When you wear a taper fade, you know you’re on-point anytime you leave the house. There’s just so much more you can do with this dashing cut. Add a part, start the fade at the neckline, and pair it with a mohawk – there are so many variations you can try.
Learn more about its history, how to get one, and how it differs from similar styles.
What Is a Taper Fade?
A taper fade is a hairstyle that tapers down the sides and back of your hair so that it fades into your skin. There is no standard length for a tapered fade, which makes it a good casual and professional haircut.
Some claim that this fade is not an actual hairstyle but a phrase only used by the uninformed. However, we assure you that it is both a real and timeless hairstyle and one that many people wear confidently.
Who Should Get a Taper Fade?
A taper is a common hairstyle for men. It can look good on all textures and types of hair and is a clean, low-maintenance style. If you want your hair to have a reasonable balance between short and long, you may want to try a taper haircut.
How To Ask for a Taper Fade
There is some overlap between regular taper and fade haircuts. If your barber hears “taper fade,” he will most likely ask whether you want one or the other. You will need to be specific with your barber so that you get exactly the style you want when you ask for it.
You should tell your barber the exact length in millimeters that you want your hair to taper down to around the back and sides of your head.
High Taper vs. Low Taper
A high taper is a taper in which your hair is trimmed down above your ear, no more than two inches down the sides of your head. A low taper is a taper in which your hair is trimmed farther down your head. It typically descends below your ear around the nape of your neck.
Taper Fade vs. Temp Fade
A temp fade, also known as a temple fade, low fade, Brooklyn fade, or blowout, is a style of fade that became popular in the 2000s. It has a stricter definition than the taper fade, characterized by the hair on the sides and back of your head being trimmed very short and fading into the skin around your temples.
Ideal for: Any event that you want to look fresh for. This braids for men with long hair will help you stand out in a crowd.
How to style: You would split your fade in half, then braid it downwards into one. If your hair is longer than the model you can place it into a man bun or braid the ponytail.
Taper Fade Haircuts
Are you confused about how to achieve a well-done taper fade or need haircut inspiration? Don’t just tell your barber you want one. Show him one of the below styles and ask for a unique cut that will keep all eyes on you.
1. Curly Top Knot with Skin Fade and Hair Design
A thick curly hair pulled into a ponytail will give you that rough and edgy look. Adding a taper fade will provide a handsome definition to it, making it look sleeker and smoother. For best results, throw in an eye-catching hair art that will surely make you stand out.
2. Taper Fade with 360 Waves
With the waves going to the sides of your head from the center point, this hairstyle looks like a work of symmetrical art. The addition of the smooth low tapering makes the haircut looks as sexy as hell. Not only that, the sharp razor cuts will also make your face look slimmer and your jawlines more prominent.
3. Spiral Curls with Mid Drop Fade
Taper fade is the perfect match for short curly hair as it helps emphasize the curls. Plus, the fading goes towards the temples and necklines and leaves a well-shaped line behind the ear and at the back of your hair for a more polished look.
4. Platinum Blond Crop with Skin Fade
If your bleached hair is spot on, you should definitely pair it with a fade that’s on point too. For this short bleached hair, the mid fade is the best option. It’s the perfect balance as it’s not as dramatic as a high taper but not as unnoticeable as a low one, making it the perfect choice for a casual-looking hairstyle.
5. Slick-Back Undercut with High Skin Fade
But if you want drama and a more noticeable haircut, go for high taper fade which has shorter sides and the fading starts 2 inches from the top of your hair down to the sides. The best thing about this type of fade is it can subtly frame your face, making it look slimmer.
6. Hard-Part Comb-Over with Skin Fade
The short fade is the least subtle of all taper haircuts. It starts at the ears and closely follows your hairline up to the nape of your neck. Even though it won’t give you the high contrast that other fades have, it can still make your hair look more structured and can draw focus to your gorgeous cheekbones.
7. High Skin Fade with Full Beard
Taper fades work on all types and lengths of hair. So even though you like keeping your hair short and neat, you still have the option to sport a gorgeous fade.
Pro Tip: For a more masculine look, leave your beard long and rugged.
8. Slicked-Back Top with Low Taper Fade
Showcasing the perfect tapered medium fade, this haircut starts at the middle of your temples, runs around the ears, and up to the back of the neck. With this type of fade, you can enjoy longer hair without worrying that it will overwhelm your face. At the same time, it makes long hair more manageable and easier to style.
9. Afro with High Drop Fade and Line-Up
With a taper fade, you can give your afro a better shape and structure. By keeping the sides of your hair shorter, you can keep your hair away from your face while still allowing your curls to run wild– the best of both worlds!
Pro Tip: If you want to keep your hair longer at the back, ask your barber to start the dimming above your ears.
10. Man Bun with High Skin Fade
One of the best ways to style thick and long hair is to pull it into a slick man bun. Take your simple bun to a whole new level by pairing it with an undercut taper fade. The faded sides will balance off your edgy look and give it a more put-together appearance.
11. Textured Top with Mid Bald Fade and Beard
Instead of gradual fading, try going for a mid-bald taper fade which shows off more skin. Due to the absence of hair on the sideburn and neckline, this haircut won’t add any width to your face. Because of this, this type of fade is perfect for men with wide, round, or diamond-shaped faces.
12. Blunt Fringe Crop with Low Drop Fade
From its name, temple fade is the type of fade that’s focused on the temples and is meant to serve as a bridge between your hair and beard. This popular ’90s hairstyle is making a big comeback nowadays and we totally understand why! It creates sharp clean lines on the face, giving men a more sharp and masculine look.
13. Brush-Up with Low Taper Fade
Is the classic brush-up your go-to hairstyle? Matching it with a taper is highly recommended as it can balance off the length of your hair and keep it neat and clean. The fade on the sides makes it suitable as both a casual style and business professional haircut.
14. 360 Waves and Taper Fade with Beard
Beards and fades are just meant to be together. That’s because the taper fade’s clean-cut and polished look balances off the beard’s rugged and masculine vibe.
Pro Tip: If you have short hair or a shaved head, the best option would be low tapering which starts at the temples and goes around at the back of your head.
15. Textured Crop with Mid Skin Fade
As compared to other types of haircuts, the skin taper fade is considered to be the shortest as it exposes the skin on the sides of your head. It’s the perfect match for short and voluminous hairstyles like the one in the picture.
16. Loc Top Knot with High Skin Fade
There’s no doubt that dreadlocks are one of the most stylish protective hairstyles you can get your hands on. But if we’re being honest, it can get a bit overwhelming, especially if you have no time to style your hair.
Lucky for you, adding a tapered fade can give you better control over this unruly hairstyle and make it look even more stylish in the process.
17. Textured Faux Hawk with High Skin Fade
Despite being less dramatic than mohawks, faux hawks still might not fit the everyday hairstyle category. The good news is adding taper fade can make this hairstyle more wearable. The fade gives you a subtle gradient between your long top and the fully shaved sides, making the entire look more tamed and casual.
18. Etched Side Design with Taper Fade and Beard
For a sharper and edgier look, incorporate designs in your taper fade. It’s the best way to express your creativity and personality since the sky is the limit with hair designs. You can go for drawings (like this one), symbols, letters, or lines. You can even choose to place it either on the side or back of your head.
19. Slicked-Back Quiff with High Skin Fade
For men with short hair, the gradual fade is their best bet. Since there’s not much length difference between the hair at the top of your head and on the sides, gradual fading offers a smooth transition between the two.
20. Burst Fade with Dyed Spiky Top
With its dramatic appearance, it’s impossible to confuse burst tapering with any other type of fade. To achieve the burst fade effect, the hairline at the sides and back of the head is tapered while the hair at the top is cut longer.
Pro Tip: For a more stunning look, dye your hair with a vibrant and playful color like the one in the photo.
21. High Drop Fade with Lightning Design
Putting a modern twist on the classic taper fade, the drop fade curves around the ear and then drop down to the nape. This fade creates a curve that makes the hairstyle look sexier and a whole lot cooler.
22. Skin Fade with Shaved Swoosh and Bleached Top
If standing out is what you want, dyeing your hair is the way to go. If that’s not enough, you can amp up your dye and fade game by dyeing your hair in steaks and adding a striking design to your fade.
23. Hard-Part Comb-Over with Mid Fade
A simple way to update your short hairstyle is to add a hard part. A hard part makes your parting stand out, adding more dimension to your combover hairstyle while the taper fade gives it more structure. When combined, these simple elements make up a neater and sharper look.
24. Slick-Back with High Bald Fade and Beard
Pompadour and fades are a classic combination because the neat fade adds a stark contrast against the attention-grabbing high-volume slicked-back hairstyle. It makes your hair look cleaner and become more manageable without having to lose all its length and volume.
25. Two Feed-In Braids with Taper Fade
If you get bored by a simple braid, then you can make two stylish braids of your hair with taper fade haircut. You will surely love this change.
26. Straight-Back Braids with Beads
You could shape cornrows directly back from your hairline but letting them hang straight down is also another cool style. Top off the ends with a couple stacked beads in black or a contrasting color like white.
Keeping Your Taper Fade Sharp
Real talk: a fade looks its absolute best for about a week or two, then it slowly grows out and loses that crisp blend.
If you want it staying fresh, book a touch-up every two to three weeks. The neckline and edges are the first things to go fuzzy. A quick line-up in between keeps you looking sharp without sitting down for a full cut.
One trick that saves a lot of guys grief: don’t chase your own neckline with clippers at home. You’ll keep cutting it higher trying to even it out, and before you know it the fade is gone.
Let it grow to your next appointment or pop in for a quick neck shave instead. And keep the hair itself healthy: wash and condition like usual so the blend reads soft and clean, not dry and patchy.
Styling the Top
The fade does half the work. The top is where you actually do the styling, so match your product to the finish you want.
Pomade gives you shine and a slick, combed-back look. Clay or paste is your friend for a matte, natural finish with strong hold, perfect for textured crops and messy styles. A light cream or leave-in keeps curls defined without going crunchy.
And if you want real height on a pomp or quiff, blow-dry the top up and back first, then lock it in with product. A little goes a long way here. Pile on too much and it looks greasy by lunch.
Common Taper Fade Mistakes to Avoid
A few things that trip guys up:
- Going too high when you wanted subtle. A high fade is a statement. If your workplace is on the conservative side, ask for a low or mid and skip the surprise in the mirror.
- Mismatching the top. A tight fade under a shapeless top just looks unfinished. Decide what’s happening up top before you commit to how short the sides go.
- Forgetting the beard blend. If you’ve got a beard, a fade that doesn’t connect to it leaves an awkward bare patch by the ear. Ask for the blend.
- Waiting too long between cuts. Push a fade past three or four weeks and the whole point, that clean gradient, is already gone.
Now that you know more about the timeless taper fade style, feel free to talk with your barber about trying it out for yourself. Consider taking a look at the photos of the various styles to see what would best compliment your face, head, and complexion.
With time and patience, you will find the perfect look for you!