The Ultimate Guide to the Taper Fade Haircut

A taper fade is one of the most popular mens haircuts and not for nothing. It can give any hair look a clean and crisp appearance. What is more, it works equally well no matter whether you have straight and fine or kinky and coarse hair. And since it is so versatile, it comes as no surprise that there are plenty of options to choose from. *We may earn money from affiliate links on this page. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

Understanding the Technique: What Makes a Taper Fade?

At the heart of the taper fade haircut is precision. The haircut involves carefully tapering the hair from one length to another, usually starting longer at the crown and gradually shortening towards the neckline. The "fade" refers to how the hair seamlessly transitions into the skin, creating a clean, minimalist finish. Anton Niznick, a stylist with many years of experience in barbering and education, claims that the structure of the head and face plays a significant role in choosing a haircut:

"Taper fade is ideal for those cases when we need to visually make the bone structure at the top of the head wider, but we need to leave volume above and behind the ears. This technique is best used with a classic triangular head shape. This is when there is a wide jaw and a narrow top zone. This way we will perform an ideal correction of the head shape."

Main Types of Taper Fades

The three primary types of taper fades are low, mid, and high. Beyond these, barbers often utilize other popular variations in their practice. This article aims to cover all the key aspects of these styles, ensuring you leave with a clear understanding and no unanswered questions.

Low Taper Fade

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If you prefer subtle changes, a low taper fade is ideal. This style fades gradually from the bottom near the ears, with the 'blend' point typically just above the earline. The same fade should be mirrored at the nape for balance. Tapering the hairline, rather than squaring it off, helps the haircut grow out naturally and last longer.

Peculiarities:

• Gradual Transition: The fade starts just above the ears, providing a smooth shift in hair length without abrupt changes.
• Blend Point: The blend point is typically located just above the earline, creating a seamless integration between the longer hair on top and the shorter sides.

Advantages:

• Low Maintenance: The style requires minimal styling, especially when the hair on top is short.
• Balanced Look: The low taper ensures proportions are maintained, making it suitable for a variety of face shapes.
• Longevity: It grows out gracefully, allowing for a longer time between haircuts compared to more extreme fades.

Paring:

• Structured Styles:  A classic and striking look can be achieved with a pompadour, while a low taper fade paired with a crew cut offers a clean and tidy appearance.
• Casual Styles: The textured crop adds dimension and movement, while the messy fringe offers a laid-back vibe with tousled hair.

Mid Taper Fade

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A medium taper fade starts around the middle of the head, transitioning from longer hair on top to shorter hair on the sides. The blending point is typically located around the temples, allowing for a smooth integration of hair lengths. With minimal sharp contrast, this haircut retains its fresh appearance for a longer time, meaning you can visit the barber less frequently.

Peculiarities:

• Gradual Transition: The fade starts at the mid-level, allowing for a more pronounced shift in hair length that still maintains a clean look.
• Blend Point: The blend point is generally located around the temples, providing a clear separation between the top and sides while ensuring a smooth flow.

Advantages:

• Defined Look: This fade offers a modern edge to traditional cuts.
• Easy Maintenance: As the low taper fades, it requires minimal styling; simply towel-drying is often enough to achieve a clean look, especially with shorter hair on top.

Pairing:

• Structured Styles: The mid taper fade pairs well with a slicked-back undercut, a modern quiff (for added height), or a classic Ivy League cut.
• Casual Styles: For a more relaxed vibe, it complements a messy textured hairstyle that adds volume and movement or a tousled Caesar cut.

High Taper Fade

by @keller_konturen The high taper fade men's haircut starts high on the head, creating a sharp contrast between the longer hair on top and the shorter sides. The blend point typically sits around the temples, ensuring a style's overall definition.

Peculiarities:

• Bold Transition: The fade begins high on the head, providing a dramatic shift in hair length that makes a statement.
• Blend Point: The blend point is generally located around the temples, allowing for a smooth integration between the longer hair on top and the faded sides.

Advantages:

• Attention-Grabbing: The high taper fade offers a standout look that draws attention.
• Defined Appearance: This fade creates a sharp and clean silhouette, enhancing the overall shape of the haircut.

Pairing:

• Structured Styles: The high taper fade works exceptionally well with classy styles like a side parting, which enhances the sharpness of the fade. A textured crop can also be paired effectively, adding dimension while maintaining the fade’s definition.
• Casual Styles: The high taper fade pairs well with a messy top featuring tousled layers. And voluminous quiff adds to the overall look height and flair.

Taper Fade With Curly Hair

by @joshconnollybarber The curly hair taper fade stands out as a chic option that enhances facial features while offering a polished look with minimal effort. This haircut reduces some weight from the curls, allowing for plenty of volume on top, which can be styled forward, sideways, or back, depending on the tightness of the curls. For those opting for this cut, styles like a textured cropped cut or a quiff are particularly flattering, complementing various face shapes. When considering a taper fade for curly hair, it’s essential to remember a few key points:

• Curl Type: This style creates a stark contrast between shorter and longer hair and is best suited for thick, unruly locks.
• Top Styling: Leave the curls on the top of your head loose and wavy. This will give the overall image mobility and volume.

Afro Taper Fade

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A taper fade Afro is another popular haircut for men with unruly tresses. Not only is it a surefire way to tame them but it also provides you with the ease of maintenance and styling. The look comes out so clean that you can even pair it with a bushy beard.

Taper Fade Long Hair

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If you got tired of your long hair taper may be exactly what you need. It allows you to keep the length on top while removing quite a lot of weight from the sides and back. As a result, you get a cleaner and lighter hair look without the need to sacrifice your long tresses.

Taper Designs

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A hair design is an amazing way of self expression, don't you agree? With its help, you can deliver almost any message you got to the world. While it works for the majority of medium hairstyles, it is better if you have a medium taper fade on the back and sides.

Taper Burst Fade

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Apart from being high, medium and low, there are several other haircuts types of a taper to choose from. As such, you can get a burst fade. The barber will fade your hair on the sides so that it follows a curved line rather than a straight one, which creates quite an unusual pattern. So, you will not confuse a burst taper with anything else.

Bald Taper Fade

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For a more high contrast look, consider a bald taper with a fade. This haircut is not for faint hearted for sure. So, in case you want to declare your fashion bravery, a skin taper is a good way to do so. Do not forget that you will need to book appointments with your barber beforehand for regular touch ups.

Taper Mullet

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You may have heard that a mullet haircut has made a comeback as a fashion trend and it is here to stay. The modern version is much more wearable though – it does not require leaving very long hair in the back while the sides usually feature a taper short hair cut.

FAQs: Taper Fade

REFERENCES:

• Trendy Ideas Taper Fade Haircuts For Men. Source

Taper Short Fade Haircut

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One of the best things about this haircut is that it comes in plenty of lengths and textures. As such, if you are not a fan of particularly long locks, then a taper buzz cut fade haircut is your way to go. It is quite daring so you should be ready to have all eyes on you.

Blow Out Fade

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While for a blowout low taper curly hair works best, you may try to pull it off on any type of hair. To do it, you will need to stock up on a powerful hair dryer and a volumizing hair styling product. A round brush is advisable but not necessary.

Taper Fade Straight Hair

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Like we said before, taper fades are not limited to a certain hair texture and if you have straight hair, you may get it too. With a low taper fade straight hair cut looks more pronounced and structured. Hence, if you struggle to make your locks more defined, this is your way out.

Side Part

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You should not be afraid to add other fashionable elements to your short taper fade. For instance, to accentuate it even more, accompany your hair look with a side part. It is aimed to give your appearance an elegant touch with some sort of edginess. To take it up a notch, go for a hard part haircut on the side.

Faux Hawk

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A faux hawk and a burst taper fade are made for each other. Yet, you may choose any other faded taper type if you like. Plus, you may get your taper fade low or high, depending on how much contrast and impact you want to make with your haircut.

Pompadour Taper Fade

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For a pompadour, you may feel free to pick a haircut with any level of boldness. A taper fade mid cut will work just fine in this case, as it is quite reserved yet interesting. What is more, it gives you the right amount of elegance so you may wear it in any situation.

Comb Over

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Whenever you are headed to an important event and need your hair to look its best, a medium taper fade comb over is your sure bet. It is very polished and refined, so your hairstyle will be impeccable, you may not worry about that. Yet, this can be also an option how to wear a taper with long hair.

Taper Fade Slicked Back

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While slicked back hair allows for almost any accompaniments, a taper fade mid cut is something you can never go wrong with. It is quite edgy but does not draw attention from your top. Instead, it makes your slicked back hair the focal point of the look.

Quiff Tapered Fade

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If you have a quiff, you may be looking for a way to put more emphasis on it. It goes without saying that with shorter hair on the sides, your top gets more attention, especially when it is curly. That is why it makes sense to take a low taper curly hair cut into account.

Edgar Taper Fade Haircut

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With a low taper long hair on top becomes more pronounced, so why not take advantage of it for your Edgar haircut? Although your top should already be quite textured, some extra emphasis will not hurt. Of course, you should not forget about a texturizing hair product.

With any of these taper fade ideas, your haircut will gain a fashionable upgrade. We hope that our guide has inspired you to a new look before your next visit to the barbershop. And do not hesitate to experiment. If not now, when?