50 Trendsetting Taper Fade Haircuts for a Sharp Look

Among the myriad of options, the taper fade has emerged as a timeless and versatile choice that continues to captivate the hearts and heads of style-conscious men worldwide. As the go-to authority on men’s hair trends, Men’s Haircuts Editors proudly present a comprehensive guide to the taper fade – a haircut that seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary flair.

*We may earn money from affiliate links on this page. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

Classy Taper Fade

@sean_the_barber_

If you choose a classic and elegant style but want it to appear more up-to-date, this haircut will help you to get the desired look. The haircut type depends on the effect you want to achieve. For more definition, get a simple side part in above the tapered area.

Low Taper Fade

@rpb_nq

The low taper fade haircut involves delicately trimming the hair just above the ears, and in some cases, extending the taper to the back of the head. This style is often complemented by a temp fade to achieve a sharp and edgy look.

Tips for Styling:

• Commence the fade just above the ears and, if desired, continue it to the back of the head.
• Utilize styling products to uphold the desired hairstyle.
• Regular trims are essential to maintain a tidy and well-defined taper.

Mid Taper Fade

@joshconnollybarber

What is a medium taper fade? Unlike the low taper, the mid taper fade starts at the center of your sides and back. It’s not overly bold yet not too plain, which makes it a perfect choice for guys who like to have a balance in all areas of their lives.

Styling Tips:

• Achieve a harmonious contrast between the taper and fade with a Medium Fade haircut.
• The top hair offers versatility, allowing for styling options such as short, spiky, or curly, among others.
• Keep in mind that maintaining a necessitates regular trims and cuts to uphold its sharp and polished appearance.

High Taper Fade

@xbigwesx

When it comes to the high taper fade, several features distinguish it from other taper fades.

Notably:

• A tapered top characterized by longer hair on the crown gradually decreasing in size as it extends to the sides and back of the head.
• Unlike conventional tapers, the high taper fade boasts a seamless fade just above the ears, earning it the “high” designation.

Taper Fade Curly Hair

@z_ramsey

With a curly hair taper fade looks much neater and more defined. So, if you want to give your curls additional prominence, a taper fade is your way to go.

Styling Tip: Use a hydrating curl cream to define and moisturize your curls. Apply on damp hair and gently scrunch to enhance the natural curl pattern without weighing it down, letting the tapered sides shine.

Short Taper Fade

@joshconnollybarber

For this short taper fade by men’s hair stylist and educator Josh Connolly, maintain the sharpness with a weekly trim and style daily with a small amount of matte wax for a textured, natural finish. Keep the sides immaculate for that fresh-from-the-barber look.

Blowout Taper

@andrewdoeshair

A blowout taper fade is one of the most popular hairstyles of choice among guys who prefer to have more volume on top with the sides neatly trimmed. To pull off the look, you need a volumizing hair product, a powerful hair dryer, and a pinch of a certain attitude.

Taper Haircut + Long Bang

@alan_beak

As the taper haircut makes you look clean and neat, you can pair it with the longest bang you want. If you are a really rough guy with a ton of patience, go for a chest-length full beard, which will look impressive with a tapered hairstyle.

Bald Taper Fade

@z_ramsey

A bald taper fade by New York barber and educator Zach Ramsey is not for everyone. Yet, going for it guarantees you an edgy and daring appearance. Moreover, a skin taper or skin fade taper pairs nicely with a ton of different hairstyles on top.

Pro Tip: For a bald taper fade like this, apply a light hold pomade to slightly damp hair. Sweep back the top layers with a comb for structure, allowing the fade to stand out. This style is all about contrast and clean lines.

Parted Faux Hawk Taper

@ahmetaslanhairsalon

This is a bold blend of audacity and precision, featuring a dramatic contrast between the spiked top and the skin-tight fade at the sides. It’s a modern twist on the classic hawk, perfect for making a standout statement.

Long Hair Taper

@ahmetaslanhairsalon

For long hair taper fade is always a great addition since it instantly makes the hairstyle easier to maintain while giving it a defined silhouette. The way to style the hair on top is up to you. This can be just anything, from a top knot to a Viking braid.

Tapered Buzz Cut

@charliegray248

As we already mentioned, there are no limits in terms of length when it comes to a mens taper fade haircut and the wide variety of both short and long taper fade images existing nowadays successfully proves it. So, if a taper fade buzz cut is your haircut of choice, a tapered cut will become a great accompaniment to it.

Pro Tip: Keep it sharp with regular touch-ups every few weeks. Use a quality head shaver at home for maintenance, blending into the taper to preserve the gradient. This cut is all about precision and ease.

Brushed Back Taper Fade Mid

@r.braid

A taper fade haircut takes your hair on top to the center of attention. So, you can style it in any way you like, and rest assured that your hairstyle will look head turning. If you need an elegant and stylish hairstyle, get the top brushed back and complement it with a mid taper fade.

Mid Taper Mullet

@xbigwesx

A muller haircut is one of those comeback male hair trends that you cannot miss. However, to give it a modern feel, pair the elongated top and back with a mid taper haircut on the sides. This combo looks very bold and fashionable, so you are guaranteed to collect compliments left, right and center.

Taper Fade With Design

@braid

Robert Braid’s taper fade with line design is a masterful display of edgy artistry, sporting a precision-etched line that adds a custom touch to the classic taper. This cut is for those who dare to wear their individuality with confidence.

High Taper Fade Curly Hair

@xbigwesx

Curly hair and a high taper fade are made for each other. As your kinks may be very tricky to keep in order, a taper fade will make things easy for you. For ultimate contrast and boldness, opt for a high taper fade, which takes off pretty much hair from the side, making your hairstyle much easier to maintain.

Taper Fade Straight Hair

@joshconnollybarber

For straight hair, a taper fade creates much needed definition. As a result, your haircut looks more pronounced. You may accentuate your top with a layered haircut and apply a texturizing product for a more voluminous and structured look of the cut.

Middle Part Taper Fade

@alan_beak

Middle-parted hair is still at the peak of its popularity. Yet, you can take it to another level by accompanying the look with a tapered fade haircut. This will provide ease of maintenance and styling, as you remove bulk from your hair. As such, with taper fade long hair gets a lot of benefits.

Low Taper Fade Curly Hair

@horatiuthebarber

It’s not usually easy to find trendy hairstyles for men with curly hair. Not so anymore. This model shows how taper fades make curly hair men look fantastic. This model’s fabulous curls will instantly make women want to run their hands through them.

Quiff Top Taper Fade

@keller_konturen

This model’s snazzy mens quif with a mid taper fade shows how you have some choice about the length. It could be worn longer and more voluminous if you want.

The Quiff haircut with the Taper Fade element is quite easy to style. It is enough to untangle your hair, raise your hair – be sure to add styling and you are ready to conquer the universe.

– says Barbers by desperados.barbershop on their Instagram.

Afro Taper Fade

@z_ramsey

A taper fade is an awesome way to tame such unruly locks as Afro. Having your sides and back tapered gives your hairstyle a neat and dapper appearance. At the same time, you get a trendy and stylish look, thus killing two birds with one stone. Do not forget to emphasize the bold texture of your kinks.

Long Hair Low Taper Fade

@ahmetaslanhairsalon

A long hair low taper fade is a match made in tonsorial heaven. Because the hair on the sides and back is tapered with fading, the overall appearance of your hairstyle comes out neater and cleaner. And since a low taper fade suggests a gradual change in length, it is less harsh compared to other tapper fade haircuts.

Faux Hawk Low Taper Haircut

@horatiuthebarber

A faux hawk haircut is the first that you’ll want to pair with a taper fade. To achieve this hairstyle look, you’ll need to have your hair on top long enough to form a crest, while the sides, unlike the traditional mohawk, shouldn’t be shaved but tapered instead.

Parted Brush Up Low Fade Haircut Taper

@andrewdoeshair

Get the sides shorter and complement the look with a taper fade for a dramatic yet tasteful kick. The hair on top, in its turn, should be brushed up using a generous amount of a hair product and a powerful hair dryer.

Clean Neckline Taper Fade

@keller_konturen

For a sharp and masculine look, you should not necessarily go with a high or bald fade. Even a subtle taper fade haircut on the sides may add a stylish and dapper touch to your overall appearance. However, to give your hairstyle a pronounced edge, opt for long hair on top.

Caesar Inspired Taper

@johnny_snips

Do historical figures inspire you for life changes? Why don’t you try a Caesar haircut then? It pairs perfectly with a fade tapered haircut and an elaborate design.

Comb Over Fade

@johnny_snips

The comb over fade offers several styling options. This model side parted his and then slicked it back. Bald men and those with thinning hair like the taper fade comb over as it allows them to conceal hairless patches.

Choppy Short Low Taper Fade

@diego_djdgaf

Men with thick hair no longer need to get thinned, short cuts. Choppy haircuts with taper fades will give them edge, polish, and sophistication. They can even choose whether they want short choppy hair or, like this model, wear it longer. Taper fades offer so many options.

Taper Fade Blonde Hair

@dexterdapper

When opting for a taper fade black men get many benefits. A taper fade Afro is easier to maintain than a traditional Afro. Besides, with a taper fade black men achieve a face-framing effect and a bolder look.

Flowy Swept Back

@keller_konturen

To give your hairstyle a breezy and relaxed appearance, incorporate flowy strands on top. To achieve high contrast with this look, you will need to sweep back the hair up top and get the sides faded to the skin. If this seems like too much for you, then you are welcome to go for a gradual taper fade on the sides and back.

Styling Tip: Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair. Blow dry while brushing back to create volume and movement. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the flow intact throughout the day without sacrificing the natural bounce.

Textured Short Top

@spukthebarber

A taper fade works for hair of any length. So, if you prefer shorter haircuts, complement them with a high taper haircut for more definition. For the same reason, the hair on top can be texture cut.

Medium Blowout

@rpb_nq

When you need to look your best, a medium blowout haircut with tapered sides is your way to go. Elegant, it suits almost any ambiance, from semi-formal to professional.

Low Drop Taper Fade

@spukthebarber

A low taper fade haircut comes out looking tasteful and reserved. It may not be particularly eye catching, yet it still adds a stylish touch to your look. For an added emphasis, go for a drop taper fade haircut.

Short Blowout

@rpb_nq

For a dapper look that doesn’t require much maintenance, turn to a blowout haircut on top and a tapered low fade haircut on the sides and back. To make it even edgier, add a line-up along the forehead and temples.

Long Textured Low Taper Haircut

@ryancullenhair

If you prefer long top short sides haircuts, then this is your way to go. With a low taper long hair on top will become the focal point of the whole look. So, make sure to give it a more intricate shape. To achieve this, get the strands texture cut and apply a hair product for more emphasis.

High Top Fade

@diego_djdgaf

This model’s high top hairstyle elicits the 1990s hip hop beats. Well, the look is back, and the high top fade modernizes it. These days, it’s extremely trendy. This model’s high top sits above a mid taper fade, which begins around the temple level and ends above the ears.

Tapered Mohawk

@z_ramsey

Mohawk hair, in some form or fashion, has YET to go out of style. This Mohawk fade, though spiked and atop a scruffy beard, nonetheless can still be sophisticated, if that’s what this model needs. It’ll be anything he wants, really. The Mohawk haircut isn’t just for punk rockers anymore.

Tapered Side Part

@alan_beak

For this side part work a small amount of pomade into damp hair. Part your hair on one side, then use a comb to neatly sweep it back, creating that classic pomp. The taper should blend seamlessly into the beard for a cohesive, polished look.

Brushed Back Haircut

@birdcobarbers

Brushed back hair, along with a low taper fade, that is usually within one or two inches of the hairline, looks most dapper with coarse, thick hair, as this model sports.

Textured Crop

@keller_konturen

Although a French crop is somehow a controversial hairstyle, as not everybody can pull it off, the taper can make it more versatile. Go for a high tapered fade to keep the textured top a focal point of the whole look. If you have kinky and unruly locks, a French cropped fade will become a perfect solution to not only tame them but also bring a stylish touch.

Tapered Pompadour

@alan_beak

A pompadour hairstyle or pomp has short hair on the sides and back, long hair on top, and lots of hair in the front. So that the pomp can be fashioned, the hairstylist creates a high fade taper with the front hair. While the pomp is high, the tapered cut can be whatever the wearer wants (low, mid, or high).

Spiky Hairstyle

@z_ramsey

To style a spiky hair, apply a strong-hold gel or wax to dry hair. Twist and pinch small sections upwards to create defined spikes. This adds texture and holds the style in place, perfect for a bold, contemporary look.

Spiky & Bleached

@diego_djdgaf

With taper fades, you can even create hair designs or bleaches. It work especially well for a thick men’s haircuts taper fade. Just check out this model’s silver hair fade. Imagine the possibilities.

Brushed Up Tapered Haircut

@cheobarberpr

A taper fade is a perfect accompaniment for a brushed up hairstyle, as it allows you to easily keep the focus on the prominent top. Being a hugely eye-catching and stylish, this hairdo does not require a lot of effort and time.

Long Curly Bangs + Taper Fade

@z_ramsey

If you have naturally curly locks, then a TF should be your haircut of choice. It gives the unruly coils definition and outline while accentuating their structure and pattern. For styling, you can simply run your fingers covered in a hair styling product through the curly bangs and you are good to go.

Slicked Back Taper Low Fade Haircut

@alan_beak

There are plenty of ways to emphasize your hairstyle. If you do not want to turn to overly sharp cuts, then you can slick back your locks. This style will give boldness and elegance even to the plainest and most modest style, such as a short pompadour.

Taper Fade Black Curly Hair

@xbigwesx

For this curly hair moisturize with a leave-in conditioner to enhance curl definition. Use a wide-tooth comb for detangling and shaping. Keep the curls hydrated to maintain their natural spring and minimize frizz, complementing the sharpness of the fade.

Curly Top With High Volume

@xbigwesx

You can complement your curly hairstyle with a TF of any length and dramatic level while creating ample volume on top. Employ a hair styling product with a matte finish and medium hold to give your tresses shape and definition.

Textured Short Top Crop

@cheobarberpr

No matter whether it is your personal preference or dress code requirements, if you do not wear your hair long, it does not mean you can’t look stylish or cool. There is an abundance of trendy short hairstyles to choose from, for instance, a crop top. To pull it off, you simply need to taper fade the sides short and get a textured cut on top.

 

What Is A Taper Fade Haircut?

@dorianthegroomer

This hairstyle seamlessly blends two distinctive styles – the Taper and the Fade. Typically, the cut involves shorter hair on top, with a Taper that gracefully transitions into a Fade at the bottom.

What Is The Difference Between A Taper And A Fade?

@ahmetaslanhairsalon

When you compare taper vs fade, you may notice that the taper section can be buzzed or scissor cut, whereas the fade section is progressively buzzed to appear as though it’s merging into the skin. Another difference in fade vs taper comparison is that with the former, some areas of the head may have no hair at all, which generated the term “bald fade,” whilst with the latter, the locks are gradually cut in different levels of length.

What Do I Need For The Taper Fade Haircut?

@xbigwesx

The TF haircut belongs to rather short styles. To pull it off, your hair should be around 2 to 4 inches long. You can leave it longer, of course, if you like. But keep in mind that striving for length, you can lose neatness. So, decide what you would sacrifice more readily.

Apart from the optimal hair length, you should also figure out whether a tapered fade will suit you or not. As this haircut is so revealing, it will most likely emphasize any flaws you have on your head, such as scars, bumps and alike.

How To Get The Taper Fade Haircut

Well, the answer is simple – ask your barber for it. However, if you are not sure that they will get you right, here is what it should look like. The top section of your hair should be left longer and decrease gradually in length toward the hairline. There is a myriad of taper fade styles, so choose the one that resonates with you and show its picture to your hairstylist.

You will definitely find a haircut that will suit you, whether you have coarse hair, thick curly hair, or even if your hair is thinning. Try a style you never thought would look good on you. It could simply be a matter of changing a part or adding a few spikes. That’s how the fade works. You’ll look great, feel great, no matter what you do, and everywhere you go.

FAQs: Taper Fade Haircut

REFERENCES:

Alan Beak Director & Co founder RUGER, BOOKSY AMBASSADOR, AMERICAN CREW ELITE
Bryan Essick – Barber at Assembly Barbershop Owner.
Leah Hayden – Cassidy Educator, Men’s Hair Specialist, UK Finalist 2020

RELATED STORY
• 
  40 Comb Over Fade Haircuts For Men With Good Taste
• 
  50 New Fade Haircut Ideas To Copy Right Now
• 
  Top 40 Low Fade Haircuts for Men To Get In 2025
• 
  35 High Fade Haircuts For Men