Low Taper Fade: 35 Classy, Versatile Haircut Variations

A low taper fade haircut is clean and fashionable, as it gradually shortens the sides and back of longer hairstyles for a sophisticated finish. The fade starts just above the ears, adding moderate balance to the head. This may appeal to men who want a style that is versatile and appropriate for all occasions.

This particular type of fade works with many popular men’s hairstyles. From buzz cuts to comb-overs to longer, textured flows, this fade brings a polished touch to a business-professional look or more laid-back styles. A low taper fade is sure to suit varying hairstyle requirements.

This article showcases popular low-taper fade haircuts for your inspiration on your next barbershop visit. These photos are aimed at helping the viewer visualize the cut and how it complements both classic and modern hairstyles.

Popular Low Taper Fade Haircuts

Side Swept Short Hair with A Low Taper

The low taper fade is best suited for men who prefer haircuts that do not consume much time yet are stylishly maintained. A side-swept Ivy League with a low taper is both smart and sophisticated, giving modern-day men’s hairstyle. The hair is brought forward from an understated part which then cascades into a slightly gelled fringe. To achieve a more vintage appearance, gel or wax can be employed which also adds shine, further enhanced by a well-kept beard making the hairstyle more masculine.

Low Taper Faded Undercut

A low taper faded undercut pairs perfectly with a tall, brushed-back style. When combined with a drop fade, it creates a rounded profile that resembles a faux hawk, adding bold volume and sharp, clean lines. For extra texture and depth, consider adding highlights in shades like golden blonde and honey.

Brush Up with Low Taper

A long brush-up with a low taper is a stylish choice for men who want volume and movement while keeping their look versatile. The hair is brushed up and slightly to the side from a deep part, creating bold, textured spikes that add a modern and confident touch. The thick taper below the part enhances the overall balance while pairing the style with a full mustache adds a mature, masculine edge.

Low Drop Taper with Messy Hair

The drop taper fades with messy, short hair is ideal for teen boys looking for simple yet trendy hairstyles. The top of the hair is cut into a messy fringe which blends into the layered crown and the short sides. Achieve a carefree look with matte wax or pomade, or style your hair with a high-shine gel for a sleek, wet look.

Read more: 35 Cool Haircuts For Teenage Guys

Textured French Crop with Low Taper Fade

A French Crop with a low taper fade is an edgy hairstyle that is more stylish than formal. It features messy layers of longer hair on top while the back and sides of the hair are relatively short. The hair at the front of your head is cut to around the middle of the forehead and accentuates the eyes. To increase the texture and volume of the hair, apply styling mousse on damp hair and mess it up using your fingers.

Textured Short Hair with Low Taper Fade

This hairstyle is crafted with style in mind and includes a low taper fade, expert layering, and intricate coloring. The long, curly fringe decoratively sits at the eyebrows and straightens out, and loses texture toward the crown. The fade is prominent, extending past the nape, and begins in front of the ear, bringing attention to the scissored taper. The auburn hair is intertwined with honey-blonde highlights which give it depth and definition.

Brush Back with Taper Fade and Line Up

A desperado can combine a lined shaved hairstyle with a bold taper fade which is stylish and easy to maintain for people with thick of coarse hair. Scissor-cut layers on top are blunt with the hair brushed straight back from the forehead, resting on the crown, and seamlessly fusing into the shorter sides and back. The sharp clean line-up along the temple and forehead enhances the cut and adds polish to the defined look.

Low Taper Fade with Messy Curls

Messy curls with a low taper fade enhance the wearer’s natural texture while sporting a fresh and polished look. The soft, unstructured curls incorporate a relaxed feeling to it but at the same time, the fade allows precision to what is meant to be the overall style, resulting in a well-balanced appearance. The addition of the taper beard which has clean edges and fullness at the chin helps integrate the hairstyle together with the face enhancing the overall look.

Thick Fluffy Style with Low Taper

Self-trim to have a 90s grunge style that is effortless yet chic. Add a thick and fluffy tapper to the back with loose waves that provide movement. This way the hair will have a lot of volume. A fringe will cover the forehead and the hair will all seem like it is tussled which adds a touch of mystery. A scissors-cut taper from chai-handed styling is to blame for the more natural seam between the back and sides of the head. Adding this cut will give a range of older and younger men more confidence along with exuding flexibility.

Low Taper Mullet

The modern refinements of a low taper mullet with a feathery back that grows longer and is held by neatly tapered sides blended with short front hair. A thick, textured fringe especially suited for oval faces balances the look. The unkempt top hair creates a stark contrast with silky locks at the nape which are well styled for an effortless look.

Faux Hawk with Low Taper Fade and Design

A blend of new & old aspects is shown in this look where a faux hawk combines with a low taper and shaved line design. This variation has a prominent line of long hair with added texture that stretches from the hairline to the crown and is styled in an upright position which is very voluminous. This line nears the back of the head, it elongates and narrows, blending with the faded side. At the temples, a modern aesthetic smooth shave goes wide curved. This design is not overly flashy but has an impressive artistic appeal which makes it unique.

Low Taper Fade with Buzz Cut

A buzz cut with a low fade is both bold and stylish at the same time and is relatively easy to maintain. This haircut also has a distinctive ridge on the top that is smoothened by a fade on the edges which gives the hair a volume lift. Adding a full beard improves the rugged look, while the shaved eyebrow line gives a modern edge and indicates a refusal to conform to societal norms.

Broccoli Style with Low Taper Fade

Broccoli hairstyle is a modern style popular with young people and involves a bulky curly fringe falling downwards over the forehead. The hair is gradually shortened towards the crown, yielding a perfect style shape that is also less dense. The thick and strong defined curls do provide movement and sufficient balance. A clear fade surrounding the back and sides adds extra sophistication to the haircut which serves to improve its overall clean finish. Great for gentlemen wanting a sharp, effortless, stylish look.

Low Taper Fade with Thick Curls

The taper fade with curls is a low, fresh fade hairstyle that seamlessly fuses style sophistication with boldness; it elevates the appearance of one’s natural hair texture while maintaining a clean, structured silhouette. With the combination of high taper fade and short sides, back, and neck, the curls on top are placed very high which creates an impressive contrast that has a lot of definition and adds volume. For styling, first, apply a generous amount of styling gel to damp hair, then cuff the curls upwards from a deep part on either side. The final touch can be added with a stubble beard to enrich the hairstyle and give it maturity.

Top Knot with Low Taper Fade

The top knot hairstyle is modern and stylish. To do it, the hair is tied up high at the back and a couple of strands are left loose. This method gives off a relaxing vibe. The style also has carefully crafted tapered sides which balance out the chin accepting the entire look. A prominent beard tightens the overall look.

High Top with Low Taper Fade

If you are a fashion enthusiast, you will appreciate the appearance of a thick, deftly bleached top high top twist which gives an edgy feel to retro aesthetics. The low fade blend earns extra points, weighing in on the sheer contrast the dreadful sides show against the tapered portions of the hair. The defining sharpness of the line-up of the forehead and temples accentuated by a simplistic beard enhances the refined flexibility of the look.

Afro Low Taper Fade

The afro taper fade is a youthful style that can be remarkably elegant or delightfully laid back. The style features coarse curly hair that is twisted into thick ropes and shaped into three-inch long curls and the barber fades the haircut from the temple and curves it behind the head to blend it seamlessly with the tapered curls at the nape. The gradual transition from temple to curls gets rid of bulk, making the style easier to maintain. Thick facial hair gives more definition while a clean shave promotes a fresh boyish charm.

The hard Part with Low Taper

The hard part with a low taper is a medium-length quiff that combines an old-school comb-over and a modern twist-cut hairstyle. This particular style is voluminous and tall with an added subtle pompadour twist at the front but shortens gradually to the back. This is complemented with a low fade on the sides which sharpens the appearance and gives a nice touch to a shaved face for a clean and polished look.

Classy Low Taper Fade with Longer Hair on Top

A combover with a faded undercut is a simple yet sleek hairstyle for men with thick hair due to how well it showcases natural volume. The longer hair on top of the head is tousled into waves which cut more character along with the goatee that adds a youthful feel to the look. Several features constraining the thick hair that beautifully frames the face are the stacked layers at the back 함께. Contrary to the denser and wavier fringe framing the face, the shorter sides offer even more body as well as motion.

Short Hair with Low Taper Fade

This style enhances the rough look of ‘salt and pepper’ hair with a tapered fade on the sides and gives a very clean, nice contemporary appearance. The subtle contrast between the top and the sides lends dimension to the look, while the gradual fade makes the cut polished. To create a more textured and sleek wet look, use styling gel on damp hair, comb it towards the front from the crown, and rock the fringe up slightly at the back for a chic effortless look.

Low Taper Fade with Straight Hair

Straight hair featured on a low taper fade looks sharp, edgier, and bolder with the addition of a ‘fringe’ that defies gravity. The tousled top layers level up with the crown and the fringe stands straight upwards, providing exceptional height and volume. For the right aggressive tapered sides, the overall shape of the hair is balanced out, making the cut effortlessly sharp and bold. For some extra creativity, silver or platinum highlights can be added for enhancement in contrast and dimension.

Low Taper Fade Designs

The elusive detailing of low-taper fade supplies a creative scope without bounds, ranging from sharp accents to artistic masterpieces. One can choose to shave a bold zigzag pattern just above the nape which stands out especially with dark hair. Other options incorporate geometric shapes, initials, numbers, or other symbols that help in personalizing the style. More so, a barbering expert can customize the style for those who want more than just a quantitate presentation.

Fluffy Hair with Low Taper Fade

With brown hair braided into honey highlights, fluffy hair with a low taper fade emerges as a stylish and modern cut that explosively captures attention. The addition of waves along the crown creates dimension. Forming the soft textured hair, the polished look effortlessly blends into the refined taper. The tousled fringe provides a demure appeal while further emphasizing the waves.

Crew Cut with Low Taper

A great example of a low-maintenance style that is perfect for various occasions is a crew cut boasting a low taper. The short, angular fringe not only draws attention to the forehead but also helps achieve a structured look. The top is cut short to the point where it is combed forward which adds a thick, textured finish. The tapered sides and back are also polished, which enhances the cut further.

Low Drop Taper Fade

A low drop taper fade gives a gradual transition between lengths which adds perfection to voluminous styles. With this fade, classic cuts like the Ivy League or gentleman’s style are enhanced offering sophistication with a modern touch. While the refined style speaks to sophistication, the subtle quiff at the front and smooth shaved face retain a youthful and fresh aesthetic.

Low Taper Fade with Curly Hair

A low taper fade works well with curly hair by combining volume and structure, as it reduces bulk without sacrificing the natural bounce of the ringlets. The meticulously arranged layers form a rounded shape that accentuates the curls, while a thick fringe that hangs just below the brow contributes a youthful, fashionable look. Using defining curl cream on damp hair before air drying gives a polished yet effortless finish, which can be further enhanced by adding subtle highlights and a texturizing spray.

Stylish Spiky Hair with Low Taper Fade

Edgy yet classy, trendy spiky hair captivates with texture, and a low taper fade adds refinement. The longer crown flows towards the front and culminates in a thick fringe with defined spikes at the tips. Platinum highlights enhance the sharp texture, beautifully contrasting with the dark roots. Short, impeccably groomed goatees greatly complement this style for an added edge.

Low Fade Taper with Slick Back

Visually appealing and effortlessly blended, the low fade taper coupled with a classic slick back is a versatile choice. Perfect for formal settings, yet relaxed enough for everyday use, this haircut style boasts longer layers at the front and crown which effortlessly transition into shorter back and sides. The strong styling highlights and the polished look the subtle taper offers elevates the fade. To achieve a modern and effortless touch, tousle the top lightly with the fingers.

Fringe with Low Taper Fade

An ideal style choice for those looking to grab attention, but informal at the same time is a blunt fringe with a low taper fade. it adds volume to fine hair. The unkept top layers blend well with the cropped sides and back, and the blunt fringe adds texture and definition to the face. The cut can also be styled for a good complementing look, by parts or slicking it back.

Long Hair with Low Taper Fade

Athletic styles such as the long hairstyle which comprises a man bun paired with a low taper fade undercut modernize the management of thick and voluminous flow of hair due to its cleanliness. Having the hair down makes the wearer look effortless while putting the hair bun at the back of the head accentuates the fade. Allowing some curly ends to drop free makes the hairstyle more textured, and when blended with a full thick beard, one achieves the masculine appeal.

Comb Over with Low Taper Fade

The luxuriant hair is thick and is combed up and over from a distinct mid-part, which brings forth sufficient volume and texture. An iconic comb-over with a low taper fade undercut is sleek and versatile which makes it suitable for both casual and formal occasions. This style accompanied by a short beard serves to refine masculine features such as the brow and cheekbones, giving this style a well-groomed and confident appearance.

Short Blonde Waves with Taper-Faded Sides

The combination of short blonde waves with sharp tapered fade gives an instant approachability and confidence. Textured cropped curls on top add depth and movement while the seamless fade enhances the modern and clean look. The wide-tinted bleached blonde at the sides and back of the head creates an effortless and mature flow. Meanwhile, the thick dark beard and brows add a degree of striking contrast to the overall style balance.

Low Temple Taper Fade

The longer hair on top is combined with the shorter sides and back in an extremely smooth and gentle way through a low temple taper fade. From the ash-blonde waves that flow back away from the face to the natural volume and body of hair, everything is on point and stunning. The gentle taper achieves the optic of thicker hair, offering the style an adept addition to the casual touch. The look can also be combined with a stubbly beard which will add a rugged appearance, or polish the look further with a clean shave for a sleek clean cut.

Low Taper Fade with Beard

The razor low taper fade coupled with a masculine beard is one of the sharpest and most sophisticated styles, Clean-cut masculine bear and razor fade on the sides provide a well-polished look with fused with a classic gentleman style. This style comes with having the hair swept over from a side part and slightly forward. A well-sculpted full beard rounds off the style for a sophisticated touch.

Modern Pompadour and Low Taper Fade

This haircut brings together two separate styles – a pompadour with sweeping volume and a low taper with bold refinement. The longest part of the hair is positioned right behind the forehead giving the appearance of a crown. Then it tapers down improving further upward movement within the hair. Finishing off the style gives each strand a sculpted shape. To finish off the style, apply a strong hairspray and shine wax to maintain the height as well as define the shape throughout the day.

What Is a Taper Fade?

A taper fade is a contemporary haircut that fuses the hair on the sides and back of the head into a smooth transition that matches the long hair on the top. This smooth cut is stylish and unique and is a great blend between a high-contrast fade and a classic taper; it is sophisticated yet modern, perfect for a man looking for a sharp, professional appearance.

Taper Fade vs. Skin Fade

The differences between a taper fade and a skin fade are best highlighted by the cut’s transitions, most noticeably to the sides and back of the head. A taper fade “lowers” the length of hair in a gradual manner, with the last bottom portion being “tapered” for a gentle blend. Whereas, a skin fade “blends” the hair into the scalp for a bold and stark contrast. Both styles utilize clippers, but a shaver is necessary to achieve the final clean, bald look on a skin fade.