While haircuts for men can appear simple, the mid taper can offer a flexible style regardless of whether you have thick hair, curly hair, or fine hair. So, here we’ll explore mid taper options to help you decide which is the right choice.
Characteristics of Mid Taper Cuts:
- Mid taper refers to where the fade begins. The high taper is high above the ears, the low taper is at the head’s base, and the mid taper is in between.
- While a fade haircut has the same level cut all around the hairline, mid taper only affects the hair on the sides.
Why is Mid Taper a Popular Cut?
Short hair on the sides and some length on top is a trend in men’s hairstyling. Tapers and fades are two of the top choices to create this look. While high and low taper can be a choice, many men don’t like creating an odd neckline, so mid taper provides a great compromise. This cut can be a good option if you don’t want to expose too much skin on your hair, and it is ideal for those with thick hair. It is also a good option if you tend to have a natural curl in your hair.
The Best Mid-Taper Haircut Styles:
Short with Fade:
This is an ultra-short style with well-defined edges. This creates a sharp look without needing any maintenance to keep looking cool.
Long with Fade:
The mid taper can look very classy when it is paired with longer hair on top. You can create quiff or pompadour for a bold look that catches the eye. The best bit is that you can combine it with a faded beard to add to the keen aesthetic.
Straight Hair:
While the mid taper can be great with hair that has curl, it can also create a sleek, clean, and classic look if you have straight hair. This cut can look superb whether you’re wearing it casually or at a special event. The medium-length hair running down to short hair creates an ultra-clean look.
Curly Hair:
Whether you have waves or heavy curls, you can reduce the bulk by blending the longer hair with shorter sides. When you create a taper fade to shorter sides, the texture on top will enhance your profile and create the appearance of a cool blowout.
Caesar:
This stylish and modern look adds a taper to the conventional Caesar cut. To achieve this look, you will need to brush and style the hair forward to create a short fringe. You can then add in a taper that will accentuate the forward motion of your hair on top. This cut is particularly effective if you have thick hair.
Undercut:
The undercut is a striking men’s hairstyle in any form. There is extreme contrast between the longer hair on top and the short back and sides. This is a daring cut, but it can deliver serious style. When paired with a mid taper, you can reduce the extremeness of the cut, so you don’t need to go full-on dramatic immediately.
The undercut taper looks great when the hair on the top of the head is slicked back, combed over, or put into a hard side part. Think Peaky Blinders for a retro yet modern look.
Blowout:
A blowout is similar to a pompadour, but it can be updated for a modern look with a mid taper. Traditionally, this is a retro cut, with similar length all around the head, but by pairing it with a mid taper, you can accentuate the length on top and create a more sleek aesthetic.
Temple:
The temple mid taper is a popular request at barbers and hairdressers as it is suitable for most people. This is a cool hairstyle with short and clean hair around the ears fading to the skin. You can keep the top longer and styled for a serious look. The clean mid taper line stands out and will have guys asking you where you got your cut.
How to Create a Mid Taper Haircut:
The mid taper is considered a perfect cut for most men, as you can enjoy the benefits of a fade without showing a lot of skin. A mid taper begins mid-way up the side of the head, approximately in line with the temple. The hair will become gradually shorter as it moves down towards the cheekbones. However, the rate at which it becomes shorter depends on your preferences.
For example, you could transition to a number one or two on your clippers to leave some hair remaining around the ears. On the other hand, if you prefer greater contrast, end on a grade zero to show some skin.
Whichever you choose, you can take some weight off your hair, which is especially beneficial if you have thick hair. You can also have greater flexibility on how you style the hair on the top of your head, so you can keep your hair short or wear it longer, with a quiff or other eye-catching style. This can be a great style if you have curly or wavy hair that can be difficult to manage and style.