Natural hair offers a wealth of stunning styling options. There’s a vast array of protective styles, creative ways to enhance and volumize curls, and numerous methods to rock shorter lengths. Additionally, you can explore various undercuts, mohawk-inspired designs, and sleek looks. Among these, tapered haircuts stand out as a favorite for styling natural hair.
Tapered haircuts feature varying lengths that create a distinctive gradation, ranging from low fade buzz cuts to asymmetrical bobs and long curly layers. The beauty of tapered haircuts lies in their versatility; they can be tailored to match your hair type, curl pattern, length, and face shape, resulting in a personalized style that suits you perfectly.
To spark inspiration for your next salon visit, we consulted two professional hairstylists who have curated a list of the 30 best tapered haircuts for natural hair, along with expert styling tips. From Amandla Stenberg’s tapered box braids and Angela Bassett’s layered curls to Danai Gurira’s buzzcut styles and Zendaya’s modern pixie, explore these top looks to find the perfect tapered haircut for you.
CLASSIC POMPADOUR
A modern twist on the pompadour focuses on achieving maximum volume. You can replicate a tapered cut by pinning the hair to the sides or keep the hair trimmed or buzzed everywhere except the top. This approach allows you to maintain a striking, voluminous style with a contemporary edge.
SIMPLE SALT & PEPPER
Simplicity has its own charm, especially in the natural hair world. You don’t need elaborate designs, complex dye jobs, or long lengths to make a statement. Embrace a chic, peppery short ‘do and let your unique features shine through effortlessly.
SHORT POMPADOUR
The timeless pompadour consistently enhances one’s style, as perfectly exemplified by model Maria Borges.
ASYMMETRICAL SIDE
Don’t hesitate to get creative with your haircut. For example, this asymmetrical cut features soft edges on both sides, forming a striking geometric look that showcases inventive styling.
CONVENTIONAL CUT
If you’re not keen on getting too close with the clippers, consider a long, layered pixie tapered haircut. This classic and timeless style complements curly textures and beautifully frames the face. It’s also a great option for naturals with fine hair who want to add more volume and depth to their look.
PIXIE WITH BANGS
Add a boyish-glam touch to your pixie cut by incorporating sweeping bangs. Finish off the style with a shine spray to enhance the sleek, polished effect.
FRIZZY FRO
Embrace the humidity and its natural frizz. Your curls will appear even more voluminous, creating a halo-like effect around your face.
ACCESSORIZED WITH A HAT
Choosing a tapered haircut doesn’t mean you have to forgo dressing up your natural curls. In fact, you can experiment with colors and accessories to enhance your look. A wide-brimmed hat is a chic way to complement your tapered style and add an extra touch of flair.
CURLY FADE
We adore Cynthia Erivo’s subtle, curly fade haircut. It adds texture and dimension to her look, striking the perfect balance between laid-back elegance and high glamour.
GROWN OUT TAPERED CUT
A tapered cut is stylish, but it also looks fantastic as it grows out. When your curls lengthen, you can use techniques like finger coils and twist-outs to define and enhance your hair’s shape and texture.
DIP-DYE FRO
While fro-hawks are popular, this dip-dyed tapered haircut offers a fresh twist. Shave your sides and create a large “Z” pattern for a unique look. When you’re heading out, style your hair to the front and pin or tie it in place to showcase your lightened curly ends.
COMB-OVER FRO-HAWK
Make a statement like Rihanna with this dynamic haircut. “I love seeing women rock a fro-hawk,” says Bailey. “The fro-hawk is a daring style with versatile options. With the sides typically faded, tapered, or closely trimmed, the real drama happens at the top or along the center of the head.”
SOFT CUT
Channel Rihanna’s bold style with this striking haircut. “I love seeing women embrace a fro-hawk,” says Bailey. “The fro-hawk is a fearless choice with lots of versatility. While the sides are usually faded, tapered, or closely trimmed, the real impact is made at the top or along the center of the head.”
TAPERED BOX BRAIDS
Elevate your protective style with a touch of tapered length for a subtle yet eye-catching detail that adds a hint of flair.
VOLUMINOUS BOB WITH BANGS
Boost the volume of your curls for a tapered, stylish look. Simply apply a curl-defining product to your strands to achieve a well-coiffed and controlled style, reminiscent of Solange’s signature flair.
TAPERED AFRO
For naturals in stage two of their hair journey, joining the tapered haircut trend is easy by keeping the hair shorter at the back. This creates a choppy, medium-sized afro that retains definition while adding style. To enhance the look, fluff up the front and pull a few strands to achieve wispy curls, making your cut truly stand out.
CURLY COIFFURE
Keep your curls voluminous at the top of your head while tapering the rest to a shorter length, drawing attention to your crown. If you love this style but prefer not to commit to a tapered cut, achieve a similar effect by gathering your hair into a high puff.
PEEKABOO CUT
Surprise and captivate with a hidden undercut design. Style your box braids into a high bun to showcase your shaved sides, creating a visually striking contrast. Pulling your hair up will reveal the tapered cut, offering a stylish and attention-grabbing twist.
ASYMMETRICAL CURLS
An asymmetrical cut is a timeless choice, and you can personalize it by embracing your natural texture. This style remains stylish and allows you to highlight the unique qualities of your curls or waves, making the look distinctly your own.
AUBURN WAVES
Naturalistas looking to enjoy the benefits of short hair without a drastic chop can enhance their look with a teeny weeny afro. The key to this style is to keep your hair short enough to stay manageable while long enough to showcase your natural texture.
Use a boar bristle brush to smooth baby hairs or create soft waves, and consider a monthly (or weekly) auburn rinse for a touch of color. The Mason Pearson Handy Mixture Bristle Hair Brush is ideal for achieving the perfect finish.
ASYMMETRICAL BUZZCUT
Embrace a punk-inspired look by shaving one side of your hair, while letting the other side showcase your curls or featuring box braids for a stylish protective option. This contrast creates a bold and versatile style that combines edgy flair with practical hair care.
HIGH FADE
A high fade allows you to achieve the flat-top look without the hassle of maintaining height. Simply buzz the sides of your head for a clean finish. The contrast between the shorter sides and the longer top creates a striking, gender-neutral style that’s both sleek and sophisticated.
BOLD FRO-HAWK
If daring is your style, you’ll love the idea of a colorful frohawk. Ask your stylist to buzz the sides, create a distinctive shape—like a shaved lightning bolt—and add some bleach for extra impact. Choose any color you like, but a vibrant shade adds personality and pairs well with neutral outfits. The standout feature is the playful shape, which adds a fun, bold touch without taking itself too seriously.
LONG, TAPERED CURL
Anyone with curls knows that each bend can create a trompe l’œil effect, but you can enhance this illusion by adding real layers for even more shape and dimension. This approach not only emphasizes the natural texture but also adds depth and movement to your curls, making your hairstyle even more striking.
BUZZ CUT WITH DESIGNS
Keep your style sharp and eye-catching with a buzzcut that incorporates unique designs. Whether you opt for various sizes, shapes, or personal messages, your scalp becomes a canvas for creativity. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to make a bold statement with your haircut.
GINGER SNAP
No matter which tapered haircut you choose, adding a ginger hue can give your style an edgy, alternative vibe. This vibrant color enhances the look, providing a fresh and eye-catching twist to your tapered cut.
ICY TRAIL
If you’re ready to transition from long natural hair to a vibrant fashion color, this clean fade is the perfect choice. Opt for a close shave on the sides to let the deep side steal the spotlight, and add an icy, gunmetal blue for a striking, contemporary look.
TAPERED PIXIE
Pair a pixie cut with tapered sides for a wispy, stylish look that’s both cute and easy to maintain—just remember regular touch-ups with clippers or your stylist. For an extra touch, sweep the top into a soft mohawk for added flair and versatility.
ARTSY COLORS
“Tapered cuts are like blank canvases, offering clients the chance to get creative and express their style almost artistically,” says Dent. “You can opt for cut designs that reflect your personality or mood, incorporating clean lines, swirls, or even shaved artwork. Plus, you can style it with curls, twists, faux locs, and coils—or, in this case, with vibrant dye.”
CURLY FRO-HAWK
For a timeless yet edgy look, sweep the sides of your hair up and style them into a curly faux frohawk. To add even more impact, stretch out your curls to enhance their volume and create a bold, standout style.
FAQ
1.How can I maintain a natural tapered cut?
One key aspect of tapered cuts is their tendency to grow out quickly. To keep your style looking sharp and fresh, aim to schedule a barber appointment every 2 to 3 weeks.
2.How can I fake a tapered cut?
If you’re drawn to the tapered sides but hesitant to fully commit, try creating a faux hawk. Divide your hair into 2 or 3 vertical sections, slick up the sides to form ponytails, and fluff each ponytail to achieve a cohesive, uniform look.
