Afro Taper Fade: 23 High-profile Designs Of This Innovative Hair Trend!

Although the hair industry is still growing in terms of volume and variation, natural looks, especially those that cater to afro-textured hair, remain the most favorable option in the eyes of most fashion moguls.

In addition to having layers of admirable features in their visuals, natural hairdos often rise above due to their maintenance routine, which gets easier with regular care. The weight of the strands does gradually become a hassle to keep up with, but that’s where afro taper fades come in!

As their name indicates, afro taper fades feature the hybrid of a fade haircut and a natural taper, typically around the bottom half of one’s scalp. While the neat appearance of the hairdo can work wonders for your aesthetics, the design can also be a good way to relieve your hair from the body of afro-textured hair, along with the friction it causes when outgrown.

To learn everything about an afro taper fade and discover all the ways in which you can wear the dominant hairstyle, don’t forget to give this material of ours a much-needed chance!

23 Staggering Ways To Wear An Afro Taper Fade! 

Afro-textured hair often receives flowers for its growth process and the way it blooms when the strands aren’t manipulated. However, with the help of an afro taper fade, the hairdo also becomes quite phenomenal in the fashion scene.

An afro taper fade is currently one of the hottest hair trends to give into or try out at the moment, having multiple variations to cater to the preferences of everyone. Don’t forget to read through the following designs of afro taper fades, especially if you’d like to soothe that curious mind of yours! 

Oval-shaped Top With Low Taper Fade

A trendy design you can pull off with your afro taper fade is this oval-shaped top, which features a low yet hairless taper around the bottom. The look has tons of volume to hold the hair up, containing enough flair to pair well with any outfit.

Looking good can be easy with this hairstyle, but creating the structure could be difficult. While securing the formation on thick hair can be carried out with a simple blowout, you may have to use volumizing hair mousse to replicate the hold on thinner strands.

Short Textured Afro With Sharp Taper Fade

If you’re planning to shorten the length of your natural hair, do it with some flair by replicating the textured strands of this entry right here! You’ll need some hair gel to introduce the gloss in the visuals of the hairdo and will also need to create the look on damp hair to avoid any breakage or frizzy texture.

A low taper can be a good idea if you have a defined jawline that you’d like to boast about. However, if you’d like to add more body to the top of your hairstyle, try replacing that element with a high and tight afro taper fade.

Frizzy Afro With Low Taper Fade

Having loose strands can be difficult when you have afro hair, especially since they often look frizzy. Getting rid of the ends can be a great solution during that time, but it can eventually take a toll on your bank account. However, if you’d like to embrace the loose texture instead of replacing it, try mirroring this afro taper fade with a top full of frizz.

The look might require some adjustments when attending a big event but is more than sufficient to wear regularly, especially in casual settings.

Medium Length Afro With Blowout

If you’d like to stand out in a room full of people with your upgraded hairstyle, try taking notes from this afro taper fade, which comprises a voluminous blowout on top.

The look carries a vibe that most entries can’t mimic on this list, and could be the perfect companion to side with if you have a knack for fashion trends that hovered around during the 80s and 90s. The maintenance routine is just as laid back as its visuals, requiring a thorough blowout to close out its positioning.

Afro Taper Fade For Mature Hairline

An afro taper fade goes above and beyond for everyone, even for those with a receding hairline.

Although it can’t reverse the adverse effects and permanent hair loss, which eventually shapes a mature hairline, it can change the visuals around afro hair to make the strands look stronger, thicker, and denser. But to really learn about how advantageous it can be for those with thin or vulnerable afro-textured hair, trying out this afro taper fade is compulsory!

Buzz Cut with Low Taper

Bearing the heat of summer seems rather challenging when you have heavily dense natural hair. Getting rid of some length and wearing hats could be two possible solutions to solve the issue. However, if you’d like the solution to be convenient for you as well as your hair, consider jotting down the features of this buzz cut, which is supported by a low afro taper fade.

Due to the texture and short length, this buzz cut looks extremely masculine. In addition to offering a laidback styling and hair care routine, this buzz cut is dominant for standing out in any social setting!

Gelled Up Afro With High Taper Fade

The coarseness of afro hair is definitely one of the finest perks of wearing it. However, when styled, the strands lack flexibility, rendering them ineligible for adjustments.

Using hair gel can be a good way to introduce some bounce and life to the ends. If your hair typically looks dry, relying on hair gel will also benefit you by introducing some moisture onto the cuticles.

Crinkle Cut Afro With Shape Up

If you’d like to showcase the lengths of your afro hair, consider introducing some elevation around the roots of your strands and replicating this entry containing crinkle-cut afro hair.

The hairdo is supported by an afro taper fade, but also comprises a crispy line-up near the hairline, which can be a good way to make the strands stay put and look more full!

360 Waves With Skin Taper Fade

An afro taper fade is definitely something to behold. It not only generates an intense disconnection between one’s hair and facial hair, but is also a specialist in reducing severe signs of a mature hairline.

With an afro taper fade, wearing any hairdo is possible. However, it looks best when teamed up with designs that lack length, especially 360 waves.

Creating 360 waves takes time, but is definitely a look that everyone should experiment with. Sure, maintaining the strands will be far from easy. Once you’re past that, however, you can expect your 360 waves to serve you on every occasion for a long, long time.

Burst Taper Fade With Elongated Blow Out

A blowout can work wonders for natural hair, especially if the pieces are long and dense enough. To really highlight the volume though, you might have to make some additional changes.

In addition to using a hair dryer with a diffuser, consider investing in a hot air brush to really introduce a massive amount of volume to your blowout. To elongate the proportions even further, add a burst afro taper fade at the bottom or in the middle of each side!

Caesar Cut With Afro Taper Fade

A manageable look that you can pair with your natural curls and pull off elegantly with your new afro taper fade is a caesar cut, which contains rugged and masculine visuals.

The look is typically formed when hair is damp, and styled using texturising powder. If you’d like to make your cheekbones more apparent and your jawline more defined, this caesar cut should be sufficient to meet those needs!

Duotone Afro Top With Golden Blonde Highlights

Natural hair comes in different shapes and sizes, some of which are healthier than most. And although supplying the strands with enough moisture should be enough to eliminate the visuals of unhealthy strands full of frizz, installing a duotone hair color using golden blonde highlights can be an alternative that anyone can throw in the mix. In addition to looking healthy, the strands will also look more enhanced with density.

Dishevelled Afro Cut With Mid Taper Fade

If you’re growing your hair out, embracing your afro hair can bring forward memorable results. And if you’re open to taking suggestions, try finding inspiration in the visuals of this dishevelled afro cut.

The texture of this hair is on another level and can be a good way to make short natural hair look fuller and more exciting. The afro taper fade might seem unnecessary, but is beneficial nonetheless due to the amount of elevation it adds to the roots!

Short Natural Afro With Low Line Up

Reducing bulk can be a good way to have more control over your natural curls. Additionally, trying out voluminous looks with a blowout can be the best possible way to boast about the length. You may use some hair clay to introduce some texture to your hair as well, especially if you want the visuals to look playful.

While adding the shape up (or line up) isn’t mandatory, doing so can be a good way to add more concentration to your hair colour and more fullness near the hairline.

Crew Cut With Razor Decals

Crew cuts can look awkward when the sides are grown out, so it’s always better if you rock the look with an afro taper fade. The design will give you more control over the strands, make the hairdo more presentable, and create a disconnection that your beard will benefit from.

To rise above the rest, pair your afro taper fade with a unique design. If you don’t want the pattern to look flashy, consider adding razor decals around the temple of your hair!

Tight Top Knot With Natural Taper Fade

Wrapping natural hair into a top knot can be a quick and easy way to enhance your appearance and make your life more manageable. In certain cases, a top knot with an afro taper fade can also be an exceptional maintenance cut to obtain.

This hairdo takes seconds to create, and has enough volume to amp up anyone’s appearance. While the shape-up is anything but necessary, creating it should be mandatory if you’d like to shed some bulk from your hair.

Flattop With Lighting Bolt Taper Fade

Rocking a flattop is always a good way to boast about your natural hair. It contains volume, has a firm structure, and can be used to explore your taste in fashion in endless ways.

A flattop looks magnificent on its own, but feels even lighter and fuller when teamed up with an afro taper fade. To match the wavelength of the flattop, however, try adding the pattern of a lightning bolt around the sides.

Textured Afro Top With Bronze Babylights

Enhancing the texture of the strands can be a great way to wear afro hair, especially when the top is paired with an afro taper fade. If the look feels too plain, however, you can always spice things up by adding some colour.

If you’re not comfortable with using hair dye to drastically transform the strands, install highlights around the ends. You may use a lighter tone to make the shaft look healthy, but can also side with bronze babylights for a similar effect.

Finger Coil Afro With Blended Taper Fade

If your hair is tangle-free, an option that you should incorporate into your styling routine is this finger coil afro. The visuals of this look are extremely easy on the eyes, which can create stronger first impressions.

In contrast to a majority of the recommendations on this list, this finger coil afro, which feels incomplete without the afro taper fade on the sides, is extremely easy to create at home.

Two-stitch Cornrows With Low Taper Fade

An easygoing look that you can style with your afro taper fade can be the components of this entry, which contains two-stitch cornrows. The look is quite flexible, making it the perfect companion to explore your wardrobe with. One’s hair also needs to be straightened before incorporating the look.

This look follows a stress-free washing routine, requiring a thorough clean-up once a week. It also stays in place at all times, making it a trustworthy look under unfavourable weather conditions.

Small Cornrows With Afro Taper Fade

Cornrows mainly rose to prominence due to what they symbolize and stand for, but it also didn’t take them long to create quite the buzz in pop culture. Although you may take notes from the prior variant to keep things light with your new afro taper fade, you may also replicate this set of small cornrows for covering more parts of your hairline. Be sure to clear up your schedule, however, since this look requires tons of time to be perfected.

Thick Dread-bun With High Taper Fade

Changing your current hairstyle into dreads can be a great idea if you’re seeking an overnight transformation, but don’t forget to take into account the hectic upkeep routine that you’ll have to keep up with on a regular basis. While co-washing every other day and moisturizing the strands will keep your hair healthy at all times, wrapping the strands into a bun can be an easy look to try out when running low on time.

Jumbo Locs With Temp Taper Fade

Saying goodbye to your afro hair, especially when you’ve turned them into locs, could be beyond painful.

Although getting rid of it should remain the only option if you’re suffering from issues like hair loss and having a hard time looking after the strands, incorporating a temp afro taper fade could be a great solution if you’d like to make your loc journey a bit longer and easier. 

A Stress-free Guide To Creating Afro Taper Fades

Finding the right look should be a walk in the park as long as you’re assertive with your decision-making and take into account your face shape, hair type, and styling products before finalizing your pick. However, before you get there, nailing the components of the haircut should be the main goal.

To leave no stones unturned, read through this guideline of ours, which contains all the steps you need to follow when bringing an afro taper fade to life! 

Get rid of the ends 

Reducing unnecessary amounts of bulk can be a good way to start the haircut, especially if the look you’re aiming for contains shorter strands. While you may ask your barber to use haircutting shears to reduce the size and compromise the thickness of each strand, a trimmer can also be a good tool to utilise for its efficiency and lateral quickness.

Create guidelines with a shaver and clipper

Whether you’re relying on an expert or an amateur, requesting them to create guidelines for the fade can help, especially from a botched haircut.

The lower half of the guideline for the fade should be introduced with a foil shaver or head shaver, mainly since both of them accumulate more hair than clippers. Additionally, to create the perfect afro taper fade in the middle or on the upper half of the sides, use a hair clipper or trimmer.

Incorporate the fade using a zero-gap trimmer 

Once the guideline has been created, use a zero gap trimmer to incorporate the fade. While shavers are preferred for bald fades and skin fades, using a zero-gap trimmer can be a good way to obtain a close shave without injuring the skin.

Add the shape up around the sides and hairline 

If your hair is thinning or looks extremely unhealthy, adding a shape up with your afro taper fade can be a notion to consider. A shape up won’t just make the hairdo look neater and thicker, but will also reduce the obvious signs of hair loss, increasing your self esteem as a result!

Introduce some contrast with a skin fade 

If you’d like your haircut to last longer, try adding a low skin fade towards the end. The adjustment might seem redundant at first, but definitely be worthwhile once you notice just how thick your beard and hair looks. Additionally, a skin fade can also bring out a highly defined jawline and make one’s cheekbones pop out like none other.

Let a one-blade razor bring in some sharpness

To close out the haircut, use a one-blade razor to eliminate baby hair strands near the hairline, nape line, and sideburns. Following this rule will make the fade more prominent, create a better disconnection, and add more thickness to the strands on top.

Need visuals to understand better? Give the following clip a watch!

The Aftermath: Life Hacks For Maintaining An Afro Taper Fade

The best part about an afro taper fade is its versatility, which can be utilized in various ways to form different looks on a day-to-day basis. Nonetheless, we are talking about natural hair here, 

Comb your fro out 

To eliminate damage and protect the strands from breakage, comb your afro out on a regular basis. The activity will also generate more blood circulation on the scalp, resulting in the growth of healthier strands in the long run.

Additionally, prior to using the afro comb, rinse the strands thoroughly. Since natural hair is resilient and immovable, combing the hair when dry can result in irreversible repercussions.

Regular maintenance cuts 

Obtaining regular cuts can be a good way to maintain the appearance of your hair. Although booking an appointment on the daily will leave a dent in your savings, getting a maintenance cut once every two weeks will prevent your hair from becoming frizzy, reduce hair shedding, decrease split ends, and so on.

Invent a healthy shower routine

You are what you eat. Similarly, to keep your hairstyle healthy, shiny, and stress-free at all times, incorporate the right products into your shower routine. Since natural hair is prone to dryness, use a conditioner and a leave-in conditioner with a clarifying shampoo to keep the strands in check!

Moisturize your strands on the daily

As stated earlier, natural hair needs a lot of moisture to function properly, which can seem overwhelming at first, but is easier than meets the eye. In fact, if you have a nourishing conditioner in your arsenal, you’re halfway there! In addition to using a leave-in conditioner post-shower, you may also try applying a hydrating mask to your afro hair to maintain the consistency of the strands.

Frequently Asked Questions 

With the help of all that’s been covered so far, we hope you’re able to find a design that pairs well with the results you’d like to obtain with a taper fade. Ensure to read through the former segment as well if you have questions regarding the maintenance routine.

While your queries regarding an afro taper fade should be solved by now, being on the other end with unresolved questions could very well be a possible scenario. And if that happens to be your case, consider tackling those issues with the following questions and answers!

Q: What makes afro taper fades so special?

Ans: An afro taper fade contains enough versatility to pull off natural hairdos that are on the coarser side and looks that cater to thinning hair. The taper fade adds a natural look to the top, making it perfect for casual settings as well as formal events. The haircut also provides one’s hair with tons of elevation around the roots, containing sharp and high-contrast edges around the hairline to make wispy hair strands look denser and fuller.

Q: Which design of afro taper fade is suitable for thin hair? 

Ans: An afro taper fade can be created in multiple ways using different tools to meet the stylistic preferences of those with thick hair. However, those with thinning natural hair can also experiment with the hairdo, especially by replicating the entries comprising a sharp line-up and a low taper fade.

Final Verdict 

When push comes to shove, it’s easy to see why an afro taper fade is so desirable. It enhances the appearance of natural hair, boosts the volume of the shaft, and is compatible with a variety of hairstyles. An afro taper fade also features a shape up, which gives the strands more density and reduces enough body from the hair, making it easier for the user to manage their hair.

With the help of this article, we hope you find a look that matches your personality, pairs well with your hair type, and highlights your facial structure in the best possible way. While replicating any design will work wonders for your life, try siding with an option that will increase your confidence for incredible results!

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