A blowout taper fade looks fresh and is low-maintenance. It’s a great option for those who want something edgy without the upkeep.
A blowout taper fade is a huge difference from the rest and the blowout is the main focus. For example, a young boy came in with a photo of a cut and told me he wanted that exact cut. I told him, “That is a nice fade, however it will look bad because the volume and movement is the most important part. Everything fades into the blowout.” To demonstrate, I did the blowout and used a round brush with heat protectant and a blow dryer, and I removed the excess hair. While this did enhance the fade, a lot was also done in the blowout. The fade is important, but the hair is just as critical. For your texture, a #1 or #2 on the sides with a mid or low fade is usually preferred and determined by your hair type.
Honestly, this cut probably works best for the guys that take an extra 3 minutes to use matte paste to style their hair. It’s not about being perfect, just doing something. That’s the difference between people who look like they made an effort and those who look like they rolled out of bed and their hair just happened to fall into place. Always the goal right? Go through these and pick a style that works for your hair and your life not just the one that is trendy this week.
#1: Sleek Volume with a Clean Taper and Textured Layers
I appreciate this cut particularly because most of the best styles give you height without being over the top, which is harder than it seems. The layers add movement and direction, and the clean taper on the sides frames the cut without competing with the volume on top. If your hair is straight and of good density this is one of those cuts that looks good the moment you leave the chair, and then it looks good again after you’ve slept on it and run your hands through it. Most people do need to come back because once the fade starts to grow out the cut loses its cool factor.
#2: Medium Length Texture with a Sharp Tapered Fade
This is one of those styles where the details are doing something really understated but super important. Like, you almost don’t clock them and then you realise they are what’s giving the whole thing that depth. The taper is sharp but the length on top is enough to push back or fall forward as you please. I think this works even better if you have some wave to your hair naturally because the texture just kind of appears without you having to put in much effort.
#3: Soft Curls on Top with a Gradual Taper Fade
For those of you with thicker hair and natural curls, this option will be best because the curl definition is just… nice. This style isn’t too crunchy. The curls are soft and bouncy. The taper cut just clears up the sides and complete the look. I will say this one does take a little more love. You are going to want a curl cream or something so those curls do not go flat or frizzy by midday. If you are willing to do that, this cut has a ton of personality.
#4: Clean and Airy Taper with Light Texture on Top
I would recommend this type of cut to anyone who wants to look put together while still looking like they haven’t spent a whole lot of time on it, if that makes sense. The top has an airy sort of look to it where the layers are just a bit more, but there is still height and movement added to the hair. The taper is very soft and honestly that’s the best word for it, as it just fades into the short lengths without a single hard line. It’s great for finer hair because it doesn’t ask too much of your texture. It just works.
#5: Full Volume Choppy Top with a Gradual Side Fade
I can see why some might describe this style as fun. From what I can see there is some structure to the style. The chop may be adding some messiness, and paired with the rest of the individual hair, it does look like the hair is doing the talking. With the fade, this cut is a bit easier as it blends up and down to the top. The hair will need some products, and typically something with good hold or elasticity is a good idea. If you want to avoid looking like you just bed headed out the door, or too much shine, you will need to use a little more product.
#6: Defined Natural Curls with a Tight Tapered Contrast
This curl contrast is incredible! The top curls have superb definition, volume, and liveliness, and the close taper on the sides of the head really helps the hair stand out even more. For thick curly hair, this is one of the best styles of blow out tapers as it really works with your hair’s natural functionality rather than against it. It is also very important to keep the curls moisturized. So, a good leave-in cream will be your best bet.
#7: Airy Curly Top with a Subtle Tapered Fade
I really love the way the curls are done here. They’re not super tight defined curls which is good. They seem more blow dried which is what a blowout is so that tracks. The taper is subtle and the back fade and edges are just enough to not lose that soft and natural look on top. I think this looks great on medium to thick hair and on people who want something that looks more effortless. Just know that “effortless” usually means about ten minutes of actual effort.
#8: Choppy Textured Top with a Bold Nape Design
Not every haircut can make a statement, but this one really can. The hair on top has been cut to a great length and volume, the fade is choppy but clean, and the shaved design in the nape of the neck is what really sets this cut apart. It lightens the look and adds a confident touch. The top area is choppy and looks great with the straight thick hair since it adds even more density, and the volume is great. I do want to mention that this cut requires a lot of upkeep. If you want to maintain the same look, the fade, design, and textured areas will need to be regularly tended to.
#9: Polished Curly Blowout with a Clean Side Taper
The curls have a defined and modern touch and aren’t too stiff. They seem to channel a more playful and fun style, The clean taper on the sides gives a nice balance with the added volume on top. Overall, this is a great example of a curly blowout taper. This is the type of haircut that looks good in real life and in pictures, which isn’t always the case. A lightweight product to define the curls should be all you need to keep this looking sharp.
#10: Soft Wavy Taper with Natural Movement
It looks like you just rolled out of bed and that’s HARD to do! The softness and movement of the waves is awesome, and the gradual taper cleans everything up without being too faded. This is a cut that will work with your texture instead of against it. That means more time looking good and less time styling. With hair like this, you’ll definitely want to keep on top of trims to maintain the shape!
#11: Light Textured Taper for a Fresh Easy Look
This haircut is perfect for people that want to look great without having to spend a lot of time styling it. The haircut has a little volume and texture on top without being too extreme, and the taper adds just the right amount of structure. If you have finer hair, this haircut is especially good for you since it is low maintenance. It also works great with what you have. All you need is a little texturizing spray and you’re all set!
#12: Bouncy Curls with a Sharp Tapered Shape
Beautiful bouncy curls! I also love how the taper cut shapes the entire hairstyle! The best part is that the curls do not look overworked. The natural look of the curls and the fade is perfect! It looks great if you have thicker hair and a natural curl pattern. This type of haircut will make people ask what you do to your hair and you get to say nothing really (even though that might not be completely true).
#13: Voluminous Blowout with Fine Hair and Tapered Sides
An example of a blowout taper on finer hair can be seen here. Many of these cuts usually focus on thick or curly textures — but here it is different. The volume on top is a result of a blowout technique created during styling. So, if you have finer hair and have thought this cut wouldn’t work for you, you are mistaken. The taper will give the cut enough contrast, and the top will have the dimension to make it look full. To keep that lift maintained for the rest of the day, a volumizing product will be needed.
#14: Curly Top with Length and a Clean Taper
This style is longer than most cuts which I think will create a different vibe. It looks more relaxed and less structured. The curls will have space to show off, while the taper keeps everything grounded so it doesn’t look wild or messy. The added length allows for more styling options. You can push it to one side, let it fall forward, or pull it back a bit. The downside is that curls need a bit of attention at this length. You’ll be using product most mornings to keep it from looking messy.
#15: Energetic Curly Blowout with a Tapered Side Fade
It’s great to see the energy and vibe this cut has. The full, lively curls up top really shine next to the tapered sides. I appreciate the cut’s youthful quality, and it’s nice that it doesn’t come off as immature (if that makes sense). The density and curl pattern are very defined, and for thinner hair I’d say you probably won’t achieve this exact look, but could get something similar to it with the right technique and product.
#16: Wavy Volume with a Subtle Disconnect
The most notable feature on this cut is the separation of the top and the sides. It’s a small detail, but it gives the whole cut an edge that a standard taper doesn’t have. The top is wavy and Tousled with a good amount of volume. The close taper on the sides keeps it modern and sharp. This is also finer wavy hair and honestly looks great here. The texture looks natural, the volume is not overdone. Most mornings you are going to want to restyle this to maintain that lifted look, but it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes with a blow dryer and your hands.
#17: Fuller Top Blowout with a Gradual Taper Blend
I can’t see too many haircuts that would be suited for different clients, but this one does. It is a bit extreme on top of the haircut but not too extreme. The volume on the top is nice and the taper blends nicely from the fuller length on top and the sides which just looks right. This would work well if your hair is fine or of medium density as you will have the options to play around with different styling products to achieve more of a cohesive texture or polished look on any given day.
#18: Lively Curls with a Tapered Back and Sides
Your haircut looks great! The curls are animated and full of bounce and definition. The layering on top adds more movement and brings the cut to life. The tapered back and sides create structure to avoid the big head of curls look, which I find is a common problem when many people grow out their curls. This look does take more time than other styles. So if you want defined curls, you’ll need to use a good curly mousse and spend a few minutes scrunching in the morning.
#19: Bouncy Curly Blowout with a Clean Nape Taper
I find the design on the nape taper to be noticeable and help create a nice shape for the back of the head, while the top curls do all the work at the front. The bounciness in the curls, and the fact that they are not too tight, is what I appreciate. The extra softness makes the look a lot more approachable and easy. This is a style for people with natural curls, to help them keep everything looking neat and intentional. The hair’s shape will change over time, so remember to come in regularly to maintain that brisk taper.
#20: Defined Curly Volume with an Undercut Detail
This one features a subtle undercut, adding a little something without being too loud about it which is perfect for a client looking for some sort of element of surprise in their cut. The defined and voluminous curls on top paired with the taper on the side creates a smooth clean frame. This is the type of style that gets better the longer you have it. The first week you’ll be learning what products to use and how much to use, and when you figure out the right combination of products to use it will be second nature to you. Thicker hair is going to have an easier time with this one for sure.
#21: Defined Curl Pattern with a Fresh Tapered Shape
Wow, these curls look amazing! The cut really complements the curls while having the sense to not mold the hair into shapes it doesn’t want to go. The sides look nice and clean, the top curls have nice height and definition and the whole look has a freshness to it that I think comes from letting the natural texture do its thing. The best part is that if you have thicker hair with a natural wave the cut will basically style itself with the right product, which is a dream.
#22: Thick Curls with a Smooth Faded Transition
The top curls look well defined, as the contrast makes the fade transition appear smooth. This is thick curly hair doing what it’s supposed to do in a blowout taper, just being full and textured and letting the fade do the cleaning up on the sides. I think the personality of this cut comes through in how the curls are styled, that’s why I love the cut. The curls look amazing, as the style is not made up of perfect little ringlets. The look is natural and wild in the best way. It’s best to keep curls moisturized, as that is how they’ll continue to look amazing. Otherwise, the moisturizing will create an irresistible frizz.
#23: Relaxed Waves with a Soft Taper
I appreciate this being on the softer and more relaxed end of the blowout taper spectrum. It’s good to remind us that less drastic cuts can still be really nice. Everything about this is soft waves, soft taper, and just effortless. If you have fine hair with a little wave this is super achievable. You won’t have to battle your hair every morning to make it look nice. Just a bit of product to help those waves, and that’s it. A little sea salt spray for more texture should do the trick!
#24: Natural Curl Definition with a Clean Fade
Everything comes together beautifully as the curls look incredible and are well faded. This style is perfect for people with thick and curly hair as it accentuates their natural hair pattern. For the curls to be even more defined and shiny, a good leave-in conditioner is recommended. The right cut will allow fine hair to create a similar volume, even if it doesn’t achieve the same amount.
#25: Textured Curls with a Seamless Tapered Blend
I think the length being just above the ears looks clean and classy without being too short, and the fade blending into the curls is quite the sign of a good taper. The texture of the hair is what pulls this whole thing together, and the hair density is essential as well because it gives fullness and dimension to the look, which is something that can’t be faked with fine hair. If your hair does this naturally, all you need is a skilled stylist and some commitment to keeping the fade maintained every few weeks.
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