Trends in men's hairstyles are cyclical, with some disappearing for a while before making a comeback. However, some hairstyles possess an enduring quality. The taper fade is a straightforward men’s haircut where the sideburns and nape gradually fade to below a 0 blade. This style is versatile and more easily adapted to suit the shape of the client’s head compared to a traditional skin fade or buzz cut. A taper fade allows focus purely on the nape and sideburns, without worrying too much about exposing the occipital bone that naturally protrudes from the back of the head. It also makes sure the lineup, particularly at the back, is extra sharp. The popular men’s hairstyle, often referred to as a temple fade, is best characterized by its versatile nature and low-maintenance properties.
A taper refers to the gradual transition of hair length from top to bottom, usually only noticeable on the sideburns and neckline. The taper fade involves gradually fading the hair from longer to shorter towards the bottom of the head. The hair on the sides and back is cut shorter with clippers, while the hair on top is left longer, resulting in a clean and sharp look that’s both versatile and very modern.
The great thing about taper fades is that they can be customized to suit different preferences and face shapes. They can even be combined with other styles like a side part, quiff, or pompadour. There are different types of fades to choose from, such as low, mid, high, or even skin fades where the hair is shaved down to the skin. With a fade, all the hair around your head is cut at the same length. But with a taper fade, only the hair on the sides of your head (over the ears and neckline) is cut shorter, gradually fading from longer hair on top. The real benefit of a taper fade is that it’s super versatile. You can choose to go all the way down to skin level (which is more common with regular fades), or keep it longer on top. The classic taper is a bit different from the taper fade. With a classic taper, the hair is kept at a similar length around the sides, gradually getting a little shorter towards the ears. But with a taper fade, the change is more gradual as you move down to the ears and neckline.
If you’re not into dramatic changes, a low taper fade will be the best choice for you. This style starts the fading process at the bottom near the ears and has a gradual shift in length. It's important to establish the ‘blend’ point, which is the point where the edges and sideburns meet the maximum hair length on the sides and the back. Typically, this section sits just above the earline for a low taper. Whatever you do to the sides, you must match at the back. So, if you choose a low-taper haircut on the sideburns, make sure that your barber pairs this with a low taper on the nape. Tapering the hairline allows the hair on your nape and sideburns to grow out more naturally, giving the haircut more longevity and keeping you looking neater for longer.
The low taper fade is a safe option that won’t leave you feeling too exposed, and it’s perfect for side parts, pompadour and messy textured cuts. The biggest benefit of this style is that is essentially the simplest way to keep your hair looking neat without too much effort. Provided the hair on top is relatively short, you won’t really need to style your hair - simply getting out of the shower and towel-drying will leave you looking clean.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Long Hair for Boys
Moving up the fade ladder, we have the mid-taper fade haircut, which typically starts an inch above the ears and gradually fades up to the eye line. This cut is still formal but has a bit more of a modern edge to it. The mid-taper fade is a versatile style that pairs well with a range of short-to-long haircuts, including crew cuts, French crops, faux hawks, and pompadours. The hair gradually fades from longer on top to shorter on the sides and back of the head. The fade can start at various heights, but typically it starts at the middle of the head, hence the name “mid-taper fade”. With this kind of taper fade, you’ll generally receive a defined line that sits a few centimetres above and behind the ears.
The mid-taper haircut is a slightly more stylish version of the low-effort cut but is still neat and classy enough to wear in all formal settings.
As close to a skin fade as you can get without going all the way around, the high fade haircut starts about two inches from your hairline and tapers down on the sides and back. It produces a shorter and more defined silhouette and generally pairs best with a cropped fringe or short top, particularly if you have tight curls.
The high-taper fade is best suited to darker hair colors, allowing the cut to demonstrate a greater contrast. If you’ve got light or blond hair, it's recommended staying away from this cut as the style is predicated on the variance from light to dark textures. As it is a far more extreme variation of the cut, it may not be suited to more conservative workplaces or, more importantly, schools.
Men with naturally curly, coil-like, or kinky hair textures hair are perhaps the most suited to taper fade haircuts. This style of cut accentuates the contrast between the sideburns and nape, giving a clean look that lends itself well to waves, blowouts and tight curls. The afro taper removes some of the weight from over the ears and around the back of the neck, resulting in a neater appearance. You can customize the level of taper fade you want, from a low to a higher fade, but a low fade is suggested for the best look. Additionally, removing hair from the sides of the head can help highlight your facial structure.
Read also: Men's and Women's Hairlines
Afro hair has a vastly different texture than Asian or caucasian hair, as the flat, ribbon-like structure of the follicles results in tightly coiled strands and often produces more sebum (protective oil) than other types. The dense and coarse nature of the hair can be challenging to effectively fade, particularly for barbers and hairdressers with limited exposure to this hair type. When you are looking for a barber, it is always recommended checking their Instagram for examples or getting recommendations from other people in the industry.
One of the biggest trends in recent years is the return to dense curls. The curly hair taper fade could well be regarded as the height of follicle fashion. If you do have wild curly locks, this kind of taper fade haircut can help accentuate your facial features and keep you looking sharp with minimal effort. It removes some of the weight from your curls, while still maintaining extensive volume on top, which you can choose to push forward, to the side or back, depending on how tight your curls are.
A forward-facing style such as a Caesar cut or a French crop, is the most complementary to your face shape.
For the most extreme variation of the taper haircut, ask your hairdresser for a burst taper. The burst fade haircut stands out from other fade haircuts thanks to its unique semi-circle-shaped fade arc. This style involves tapering the hairline behind the ear while leaving the hair at the back longer, resulting in a burst effect at the neck that follows the curve of the ears.
While it is a flattering cut that works well on both short and medium-length hair, it’s certainly not for everyone and it can be a challenging cut to perfect. If you have even a hint of a receding hairline, make sure that you keep the burst fade as low as possible. As this kind of cut is more likely to stand out, it’s not recommended for the conservative office worker. It’s like to grow out in a strange manner, so be prepared for some serious maintenance.
Read also: Men's Mid Taper Styles
If you’re very into your mullet and want to take it to the next level with a fade, I recommend a taper with a natural nape/flow haircut. In this style, the sideburns are faded completely and the back is left longer to create a modern mullet style. If you don’t like the “boxy” or squared-off look, then this is the best fade haircut for you.
Styling-wise, this taper fade haircut is probably the most heavy on maintenance. The long length on top will require significant upkeep and the sideburns will grow out quickly, meaning you’ll up looking shabby within two or three weeks. It is recommended towel-drying the hair immediately after you get out of the shower, taking a wide-bristle brush and combing all the hair directly backwards. Let it dry naturally and then run a matte paste product through the top. Avoid water-based pomades and products of that nature, particularly if your hair is a little longer, as I find they can end up making it look oily and wet.
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