13 Stylish Low Taper Fade Haircuts

The low taper fade is a sleek and versatile hairstyle that features a gradual transition from longer hair on top to a shorter fade around the ears and neckline. This style is clean and sharp, making it a popular choice for those seeking either a modern or classic look.

The low taper fade is ideal for anyone wanting a stylish look with minimal maintenance. It works well with all hair types, whether straight, wavy, or curly, and complements various face shapes.

Origins of the Low Taper Fade

The low taper fade traces its roots to military and classic grooming, where a clean, graduated haircut was essential. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it then gained popularity through hip-hop culture, with stars and athletes who sported the style. 

Today, it’s firmly established as one of the go-to fades: clean, customisable, and sharp enough for both professional and casual looks, making it an extremely popular choice.

Key Considerations for Low Taper Fade Haircuts

Hair Type

When choosing a low taper fade, it’s important to consider your hair texture, as this will affect the overall appearance of the cut. 

For those with straight hair, the taper lines will typically be sharp and well-defined, resulting in a clean and polished look. By contrast, those with curly hair tend to achieve a more textured finish, where the curls add depth and contrast to the fade.

Additionally, the low taper fade can be adapted for different hair types, whether thick or fine. Thick hair provides volume and can create a striking statement with the fade, while fine hair offers a subtler, more understated finish. 

Various hair types will provide a unique look, so always take your style and preferences into account when selecting the ideal low taper fade for you.

Face Shape

When choosing the perfect low taper fade, it’s important to take face shapes into account in order to gain the most flattering results.

For individuals with round faces, opting for a low taper fade with sharp, geometric lines can be a great option and create a striking contrast. This style helps to elongate the face, drawing attention to the cheekbones and providing a more defined look.

By comparison, those with square or rectangular faces can benefit from a softer, gentler fade. This variation of the style helps to round out the sharper angles of the jaw and forehead, creating a more balanced look and enhancing the face’s natural contours.

Ultimately, selecting the right low taper fade not only complements your hair type but can also accentuate your unique features.

Maintenance Level

Low taper fades are not only stylish but also relatively easy to maintain. To keep your fade looking crisp, clean and sharp, it’s recommended to schedule a trim every 4 to 6 weeks. This regular upkeep ensures that the transition from long to short hair remains seamless and well-defined. 

For added control and to enhance the texture of the style, consider using products such as a pomade, wax, or cream. These products help to define the look and support the shape throughout the day.

At RUSH, our skilled stylists are experts at crafting tailored cuts that suit styles and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a clean and classic look or something more modern, your RUSH stylist will be happy to help you achieve the perfect low taper fade.

Top 13 Low Taper Fade Haircuts

1. Low Taper Fade with Slick Back

A low taper fade with a slick back is where the hair is tapered shorter from the top of the head down to the neckline and ear, with the hair on top styled back, often with product for a sleek, polished look. Seen on celebrities such as Zac Efron.

Suitable Hair Types: This style can be adapted for various hair types, including thick, curly or fine hair, by adjusting the length and styling products.
Styling Tips: The hair on top is styled back, often with a gel or pomade to create a smooth, polished look. 

2. Low Taper Fade with Curly Top

A low taper fade with a curly top involves a gradual decrease in hair length from the head down to the sides and back, with the taper starting low, typically just above the ears. The top of the hair, featuring natural curls, is left longer and styled to showcase the texture and volume of the curls. Seen on celebrities such as Jude Bellingham.

Suitable Hair Types: Works best with various curly hair types, but is particularly flattering for dense, thicker curls.
Styling Tips: To style, focus on enhancing the natural curl pattern on the top, while maintaining a clean blended look at the sides and back. 

3. Low Taper Fade with Buzz Cut

A low taper fade with a buzz cut is a short, stylish haircut where the hair on top is uniform length, and the sides and back are gradually faded from a longer length at the top to skin level near the neckline and ears. This creates a clean, sharp look with a subtle, refined edge. Seen on celebrities such as Channing Tatum.

Suitable Hair Types: Generally works with all hair types, but can be a great option for men with thinning hair, as the shorter length can make it appear fuller. 
Styling Tips: Use a bit of product, such as a matte clay or pomade, to add texture and hold to the top section.

4. Low Taper Fade with Textured Crop

A low tapered fade with a textured crop is a modern variation of the style and features a gradual fade of the hair length from the top to the sides and back, with a textured choppy top section that often falls across the forehead. Seen on celebrities such as Zayn Malik.

Suitable Hair Types: Suits a variety of hair types, with the texture on the top being adjusted to suit the density of the hair. 
Styling Tips: Use products such as a sea-salt spray or matte clay to enhance the texture on top. 

5. Low Taper Fade with Pompadour

A low taper fade with a pompadour combines the classic pompadour style with a low taper fade on the sides and back. The style is characterised by a voluminous style that is swept upwards and back from the forehead, and is then balanced by the clean and sharp look of the low taper fade, which gradually shortens the hair near the ears and neckline. Seen on celebrities such as Adam Levine.

Suitable Hair Types: It is a versatile style, but it is best suited to hair that has some natural volume and thickness. 
Styling Tips: This style requires some styling effort, often using products such as a mousse or pomade to maintain its shape and volume throughout the day. 

6. Low Taper Fade with Quiff

A low taper fade with a quiff combines a gradual fade on the sides and back with a longer section of the hair on top, which is styled into a quiff. The quiff itself is characterised by volume and length on the front, styled upwards and back, creating a wave-like effect. Seen on celebrities such as David Beckham.

Suitable Hair Types: This style is best suited to hair that has some natural volume and thickness.
Styling Tips: To style, apply texturising products, use a hairdryer, and brush for lift, then finish with a holding spray. 

7. Low Taper Fade with Caesar Cut

A low taper fade with a caesar cut is a stylish variation and combines the distinctive short, horizontal bangs of the caesar cut with a low taper fade on the sides and back. This creates a clean-structured look with a gradual fade that shortens towards the neckline and ears, often blending into the skin. The result is a sharp, modern style that is low-maintenance. Seen on celebrities such as Tom Blyth.

Suitable Hair Types: It is a very versatile cut that can be adapted to various textures and thicknesses. 
Styling Tips: Use a product like a matte clay or pomade to add texture and hold to the top section of the hair.

8. Low Taper Fade with Long Top

A taper fade with a long top combines the length of a classic taper with the clean, close-cut look of a fade, resulting in a stylish yet balanced appearance. It features longer hair on the top of the head, which gradually tapers down to shorter lengths on the sides and back, creating a smooth transition. Seen on celebrities such as Harry Styles.

Suitable Hair Types: Can work well with a variety of hair types. It can work particularly well with wavy hair as it can be enhanced nicely and create a nice contrast with the longer, natural wave pattern on top. 
Styling Tips: This style offers versatility in its styling. You can style the long top in various ways, such as slicked back or textured with a more relaxed finish. 

9. Low Taper Fade with Waves

A low taper fade with waves combines a low taper fade, which gradually shortens the hair on the sides and back, with waves, typically styled on the longer top section of the hair. The taper starts just above the ears and neckline, creating a clean and sharp look, while the waves add texture and a stylish flair. Seen on celebrities such as Ryan Reynolds.

Suitable Hair Types: Works best on naturally wavy hair that can hold a wave pattern effectively. 
Styling Tips: Products such as pomades, sea-salt sprays, and curl creams can enhance texture and add definition to waves. 

10. Low Taper Fade with Afro

A low-taper fade with an afro involves gradually shortening the hair on the sides and the back of the head, transitioning from longer hair on top (the afro) down to the skin or very short hair. The fade starts lower on the head, typically just above the ear, and provides a clean, defined look while showcasing the natural texture and volume of the afro on top. Seen on celebrities such as Denzel Washington.

Suitable Hair Types: It is perfectly suited to naturally curly or coily hair. 
Styling Tips: Use a quality curling cream to help define the curls and keep them hydrated. 

11. Low Taper Fade with Short Spikes

A low taper fade with short spikes combines a clean, low taper fade on the sides and back with short, textured spikes on top. The fade gradually shortens the hair above the ears and down the neckline, while the top is styled to create defined spikes. Seen on celebrities such as Colin Farrell.

Suitable Hair Types: Works best with straighter hair types, as it can be more easily styled to achieve the desired spiky look.
Styling Tips: The hair on top should be long enough to spike up, typically around 1-2 inches.

12. Low Taper Fade with Undercut

A low taper fade with an undercut combines a low taper fade on the sides and back with a disconnected undercut on top. The low taper creates a gradual, subtle shortening of the hair towards the neckline, typically starting just above the ears. Seen on celebrities such as Brad Pitt.

Suitable Hair Types: Generally works with most hair types. It can look particularly good on straight hair as it complements a sleek, sharp look well. 
Styling Tips: Use a matte clay or a pomade to add texture, volume or a slicked back look depending on the desired style. 

13. Low Taper Fade with Messy Texture

A low taper fade with messy texture combines a clean, gradual fade on the sides and back with a textured, longer top styled in a deliberately ‘messy’ way. The low taper keeps the hair short around the ears and neckline, gradually getting longer as it moves up the head, while the top is styled to create volume and a more relaxed appearance. Seen on celebrities such as Ryan Gosling. 

Suitable Hair Types: Works best with curly, wavy and thick hair as these hair types naturally lend themselves well to the textured look. 
Styling Tips: If you have particularly thick or unruly hair, a pre-styler like sea-salt spray can add texture and grip, making it easier to style.

Tips for Maintaining Low Taper Fade Haircuts

Regular Trims

To maintain a crisp fade, schedule appointments every 4 to 6 weeks with your RUSH stylist. A quick trim makes it easy to keep the style looking sharp and clean in appearance.

Use the Right Styling Products

It’s important to choose the right styling products that complement your desired look. Here are some options:

Pomade/Wax: Ideal for creating sleek or structured styles. Pomades can offer a high-shine finish, making it perfect for more polished looks, while wax provides a more flexible hold with a medium shine, allowing for easier re-styling throughout the day.

Cream/Mousse: If you prefer a more natural appearance with added volume, opt for a styling cream or mousse. These products help to provide lift and texture without weighing your hair down, giving you more of a relaxed, tousled look.

Matte Clay: To enhance definition, a matte clay is a great choice to achieve this. It offers a strong hold and allows you to create a more textured finish, which is great for achieving a bold, modern variation.

Maintain Volume When Needed

For thicker or curly hair, apply a volumising mousse or dry shampoo before blow-drying to enhance lift at the crown and define the shape.

Book Your Low Taper Fade Appointment at Rush

Ready for a fresh new look? Book now with one of our expert stylists at RUSH for a personalised low taper fade.