If you’re looking to get a haircut, you may have heard of a taper haircut and wondered if this would be a good look for you. In this article, we’ll be covering what a taper haircut is, and whether it will suit you.
What is a Taper Haircut?
A taper is when the back and sides of your hair gradually get shorter while keeping a bit of length at your hairline. As we’ll cover below, this is like a fade but with a few key differences.
A taper can be done with clippers, but it is usually done with scissors for a more natural look. A taper will likely look best with short to medium hair lengths on top. This is a versatile, clean-cut look that can suit all sorts of styles. Most standard men’s haircuts will involve some form of a taper.
Fades vs. Tapers
It’s very easy to confuse a taper haircut with a fade, but the main difference is length. Fades are often more severe looking than a taper. They are done using clippers that take the hair very close to the skin towards the bottom. This creates a more significant gradient effect. But, tapers are ideal if you want to keep more hair towards the bottom of your hairline.
Fades and tapers are very similar styles. The main difference between them is length, with fades being a shorter, tighter form of a taper cut. A taper will keep some length all the way down, while a fade involves taking the cut right down to the skin.
Is a Taper Right for You?
The key factor when it comes to determining whether a taper is right for you is length. If you want your hair to be short to medium length, a taper will likely look great. But, if you want longer hair, then a taper likely isn’t necessary.
Whether you want a crew cut, or a decent amount of length on top, a good taper or fade will help complete the look.
If you’re planning on keeping a longer, wavy look, then a taper is likely unnecessary. This is because you probably want to keep a good amount of length on the back and sides for a more natural do. With that being said, a taper with long hair can work especially if you want to keep your hair pulled back in a bun.
If you’ve decided on a short or medium cut, keep the difference between a taper and fade in mind when you go to your barber. If you want the bottom of your hairline cut right down to the skin, ask for a fade. If you want to keep a bit more length, go for a taper.
If you’re cutting your own hair it might be difficult to attempt a taper without proper training.
Conclusion
A taper is a classic styling technique most common with short and medium hairstyles. So you don’t get them confused, remember that fades are a shorter, tighter form of a taper. Tapers are most common with short hairstyles for men, but they can be used with longer styles as well.
