Curls looking frizzy and unkempt? A taper fade may be the perfect solution for curly haired gentlemen looking to style their locks with ease. This comprehensive guide will provide an in-depth look at everything you need to know about taper fade curly haircuts.
Why Choose a Taper Fade for Curly Hair?
Before jumping into the different types of fades, let’s discusswhy a taper fade is a great choice for curly hair.
A taper fade haircut is a popular modern style thatcreates a sleek and polished lookwhile allowing your natural curls to take center stage. Unlike longer curly styles that can easily become shapeless and frizzy, a taper fade providesdefinition and structureto your locks.
The key benefit of a fade for curly hair is the blend it creates. Your curls gradually taper from longer lengths on top to shorter lengths on the sides and back. This prevents the dreaded “triangle” effect of curly hair growing out and allows you toshow off your textures and patterns.
Taper fades alsolend a stylish, contemporary vibeto curly hair. The high contrast between your tight curls up top and closely cropped sides is bold and eye-catching.
Finally, taper fades arelow maintenance and easy to stylefor guys with curly hair. The shorter sides and back mean less upkeep. With the right products, you can simply scrunch or finger comb the top into place.
The Different Types of Fades for Curly Hair
Now let’s explore the various types of taper fades that look great with curls:
The Standard Taper Fade
This is the most common type of fade for curly hair. Hair gradually tapers from longer lengths on top to shorter lengths near the temples and nape of the neck. This creates asubtle, blended lookthat complements all face shapes. For looser curls, opt for a more gradual fade. Tighter coils look best with a sharper fade.
Low, Mid, and High Fades
These refer to where the fade starts. Alow fadebegins just above the ears. The blend occurs near the hairline and nape. Formid fades, the transition happens higher up the sides, around the temples.High fadesstart fading quickly after the part and blend hair down to the crown. High fades make curls seem fuller.
Skin/Bald Fade
A skin or bald fade tapers hair down to the scalp. Thissuper short taperhas high contrast between the curly top and exposed skin on sides. Skin fades look best with shorter curls. They can accentuate tighter coil patterns. Use a skin fade cautiously if you have patches of thinning hair.
Drop Fade
With a drop fade, hair transitions quickly behind the ears then tapers gradually down the nape. This allows hair to stay longer at the upper temples. Drop fadessoften square face shapes. They also let you show off longer length curls.
How to Style Your Curly Taper Fade
Once you’ve selected the right fade for your curl type and face shape, it’s time for styling. Here are tips for making your taper fade curly hair look its best:
Know Your Curl Pattern
Work with, not against, your natural texture. Looser waves and coils needmoisturizing productslike curl cream. Tighter curls may respond better tooil-based stylersthat reduce shrinkage. Finger coiling longer curls helps create definition.
Limit Drying and Heat Styling
Let curls air dry instead of blow drying to prevent frizz and damage. If using heated styling tools, always apply athermal protectant. Diffuse hair on low heat and don’t let it dry completely. Finish air drying for best results.
Scrunch in Gel or Mousse
Scrunching gel or mousse into damp curls creates grip and separation. Apply product to soaking wet hair and pulse curls upward between palms to encourage bounce. Use fingers to gently break up any crunchy gel cast.
Know When to Wet Style
Wet styling with leave-in conditioner allows for maximum hydration and defined curls. For 2nd or 3rd day hair, use a spray bottle with water and conditioner to revive curls. Wet hands also activate product in dry hair.
Don’t Forget the Edges
Use pomade or edge control gel to style and tame curly sideburns, baby hairs, and nape. These products aren’t as drying and provide hold without crunch. Finger coil edges for extra definition.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Curly Hair
Caring for curly hair requires diligence. Here are tips for keeping your taper fade curls hydrated and defined:
Deep Condition Regularly
The right deep conditioner transforms dry, damaged curls. Deep condition at leastonce a weekwith a moisturizing hair mask. Apply it only to mids to ends if hair tends to get greasy.
Wash Less Frequently
Washing curly hair less often– around 1-2 times per week – helps retain moisture. Co-wash in between shampoos to cleanse without stripping oils. An apple cider vinegar rinse can also remove buildup.
Use Silk or Satin Pillowcases
Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture leading to frizz and breakage.Silk or satin pillowcasesprotect curls overnight. The slippery fabric doesn’t cause friction like cotton.
Air Dry When Possible
Limit blow drying, which damages hair over time. Blot hair gently with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to remove excess water. Let hair air dry tomaintain elasticity and definition.
Avoid Touching and Combing
Finger combing is best to avoid disruption of curl patterns after shaping. Once dry,avoid touching or combingcurls as this stretches the coils and increases frizz.
Use Quality Styling Products
Invest in salon-quality styling productsmade for your curl type, such as creams, oils, gels, etc. Drugstore brands often contain harsh ingredients and cheap fillers.
Get Regular Trims
Schedule trims every 8-10 weeksto prevent split ends and keep curls healthy. Let your stylist assess your hair’s needs and determine how much to trim.
Inspiration: Stylish Taper Fade Curly Haircuts
Looking for inspiration on how to style your curly taper fade? There are endless options for customizing your fade haircut to best showcase your curls and face shape. For example, this gentleman rocks a mid fade that creates definition and separation for his tight ringlets. The medium-height taper provides contrast against the voluminous curls on top without exposing too much scalp. This is a great fade choice for accentuating corkscrews or coils. Or consider a bold high fade that will make your curls seem even fuller. The high taper shows off more scalp before blending into the crown. This draws the eye upward and puts the focus on the height and movement of the curls. More tight-knit patterns like this afro benefit from a high bald fade.
Conclusion
As you can see, taper fade haircuts are a stylish option for curly hair that’s easy to maintain. The key is choosing the right fade height and style for your face shape and curl pattern. Invest in quality products made for curly hair and focus on retaining moisture. With the right taper fade and care, your curls will not only look on point but also stay healthy and hydrated.
FAQs
Q: How short should I go with a taper fade for curly hair?
A: It depends on your curl pattern and personal preference, but a good rule of thumb is about an inch or two on top. Going too short can make tight curls feel bristly.
Q: Do I still need to use products if I get a fade haircut?
A: Yes, products like gel and curl cream are still important for reducing frizz and defining curls on the longer top part.
Q: How often should I get my curly fade touched up?
A: Every 2-4 weeks to keep your fade looking crisp. Curly hair grows more slowly than straight hair.
Q: What’s the difference between a taper fade and a regular fade?
A: A regular fade transitions quickly between lengths while a taper fade is more gradual for a blended look.
Q: Can I do a curly skin fade if I have a few patches of thinning hair?
A: It’s best to avoid a skin fade in areas of noticeable thinning hair. Opt for a low or mid fade instead.
Q: Is a curly taper fade good for straightening my hair sometimes?
A: Yes, the shorter sides will allow you to straighten your curly top more easily. Just use heat protectant!
Q: Will a taper fade work with my curly Afro?
A: Absolutely! A high or mid fade complements an Afro beautifully.
Q: How long does a curly fade style last?
A: With proper maintenance, a taper fade can last 4-6 weeks before needing a trim.
Q: What’s the best taper fade haircut for big foreheads?
A: A drop fade is ideal because it keeps more length and coverage near the temples.
Q: Can I do a taper fade if I have receding hairline?
A: Yes, opt for a mid or low fade to downplay a receding hairline. Avoid high fades.
Q: Is a fade good for thinning or balding curly hair?
A: Fades can work for thinning hair as long as you avoid exposing very short sparse areas.
Q: What length should I leave my curls on top?
A: 2 to 5 inches is ideal for most curl types. Longer hair gets weighed down.
Q: How do I sleep to preserve my curly fade style?
A: Use a satin pillowcase or bonnet. Pineapple your curls by loosely tying them up on top.
Q: When should I wash curly hair with a taper fade?
A: Only wash 1-2 times per week. Wet your hair in between to reactivate products.
