A low taper fade haircut is a type of fade where your hair gets gradually shorter, starting from a lower level, just above the ears. If you’re not a fan of fading too close to the skin on the sides and exposing your scalp, this one’s ideal.
Low fade means less contrast – meaning you’ll need more length on top to balance the look. Cuts like the pompadour, comb-over, side part, and undercut fit this description excellently, working nicely with all hair types and styles. Tapered sides and back is a low-maintenance cut perfect for business professionals and outgoing gents.
So, what is a low taper fade? Here are pictures of the coolest short low taper fade haircuts for men!
#1: Textured Crop with Low Taper Fade
This low taper fade creates a clean, natural transition at the neckline and around the ears, while the top is left full with a choppy, textured crop. Ideal for straight to wavy thick hair, it adds shape without feeling overly styled. Great for guys who want something neat but not too high-maintenance. It grows out well, though frequent fades are needed to keep the neckline sharp.
#2: Taper Fade with Voluminous Mini Curls
Curly hair can be more difficult to find a style that suits. This taper fade with voluminous mini curls could be an option for you. Low taper curly hair comes in a different range of hair textures, meaning that some fades can be harder. The difference from straight hair is that it curls as soon as it emerges from the follicle. So, keeping your taper fade low with a heavy blend works. This then appears to have a tidier finish.
Related: Best low taper fades for straight hair.
#3: Trendy Low Taper
A trendy 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.
#4: Low Taper with a Square Top
If you want to change up your same old boring buzz cut, this low taper with a square top might be your best bet. 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!
#5: Wavy Side Part with Subtle Taper Fade
This wavy side part paired with a subtle taper fade is great for men with natural wave and medium density. The taper is soft and understated, letting the top flow naturally without harsh lines. Ideal for guys who want something clean but not too sharp. It works on almost any face shape. A bit of sea salt spray brings the texture out. Very low maintenance—just shape it with your fingers and go.
#6: Curly Mullet with Tapered Sides
A curly mullet with tapered sides adds edge without going overboard. The tight low taper fade around the ears keeps it fresh and clean, while the back’s kept longer to showcase curl texture. This works best on naturally curly or coily hair types and suits longer face shapes. Styling is pretty simple with a curl cream or mousse. It’s bold but wearable, just know it’s not the most conservative cut.
#7: Wet Look Flow with Clean Taper Fade
That wet look flow with a crisp taper fade is a go-to for guys who want something clean but with character. The hair’s naturally dense and straight, which helps keep the shape intact when styled back. It flatters medium to long faces well. You’ll need a lightweight gel or pomade for that shiny finish. Just be ready for some product buildup if worn daily—clarifying shampoos are your friend here.
#8: Clean Crop with Low Taper Sides
This clean cropped cut with low taper sides is a practical, neat option for guys who like short hair without going full buzz. The sides taper down tight while the top maintains a bit of length for texture. Great for men with thick, straight or coarse hair. It suits most face shapes, especially round and oval. The best part? Minimal styling needed—just some lightweight product or leave it dry.
#9: Voluminous Pompadour with Low Taper Fade
This voluminous pompadour with a crisp low taper fade is bold and full of structure. Perfect for thick hair types, the lift in front creates height and presence, balanced by the tight taper at the neckline and around the ears. Oval and square face shapes carry this look well. Styling will take effort—blow dryer and strong-hold pomade are key. Not for low-maintenance guys, but worth it for style impact.
#10: Tapered Afro with Sharp Hairline
A short tapered afro with a sharp lineup like this brings a crisp, fresh look to coily or Type 4 textures. The low taper cleans up the nape and temples without losing the natural shape up top. It’s especially flattering on oval and square faces. You’ll want to keep the curls hydrated and shaped with a sponge or curl cream. The fade grows out neatly, but that hairline will need upkeep to stay clean.
#11: Natural Sweep Back with Tapered Edges
A natural sweep back with low taper edges offers that effortless style guys want with just enough polish. It’s ideal for thick, straight or wavy hair that naturally falls backward. The fade around the neckline and ears is clean but not harsh, giving the style a lived-in finish. Oval and heart-shaped faces wear this best. You can skip the blow dryer—just work in some light cream and you’re out the door.
#12: Wet Comb Back with Subtle Taper Fade
That wet comb back with a low taper fade creates a clean, sculpted look for men with thicker straight hair. The taper is subtle but tight, hugging the neck and sideburns for a sharp finish. It’s a style that requires a bit of product—think water-based pomade—for that shine and structure. Works best on round or square faces. Just know, it’ll need a comb-through and product refresh during the day.
#13: Slicked Back Layers with Low Taper Fade
This slicked back layered cut with a low taper fade is a refined option for men with dense, thick hair. The clean fade keeps the neckline and sides sharp, while the layered slick back adds dimension and movement. It suits heart-shaped and longer faces best. Keep in mind—it looks best with product and daily styling. Not ideal if you’re avoiding upkeep, but the payoff is a sleek, structured finish.
#14: Textured Comb Over with Low Taper Fade
A textured comb over with a low taper fade like this works great on medium to thick straight hair. The clean taper at the nape and around the ears adds sharpness, while the movement on top keeps things relaxed but polished. Best for guys with oval or square faces. Styling requires a matte paste for hold without stiffness. Maintenance is fairly low, though the fade needs touch-ups every 2–3 weeks.
#15: Low Taper and Layered Bowl Cut
Straight, thick hair can grow out differently. An option is to keep it longer to avoid the difficult stage. A lower taper fade is better as it keeps the ears and nape tight. When coupled with a layered bowl cut, your hairstyle is defined. The fringe is kept long and the cut blunt; by this, we mean a straight edge. You can dry some sea salt spray into it and use a styling powder to create movement and texture. This will prevent your hair from sitting flat on your head.
#16: Low Faded Cut with Messy Texture on Top
With slightly thinner curls, you have more control over your style. A low fade taper cut with a messy texture on top leaves more weight around the sides to style. The sides have been tapered tightly to keep it shorter around the ears. A tapered hairstyle has a messy appearance but is easy to style. I would scrunch some pomade into it while it’s damp. Then, let it dry naturally. Your barber should be able to advise you on products that would enhance the texture of such cool low taper fade curly hair.
#17: Straight Sleek Quiff with a Low Fade
This is a classic style that suits most straighter hair types. The sleek quiff with a low fade taper is a classic look that never goes out of fashion. It will have mainly been done 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 have a round face shape, you can wear this style to elongate the appearance of your face.
#18: Low Fade Haircut with Side Bangs
A common question from clients is what style suits a receding hairline. This low-fade haircut with side bangs is a good option. The side bangs cover your hairline and do not reveal the scalp at the front. And, more weight has been left at the neckline to give a slight mullet effect. I recommend drying some sea salt spray and using powder to emulate the natural finish a good styling.
#19: Brushed Back Wavy Hair
More and more guys are now opting for low tapers, complimenting the brushed-back wavy hair. The length has been left on the top and back to leave weight to style. Dry a sea salt spray into the top while brushing back to achieve this. This will generally be enough to hold your hair and look neat and dapper. If you want more hold, hairspray is a good option.
#20: Ivy League Haircut and a Beard Fade
A good smart option for a style is this Ivy League haircut and beard fade. Unlike the high taper, this style keeps the fade around the ears for those who don’t want to go too short. Attention to the front has been achieved by styling the fringe into a quiff to add to the tight finish. This style is a good one if you have a cowlick. Your hair can be styled in that direction to avoid unruly parts.
#21: Faded Haircut with Short Fringe and Low Taper
Cropped haircuts are favorable at the moment. This faded haircut with a short fringe, and low taper is a good choice. The fade has been kept around the ear, and the back and sides are left longer. A textured fringe is an option to avoid a blunt fringe, as it creates feathering. I recommend using a styling powder as it holds well and leaves you with a more natural finish.
#22: Classic Low Taper with Loose Curls on Top
Men’s curly low taper haircuts are becoming more and more popular. This works well with thick dark hair, and the transition looks sharp. The style has been skin tapered at the ears and base of the neck, blending seamlessly into the tight curls on top. This will allow your cut to grow out well. A good sea salt spray and styling powder will achieve a matte finish.
#23: Fresh Curly Kinks with a Low Taper
Curly hair with a low taper haircut is popular in the Caribbean community. Because the curls are so tight, they don’t need cutting regularly. But, a low taper fade black male loves will need seeing more often. I recommend some curling or specialized Afro-Caribbean curling products to keep your hair fresh and tidy.
#24: Simple Bald Fade and Crew Cut
A simple, clean trim like a skin fade could make or break a haircut. This taper fade is a good choice. The skin shave will show a bit of contrast to your crew cut.
#25: Low-Maintenance Shaggy Low Taper Fade
A shaggy taper low fade haircut is cut with scissors using lots of layers and texture. Some barbers will use the point-cutting technique, and others may use fishbone scissors. The sideburn can be tapered from the beard into the haircut, allowing for a neat transition into the style. The style will suit most face shapes as it’s a uniform cut. This is relatively easy to maintain as you won’t need as many visits to the barbershop. To style, dry some sea salt spray into it and finish off with styling powder.
#26: The Crew Cut with a Seamless Fade
The crew cut is a popular haircut for men that looks even better with a seamless fade. If you want a faded style, opt for the crew cut, which is universally flattering and grows nicely between trims.
#27: The Pompadour with a Maintained Beard
The taper fade comes to life with a little bit of front hair teasing. The pompadour increases your hair’s volume, which partners well with the greatly maintained beard.
#28: Trendy Textured Blonde Wavy Fringe
The texture combined with the fade and the delicate wavy ringlets is flawless.
#29: Legendary Tapered Afro for 4C Curls
Make your 4Cs stand out with a clean fade around the head. Scrunch it up to give it body, and hold it up using your favorite pomade. Opt for a low taper fade black men love.
#30: Noticable Side Part Fade with Disconnection
Bring out your best self with a side part that shows off your tapered fade. Puff out those parted locks for the ultimate volumized hair.
#31: Undercut with a Beard and Rounded Layers
A mid fade with rounded layers is what you need to partner this undercut with. Pair this temple fade with staggering facial hair to make you stand out.
#32: Youthful Disconnected Comb Over with a Hard Part
The hard part does its job of disconnecting the tapered fade and the comb-over. With this low temp fade giving off a differentiated look, a more youthful vibe appealed.
#33: Perfectly Cleaned Up 360 Waves
The best clean-up look for a man of color is achieving the perfect waves with a neat shave and edge. This is a low-maintenance look that requires just a little bit of product.
#34: Perked-Up Skin Fade + Brooklyn Fade
This Brooklyn Fade starts at a much closer point to the ear area. Nonetheless, a smooth transition from the temple to the top gives you a nice venue for the perked-up locks to stand out.
#35: Vintage Slick Back Long Hair
Long, blonde locks, just like a prince! Make it one of a kind with a cleaned-up undercut and beautiful dark roots. This low taper long hair is a modern-day disconnect using barbering techniques with fading. My favorite thing about this is the severe disconnect from short to long. Maintenance is every two weeks to keep up with the short fade and taper on the sides.
#36: Noteworthy Mohawk Undercut Fade
Shaving approximately 2 inches above the ear and continuing around produces the right look for an undercut and a mohawk. This way, you’ll have a bigger space to play around with styling your hair. This look has a modern twist on a traditional mohawk haircut. Styling is easy – all you have to use is Redken brews clay pomade, put it in your hair while it’s damp, and let it naturally air dry. This under cut for men style is great for any guy who marches to the beat of their drum, a free spirit.
#37: Natural Curly Hair with a Clean Drop Fade
When you want a quick clean-up of your curls, why not choose a clean and natural-looking cut like a low taper fade? This brings out your curls more; you have less hair to worry about! This is a sporty look with a clean drop fade. The top is shaped with forwarding movement.
#38: The Versatile Pomp-Style Drop Fade
The taper low fade haircut is very versatile and is suited to most dudes, as you can adapt the height and shape of the fade to suit any man. Combining a low skin taper fade with a pompadour offers short sides with a long top hairstyle, helping you if you have a round face shape due to the length of your hair on top. It gives you a modern but classic look at the same time.
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