A tapered cut is a natural haircut that gradually gets shorter in length as it goes down the back of the neck and behind the ears. Tapered cuts are incredibly chic and hassle-free when it comes to upkeep. Plus, you’ll get excited once you learn how crazy versatile this hairstyle is!
With your lengthy hair on top, locs and knots are just two of the things you can do to your mane, and your cleanly tapered sides can serve as a canvas for a cool-girl shaved design.
Tapered ‘fros come in different colors and forms – pixie, bobs, faux hawks, with or without bangs, crochet, twist-outs or natural hair – as proven by The Taper Queen, Karess Sydnor‘s feed showing her award-winning creations!
Products and the right tools are key to rocking this edgy short hairstyle. Moisturizing and hold products seal your strands and let you style them easily.
Get back to your roots by trying this transitional cut! Here are the boldest tapered cuts that will give you all the reasons to celebrate this glorious hairstyle!
Natural Tapered Cut Pixie
A receding cut coming from jam-packed curls will forever be a combination to admire.
Cool Undercut
The curls on top with the undercut is the maximum coolness that you can achieve. Masculinity in a sister looks so good!
For 4c Hair
It may be hard to maintain but, oh boy, it is so worth it!
For a Round Face
Clean edges off of this short cut flatters the wide features of a round face. The natural tapered cut with the color job makes gives nice depth too.
Tapered Cut For Natural Long Hair
Sister here got her locks all locked up to make y’all swoon!
Twist Out
Keeping those tight curls out! Volume, body, and attitude in one style.
For Thin Hair
The fade gives a certain dimension to the whole style. This helps thin-haired girls appear to have fuller hair.
Perfect for Growing Out
Natural hair deserves all the rave it receives today. And why not? Curls are gorgeous as these should be let free.
Big Chop
Q&A with style creator, Michelle Araújo
Hairstylist / Cutting Specialist @ Bruno Dantte Concept in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
How would you describe this look?
It’s a modern look for a woman who owns and is empowered. It’s a look for a woman who knows what she wants and can not take a hair job anymore. I like the practicality of how the woman looks sexy and charming at the same time.
I think this natural tapered hairstyle a 21st-century look. I see a lot of women doing the same cut because it feels so beautiful, and we don’t feel like we need to have long hair anymore. I have never had such short hair like this, and I couldn’t be loving it more.
I love the fact that I don’t have hair, and I can walk my hands through my head and feel everything. What I also love the most is the fact that I don’t have enough hair to make me feel warm since I live in a very warm city.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I advise you to free yourself from ever-perfect hair, to style it less formal, less tidy. If she looks for something practical and that leaves her powerful, this is the right hair. The cut fits on all types of face, the volume at the top of the head makes the woman sexier and more confident. It matches the woman who does not fit into standards, who has a strong opinion, and who is determined!
I think that if you’re considering this look, you have to be aware that people are going to tell you bad stuff and don’t have to care about it. It’s super easier to take care of this now – I can just wash, take a little bit of time to style this, and I’m ready. It keeps the same look for like a week.
To style my hair now, I prefer products that will not give my hair such a curly definition because it will make my hair stuck in my head and that’s not what I want. You can use a very simple leave-in and a lot of fort comb and you’re ready, and I don’t think you need to have a face shape for this at all.
The best face shape is looking in the mirror and feeling good about yourself, that’s all.
My favorite product until now is Kah-noa’s Jelly Glace. I think it is only available in Brazil. I like using Deva Curl One Condition as well. I know it’s not a leave-in, but I like it anyway.
Short and Natural Tapered Cut
Q&A with style creator, Dana Alexander
Managing Director @ Hair by Dana Salon in Trinidad and Tobago
How would you describe this look?
This look is for a woman with confidence or one seeking a confidence booster because a tapered haircut would definitely give that to you!
This look is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time styling their hair due to a hectic professional or social lifestyle and those who are looking for something edgy and easy to maintain. This style can be altered to be polished, professional, or even funky! Shorter sides mean less hair, less time, less product, win win win! My favorite thing about this haircut is the length on top that allows you to have different styling options for different hair types like finger coils, twist out, Bantu knots, rod sets, blowouts, and a regular wash and go.
Any advice for someone considering it?
A tapered cut is a style that can be customized by working with the shape of the head and face. It’s a great option for transitioning clients or clients who want a shorter, more manageable length but are still looking for styling options. It adds shape to the face with soft or sharp edges which can be molded, or just rock your natural texture by running your fingers through with your favorite leave-in conditioner, curling cream, or any other product of your choice. You can allow your curls to fall free over your face or pushed back for a frohawk look. For this style, finger coils were done to add definition and control to the curls and for a longer lasting hairstyle.
While a tapered cut is ideal for any hair type, the client must be prepared for the grow out.
Faux Natural Tapered Hairstyle
Q&A with style creator, Jason Baker
Curl Stylist @ Evan Joseph Salon in Columbus, OH
How would you describe this look?
This natural tapered haircut is an editorial style mohawk that is able to be worn day to day. One of the cool parts about this cut is the versatility. You could wear your hair forward as a bang or one day or you could wear your hair back with lots of volume and height! An advantage is that she can still pull her hair up out of her face if she wanted to.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Some positives of a pixie cut are that it’s so simple to style and that you use way less product. Having short hair is much easier to manage when doing a wash and go style. Whether that is on 2a or 4c curls, it’s super simple. One thing I would keep in mind is that this cut is going to require maintenance, so keep that in mind when trying to determine if this is the right style for you!