Low taper fade: what it is and how to ask for it

What a low taper fade is

On a low taper fade the barber shortens the hair gradually at two places only: the sideburns (in front of the ear) and the neckline (the back of the neck). Above that, the sides are not faded at all. They keep their length and blend straight into the top.

That is why it looks tidy rather than dramatic. From the front you mostly see a sharp sideburn and a clean line round the ear, not a short side.

Low taper, mid taper and high taper

Low, mid and high tell you how high the fade goes, the same way as with a low, mid or high fade. The difference is that a taper, at any height, stays on the sideburns and the neckline and does not go above the ear.

• Low taper fade: the fade is low, close to the hairline at the sideburns and the back of the neck. The most subtle of the three.
• Mid taper fade: the fade goes higher up the sideburns and the neckline, so more of it is faded.
• High taper fade: the fade goes highest. The biggest contrast with the length on the sides, but still not above the ear.

If you are not sure which to pick, a low taper is the safe choice: you can always go higher at the next cut, but you cannot put the length back.

Taper vs fade

People use "taper" and "fade" for almost the same thing, but there is a usable difference. A taper is the fade at the sideburns and the neckline only. A fade, in the usual sense, climbs higher up the side of the head, above the ear. A "taper fade" is a taper that is faded properly (down to a very short length or the skin) instead of just shortened.

Barbers do not all use the words in exactly the same way, so the surest way to get what you want is to say where the fade should be, not just its name (see below).

Who it suits

Anyone who wants a sharp but conservative cut (work, school, uniform, interviews) and anyone getting their first fade. It works on most hair types, and it leaves the length on top and on the sides, so you can keep a quiff, a textured crop or curls. If you want a visibly short side, ask for a fade instead of a taper: a low, mid or high fade also goes above the ear.

How to ask for it

The safest way is to show your barber a photo of the cut you want, ideally on a head with hair like yours. A photo beats any description.

If you do not have one, say the name and the places:

It also helps to say how short you want it at the bottom (down to the skin or a very short grade), the length on the sides (as a guide, a grade 1 is about 3 mm and a grade 2 about 6 mm) and, if you have a beard, that the fade should blend into it.

Looks that go with a low taper

• Textured crop or short messy top
• Quiff or longer swept-back top
• Side part or comb over
• Curls or twists on top
• A short crop with a faded neckline

How long it lasts and how to keep it

A low taper grows out slowly and gracefully because the length on the sides never went away. What you will notice first is the neckline: the clean edge at the back softens after a couple of weeks. Most barbers suggest a tidy-up every two to four weeks to keep the edges sharp. At home, a matte paste or clay gives texture on top without making the sides look heavy.

What it costs

There is no single price. It depends on the city, the barber and whether the skin or the beard is included. Some barbers charge the same as a standard men's haircut; others add a little for a fade. Check the price list before you go. Where barbers publish their prices, they are on the lists below.

Find a barber near you

Choose your city to see barbers with their opening hours, whether they take walk-ins, online booking and published prices, taken from each barber's own website. Or go to the home page and search by postcode.

Questions

Is a low taper fade the same as a low fade?

No. A low fade is also faded above the ear, on the side of the head, just starting low. On a low taper fade the ear is not faded over: only the sideburns and the neckline are.

Does a low taper fade work with a beard?

Yes. Ask the barber to blend the fade into the beard so there is no hard line between the sideburn and the beard.

Can I do it at home?

You can, with clippers and guards, but the neckline is hard to see and to get even. Most people have the neckline done by someone else or leave the finishing to the barber.

How often should I get it cut?

Every two to four weeks keeps the edges sharp. A low taper still looks fine at five or six weeks, just softer.