Collage showing 8 fade and taper hairstyles for Black men, including low, mid, and high tapers with waves and curls.

8 Fade and Taper Hairstyles for Black Men

Last Updated: October 14, 2025

This guide is reviewed and refreshed to stay up to date.

Hey brothers, if you’re thinking about getting a fade and/or taper and want a good style, this guide’s for you.

Let’s go over 8 fade and taper styles every Black Man can try. 

Some styles in this article might need curling, so check out this curling guide first and then come back to pick your style.

Fade & Taper Hairstyles for Black Men

Low Taper Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with low taper haircuts featuring clean fades around the temples and neckline for a sharp, polished look.

This is one of the most popular hairstyles for black men, however it requires constant haircuts. 

Every 3-4 days or so, so keep that in mind. 

If you don’t like dealing with constant haircuts, and styling.

Here’s 9+ low maintenance hairstyles for Black Men here.

Low Taper W/ Waves Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with low tapers and 360 waves, showing a clean lineup and blended fade for a smooth, defined wave pattern.
Two Black men with low tapers and deep 360 waves, showing a clean lineup and smooth fade around the temples for a sharp finish.
Two Black men with low taper fades and 360 waves, showing a clean lineup and smooth fade around the sides for a polished wave look.

This is another popular one, however waves do require a ton of effort to get right. 

There are many videos online on how to get waves, so look it up on youtube. 

Low tapers are the best haircut for waves, so stick with this.

here’s 3+ short hairstyle ideas just for black men you can check out.

Mid Taper Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with mid taper haircuts showing clean fades on the sides—one with waves and one with a natural curly top.

High Taper Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with high taper fades, showing a clean fade around the temples and curls styled on top for a sharp, modern look.
Two Black men with high taper fades featuring clean side fades and textured curls on top for a sharp, modern finish.
Two Black men with high taper fades, one with waves and one with curls, showing a clean blend and sharp lineup around the temples.

This requires far less haircuts in between, as it’ll take longer for the hair to grow back. 

If you like protective styles, this high taper pairs perfectly with braids.

Check out my guide on 10 braid styles for Black men, including ones that look great with a taper.

Mid Fade Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with mid fade haircuts, featuring clean faded sides and natural textured tops for a sharp, balanced look.
Two Black men with mid fade hairstyles showing even fades around the sides and back with natural curls on top for a clean, balanced look.
Two Black men with mid fade haircuts featuring clean fades and textured tops, showing a smooth transition from short sides to natural curls.

High Fade Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with high fade haircuts, one with waves and one with short curls, showing a clean, sharp fade up the sides.
Two Black men with high fade haircuts featuring clean fades and full beards, showing a sharp, masculine look.
Two Black men with high fade haircuts featuring sharp fades and lined beards, highlighting a clean and polished look.

Temp Fade Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with temp fade haircuts showing a clean line-up and short natural curls on top.
Two Black men with clean temp fades and full beards, showing a natural textured top with a sharp lineup.
Two Black men with sharp temp fade haircuts, showing clean edges, faded sides, and shaped beards.

If you like temp fades, you probably prefer keeping your length.

If you’ve ever thought about getting dreads, check out these 13 dreadlock styles.

Low Fade Hairstyle for Black Men

Two Black men with low fades and 360 waves, showing a clean blend around the sides and a sharp lineup for a polished finish.

Low fades are great for work or if you like a clean look.

If you want more short, professional styles, check out these corporate haircuts for Black men.

Fade & Taper Hairstyles FAQ

How often should I get a fade or taper?

Most fades and tapers need a touch-up every 3-4 days to keep the clean, sharp look.

What’s the difference between a fade and a taper?

A taper blends hair gradually but keeps more length on the sides, while a fade goes much shorter and blends all the way down to the skin.

Which fade or taper looks best for my face shape?

Low fades and tapers work well for round or square faces, while mid and high fades add height and definition to longer or oval faces.

3 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *