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Curly hair can be both a source of pride and a challenge to manage.
Understanding the fine points of haircuts like tapers and fades is essential for men who want to enhance their curls while maintaining that stylish “quotient.” While similar in some contexts, these two styles offer different looks that can level up your overall game of style & haircut.
Taper haircuts slowly reduce hair length right from the top down toward the natural hairline, creating a clean and polished look. Fade haircuts involve a more dramatic transition, tapering all the way down to the skin, which can add an edgy flair to your hairstyle!
Both these haircuts are popular choices in hair salons, yet many men struggle to articulate their preferences, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction.
In this short guide to taper fades for men’s curly hair, we will explore these hairstyles, helping you communicate effectively with your barber and achieve the perfect look that complements your curls.
Curly hair is a world of its own, full of unique textures, spirals, and patterns that create a striking visual statement, and we are not lying here!
Type 2( Wavy) |
Type 3(Curly) |
Type 4(Kinky/Coily) |
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Wavy hair falls under type 2. Where the wavy hair is described as a discernible curl pattern |
Curly hair falls under type 3. At this phase, the curl pattern is more defined than wavy hair but less than COILY hair. |
Coily/ Kinky hair falls under type 4 (sometimes referred to by the outdated term “kinky”). |
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2A: This curl hair type can easily be straightened and styled because of its thin strands. |
3A: At this stage of curl hair type, the curls are loose, large, and well-defined. |
4A: At this phase of curly hair type, the hair strands are fine or wiry, and the coils have a noticeable and tight curl pattern. |
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2B: The curled hair type is more styling-resistant at this stage because the hair strands are thicker. |
3B: This curly type has tighter and closer curls that resemble ringlets. It is coarser and denser than 3A curls. |
4B: At this phase of curly hair type the hair strands might be fine, wiry, or coarse. |
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2C: At this stage, the curl hair type will refuse to give up its natural curl pattern because the strands are thick, and your hair is frizzier. |
3C: This curly type is dense and corkscrew-shaped, with a circumference about the size of a pencil. Its hair is more volume than 3A or 3B. |
4C: At this phase of curly hair type, the strand texture may vary, but your hair is delicate and prone to breakage. |
When you opt for fades for curly hair, you will have a plethora of options to choose from, each of which will offer its own unique characteristics and benefits. Let us see the main types of fades that work fantastic with curly hair ;
Low fade is the best choice for men with curly hair. Why? Because this style will blend smoothly above the ears & temple areas, creating a gradual transition from short to long.
Low fades are specifically flattering for square or round face shapes, offering a refined & clean look. They can be paired with a taper fade curly hair men style on top, allowing for a more textured appearance.
Tip : If you want to add volume or length to your curls, consider using hairpieces that blend seamlessly with your natural hair.
The mid-fade provides a balanced look, with the fade starting at the mid-point of the head. This style will work wonders with different face shapes, especially oval or diamond ones.
This mid-fade haircut can be particularly effective for those with fine curls, as it adds volume without drawing too much attention to the sides.
A bold statement begins with a high fade.
The high fade starts blending the hair higher up, usually around the temples.
This creates a classic contrast with longer curls, making it superb for those with thick, voluminous curls.
However, if you have a round face or fine curls, you might want to consider how this style will affect your overall look.
The skin fade, also known as bald fade, is a famous choice for those seeking a modern, clean look. This style highlights the fade that goes down to the skin on the lower sides and back, creating a sharp contrast with the longer curls on top.
Skin fades are great for managing curly hair, reducing bulk and providing a polished appearance.
Let us discuss the different types of tapers for curly hair;
The classic taper moderately shortens hair from the top of your head to the side, which is ideal for thin hair. Also, it maintains volume on top while keeping a neat appearance. Low maintenance with regular trims is essential.
The temple taper blends hair around the temples to shorter lengths. This style particularly highlights curls and requires minimal maintenance, but regular hair salon visits are necessary to maintain the fade.
The tapered afro now this style will feature shorter sides with a fuller top, reducing bulk while showcasing natural curls. It’s perfect for thick, curly hair that requires regular shaping and curl-enhancing products for maintenance.
The tapered mohawk has a strip of longer curls down the centre and neatly tapered sides. This bold style requires good maintenance, time and money, and styling products and regular trims to keep the shape.
A taper fade haircut shortens the length of the hair from the top down to the natural hairline. This technique accentuates the hair’s natural texture for “curly hair” while maintaining a neat, tapered appearance.
Texture and Volume: Curly hair naturally has more volume than straight hair, and a taper fade can uplift this by providing a stark contrast between the textured top and the faded sides.
Face Shape: Evidently it becomes important to match the level of the fade to your face shape. A higher fade can elongate round faces, whereas a lower fade might suit angular faces better, balancing the facial features.
Approach to Maintenance: The curly hair type always asks for one level up for maintenance to keep it looking sharp. Discuss with your hairstylist the upkeep of your fade, including the best styling products and the frequency of haircuts needed to maintain the look – all the time(of course).
Personal Style: Think of your personal style while picking up the taper fade curly hair men. Generally, taper fades are versatile and can rock both casual and formal looks, depending on how you style the top.
A hairstylist’s role in choosing between tapers and fades is largely helpful in achieving the specific style that complements an individual’s unique features and hair type.
The hair stylists at IHS London have the expertise to assess various factors, including hair texture, face shape, and personal style preferences, which can greatly influence the final look you want.
For example, a taper comes with this “subtle transition,” which is often recommended for those seeking a classic, versatile appearance. At the same time, a fade provides a bolder, edgier aesthetic look with its sharper contrasts.
Our hairstylists can help you understand the maintenance required for each style.
Moreover, they can suggest specific styles that work well with curly hair, helping you easily manage texture and minimise frizz, thereby simplifying daily grooming.
Picking up the right taper fade for your curly hair doesn’t have to be challenging—it can actually be pretty fun!
With the right advice, you can find a style that highlights your curls while keeping things fresh and stylish. Remember, a taper fade is about balancing what looks best & how.
So enjoy the journey of finding your perfect fade. Your curls are your crown, so let them shine! Now, go forth and rock that taper fade with confidence!
IHS Hair Replacement is a hair replacement brand based in 2 prime locations, West Kensington in West London and Liverpool Street in Central London. We provide a full head of hair achieved through our hair integration procedure giving you confidence and life.
