Low taper fade - get to know the haircut and its variations (2024)

The fade/transition is characterized by its light-dark contrast. Men with dark hair color and a lighter skin tone have the greatest potential in a beautiful color gradient! But that doesn't mean that men with a dark complexion and dark hair can't have a beautiful fade! On the contrary, many factors play a role in making a fade stand out from the crowd. And a low taper fade in black men can also look stunning.

Every fade/transition always has a start and end point. We define this end point as the contour line, as it is usually located on the hat line and gives the head shape a striking silhouette. Distinctive features have clear lines, hence the contour line. Not to be confused with the contour of the hair and the hairline. The low taper fade suits all kinds of hair types. Here is a small overview:

Who looks good with a low taper fade haircut?

This is not only the low taper fade for black males, although it is very popular within this segment of guys. But rest assured this haircut suits all men! The great thing about this look is its versatility. The barber or hairdresser can tailor the lengths perfectly to different face shapes and hair types. However, hairstyles with hard transitions (high taper fade) should be left to the young.

Taper haircuts are ideal for round or angular faces: the contoured sides and back of the head ensure balanced proportions for men and the face is visually elongated.

Men with elongated or oval face shapes benefit in that the barber can create the taper fade to create a visually balanced look. There are more suitable hairstyles for triangular face shapes. Here there is a risk that the wide temple area will be emphasized even more by a taper fade.

How is a low taper fade created?

The taper fade owes its popularity to its versatility. There are different variations of this cut, ranging from the position of the transition (low, mid, high) to specific textures such as curls or straight hair.

The taper fade is achieved with precision using clippers and/or scissors. The trick is to create a seamless transition between hair lengths that defines the overall look of the cut. This definitely requires a hair professional. Creating transitions yourself and, above all, making the back of the head look professional can hardly be achieved in do-it-yourself mode.

Low fade vs taper fade: What's the difference?

The taper fade is a mix of taper and fade. At this point, it makes sense to briefly explain the difference between the seemingly similar taper and fade hairstyles:
In a taper haircut, the hair length gradually decreases from top to bottom. The transitions between longer and shorter hair are natural and without hard edges.

The sides and back of the head become shorter the closer they get to the neck.
The fade haircut is the more contrasting hairstyle of the two. The hair is significantly shortened from top to bottom. The shortest hair length is often shaved to "0" down to the skin. There are low fade, mid fade, high fade and skin fade styles. These differ in the height and intensity of the transition.

The most 5 common variations of the taper fade haircut

Review the 5 normal types of taper fade haircut in the following.

1. Low taper fade curly hair

Taper fades are particularly popular with curly hair as they emphasize the natural texture of the curls. The sides and back of the head are also short here. The curly taper fade offers a cool contrast through the interplay of short sides and curly top hair. If you don't have curls, you can consider a perm - a look that is extremely popular with young people.

2. High taper fade

Here, the transitions are higher on the head, resulting in a more striking contrast. The high taper fade is therefore the hairstyle with the strongest contrast. The resulting striking lines are something for men with self-confidence.

The high transition from the longer top hair to the shorter side sections visually shortens the face and is therefore ideal for oval or elongated faces. A high taper fade is also a good combination with voluminous hairstyles such as the pompadour.

3. Taper fade mullet

A modern twist on the classic mullet with a smooth transition of hair lengths: The evolution of the taper fade can be seen in its adaptations to different trends and styles. For example, in combination with a mullet. The mullet is the English name for the 80s mullet and is characterized by a combination of short top hair at the front and longer hair at the nape of the neck.

4. Mid taper fade

The transition starts at the level of the middle of the head. The mid taper variant suits almost every hair type. Two adjectives describe the mid taper fade: stylish and loose. The look is more exciting than the low version and yet more tame than high taper haircuts. Those with a lot of hair or wavy hair will benefit from the mid taper as it reduces styling time. For fine hair, the gradual transition provides visual fullness.

5. Low taper fade

With this style, the transitions are less pronounced and tend to start at the hairline. The low taper fade is a subtle variation with soft transitions. The look starts at the ear, follows the hairline and ends at the nape of the neck. The contrast is not as strong as with other taper fades. Perfect for oval and round faces.

How long does a taper fade take?

The time spent in the hairdresser's or barber's chair varies depending on the hair structure, length and skill of the professional. On average, the cut can take 30 minutes to an hour. For hygienic reasons, good barbershops and men's hairdressers no longer offer dry haircuts. This is another reason why you should allow a little more time.

The bottom line

You can't go wrong with a taper fade. If you bring a few pictures with you to your appointment, the barber or men's hairdresser will know what look you want and can then discuss various options.

HAIRCUTHAIRSTYLE

Low taper fade - get to know the haircut and its variations (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 5529

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.