If you’ve been thinking of changing your look without doing something too drastic, a taper haircut is the perfect solution since it’s clean, stylish, and suits almost every face shape. Unlike a full fade or a buzz cut, taper cuts give you more room to play with texture and length while keeping your overall look neat and sharp.
The best part? A taper haircut brings in a refreshing vibe—it’s modern, low-maintenance, and adds a new edge to your personality. It makes you look polished, confident, and ready for anything—whether it’s an important meeting, a date night, or a casual outing. A good taper doesn’t just change your appearance; it adds attitude and freshness to your whole vibe, and its popularity has attracted many celebrities as well:
Celebrities Who Love the Taper Cut
Many actors and performers from Hollywood and Bollywood around the world have loved to don this look:
Ryan Gosling: Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling, known for his role in “The Notebook, has often been seen sporting the classic taper haircut — a look that perfectly complements his timeless charm and effortless style.”
Chris Evans: He has donned low-fade haircut styles in several movies, including the cult hit Avengers.
Ayushmann Khurrana: He loves his beard and accompanies it with fade short cut hairstyles to look stylish.
These celebrities understand how a good taper elevates an entire look. And now, you do too, as in this blog, you’ll explore the top 11 taper hairstyles that can completely change your style game. You’ll also learn how celebrities are rocking them and how you can build professional hairstyling skills through a hairstyling course at Orane. Let’s dive in and find the taper that fits you best.
What is a Taper Haircut?
Before opting for the right taper hairstyle for yourself, you need to have a sound understanding of what a taper haircut actually is.
The hair is trimmed in a tapered cut so that it gets shorter from the top of the head to the sides and back.
The result is a clean and natural-looking fade that blends well with your overall hairstyle. It gives you that fresh look without shaving everything off.
Tapers are often confused with fades, but the main difference is that fades usually cut the hair down to the skin, while tapers leave a bit more length. That’s where terms like low taper, taper fade haircut, and low fade haircut come in. This timeless style is a go-to for many men. The low taper haircut begins around the bottom of your hairline and gradually fades up the sides and back. Tapers are often confused with fades, but the main difference is that fades usually cut the hair down to the skin, while tapers leave a bit more length. That’s where terms like low taper, taper fade haircut, and low fade haircut come in.
1. Classic Low Taper Haircut
This timeless style is a go-to for many men. The low taper haircut begins around the bottom of your hairline and gradually fades up the sides and back.
How to Get It:
- Tell your stylist to create a low taper that begins right above the ears for a smooth blend.
- Keep the top slightly longer (1-2 inches) for natural flow.
- Use light pomade or gel to style.
2. Taper Fade Haircut
This style offers a clean blend from short to even shorter. The taper fade haircut starts like a taper but ends in a skin fade, usually behind the ears and neckline.
How to Get It:
- Use clippers with guard #2 on the sides, gradually fading to #0 near the base.
- Use a trimmer for a skin-clean finish at the bottom.
- Finish the style by either texturising the top or combing it to the side.
- Great for barbers looking to polish their fading skills—you can master this look at Orane’s diploma in hair stylist course.
3. Low Fade Haircut with Textured Top
This hairstyle blends clean low fades with a full, styled top for contrast.
How to Get It:
- Choose a low fade cut that begins just above the earline.
- Leave 3-4 inches of length on top.
- Use sea salt spray or texture powder for a natural, messy look.
Perfect for casual, youthful styles.
4. Side Part with Low Taper
This is a professional, polished look perfect for office goers.
How to Get It:
- Ask your stylist for a low-key taper along the back and sides.
- Go for a complex part or a natural side part line.
- Style using pomade for a sleek finish.
- Use a round brush and a blow dryer to keep it in place throughout the day.
5. Curly Taper Fade
Got natural curls? This cut keeps them intact on top while controlling the sides.
How to Get It:
- Taper fade the sides using guard #3 down to #0.
- Moisturise curls using curl cream or leave-in conditioner.
- Clean neckline and edges for a sharp look.
- Use a pick comb or finger coil technique to define curls.
6. Low Taper with Beard Line-Up
A low taper haircut combined with a neat beard line gives a complete, well-groomed look.
How to Get It:
- Taper the sides low and blend them into your beard.
- Use a trimmer and razor to shape the beard lines.
- Keep the beard moisturised and trimmed regularly.
Ideal for men who love sharp grooming.
A low taper haircut combined with a neat beard line gives a complete, well-groomed look.
7. Low Fade Buzz Cut
Simple, strong, and bold. This low-fade cut with a buzz-style hair top is minimal and masculine.
How to Get It:
- Ask for a buzz cut with #2 or #1 on top.
- Fade the sides and back down to #0.
- Use a straight razor or beard trimmer to give the haircut a polished, clean shave.
- With trimming every 2 weeks, you can keep this cut looking fresh.
8. Comb Over with Low Taper
This old-school-meets-modern style is elegant and versatile.
How to Get It:
- Ask your barber to create a low taper close to the ears and neckline.
- Leave the top 3-5 inches long.
- Use a wide-tooth comb and light gel to sweep hair sideways.
- Use a blow dryer on medium heat for volume.
9. Taper Fade with Designs
Want to turn heads? Add etched lines, zig-zags, or shapes into your taper fade haircut.
How to Get It:
- Ask your barber to taper the sides and back at a low level
- Use precision razors or liners.
- Style the top based on your hair type (buzzed or longer).
Great for artistic expression.
10. Afro Taper Fade
This cut is tailored for afro-textured hair and looks fantastic.
How to Get It:
- Keep the afro shape full on top.
- Fade the sides to show off your hairline.
- Use a sponge brush and hair oil to style and moisturize.
Stylists can learn to handle afro-textured hair better through courses like the one at Orane’s Hair Stylist course.
11. Mullet-Inspired Taper
Old-school with a modern edge. This style tapers the sides but leaves some length in the back.
How to Get It:
- Ask for a soft taper on the sides.
- Keep the top medium and the back longer.
- Use wax or mousse to add texture.
Bold and not for everyone, but it definitely makes a statement.
Ready to Master These Cuts?
Whether you’re a hairstyling student or just someone passionate about grooming, it’s a great time to learn how to cut these styles. From clipper control to blending and beard design, there’s a lot to learn.
Orane’s hair Stylist course gives you professional training in:
- Men’s haircuts and fades
- Beard design and shaving
- Hair styling and product usage
You’ll also learn client handling, salon hygiene, and the latest haircuts and styling techniques, and with these programmes, you set yourself up for a successful hairstyling career. Moreover, our blog section keeps you up to date on various hairstyling trends.
Final Thoughts
Taper haircuts—especially low taper and taper fade haircut styles—aren’t just trends. They offer a modern approach to grooming that combines personality with precision. Whether you’re into sleek, professional looks or bold, street-style looks, the right low taper haircut can instantly elevate your appearance. From the low fade haircut to the creative fade short hairstyles for men, there’s a version for every vibe and every face.
What’s even better? You don’t just have to wear these styles—you can learn to master them.
At Orane academies, our beauty courses in hair give you the skills to cut, fade, shape, and style like a pro. You’ll explore trending techniques, get hands-on training, and build confidence to work in salons or even start your own grooming business.
So why just admire great cuts when you can create them? Start your journey today—be the stylist who sets the trend.
