Taper-fade hairstyles are among the most common for men, but that\u2019s because there are hundreds of ways to execute this technique. That being said, not all executions on the taper fade are as universal as others, since not every guy wants a skin-tight fade climbing halfway up his head.<\/p>
Enter the low taper fade: This is the truly universal take on the taper fade haircut. We spoke with JC Chavez<\/a>, barber at Church Barber<\/a> in San Francisco, to learn why the low taper fade is a great choice for all hair types.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n A taper and fade aren’t one in the same\u2014though they come close. Similarly, neither is a hairstyle by itself. Rather they are different techniques that add contrast and freshness to almost any type of hairstyle.<\/p> Taper:<\/b> A taper is a gradient change, no matter how high in contrast. It starts longer at the top and grades down to a shorter length. <\/p> Fade: <\/b>A fade is when the taper eventually disappears (or fades) into an ultra-short or naked end. You can have a taper without a fade, but you can\u2019t really have a fade without a taper.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n The low taper fade doesn\u2019t call attention to itself, which is precisely its power, says Chavez. \u201cIt is subtle compared to other types of fades,\u201d he adds. \u201cWith the low taper, it\u2019s not super obvious that you have \u2018a fade\u2019.\u201d <\/p> For this reason, the low taper fade can pop up pretty much anywhere, even on guys with longer styles. Chavez explains that the low taper fade gives any style a cleaner finish. If you\u2019re growing your hair out and see the barber for a cleanup, there\u2019s a good chance he may snip at some stray hairs while primarily cleaning up the perimeter\u2014and the low taper fade is a common way of doing so. \u201cIt\u2019s fitting for any occasion, and all sorts of styles, not just buzzed hair,\u201d he says. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n Compared to the high taper fade, the low taper is a much \u201csafer\u201d pick, since it\u2019s barely a fade at all\u2014perhaps just the last centimeter of the style is faded down to the skin. Here is a more distinct breakdown of the two types of taper fade hairstyles:<\/p> High Taper Fade: <\/b>The high taper fade begins its disappearing act much higher up the sides and back of the head. Anyone with a high-taper fade is probably fresh from the barber\u2019s chair in the past week, especially if he\u2019s still got a skin-tight fade.<\/p> \u201cA high taper fade is extra fresh and looks amazing, but you\u2019ll have to do more to maintain it,\u201d says Chavez, echoing that cleanups will be much more frequent. (Every two weeks or less, to keep it looking fresh.) \u201cYou\u2019re also cutting a bigger chunk of hair from your head,\u201d he adds. \u201cSo you have to be more thoughtful about what you\u2019re doing with the rest of the style.\u201d That\u2019s why you\u2019ll see far more specific examples of high taper fades, since they need to be thoughtfully executed. They aren\u2019t mere \u201cperimeter cleanups\u201d like low taper fades; they are more intentionally defined hairstyles.<\/p> Low Taper Fade: <\/b>You can apply a low taper fade to pretty much any hairstyle, since it doesn\u2019t define the style so heavily. As mentioned before, it is a subtle way to keep your hairstyle looking fresh, even if it\u2019s slightly grown out (and still growing).<\/p> \u201cA low taper fade is much more laid back,\u201d Chavez says. \u201cThe low taper fade is not as big of a commitment [in terms of upkeep].\u201d If you insist on pristine tidiness, you\u2019ll still maintain it every 2-4 weeks, but it should also grow out nicely for as many as 8 weeks. <\/p> \u201cThe nicest thing about a low taper is that pretty much anyone can get it,\u201d he adds. \u201cThere aren\u2019t many restrictions.\u201d <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can modify a low taper in many ways,\u201d Chavez says. \u201cYou\u2019ll see in my client photos below, that sometimes the low fade wraps around the head, and other times it\u2019s just there in the front or back, to give the cut some extra style.\u201d<\/p> Here are a handful of low taper fade hairstyles, all cut by Chavez himself. Let them guide your own execution of the technique. Simply talk to your barber about how you want to wear the low taper fade, and get his\/her opinion on how to incorporate it into the style of your choice. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s the Difference Between a Taper and a Fade?<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a Low Taper Fade?<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Low Taper Fade vs. High Taper Fade<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Best Low Taper Fade Hairstyles for Men<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n