26 Best Low Taper Fade Haircuts and Styles for Men

Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

A low taper fade haircut is a style where your hair gradually shortens, beginning from a lower point, just above the ears. If you’re not keen on fading too close to the skin on the sides and revealing your scalp, this one’s perfect.

Low fade implies less contrast – which means you’ll require more length on top to achieve a balanced appearance. Styles like the pompadour, comb-over, side part, and undercut fit this description superbly, suiting all hair types and styles. Tapered sides and back is a low-maintenance option ideal for business professionals and sociable gents.

So, what exactly is a low taper fade? Here are images of the trendiest short low taper fade haircuts for men!

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  A Low Fade Haircut with Side Bangs

#1 Subtle Low Fade Haircut with Side Bangs

A frequent inquiry from clients is which style is best for a receding hairline. This subtle low-fade haircut with side bangs is an excellent choice. The side bangs conceal your hairline and minimize the visibility of the scalp at the front. Additionally, more weight has been preserved at the neckline to create a slight mullet effect. I suggest using some sea salt spray along with powder to achieve a natural finish while styling.

A Trendy Low Taper Fade Haircut for Men

#2 Stylish Low Taper

A stylish low taper is a masculine yet soft and swept-back hairstyle. It blends a fade around the temples with an easy brushback hairstyle. To get this look, tell your barber you want a temple fade. Make sure there’s enough hair left on top to sweep back usually, 3-5 inches is ideal, but it will depend on your hair texture. For styling, use a styling cream like Malin and Goetz Sage Styling Cream on air-dried hair. This will create a natural style. If you want more volume, you can use a blow dryer for a pompadour effect.

A Low Mohawk Taper Fade

#3 Stunning Mohawk Undercut Fade

Shaving approximately 2 inches above the ear and continuing around creates the perfect look for an undercut and a mohawk. This way, you’ll have a larger space to experiment with styling your hair. This look offers a contemporary twist on a classic mohawk haircut. Styling is straightforward – all you need is Redken brews clay pomade, apply it to your hair while it’s damp, and allow it to air dry naturally. This undercut for men style is ideal for any guy who follows his own path, a free spirit.

A The Drop Fade

#4 The Adaptable Pomp-Style Drop Fade

The taper low fade haircut is highly adaptable and is suited to most guys, as you can modify the height and shape of the fade to fit any man. Combining a low skin taper fade with a pompadour offers short sides with a long top hairstyle, assisting you if you have a round face shape due to the length of your hair on top. It provides you with a contemporary yet timeless look at the same time.

A Shaggy Low Taper Fade

#5 Effortless Shaggy Low Taper Fade

A shaggy taper low fade haircut is cut with scissors using multiple layers and texture. Some barbers will utilize the point-cutting technique, while others may prefer fishbone scissors. The sideburn can be tapered from the beard into the haircut, allowing for a clean transition into the style. The style will cater to most face shapes as it’s a consistent cut. This is relatively simple to maintain as you won’t require as many visits to the barbershop. To style, dry some sea salt spray into it and complete with styling powder.

A Low Taper Fade for Long Hair slicked back

#6 Classic Slick Back Long Hair

Long, golden hair, reminiscent of royalty! Personalize it with a refined undercut and striking dark roots. This low taper long hairstyle is a contemporary disconnect employing advanced barbering techniques with fading. What I adore about this look is the sharp contrast between the short and long lengths. Maintenance is required every two weeks to keep the short fade and taper on the sides looking sharp.

A Low Taper Fade with Voluminous Mini Curls

#7 Low Taper Fade with Lively Mini Curls

Curly hair can be more challenging to style effectively. This taper fade with lively mini curls could be just the look you need. Low taper curly hair comes in various hair textures, meaning that some fades can be trickier to achieve. The distinction from straight hair is that it curls immediately upon emerging from the follicle. Thus, maintaining your taper fade low with a heavy blend is ideal. This results in a neater appearance.

Related: Top low taper fades for straight hair.

A curly kinks with a low taper fade for men

#8 Vibrant Curly Kinks with a Subtle Taper

Curly hair with a subtle taper haircut is quite favored in the Caribbean community. Because the curls are so tight, they don’t require frequent cutting. However, a low taper fade that black males appreciate will need maintenance more regularly. I suggest using some curling or specialized Afro-Caribbean curling products to keep your hair looking fresh and well-groomed.

a Low Tapered Side Part Fade

#9 Eye-Catching Side Part Fade with Disconnection

Bring out your best self with a stylish side part that showcases your tapered fade. Puff out those parted locks for a truly volumized hair look.

A Low Taper Faded Cut with Messy Texture on Top

#10 Subtle Low Fade Cut with Textured Top

With slightly thinner curls, you have more control over your look. A subtle low fade taper cut with textured hair on top leaves more weight around the sides for styling. The sides have been tapered tightly to keep it shorter around the ears. A tapered hairstyle has a stylish appearance but is easy to manage. I would scrunch some pomade into it while it’s damp. Then, let it dry naturally. Your barber should be able to recommend products that would enhance the texture of such cool low taper fade curly hair.

A Fade undercut with beard

#11 Bearded Undercut with Soft Layers

A mid fade with soft layers is the perfect match for this undercut. Combine this temple fade with impressive facial hair to truly stand out.

A Straight Sleek Quiff with a Low Taper Fade

#12 Sleek Straight Quiff with a Low Fade

This is a timeless style that complements most straighter hair types. The sleek quiff paired with a low taper fade is a look that always remains stylish. It will have primarily been achieved with scissors, six including the back and sides with a taper at the ear and nape of the neck. The hair is dried back using a volume spray and smoothed with a strong glossy pomade. If you possess a round face shape, you can sport this style to enhance the elongation of your face.

A Trendy Textured Blonde Wavy Fringe and Low Taper Fade for Men

#13 Stylish Textured Blonde Wavy Fringe

The wonderful texture paired with the fade and the soft wavy ringlets is impeccable.

A Low Taper Fade Pompadour

#14 The Pompadour Paired with a Groomed Beard

The taper fade comes to life with a touch of front hair teasing. The pompadour elevates your hair’s volume, which complements the well-groomed beard.

An Ivy League Haircut and a Beard Fade and Low Taper Fade

#15 Ivy League Cut with a Tapered Beard Fade

A stylish and polished choice for grooming is this Ivy League cut paired with a tapered beard fade. Unlike the high taper, this variation maintains the fade around the ears for those who prefer a longer look. Attention to the front is achieved by styling the fringe into a quiff, enhancing the clean finish. This style works well if you have a cowlick, as you can style your hair in that direction to prevent any unruly sections.

A Low Taper Fade with Loose Curls on Top for Men

#16 Timeless Low Taper with Relaxed Curls on Top

Men’s curly low taper hairstyles are gaining traction. This complements thick dark hair beautifully, and the transition appears distinct. The style has been skin tapered around the ears and the nape, merging flawlessly into the defined curls on top. This will help your haircut maintain its shape as it grows. A quality sea salt spray and styling powder will provide a matte finish.

A low bald taper fade

#17 Classic Bald Fade and Crew Cut Style

A neat, polished cut like a skin fade can significantly enhance a haircut. This taper fade is an excellent option. The skin shave will create a nice contrast with your crew cut.

A Low taper Fade Afro for Black Men

#18 Iconic Tapered Afro for 4C Textures

Make your 4C curls pop with a sleek fade around the head. Scrunch it for volume, and keep it styled using your preferred pomade. Choose a low taper fade that black men appreciate.

A Low Taper Fade and Layered Bowl Cut

#19 Modified Low Taper with Layered Bowl Cut

Straight, thick hair can develop uniquely. One choice is to maintain a longer length to steer clear of the challenging phase. A lower taper fade works well as it keeps the ears and nape neat. When paired with a layered bowl cut, your hairstyle stands out. The fringe remains long while the cut is blunt; by this, we indicate a straight edge. You can apply some sea salt spray and utilize a styling powder to introduce movement and texture. This will help avoid your hair lying flat on your head.

A Low taper fade with waves

#20 Immaculately Styled 360 Waves

The ideal clean-up style for a man of color is obtaining the flawless waves with a tidy shave and edge. This is a low-maintenance style that requires just a bit of product.

 A Low Taper Fade with a Square Top for Men

#21 Low Taper with a Square Crown

If you’re looking to refresh your usual buzz cut, this low taper with a square crown could be the perfect choice. Ask your barber for a low temp fade on the sides. This means that around the ears and nape will taper down in length from the top. Add texture to the top with a point-cutting or razor technique. It will make coarse hair easier to style and will prevent unnecessary weight. Style with Suavecito Original pomade for a natural shine!

A Faded Haircut with Short Fringe and Low Taper

#22 Stylish Faded Haircut with a Short Fringe and Low Taper

Cropped haircuts are quite popular right now. This faded haircut with a short fringe and low taper stands out as an excellent option. The fade has been maintained around the ear, while the back and sides are left more extended. A textured fringe is preferred to avoid a blunt appearance, as it helps to create soft, feathered edges. I suggest using a styling powder because it provides strong hold and results in a more natural looking finish.

a Low taper fade for curly hair

#23 Effortless Curly Hair Featuring a Sharp Drop Fade

When you want a swift refresh of your curls, why not opt for a clean and natural-looking style like a low taper fade? This enhances your curls; you have less hair to manage! This is a sporty appearance with a sleek drop fade. The top is styled with forward movement.

A Skin Fade

#24 Elevated Skin Fade + Brooklyn Style

This Brooklyn Style begins at a significantly closer point to the ear area. Nonetheless, a seamless transition from the temple to the top provides a perfect backdrop for the elevated locks to shine.

A Low Taper Fade and Brushed Back Wavy Hair

#25 Styled Wavy Hair with a Brushed Back Finish

An increasing number of men are choosing low taper styles paired with brushed-back wavy hair. The length is maintained on the top and back to provide weight for styling. Apply a sea salt spray while brushing back to achieve this look. This method usually offers sufficient hold for a neat and polished appearance. For additional hold, consider using hairspray.

a The Crew Cut with a low taper fade

#26 The Crew Cut Featuring a Flawless Fade

The crew cut is a favored hairstyle for men that looks even more appealing with a flawless fade. If you desire a faded look, choose the crew cut, which is universally flattering and maintains its style beautifully as it grows out.