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50 Timeless Taper Fade Haircuts: A Guide for the Modern Gentleman

A thorough gallery of the top-looking haircuts in demand these days

written by The Editors

A taper fade haircut is one of the most recognizable, iconic styles in the world of hair. It’s stayed for so long because of its timeless look, clean style, and versatile appearance. It’s great for casual and formal situations, so whether you work in an office or at home, it’ll suit you nicely.

A taper fade haircut keeps the hair long on top while tapering it down the sides and back. The hair gets progressively shorter as it goes down the head until it blends in with the skin. This gradual fade looks sharp and neat, with no messy or unsightly edges or rough spots.

It’s a beautiful, low-maintenance haircut that doesn’t require much styling or upkeep. It is also great for experimenting; you can modify it to fit your style. There are also tons of variations on the standard taper fade haircut. No matter your hair type, face shape, or personal style, you should find something here you’ll like.

FAQs

What Hair Length Do I Need?

The taper fade haircut isn’t a particularly long style. Anywhere from 2 to 4+ inches of hair will work. However, the longer your hair, the less neat it will look, so 2 to 4 inches is a good range to aim for.

Since the taper fade is a shorter style that gets progressively shorter, you’ll have to decide if it’s the right cut for you. For example, if you have a scar on your head that you don’t want to show, a taper fade haircut could reveal it. See how the cut looks in the provided pictures, and from there, you can determine whether or not it will be a good style for you.

How to Get the Taper Fade Haircut?

The standard taper fade is similar to the classic taper haircut. The hair is longest on top and fades down the back and sides. You can specify how gradual you want the taper to be. There’s some additional information on our guide to the classic taper haircut, where we explain how to get the cut in depth.

How to Style the Taper Fade?

Depending on which variation of the taper fade haircut you go with. For more intense styles, like the mohawk, you’ll need a strong hold gel. For a lighter style, like the standard taper fade, you have the option not to style it at all. In the end, it’s all up to you and the style you choose.

How to get Video

A step by step tutorial on how to get this cut: