz6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Don has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Kay is a master of his craft. His talent and attention to detail are truly unmatched. After years of searching for the right barbershop, I won't go anywhere else. Highly recommend Kay Farah!
Price: $40–50
Services: Haircut, Beard trim
Amy WebbLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I'm a salon owner myself and I would highly recommend these guys. They were absolutely amazing and worked well with my son. We definitely will be back!
