Barbershop Blog
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TAPER HAIRSTYLE
June 15, 2022
Meet ‘The Taper’, the workhorse of men’s hairstyles, the foundation on which a multitude of styles are built upon. But what is a taper hairstyle, how does it differ from a fade and how do I ask my barber for a taper? Read on as we explain it all in this article.
What is a taper haircut?
The term ‘taper’ refers to the gradual change in length of the hair. This is traditionally longer up top and becomes shorter down towards the natural hairline and nape of the neck. The length of the hair can be long or short, it doesn’t really matter, it is the gradation in length that makes a taper. Not all, but most men’s hairstyles involve some kind of tapering and therefor fit into this basket.
“If the hair is shorter at the bottom than on the top, it’s a taper haircut.”
What’s the difference between a taper and a fade?
These are two common barbering terms that are regularly misunderstood. With good reason though and that’s because fades are actually tapers but not all tapers are fades. Confused? Ok:
A ‘fade’ is actually an extremely short taper, the hair tapers all the way down to the skin so that it looks like the hair fades away above the natural hairline. The term fade refers to this changing of the hairline and this fade can be down low around the ear or up high on the head. A fade requires regular maintenance to keep the faded to skin effect in tact.
The term ‘taper’ on the other hand refers to any gradation in length where the natural hairline remains. This may be as short as a number two grade on the clippers or a longer scissor cut. A taper is not as extreme as a fade and caters to longer, more conservative lengths. A taper can be a long lasting hairstyle, as it does not require the same regular cutting as a fade to remain true and and stylish.
What to ask your barber?
When communicating with your barber it’s great to be able to correctly describe the type of haircut you’d like. Hopefully this article has better explained some important terminology and you will never ask your barber for a fade when you actually just meant a taper.
In closing, don’t be afraid to come into Barber Industries Richmond and ask our team of master barbers any question you have. W’re open seven days a week at Richmond Marketplace and are always ready to help where we can.
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