The low taper fade is a popular haircut to get on the sides and back for a classy, low-maintenance style that will complement your longer hair on top. The low taper, a versatile and timeless look for men, starts around the ear, blending gradually and seamlessly, offering the perfect cut for business professionals, sophisticated gentlemen and teenage guys. Your barber will use clippers to taper the sides and back, transitioning to shorter hair with different guard numbers.

The low-tapered haircut can be paired with modern and classic styles like the comb over, side part, faux hawk, slick back or mullet to create a stylish, wearable look.

From short curls to longer layers, this is my expert guide to the most attractive and trending low taper fade haircuts to consider before your next barbershop appointment.

Popular Low Taper Fade Haircuts

Modern Low Taper Fade

A modern low taper fade adds a neat and versatile element to a voluminous and textured cut. The hair on top is quite long, showcasing natural waves, but the sides gradually get shorter around the ears and at the nape. The length of the hair and the degree of the fade allow plenty of customization, making the technique suitable for various styles.

Curly Hair with Low Fade

Curly hair with a low fade maximizes the volumizing effect of closely cropped sides against the thick, textured top. A thick fringe falls over the forehead, creating uniformity in the style from front to back. Starting the fade lower on the sides creates lift by drawing the eye upward. Wearing the cut with a short, well-groomed beard pulls the look together.

Short Hair with Low Taper Fade

Short hair with a low taper fade is a clean-cut, gentlemanly look suitable for any modern man. The hair at the crown falls forward, and a short, side-swept fringe moves back, leading to a dapper yet versatile style. Wear the cut with a patchy beard for a touch of casual boyish charm, or pair it with a clean-shaven face and some styling gel for a more polished, formal look.

Low Burst Taper Fade

A low burst taper fade creates a circular shape around the ear, leaving the hair at the nape longer than a traditional fade. Barbers and stylists often use the technique to help shape a mohawk or faux hawk, though it can also reduce the bulk associated with thick hair.

Low Drop Taper Fade

A low drop taper fade wraps around the sides of the head and gently drops lower in the back, combining gentlemanly style with modern flair. Barbers use this cutting technique to add neatness and structure to shorter haircuts, especially those featuring curly or wavy textures. The sides and back contrasts sharply with the wavy top and fringe, creating an attractive style.

Textured Quiff with Low Taper Fade

A textured quiff with a low taper fade is expressive and voluminous with a touch of polished charm. The brushed-up, quirky quiff adds height and visual interest, while the neatly structured fade serves as an element of refinement. The technique can also create the illusion of squareness at the sides, thereby balancing the appearance of a rounded head or face.

Trendy Low Taper

A trendy low taper that creates an abrupt transition between the top and sides of the hair adds distinction and uniqueness to any cut. A taper adds structure and shape to thick, straight strands that fall forward into a mid-length fringe, creating a rounded effect that can shorten an elongated face. Consider a patchy beard to balance the look, or wear a neatly combed version of the style with a clean-shaven face for formal events.

Comb Over with Low Taper Fade

A comb over with a low taper fade is a handsome, gentlemanly look suitable for a wide range of hair types and textures. The longest hair along the top of the head flows over to the side from a deep part, and the hair at the sides and back gradually gets shorter toward the ears and nape. Personalize the style with color, length, or even facial hair. A full beard complements the overall shape of the cut, but a goatee or clean-shaven face is also suitable.

Low Temp Taper Fade

A low-temp taper fade emphasizes the cut around the temples and looks fantastic with numerous contemporary and classic men's hairstyles. Tightly coiled hair at the top gradually gets shorter down the sides and back, resulting in a polished yet youthful finish. Clean lines along the forehead, temple, jaw, cheek, and nape add further refinement and draw attention to the eyes.

Low Taper Fade with Thick Messy Hair

A low taper fade with thick, messy hair emphasizes youthful movement and body. The tousled waves from the fringe to the back of the head take on a windblown appearance, and the short sides and back complement the look. To style the cut at home, comb a generous amount of pomade or styling gel through damp hair, then use the fingertips to tousle.

Brush Back with Low Taper Fade

A brush back with a low taper fade is a sleek, handsome look punctuating masculine features. Brushing the long hair at the hairline up and back helps it blend in with the hair at the top and sides. The fade occurs gradually, resulting in a rounded appearance when viewed from the front, side, or back. The result is an elegant and refined take on a classic vintage cut.

Modern Side Part with Low Taper Fade

A modern side part with a low taper fade is a simple cut that embodies sophistication and style. Long along the top of the head transitions to short hair above the ear and at the nape. A contemporary brushed-back fringe adds elegance and refinement, and a full beard completes the look. The sleek cut is easy to maintain, and styling requires only a comb and styling gel.

Mohawk with Low Burst Taper Fade

A mohawk with a low burst taper fade is a contemporary take on a punk style from the 1970s and 80s. The burst fade gives the cut its iconic shape, leaving behind a wide strip of textured hair that flows from the hairline to the nape. The style is ideal for men who appreciate the expressive nature of the mohawk but prefer a more subdued approach.

Modern Mullet with Low Taper Fade

A modern mullet with a low taper fade is a trendy and stylish cut featuring a short front and sides with longer hair at the back. The edgy, bold style is subtler than its 1980s-era counterpart thanks to the low fade, which gives the cut its iconic, rebellious shape. Adding a small amount of styling mousse to damp hair can impart volume and movement when dry.

Sharp Low Drop Taper Fade with Waves

A sharp, low drop taper fade with waves is a quirky, expressive style with contrasting lengths and textures. A long, wavy fringe falls below the brow, mimicking the fluffy waves at the back of the head. The sides are slightly shorter, and a low fade adds an element of modern freshness to the look. A few sun-kissed highlights add youthful definition and visual interest.

Low Taper Fade with Long Hair

Pairing a low taper fade with long hair is trendy, aesthetic, and comfortable. The undercut taper drastically reduces bulk, making long hair appear sleeker when worn down and keeping men cooler during the summer months. When pulled back into a man bun, the peekaboo taper is subtler and more interesting than a shaved undercut. A full beard adds a rugged, masculine touch.

Low Taper Fade with Short Curly Hair

A low taper fade with short curly hair is a fresh, modern style that emphasizes natural curl while keeping the finished look neat and clean. A thick, tightly coiled fringe that falls over the center of the brow serves as a charismatic focal point, and the hair gradually gets shorter as it moves toward the crown, sides, and back.

Buzz Cut with Low Taper Fade

A buzz cut with a low taper fade is a simple, low-maintenance cut that is extremely popular among service members and athletes. The hair is the same length over most of the head, with a slight fade in front of the ears and at the nape. Pair the look with a full tapered beard for a rugged appearance, or wear it with minimal facial hair for a youthful look.

Edgar Cut with Low Taper Fade

An Edgar cut features long hair on top that gradually transforms into shorter hair along the sides and at the back. Though the cut is versatile enough for various hair textures and types, its defining feature is the straight, blunt fringe. The subtle low fade visually lifts the hair on top, creating structure and emphasizing natural movement and body.

Thick Crew Cut with Low Drop Taper

A thick crew cut with a low drop taper adds contemporary flair to the iconic men's style. Rather than cropped, uniform strands across the top of the head, the modern variant keeps the hair longer to play up the hair's texture and body. Starting the drop taper low on the head is a welcomed change from the more traditional high fade, resulting in a casual and fresh cut.

Long Fringe with Low Taper Fade

A long fringe with a low taper fade is a playful cut that combines tousled tresses with clean-cut sides. A wispy, layered fringe serves as the cut's focal point, and the hair gradually gets shorter as it moves back across the top of the head. The low fade keeps the area around the ears and nape neat and fresh, contrasting sharply with the rest of the messy, choppy hair.

Low Taper Fade with Long Messy Curls

A low taper fade with long, messy curls oozes confidence and sex appeal with its lush, full appearance. The layered hair on top is longest at the thick fringe, and shortest at the crown, and the gradual taper at the sides and back draws the eye upward. Wear the cut with facial hair for a face-framing effect that emphasizes angular features and makes the eyes pop.

Short, Spiky Hair with Tapered Sides

Pairing spiky short hair with tapered sides results in an attractive, edgy style that is suitable for a wide range of hair types. Matte pomade is essential for creating soft, choppy spikes, but styling gel can transform the hair into sharp, well-defined spikes. The taper at the sides is quite gradual, adding a neat and professional element to the otherwise bold and expressive cut.

Low Taper Faded Sides with Natural Thick Flow

Low taper faded sides with a natural forward flow maximize texture and movement while creating a refined and polished result. The hair falls forward from the crown in layers, with the longest section falling over the forehead in tousled waves. The beautifully blended taper at the sides and back perfects the look, adding a handsome finish.

Low Taper Fade Mohawk

The low taper faded mohawk offers a cool, modern style for men who want to experiment with thick, layered hair in the middle while the sides are cropped short and low-maintenance. The fade gives the cut its iconic shape and creates a neat V-shape at the nape. A generous application of pomade or styling gel makes it easy to stand the hair up in textured spikes, completing the look.

Brushed Back Waves with Low Taper

Brushed-back waves with a low taper transform naturally thick and coarse hair into a style that exudes refined elegance. After adding precise layers throughout the length of the hair on top, the stylist or barber gently tapers the sides at the ears and nape. Brushing the hair straight back along the top and sides showcases the natural waves, and a hint of curly fringe at the front balances the cut.

Low Tapered Neckline

A brushed-up style with a low tapered neckline is simple, sexy, and versatile. Brushing the thick waves up from either side creates uniformity, and a subtle taper at the sides draws the eye upward. The clean neckline-cut contrasts sharply with the full beard, resulting in a refined finish that suits various hair types. It's easy enough to style with pomade and a natural bristle brush.

Faux Hawk with Low Taper Fade

An edgy faux hawk with a low taper fade is a poignant, artistic look that will turn every head in the room. Long, brushed-up hair along the top of the head contrasts strikingly with the shorter hair along the sides and back. The bold silver color is vivid and energetic, especially against the dark roots and facial hair. A touch of tousling that allows some hair to fall over the sides can make the cut more approachable.

Afro with Low Taper Fade

An afro with a low taper fade is a fresh, modern style that embraces natural texture. The barely-there taper enhances the rounded shape of the cut, keeping it neat and clean. Achieving the texture requires long-term maintenance, but once achieved, styling is simple. The style can elongate an oval face or make a round face appear even rounder, but wearing it with facial hair can partially negate that effect.

Slick Back with Low Taper Fade

A slick back with a low taper fade is a handsome, attractive style that suits men with fine or thinning hair. The layered tresses flow straight back from the hairline, gradually coming together at the back of the head before transitioning into the taper. To volumize the hair and facilitate all-day hold, apply volumizing mousse to damp hair before combing or brushing it back.

Textured Pompadour with Low Taper Fade

A textured pompadour with a low taper fade can offset the impact of a receding hairline by drawing the eye up and away. The careful layers along the top of the head allow for a perfectly angled pomp that is longest at the forehead and shorter as it moves back. The razor-cut taper fade offers ample texture that complements the side profile and creates a polished finish.

Hard Comb Over with Low Taper Fade

A hard comb over with a low taper fade is a captivating, sophisticated style emphasized by a bold hard part and abrupt transitions between lengths at the sides. The hair along the top sweeps over from the part and flows back from the forehead, resulting in ample volume and lift. Though the different lengths are visible at the sides, the back flows more smoothly, creating an exciting and harmonious style.

Curly Fringe with Low Taper Fade

Curly fringe with a low taper fade is a modern and trendy hairstyle infused with boyish charm. The longer hair along the crown falls forward, eventually tumbling to the brow in large curls. The shorter, straighter hair at the sides and back contrasts sharply, drawing the eye upward and forward. Wearing the style with a clean-shaven face gives it a flirty look, but pairing it with facial hair can lead to a more rugged, face-framing effect.

What Is A Low Taper Fade?

A low taper fade is a timeless men's haircut that seamlessly blends the sides and back just above the ears using clippers, creating a low-maintenance style that will highlight the longer hair on top. Also known as a low taper, this classy and flattering cut is less dramatic than a fade, which blends down to the skin and exposes the scalp.

Most barbers would recommend this cut for any guy wanting to create a sophisticated, clean look suitable for work, school and formal occasions like weddings. For the perfect finish, a masterful low taper fade haircut can be combined with any modern or classic hairstyle, making it a versatile and charming choice.

Taper Fade vs Skin Fade

The difference between a taper fade and skin fade is the taper gradually blends the sides and back from short to shorter hair while the traditional fade transitions the cut into the skin and exposes the head. The taper fade is a soft, elegant haircut with subtle contrast and the classic fade, also known as a bald fade, maximizes contrast with a shaved finish. To create this clean end, barbers will use a shaver and buzz the cut down to the skin.