Everything You Need to Know About the Blowout Taper Haircut

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How to cut and style this trendy look

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: December 27, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is a blowout taper?

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Cutting a Blowout Taper

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Asking for a Blowout Taper

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Styling

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Taper vs. Fade

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Similar Hairstyles

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Video

The blowout taper is exactly what it sounds like, a low taper fade that blows out into a larger top. This popular TikTok style is making rounds on the internet, and we're here to teach you everything you need to know about the blowout taper, including what it is, how to get it, style it, and more.

The Blowout Taper Explained

A blowout taper is a hairstyle that's short on the back and sides with a longer top that has lots of volume. This popular TikTok haircut is typically "blown out" with a hairdryer to add height and texture to the longer hair on top.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a blowout taper?

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A blowout taper is a low taper with a large blown-out top. The sides and back of the hair below the temples are cut short and typically faded down to the nape of the neck. The hair tapers into a long, bulky top, often with a flicked-out fringe. The long hair on top is blown out with a hairdryer to force it upward from the taper to create volume, giving the style its name.^{[1]
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- This is a popular, versatile haircut, as it works with multiple hair types.

Section 2 of 6:

How to Cut a Blowout Taper

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This line is called a guideline, which is a straight, horizontal line that separates the layers of your fade. Line up the guideline with the halfway point of your ear and go all the way around the sides and back of your head. Once you cut the guideline, shave the hair underneath to create the foundation of the taper.^{[2]
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Push the lever on the side of a pair of guardless clippers down to open them, then, starting from the first guideline, cut to the top of your ear all the way around your head to begin fleshing out your taper.^{[3]
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Research source} Opening your clippers lets you cut this section of the hair longer.^{[4]
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Use a 2-guard to cut the hair above your ears. Push the lever up to close your clippers, then use the 2-guard to cut the hair above your ear to ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) and begin blending into the bulk up top to define the taper.^{[5]
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- Use your comb to bring out any stray hairs, then cut them using your clippers to help the taper further blend into the bulk. This is the clipper-over-comb technique.
- If you prefer to use thinning shears, hair stylist Bianca Cox says to use them “towards the end of the hair versus the center or roots of the hair.” Do this to keep short hairs from randomly sticking out.^{[6]
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  Bianca Cox
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Open your clippers, add a blur guard, and erase the middle guideline with short strokes, closing the clippers while you erase. As you are erasing the guideline, slightly shorten the length of your cuts and push the lever up into the closed position to aid in the blending process.
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Cut a curved C-shape along your natural hairline. This natural hairline is around the top of your ear where your hair curves. Cut the C-shape, also called a “C-Cup,” to define the taper and create a definitive line between your hair and skin.^{[7]
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- Don’t forget to cut behind the ear and into the back to accentuate that defined line!
- Make sure to shave away any stubble on the sides.
Push guardless, closed clippers up and away from your head while cutting into the stubble around the area where your taper blends into your skin to gradually transition into your longer hair. During this step, clean up any stray hairs on the sides.^{[8]
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Ask for a Blowout Taper

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This style works best with a lot of bulk up top, as your barber will have an easier time blending. If your hair isn’t bulky, ask your barber to use products that make it look fuller. Make sure to bring reference photos so your barber knows exactly what you’re looking for.

Section 4 of 6:

How to Style a Blowout Taper

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For straight hair, blow dry and use volumizing powder. Blow dry freshly-washed hair, directing the stream of air upward to add volume to the top. Then, lightly apply the volumizing powder to the roots and sides of your hair and use your hands to push your hair upward.^{[9]
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- The volumizing powder will create a full, fluffy look, which is perfect for the blowout taper!
- Think of volumizing powder like salt. Too much will make it hard to work with.
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For curly hair, use moisturizing shampoo and curl-centric conditioner. These products will help define your curls, giving them weight and creating texture for the blowout look. To avoid a weighed-down look, blow dry your hair to force your curls upward and add volume
- Be careful when blow-drying your hair, as too much heat can damage your curls. To avoid this, blow dry on low heat and limit the amount of time you expose your hair to heat.^{[10]
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For wavy hair, blow dry your hair and use hair gel to add volume. After a shower, blow dry your hair upward to create a blowout. Then, apply a hair gel that is designed for wavy hair to accentuate your volume and add depth. Style your hair outward after applying to achieve a thick, hefty look.
- Only use a little bit of gel, as too much will weigh your hair down and make it sticky.^{[11]
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For short hair, use products that make your hair look thicker. A thick volume paste with a matte finish works well. Apply the paste to your hands and then work it into your hair, messing it up a bit and creating volume at the roots. The paste will help your short strands stand strong, creating the full look that the blowout taper is known for.^{[12]
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- Make sure not to use a paste with a shiny finish, as that will make your hair look thin.

Section 5 of 6:

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

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A taper is soft and gradual, while a fade is sharp and full of contrast. A taper only appears on your sides and neckline and gradually transitions from the sides to the top. A fade is all around your head, ends above your natural hairline around the top of your ears, and creates contrast between the top and bottom through a shorter cut. A taper is easier to maintain, as you’re working with less hair, and lasts longer than a fade.^{[13]
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- Brush your hair to maintain the fade. Your fade will grow out quicker than a taper, so get frequent cuts to keep it fresh.
- It’s best to brush the taper to maintain it, as well.
- If you want your sides and back to dramatically blend into your hair up top, a fade is the best way to go. But, if you want a gradual rise from the sides to the top and prefer a less defined blend, go with a taper.

Section 6 of 6:

Similar Hairstyles

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Taper Fade Mullet For a tapered look with a wild top, go for a mullet with a taper fade. The mullet with a taper fade is a long mullet with chopped sides and a short fade that tapers into the temples. The taper fade and chopped sides work together to create a light contrast between the sides and long top.
- With a taper fade mullet, you can grow the back as long as you want, making for a look that’s more dynamic and off-the-wall than the blowout taper.
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Warrior Cut For a similar “blown out” look with a higher fade, the warrior cut is the way to go. The warrior cut sports slightly unkempt hair with a fade around the sides and back. For shorter hair with an untamed look, rock the warrior cut.
- A high fade with a warrior cut creates a bold look with strong contrast.^{[14]
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For a short, polished fade that doesn’t blow out into a larger top, go with the French crop. A French crop has short, cropped sides with a tapered back and long, fringed top. You still get the versatility of a long top, but this look is a bit more polished than the blowout taper. Plus, the contrast is more striking than a taper.