When it comes to men's haircuts, there are endless options to choose from. However, three popular styles that often get confused are taper vs. fade, and taper fade.

Each of these haircuts has its own unique characteristics and offers a different look. Understanding the differences between fade vs. taper haircut as well as taper fade can help you communicate your desired haircut to your barber more effectively. In this blog post, we will break down the key differences between these three types of haircuts to help you choose the one that suits your style and preferences best.

  

 

   

 

Taper vs Fade vs Taper Fade

When it comes to different medium and short haircuts for men, there are a variety of options to choose from. While the taper, fade, and taper fade may seem similar, each has its own distinct characteristics and techniques. Understanding the differences between these taper vs. fade vs. taper fade haircut styles can help you make an informed decision when choosing your next haircut.

 

What is a Taper Haircut?

The taper is a classic haircut style that involves gradually reducing the length of hair from the top to the bottom. It creates a clean and polished look that is versatile and suitable for various hair types and face shapes. Tapers can be customized to achieve different lengths and can also be combined with other haircut styles for added texture and dimension.

The length of the taper haircut can be customized according to your preference, with some individuals opting for a short and subtle taper, while others may prefer a more dramatic and noticeable effect. It is important to communicate your desired style and length to your barber or stylist to ensure that they understand your vision and can execute it accordingly.

  

Types of Taper Haircuts

 

·  Low Taper 

A low taper haircut features a gradual shortening that starts low on the sides and back of the head.

This creates a more conservative and subtle look, making it a popular choice for professional settings or those who prefer a more traditional hairstyle. The transition from the longer hair to the fade is minimal, giving it a more natural appearance. One of the most popular receding hairline haircut is the taper cut and it is the go to option for many.

   

 

·  Mid Taper 

A mid-taper haircut starts the fade slightly higher on the sides and back. This creates a more noticeable contrast between the longer hair and the shorter taper. The mid-taper is a versatile option that can be styled in various ways, suiting both formal and casual settings. This style can add more depth and dimension to your overall look. One can also go for mid fade haircut instead of taper one if uniformity is required.

 

 

· High Taper 

A high taper haircut features short hair that starts higher on the sides and back, often near the temples. This style creates a more dramatic and edgy look, making it a popular choice among those who want to make a bold statement. The high taper can add a modern and fashionable touch to your appearance, creating a striking contrast between the longer hair on top and the short fade.

  

  

High Taper vs. Low Taper

 

When it comes to choosing a haircut for men, there are plenty of options to consider. Two commonly confused haircuts are high taper vs. low taper. Each has its own unique style and can create a different look depending on your preferences. Here is the simple difference between high taper vs low taper.

 

The high taper haircut is characterized by a clean taper beginning a couple of inches above the area around the ear on the sides and back of the head that gradually blends into longer hair on the top. On the other hand, the low taper haircut features a more gradual taper beginning on the sides near the ear to the back and not starting from far above these regions like a high taper.

 

Another difference between a low taper vs. high taper is that in the low taper, the hair doesn’t have all the hair length on the top of the hair vs. in the high taper, all of the longer hair is on the top.

The choice between high taper vs low taper haircut boils down to personal preference and the look you want to achieve. Whether you prefer a sharp and sophisticated appearance or a more effortless and easy-going style, both options have their merits. High taperd haircut is one of the popular military hairstyles whereas low tapered ones is preferred by many business professionals.

    

  

What is a Fade Haircut?

 

Fade is an edgy haircut style that involves shaving or cutting the hair extremely short on the sides and back until it ‘fades’ and appears to merge into the skin while leaving the hair longer on top. This creates a smooth and seamless transition between different hair lengths. Fades can be categorized into different types, such as low fade, mid fade, and high fade, depending on the length of hair that is tapered.

The fade haircut has become an iconic and timeless hairstyle for men in recent years. With its clean and sharp lines, the fade offers a polished yet edgy look that suits a variety of personal styles and occasions. Whether you’re a business professional looking to exude confidence and professionalism or a trendsetter seeking a stylish and fashionable haircut, the fade is a versatile choice that never goes out of style. You can also try out fohawk fade haircut which looks really good as well.

  

  

Types of Fade Haircuts

 

· Low Fade 

The low fade is a haircut where the fade starts just above the ears and follows down towards the neck. This style is often chosen by men who want a more sleek look that is suitable for both professional and casual settings. The low fade can be versatile, allowing for different lengths on top and offering various styling options.

Interested to find more inspiration for low fade haircuts? Check out our guide as we cover 51 gorgeous low fade haircuts which have been trending this year.

  

 

· Mid Fade

The mid fade starts in the middle of the head, around the temples, and gradually follows down towards the neck. This style offers a balance between the low and high fade, providing a clean and modern look, hence is one of the most popular fade haircuts for men. The mid fade is a popular choice for men who want a stylish and trendy haircut that still maintains a professional appearance.

Along with fade, taper and taper fade haircuts, also check out burst fade haircuts as these have been trending all over social media.

 

 

· High Fade

The high fade starts higher up on the head, typically above the temples or even higher, and seamlessly blends into the shorter length of hair at the top. This style creates a more dramatic contrast between the longer hair on top and the shorter sides and back. The high fade is often chosen by men who want a bold and edgy look that makes a statement.

Faded haircuts are also amongst the popular black men hairstyles. These short hairstyles look elegant, stylish and are preferred by many.

  

  

What is a Taper Fade?

 

The taper fade, as the name suggests, combines elements of both the taper and fade. It incorporates the gradual length reduction of a taper with the clean shaved or short hair of a fade. This creates a stylish and seamless blend of different hair lengths that is popular among men who want a bold and defined haircut style.

The taper fade haircut is a classic and fashionable choice for men of all ages and backgrounds. Its versatility, adaptability, and timeless appeal make it a go-to hairstyle for the modern gentleman. By collaborating with an experienced hairstylist or barber who understands your individual style and preferences, you can achieve a fade that perfectly suits your personality and enhances your overall appearance.

  

  

Types of Taper Fade Haircut

 

Low Taper Fade

Men's haircuts with low taper fades gradually shorten the hair from the top of the ear down to the neckline. A clean, fashionable appearance is offered by this style of haircut, which can be easily tailored to each person's tastes. One of the best things about the low taper fade is that the low taper fade is especially adaptable since it may be used with a variety of hairstyles and hair lengths.

 

Mid Taper Fade

The length of the hair is progressively shortened from the top to the sides and back in a mid taper fade haircut for men, which is another well-liked hairdo. It goes a little above on the sides and the back of the neck when compared to the low taper fade haircut. For individuals seeking a chic, contemporary haircut that strikes a balance between a short and long style, it is a fantastic choice.

 

High Taper Fade

The high taper fade starts typically near the temples and goes to back, gradually decreasing the length of the hair as it moves downwards. With shorter hair on the sides and back merging perfectly into longer hair on top, this style gives off a neat and finished appearance. Another amazing thing about this haircut is that whether you want a more delicate or strong fade, this hairstyle is adaptable and can be tailored to fit your preferences.

  

  

Taper vs Fade

 

When it comes to men's haircuts, the age-old debate of taper vs. fade is a common topic of discussion. While both styles have their own unique qualities, it's important to understand the differences between fade vs. taper haircuts in order to make an informed decision.

A taper is a haircut that gradually decreases in length as it moves down the sides and back of the head. This style is achieved by using clippers or scissors to blend the longer hair on top with the shorter hair on the sides and back. On the other hand, a fade is a more dramatic style that involves cutting the hair very short on the sides and back and gradually blending it into longer hair on top. This creates a seamless transition between the different lengths and gives the illusion of a fade from one length to another.  

The result of a taper haircut is a clean, polished look that is often considered more conservative and professional. Fades are often more edgy and modern, and they can be customized to suit individual preferences, such as high fades or low fades.

When deciding between taper vs. fade, it's important to consider factors such as personal style, hair texture, and lifestyle. Tapers are generally easier to maintain and grow out, making them a popular choice for those who prefer a more low-maintenance look. Fades, on the other hand, require regular maintenance to keep the hair looking sharp and well-groomed as when the hair grows out and is not regularly trimmed, the haircut will no longer look faded and edgy.

Along with Taper ad fade, one should also check out crew cut haircuts as these look stylish as well.

  

  

Taper Fade vs Low Fade

 

The confusion that often comes up is about taper fade vs. low fade. Each of these styles has its own unique appeal, and deciding between the two can be a tough decision. But don't worry, we're here to break the difference between taper fade vs. low fade down for you and help you make the right choice for your next haircut.

  

The taper fade is a classic haircut that involves gradually tapering the hair from top to bottom. This creates a clean and polished look that is perfect for both casual and formal occasions. On the other hand, the low fade is a popular choice for men who want a more edgy and modern look. The low fade starts near the ears and gradually tapers down towards the neck.

  

While considering between low fade vs. taper fade the length of shorter hair and longer has to play the most important role. A taper fade can be of different types as well, depending on the length of hair you want short while a low fade is just low and starts low on the sides near the ear toward the lower part of the hair on the back of the head.

Another thing to keep in mind while wondering about the difference between taper fade vs. low fade is that technically considering, a Taper fade is a part of a fade haircut but a fade haircut is not a part of taper or taper fade haircut, as taper fade includes short hair as but they might not as short as we see in the fade haircut.

If you are looking for short curly hairstyles for men, then do check out our guide as we cover 55 trending hairstyles of this year.