Because of its versatility, the taper fade haircut is one of the most iconic and trendy hairstyles for men, offering a masculine, yet clean look that’s perfect for both casual or professional situations.
Most fades are generally low-maintenance while the high-contrast cuts can be combined with some of the coolest and most popular hairstyles out there such as an undercut, comb over, mohawk or afro.
In fact, the taper fade even looks good with all short sides, long top styles regardless of hair texture or type, so check out our examples below to find the best taper fade hairstyles for you!
1. High Taper Fade
The high taper fade is one of the most popular fade haircut styles for men, especially those with dark hair. With this style, the hair becomes gradually faded until it blends with the color of the skin from about 2 inches from the top.
2. Low Taper Fade
If you’re a guy who prefers a more subtle look, a low fade is a perfect cut to give you a slight edge to spice things up. This hairstyle is largely untouched towards the top but down the sides, a slight taper begins and fades gently towards the hairline, giving it a more distinct outline.
3. Dapper Taper
The dapper taper does exactly what it says. It brings out the dapper quality in a proper taper fade haircut.
This hairstyle is a throwback to retro fashion, particularly the trends that were popular among men in the 50s and 60s. Some trends are truly timeless, and the dapper taper is one of them.
4. Curly Side Part Taper Fade
5. Sculpted Taper Fade
The sculpted taper fade is precise, clean and perfectly sculpted. In fact, it’s practically flawless. There is not a hair out of place, and the side part adds even more structure to the style.
6. Taper Fade Haircut with Undercut Design
If you’re a fan of the taper fade and like the idea of having a cool design but don’t want anything too flashy, this style with an undercut design is perfect for you. With this example, the shaved design focuses on the nape area, with two zig-zags, but with any undercut design, the creativity is completely up to you.
RELATED: 31 Best Undercut Fade Haircuts
7. Suave + Smooth Taper
This taper is a great cut for men who prefer a short, clean cut that is classy and professional. Tell your barber to blend (or taper) the length while working with your hair’s natural waves.
Make sure to keep the overall styling smooth. The extra length on top is enough to be stylish while still keeping a business appropriate or family-friendly look.
8. Caesar Taper Fade
With the Caesar taper fade, the hair on top is cut somewhat longer and is commonly swept to the front instead of parted on the side. Short bangs can be combed to the sides and the hair on top can be styled with a strong hold hair gel or wax.
9. Temple Taper Fade
The temple taper fade (or temp fade) is a classic hairstyle that’s been popular for decades and is a great choice for men of all ages. You can modify the cut by changing or adjusting the blade length up or down a few sizes.
In other words, this cut looks great at many different lengths. It’s also a nice low maintenance cut since it only needs to be cut every few weeks.
10. Long Hair Taper
Did you know your taper can feature shorter hair on the sides, while the top can flaunt long locks? In other words, an awesome way to rock this haircut is by mixing long and short hair.
This look is ideal for the guy who wants to stand out and isn’t afraid to go against the grain when it comes to hairstyles.
11. Long Taper with Side Slicked Back Hair
If you’re the type of man who enjoys a staple rock and roll look, try keeping your hair a bit longer for your taper fade hairstyle. If you keep it about eye or nose-length, you can effortlessly toss it to the side for a “sexy without trying” look.
12. High + Tight Taper Fade with Undercut
The high and tight taper fade is all about… you guessed it- height! Ideally, it will have a sleeked crown, clean tapered sides blending into a very neatly trimmed light beard and an added rugged appearance to create a super style that works for both the office and the club.
13. Classic Taper Fade with Pompadour
The classic taper fade with pompadour is an OG throwback to the roots. It’s easy to see why the pompadour has continued to be popular for decades.
If you decide you want to spice up your pompadour with a taper fade, you’re guaranteed to have a haircut that turns heads wherever you go.
14. Classic Taper Fade with Spiky Hair
If you want to try out this style, we recommend you go for a high taper fade to complement the spiky hair look. This hairstyle is very versatile, but height is key for best results. A lower approach may not turn out how you expected.
15. Low Taper Fade with Comb Over
If you liked the dapper taper hairstyle, you’ll like the lower taper fade with comb-over. The comb-over provides plenty of class, while the blurry fade boosts attitude and confidence. You can also pair this hairstyle with some nicely kept facial hair for a more sophisticated look.
16. Crew Cut with Classic Taper
You might be familiar with the crew cuts since it’s most commonly known as a military hairstyle, but this look is also one of the best looking taper fades. In a nutshell, it’s a cool way to mix the classic haircut while a modern twist.
17. The Undercut
For men looking for a hairstyle that’s simple and easy to maintain, you can’t go wrong with the undercut.
If you’re someone who’s super into work or school and likes their hairstyle to reflect their lifestyle, this is the perfect haircut to show off your personality.
18. Taper Fade with Mohawk
This might be obvious, but when it comes to the taper fade with a mohawk it’s all about personality! Or, how you express yourself. Your mohawk can either be long, short, or something in between.
If your hair is more of an afro texture, we recommend you go for a shorter mohawk, and ask your barber to add in some sponge twists for a cool effect.
19. Taper Fade with Faux Hawk
Similar to the taper fade with a mohawk, the faux hawk style is or men who want to stand out, but aren’t up for getting a traditional one. If you want something a little different, this is where the faux hawk comes in.
It’s a hairstyle that aims to reproduce the mohawk without all the heavy shaving. For the best outcome, we recommend styling your hair towards the middle and upwards using a strong-hold pomade or clay like ShapeShifter or HydroClay by Mack for Men.
20. Thick Side Swept Hair with Low Taper Fade
The side swept look is an ideal hairstyle for men who have relatively short hair. Essentially meaning just enough to gel up in a flattering way.
To achieve this look, instead of combing your hair to the side, try doing a swept up look. This hairstyle also goes highly well with a taper fade haircut.
21. Classic Taper Fade with Long Top
For this style, you’ll want to keep your hair long on top and pair it with a classic taper fade underneath. The main highlight of this haircut is the large volume crown you can achieve with fantastic waves. The waves aren’t natural but when styled in a special way, you can get an unforgettable impressive style.
22. Taper Fade with Afro
When it comes to taper fade haircuts, afros are some of the most compatible hairstyles. This cutting technique not only shapes your afro in a way that complements your face shape, but it’s also a look that is visibly easier to maintain throughout time.
23. Low Taper Fade with Long Curly Hair
If you want an original approach to your haircut, try mixing a low taper fade with long, curly hair. With long curly hair you can also experiment with high taper fades and low highlights to complement your hair’s natural texture.
24. Taper Fade with Waves
If you have naturally wavy hair and you prefer keeping most of it generally longer, this might be the best taper fade hairstyle for you. The subtle shaving will draw attention to your wavy locks while also shaping them accordingly.
25. Taper Fade with Undercut
This is possibly one of the most natural-looking alternatives for a taper fade haircut and is a great option especially if you have thick hair. It’s not as shaved down as other options, but the outcome is similar to a faded undercut.
26. Taper Fade Haircut with Wispy Layers
One of the great things about taper fade haircuts is how well they complement layered hair. If you have straight hair and a layered haircut, you can shave down the sides and the back to amplify the impact of the overall look.
27. Neck Taper
If you’re a man that prefers a subtle approach to certain haircuts, you’re going to love the neck taper. As the name suggests, this cutting method focuses on the nape, or the back of the neck, and is achieved by discretely shaving down just the back of the hair where it ends.
28. Buzz Cut Taper Fade Haircut
When men want a modern and lean-cut hairstyle, they are often drawn to military haircuts. One of the most common is the straightforward buzz cut. To add a fresh touch to this style, combine your buzz cut with a taper fade.
29. Subtle Taper Fade Haircut
Not all men want the taper fade part of their haircut to stand out that much. In other words, sometimes less is more.
If you fall into this category and you want a less obvious look, we encourage you to get a subtle taper fade haircut. As long as you work with a skilled hairstylist, you’ll get the discrete and smooth results you desire.
30. Layered Taper Fade
The easiest way to add depth and dimension to your longer hair on top is to simply incorporate layers throughout. Adding layers will give your taper fade a fuller look, while also revealing the stylish wavy curl pattern.
31. Choppy Taper Fade
For men who long for a little personalization in their hairstyles, getting a fade with a chopped top is not a bad idea. With this look, you can give your haircut an edgier look that is both modern and punk-inspired.
You can even enhance or soften the texture by using more or less of a styling gel or pomade.
