Taper Fade

The taper fade is a timeless, versatile haircut appreciated for its gradual transition from longer hair on top to shorter lengths on the sides and back. This style features a clean, sharp appearance, characterized by its crisp lines and sleek silhouette. Ideal for the modern man who values both style and ease, the taper fade works well with various hair types, from straight to wavy. It complements a variety of face shapes, including oval, round, and square. Distinguished from other fades by its subtler gradient, the taper fade emphasizes a polished yet effortless look, maintaining a balance between trendy and classic. Notably, it’s a staple in both professional settings and casual environments, offering a refined yet approachable appearance.

Best For

Oval, round, and square face shapes with straight or wavy hair. Ideal for a polished, sophisticated look.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request a gradual blend using clipper guard numbers, detailing the desired length on top and a low or high fade as per your preference.

How to Maintain It

Visit the barber every 3-4 weeks to keep the fade sharp and the top length manageable, ensuring the style remains clean and defined.

Taper Fade with Textured Top

This variation of the classic taper fade integrates a textured top, bringing a modern flair to the traditional look. The longer lengths on top are left deliberately undone, creating volume and depth through strategic layering. Textured styles work particularly well with coarse or wavy hair, allowing the natural pattern to enhance the overall design. This hairstyle pairs nicely with a casual, laid-back lifestyle, as minimal styling can still yield an appealing end result. The textured top gives a dimension to those with thicker hair, offering an edge that blends perfectly with the taper fade’s seamless gradient.

Best For

Round, square, and oval face shapes with coarse or wavy hair. Suitable for a casual, urban aesthetic.

Products That Work Well

Use a texturizing spray or matte pomade to emphasize the texture while maintaining volume and a natural finish.

How to Make It Your Own

Consider altering the length and density of the top layers or opting for a disconnected side part for added personal flair.

Taper Fade with Hard Part

The taper fade with a hard part incorporates a distinctive, razor-defined line on one side of the head, accentuating the contrast between lengths. This element adds precision and sophistication to the standard taper fade, leading to an eye-catching, polished look. Ideal for straight or slightly wavy hair, the hard part complements the fade’s clean lines, generating a sharp, professional style with a modern twist. Suitable for those in executive roles or professional settings, it commands attention without overstating itself through exaggerated elements.

Best For

Square, oblong, and triangular face shapes with straight hair. Perfect for professional environments with a polished look.

What to Tell Your Barber

Specify the placement and thickness of the hard part and ensure a low or high taper to match your styling preference.

How to Maintain It

Revisit the barbershop every 2-3 weeks to redefine the hard part and ensure the fade retains its sharp edges.

Taper Fade with Curly Top

This style harmonizes the taper fade’s balance with the volume and texture of natural curls, offering a bold yet manageable appearance. Retaining the curls’ natural bounce on top while implementing a taper fade creates an attractive contrast between volume and sleekness. This look is perfect for individuals with thick, curly hair, as it emphasizes the curls without succumbing to frizz or clutter. The smooth gradient of the fade provides a structured base that complements the curls’ free-flowing nature, resulting in an effortlessly cool, contemporary hairstyle.

Best For

Oval, diamond, and heart-shaped faces with coarse, curly hair. Ideal for a bold, textured style.

Products That Work Well

Define curls with a styling cream or mousse, maintaining shape and reducing frizz.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid over-layering; too much thinning can disrupt the curl pattern, resulting in a lack of volume and control.

Taper Fade with Quiff

Featuring a prominent quiff paired with a taper fade, this stylish combination evokes both classic flair and contemporary edge. The quiff is styled upwards and backwards, creating height and drama, while the taper fade ensures a clean transition along the sides, maintaining a perfect juxtaposition. Suited to medium to thick hair, especially if naturally straight or slightly wavy, the quiff requires moderate upkeep to retain its shape but promises a timeless, iconic look coveted by many. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to stand out, adding a bit of spirited panache to your everyday appearance.

Best For

Square, oval, and round faces with medium to thick straight or slightly wavy hair. Ideal for a bold, standout look.

Products That Work Well

Utilize a strong-hold pomade or wax to maintain the quiff’s height and shape throughout the day.

What to Tell Your Barber

Ask for ample length on top with a tapered blend, ensuring enough volume to shape an elevated quiff.

Taper Fade with Pompadour

This taper fade version showcases the dramatic curves of a pompadour, boasting volume and class. With its 1950s rock and roll roots, it’s making a significant comeback, offering contemporary masculinity. The pompadour’s voluminous top is set against the taper’s precisely blended sides, making it an absolute staple for those aiming to convey confidence and flair. Best suited for straight to wavy hair with medium to high density, this style requires dedication in terms of styling but yields a show-stopping result, perfect for events or professional settings where making an impression is key.

Best For

Heart, square, and oval faces with straight or wavy hair. Ideal for making an impactful fashion statement.

How to Maintain It

Regular trims every 3-4 weeks maintain the fade, while consistent styling habits help preserve the pompadour’s volume.

Products That Work Well

Include a strong-hold gel and a quality volumizing mousse for density and shine, ensuring a solid shape.

Taper Fade with Fringe

The taper fade with fringe combines the clean, sophisticated lines of a taper with the playful element of added bangs. The fringe can be styled to lay flat or textured for a dynamic appearance, depending on personal style preference and hair type. This style suits those who want a modern yet versatile look, offering options for varied styling while still maintaining the crispness associated with a taper fade. It’s perfect for those with a busy lifestyle, as the fringe adds interest without needing constant attention, suitable for both casual and formal environments.

Best For

Oval, long, and heart-shaped faces with straight or wavy hair. Ideal for a youthful, contemporary appearance.

How to Make It Your Own

Adjust the fringe length to complement your features, experiment with texturing, or add asymmetrical elements.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid overly thinning the fringe, as this can lead to a lack of volume at the forehead and an unbalanced look.

Low Taper Fade

The low taper fade subtly blends a slight gradient from the top to the base of the hairline. It offers a classic yet understated finish that requires minimal effort to maintain. It’s perfect for those who appreciate refinement without the need for frequent salon visits. The low taper fade is ideal for controlling thick hair while still providing shape and contour, allowing natural movement without frizz. It’s an excellent choice for managing hair in warmer climates or active lifestyles where frequent styling might be problematic. This style offers an elevated appearance without overemphasizing itself.

Best For

Round, rectangular, and triangular face shapes with thick, coarse hair. Ideal for a classy, understated style.

How to Maintain It

Visit every 4-6 weeks to maintain the fade’s integrity and keep any bulkiness at the base in check.

What to Tell Your Barber

Ask for a low fade at the base and a clean scissor cut or light machine work up top.

High Taper Fade

The high taper fade presents a sharper contrast between the longer top and shorter sides, achieving a bolder, more modern aesthetic. It shifts focus upwards, drawing attention to volume and style on top. This option is excellent for tight curls or extremely dense hair types, allowing a controlled shape that maintains individuality through styling freedom on the crown. With a fast-paced lifestyle, this option remains conducive to maintaining a sleek exterior with fewer styling demands. Its pronounced look is ideal for asserting personal style in professional or social settings, where a distinguished flair is desired.

Best For

Square, oval, and oblong faces with dense, curly hair. Ideal for those seeking a modern and bold look.

What to Tell Your Barber

Ask for a higher contrast fade, ensuring the hair on top remains thick and styled for volume.

How to Make It Your Own

Consider creative styling at the crown, like curls or pompadours, to showcase personality without compromising the fade.

Mid Taper Fade

The mid taper fade strikes a balance between low and high fades, offering gradual blending that works across professional and casual realms. This style adjusts well to both straight and slightly wavy hair, managing to refine dense hair while not losing form. The mid taper pairs well with versatile fashion choices—it’s structured, clean, yet modern enough to transition through varied settings without seeming out of place. Unlike other fades, this maintains equilibrium in visibility and length, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy diversity in hair styling without a constant salon commitment.

Best For

Oval, heart, and square face shapes with straight or slightly wavy hair. A versatile fit for diverse settings.

Products That Work Well

Consider a lightweight cream or foam to add texture and define the top without overpowering the hair shaft.

Styling Time & Difficulty

This fade requires minimal styling daily, making it a stellar choice for time-constrained mornings.

Taper Fade with Crew Cut

The taper fade paired with a crew cut offers a military-inspired, low-maintenance style that boasts both ease and precision. With the hair cropped close to the scalp up top and faded seamlessly towards the sides, this look is crisp and efficient, perfect for both uniform requirements and casual ease. Its straightforward, clean lines require less frequent upkeep, making it a solid choice for active men. This timeless professional finish can adjust well across a variety of environments, emphasizing personal discipline along with minimal fuss day-to-day styling.

Best For

Square, round, and rectangular face shapes with coarse, dense hair. Ideal for low fuss, high style environments.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request close crop lengths atop, paired with a gradual taper down the sides for a seamless blend.

How to Maintain It

Quick, simple upkeep every 3-4 weeks at the barber to assure that dimension is retained.

Taper Fade with Slick Back

Incorporating the taper fade with slicked-back hair melds classic sophistication with modern appeal. The slick back creates a chiseled formality especially suitable for formal events or corporate environments where appearance forms essential responsibility. The polished finish on top aligns with the taper’s incredible precision for a top-tier refined look. Best suited for straight hair, this style balances tradition and elegance while staying stylishly collaborative with a range of wardrobe choices, ensuring adaptability that doesn’t compromise class.

Best For

Long, oval, and rectangular face shapes with straight hair. Ideal for elegant styling needs and formal occasions.

Products That Work Well

Opt for high shine pomade or gel to control the sleekness and hold the style firmly.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid overly heavy products that could weigh down the slicked-back style and cause greasy build-up.

Taper Fade with Undercut

The taper fade with an undercut pairs the traditional fade’s subtler features with the daring, distinct undercut’s bold contrast. This offers expressive styling versatility through stark side-to-top differences while channeling top section flair through creative lengths or finishes. It lends itself better to self-styling experimentation rather than precision, suiting those prepared to express personal flair. It can accommodate various hair types, emphasizing their unique quirks, whether sleek, curly, or textured, and integrating the undercut with contemporary styling preferences.

Best For

Square, round, and heart-shaped faces with straight or textured hair. Ideal for edgy style seekers wanting clear contrasts.

How to Make It Your Own

Personalize with pompadours, mohawks, or asymmetrical designs on top for a distinguished, trendsetting look.

Products That Work Well

Include versatile products like medium-hold clay or styling foam for top section manipulation.

Taper Fade with Spiky Top

A taper fade with a spiky top encapsulates dynamic energy mixed with clean professionalism. The spiky elements on the crown break free of convention, allowing self-styling freedom expressed through deliberate edge and asymmetry. This choice particularly complements those with an upbeat, edgy persona looking to maintain visual excitement while incorporating the taper’s precision further down. Pairing energy and flair, it’s particularly suitable for social environments where standing out becomes essential and passivity momentarily turns into provocation or statement at gatherings.

Best For

Triangular, oval, and heart face shapes with straight or slightly wavy hair. Ideal for energetic, expressive personalities.

Products That Work Well

Use a strong-hold gel or wax to elevate and fix spikes securely, maintaining form without constant attention.

Styling Time & Difficulty

Fast styling routines often take less than 5 minutes once familiar, making it highly efficient.

Taper Fade with Side Part

The taper fade with side part is a sophisticated haircut blending the classic taper fade’s graduated length with a distinct side part for additional style definition. This hairstyle maintains a neat and polished appearance with the hair on the top kept moderately longer, generally combed to one side. Perfect for those with straight to wavy hair types, this style allows for effortless control and sleekness. The taper fade component ensures clean edges, leaving the back and sides gradually shorter, while the side part adds a touch of elegance. This cut is particularly popular among professionals due to its minimal maintenance and refinement. Unlike a hard part, which involves shaving a distinct line, the side part in this style is more subtle, lending it a timeless quality suitable for almost any formal or casual setting.

Best For

This style is ideal for oval, square, or triangle face shapes and works best with medium to thick hair textures. It’s particularly effective for those seeking a clean yet versatile look.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request a clean taper fade on the sides and back, ensuring to leave enough length on top for a defined side part. Specify the natural side of the part for precision.

How to Maintain It

To keep the look sharp, regular trims every two to four weeks are advised. Use a light pomade or styling cream to maintain the part and a fine-tooth comb for neatness.