30 Best Blowout Taper Haircuts for Men

Reviewed by Daniel Morgan

If you want big, clean volume on top with neat, tapered sides, the blowout taper haircut is hard to beat. It gives you that full, brushed-up look without the harsh line of a skin fade. The top stays soft and full. The sides taper down smooth and clean.

This guide covers 30 versions of the look, from classic heights to fringe styles and options for every hair type. Use it to pick your style, then take the barber script straight to your next cut.

Classic Height Builders

1. Classic Blowout Taper

What it is: The original blowout taper. Full volume on top, brushed up and slightly back, with sides that taper neatly to the skin at the edges.

Best for: Most hair types and most face shapes. It is a safe first choice if you are new to the blowout taper haircut.

Ask your barber: “A classic blowout taper, please. Keep 3 to 4 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2 down to the edge, and leave the neckline natural.”

Style it: Blow-dry up with a round brush and finish with light matte paste.

2. Mid Blowout Taper

What it is: The taper starts at the middle of the sides. It keeps more length around the ears than a low taper, so the shape looks balanced.

Best for: Round and square faces. The mid taper adds structure without making the sides look too short.

Ask your barber: “A mid blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, start the taper at mid-side with a number 2 guard, and blend up clean.”

Style it: Blow-dry forward and up with volumizing spray at the roots.

3. Low Blowout Taper

What it is: A subtle taper that stays low near the ears and neckline. The top keeps most of the drama, while the sides stay neat and quiet.

Best for: Professional settings and guys who want a low-key change. It also suits longer face shapes well.

Ask your barber: “A low blowout taper, please. Keep 4 inches on top, taper low with a number 3 to a number 1 near the edges only.”

Style it: Blow-dry up, then smooth the sides down with a little cream.

4. High Blowout Taper

What it is: A bold version where the taper climbs high on the sides. The contrast makes the top look even taller and fuller.

Best for: Thick hair and confident, statement looks. It pairs well with a strong jawline and short beard.

Ask your barber: “A high blowout taper, please. Keep 3 to 4 inches on top, take the taper high with a number 1, and keep the top full and blown out.”

Style it: Blow-dry straight up and add strong-hold matte clay.

5. Textured Blowout Taper

What it is: The same blowout shape, but the top is cut with texture. Short layers and piecey ends stop the hair from looking like one solid block.

Best for: Straight and wavy hair that tends to fall flat. Texture adds movement and makes styling much easier.

Ask your barber: “A textured blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top with lots of texture, taper the sides from a number 2, and thin out any bulk.”

Style it: Work sea salt spray through damp hair and blow-dry while scrunching lightly.

Fringe and Forward Styles

6. Blowout Taper with Textured Fringe

What it is: Volume on the crown meets a choppy fringe in front. The fringe softens the forehead while the blowout keeps the height.

Best for: Guys with a high forehead or long face. It is also a great pick if you like a modern, youthful edge.

Ask your barber: “A blowout taper with a textured fringe, please. Keep 3 inches on top, cut a choppy fringe just above the brows, and taper the sides from a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry the fringe forward with your fingers and piece the ends with matte paste.

7. Side-Swept Blowout Taper

What it is: The blown-out top sweeps to one side. It looks smooth and grown-up, with the taper keeping the sides crisp.

Best for: Work, weddings, and dates. It suits straight and slightly wavy hair best, and flatters oval faces.

Ask your barber: “A side-swept blowout taper, please. Keep 3 to 4 inches on top, longer on the sweep side, and taper the sides from a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry to your natural part side and smooth with light cream.

8. Angular Fringe Blowout Taper

What it is: The fringe cuts across the forehead at an angle. It adds a sharp, fashion-forward line to the soft blowout shape.

Best for: Round faces, since the angle adds definition. It also works well for guys who want a bolder, edgier look.

Ask your barber: “An angular fringe blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, cut the fringe at an angle across the forehead, and taper the sides from a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry the fringe diagonally with a small amount of paste.

9. Curtain Blowout Taper

What it is: A middle part splits the blown-out top into two soft curtains. The taper keeps the sides tidy so the top can flow.

Best for: Wavy hair and guys growing their hair out. It frames the face nicely and looks relaxed, not fussy.

Ask your barber: “A curtain blowout taper, please. Keep 4 to 5 inches on top with a middle part, taper the sides from a number 2, and keep the flow.”

Style it: Blow-dry each side away from the part and let the ends fall naturally.

10. Messy Fringe Blowout Taper

What it is: A carefree version with a tousled fringe and loose volume. It looks like you just rolled out of bed in the best way.

Best for: Wavy and thick hair, and low-effort mornings. It hides cowlicks well and suits casual style.

Ask your barber: “A messy fringe blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top with a messy fringe, taper the sides from a number 2, and keep the texture.”

Style it: Rough-dry with your fingers and scrunch in matte paste. Do not over-comb.

Sharp Fades and Clean Edges

11. Blowout Taper Fade

What it is: The closest cousin to a fade in this list. The taper fades lower and tighter, but the top keeps its full blowout volume.

Best for: Guys who like a fade but want more softness on top. It is a smart bridge between a fade haircut and a classic taper.

Ask your barber: “A blowout taper fade, please. Keep 3 inches on top, fade the sides from a number 2 down to skin at the bottom edge.”

Style it: Blow-dry up for volume and keep the sides clean with weekly edge-ups.

12. Skin Blowout Taper

What it is: The edges go all the way to skin, which makes the volume on top pop even more. The contrast is sharp and modern.

Best for: Thick, dark hair where the skin line shows clearly. It needs more upkeep, so plan on frequent touch-ups.

Ask your barber: “A skin blowout taper, please. Keep 3 to 4 inches on top, take the edges to skin, and blend up to a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry high and full with a strong matte product.

13. Shadow Blowout Taper

What it is: A soft, shadowy blend with no harsh line. The taper fades so smoothly that it looks like a gentle gradient.

Best for: Lighter hair colors and guys who want a subtle, natural finish. It grows out gracefully between cuts.

Ask your barber: “A shadow blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, blend the sides softly from a number 3 to a number 1 with no hard line.”

Style it: Blow-dry up and smooth the sides lightly with cream.

14. Temple Blowout Taper

What it is: The taper focuses around the temples, carving a clean shape near the hairline. The rest of the cut stays full and soft.

Best for: Guys with a strong hairline who want a crisp detail. It also pairs well with glasses, since the temples stay neat.

Ask your barber: “A temple blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, taper tight around the temples, and keep the back natural.”

Style it: Blow-dry up as usual and edge up the temples every week or two.

15. Drop Blowout Taper

What it is: The taper line drops down behind the ear instead of running straight around. It follows the natural curve of the head.

Best for: Round heads and guys who want a more sculpted shape. The drop line adds a custom, barber-crafted feel.

Ask your barber: “A drop blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, drop the taper line behind the ears, and blend from a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry up and back, checking the drop shape in a mirror.

Every Hair Type

16. Curly Blowout Taper

What it is: Curls get blown out into soft, big volume while the sides taper clean. The curls stay defined, not frizzy, when dried right.

Best for: Naturally curly hair that wants height without a full afro shape. It is one of the most popular versions right now.

Ask your barber: “A curly blowout taper, please. Keep 4 inches of curl on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and shape the curls, do not thin them flat.”

Style it: Diffuse on low heat with curl cream. For more on curls, see this curly fade haircut guide for shape ideas.

17. Wavy Blowout Taper

What it is: Natural waves get lifted into soft, flowing volume. The taper keeps the sides neat while the waves do the talking on top.

Best for: Wavy hair of any thickness. It is forgiving, since waves hide small styling mistakes easily.

Ask your barber: “A wavy blowout taper, please. Keep 3 to 4 inches on top to show the wave, taper the sides from a number 2, and layer lightly.”

Style it: Blow-dry with a diffuser or your fingers. Add sea salt spray for wave definition and light hold.

18. Coily Blowout Taper

What it is: Tight coils get stretched and blown out for impressive height. The taper carves a clean shape around the coil volume.

Best for: Coily and kinky hair textures. It shows off natural volume while keeping the outline sharp and intentional.

Ask your barber: “A coily blowout taper, please. Keep 4 to 5 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and pick the top out for shape.”

Style it: Blow-dry with a comb attachment on low heat. Seal with a light oil or butter to stop dryness.

19. Straight Blowout Taper

What it is: Straight hair gets blown up and back into smooth, full volume. Texture cutting stops it from falling flat or looking helmet-like.

Best for: Straight hair that usually lies flat. A good blow-dry routine turns straight hair into a real statement here.

Ask your barber: “A straight blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top with texture, taper the sides from a number 2, and remove weight.”

Style it: Blow-dry up with a round brush and volumizing spray. Finish with matte paste, not gel, for movement.

20. Fine Hair Blowout Taper

What it is: A volume trick for fine hair. Shorter layers, a good blow-dry, and light products make thin hair look much fuller.

Best for: Fine or thinning hair. The taper adds contrast, which makes the top look denser by comparison.

Ask your barber: “A fine hair blowout taper, please. Keep 2 to 3 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and keep the layers short for fullness.”

Style it: Use volumizing powder at the roots. Blow-dry up, and avoid heavy oils that flatten fine hair.

Length and Lifestyle

21. Short Blowout Taper

What it is: A compact version with less length on top. You still get the blowout lift, but styling takes only a few minutes.

Best for: Busy mornings, gym days, and guys who hate long styling routines. It also suits hot weather well.

Ask your barber: “A short blowout taper, please. Keep 2 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and keep it easy to style.”

Style it: Quick blow-dry up, then a pea-sized bit of matte paste. Done in under five minutes.

22. Long Top Blowout Taper

What it is: The top grows long, up to 5 or 6 inches, for dramatic height and flow. The taper anchors the look so it never looks messy.

Best for: Guys growing their hair out or who love big volume. It needs a bit more styling time, but the payoff is huge.

Ask your barber: “A long top blowout taper, please. Keep 5 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and layer the top for movement.”

Style it: Blow-dry in sections for even lift. Use a strong-hold cream so the length holds its shape.

23. Blowout Taper with Beard

What it is: The blowout on top connects to a well-shaped beard. The taper blends into the beard line for one smooth, unified look.

Best for: Bearded guys who want their cut and beard to work together. It frames the whole face, not just the hair.

Ask your barber: “A blowout taper with a beard, please. Keep 3 inches on top, taper the sides into the beard line, and shape the beard to match.”

Style it: Blow-dry the top up, then oil the beard. Keep the cheek line clean so the blend stays sharp.

24. Professional Blowout Taper

What it is: A toned-down blowout that still has lift but stays office-safe. The volume is controlled, and the taper is neat and low.

Best for: Office jobs, client meetings, and formal events. It looks polished without looking overdone.

Ask your barber: “A professional blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, taper low from a number 3, and keep the volume controlled.”

Style it: Blow-dry smooth and neat. Use a light cream, not a heavy clay, for a clean finish.

25. School-Friendly Blowout Taper

What it is: A neat, age-appropriate blowout with moderate volume. It looks fresh for class without breaking dress codes.

Best for: Students and younger guys. It is easy to style before school and grows out neatly.

Ask your barber: “A school-friendly blowout taper, please. Keep 2 to 3 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and keep the edges natural.”

Style it: Quick blow-dry up, then smooth with a light cream. Keep it simple and clean every morning.

Bold and Modern

26. Faux Hawk Blowout Taper

What it is: The blown-out top spikes up toward the center like a soft mohawk. The taper keeps the sides tight so the ridge stands out.

Best for: Bold personalities and nights out. It works best on thick, straight, or wavy hair with good hold.

Ask your barber: “A faux hawk blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, longer at the center ridge, and taper the sides from a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry toward the center. Use strong matte clay and pinch the ridge up with your fingers.

27. Blowout Taper with Hard Part

What it is: A razor-sharp part line cuts through the blown-out top. It adds a classic barbershop detail to a modern shape.

Best for: Guys who like crisp, defined styles. It suits straight and wavy hair, and looks great with a clean shave line.

Ask your barber: “A blowout taper with a hard part, please. Keep 3 inches on top, shave in a hard part on my natural part, and taper the sides from a number 2.”

Style it: Blow-dry away from the part line. Keep the part visible with a light pomade on the sides of the part.

28. Two-Block Blowout Taper

What it is: A two-block shape meets blowout volume. The top stays long and full, while the lower sides taper short underneath.

Best for: Thick hair and fans of modern, layered cuts. It gives a clear contrast between the long top and short sides.

Ask your barber: “A two-block blowout taper, please. Keep 4 inches on top, taper the undercut section from a number 2, and keep the top disconnected.”

Style it: Blow-dry the top up and slightly forward. Let the top layer fall over the tapered sides softly.

29. Gray Blowout Taper

What it is: The blowout shape shows off silver and gray hair beautifully. The taper keeps the look modern, not dated.

Best for: Men embracing natural gray. The volume and clean taper make gray hair look intentional and stylish.

Ask your barber: “A gray blowout taper, please. Keep 3 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and keep the gray bright, not yellow.”

Style it: Use purple shampoo once a week to keep gray bright. Blow-dry up and finish with a light cream.

30. Low-Maintenance Blowout Taper

What it is: The easiest version in this guide. A forgiving length and soft taper mean it still looks good on day three.

Best for: Guys who want the look without the routine. It is the best pick if you rarely style your hair.

Ask your barber: “A low-maintenance blowout taper, please. Keep 2 to 3 inches on top, taper the sides from a number 2, and cut it to fall naturally.”

Style it: Rough-dry and go. A tiny bit of cream on damp hair is all you need most days.

How to Style a Blowout Taper

A great blowout taper haircut is half cut, half styling. Follow these six steps after every wash, and the style will hold all day.

This routine works for a blowout taper, a taper haircut with volume, or a full blowout haircut for men. A mens blowout taper needs the same basics: heat, direction, and light product. Once you learn it, the whole routine takes about ten minutes.

Step 1: Start with damp hair

Towel-dry until damp, not dripping. Add heat protectant spray all over to stop damage and help volume last.

Step 2: Add volumizing product

Work volumizing spray or mousse through the roots on top. Keep product off the sides so they stay flat.

Step 3: Blow-dry up with a brush

Lift each section up and slightly back with a round brush, pointing the dryer at the roots first.

Step 4: Set the shape with cool air

Hit the finished shape with cool air for ten seconds to lock the lift and add shine.

Step 5: Add matte product

Warm a pea-sized amount of matte paste between your palms and work it through the top only.

Step 6: Finish and check the back

Check the back and sides in a mirror and smooth stray hairs with a little cream.

Face-Shape Picker: Which Blowout Taper Fits You?

Use this quick picker to narrow your choice before you show your barber a photo.

Oval faces: Almost any version works; try the classic or side-swept first.

Round faces: Go for height: the high taper, angular fringe, or faux hawk adds length.

Square faces: Soften the jaw with the textured taper or messy fringe.

Long faces: Keep volume controlled with the low or curtain taper.

Heart faces: Add width at the forehead. The side-swept or curtain style balances a narrow chin.

If you are torn, pick the one that fits your morning routine. A style you will actually style always wins. For a classic baseline, compare the taper haircut guide.

Product Guide by Hair Type

Match your product to your hair type. The wrong product kills volume fast.

Straight hair: Volumizing spray plus matte paste. Skip heavy oils and gels.

Wavy hair: Sea salt spray plus light cream for soft definition.

Curly hair: Curl cream plus a diffuser on low heat.

Coily hair: Leave-in conditioner plus light butter or oil, then gentle heat.

Fine hair: Volumizing powder at the roots plus matte paste. Light products only.

Thick hair: Strong-hold clay or cream for all-day hold.

Grow-Out Plan: How Your Blowout Taper Ages

A blowout taper grows out well, because the taper softens slowly. Still, a plan keeps it sharp.

Weeks 1 to 2: The cut looks its best. Style as usual.

Weeks 3 to 4: The taper starts to soften, so book your next cut now.

Weeks 5 to 6: The top gets heavier. Blow-dry with extra lift and a bit more product.

After week 6: Time for a full cut to restore the contrast.

Between cuts, a quick edge-up keeps the neckline and temples neat.

7 Mistakes That Ruin a Blowout Taper

1. Skipping the blow-dry. Air-drying gives flat hair, not a blowout.

2. Using too much product. Heavy product flattens volume, so start small.

3. Forgetting heat protectant. Daily heat without protection dries out the ends.

4. Cutting the top too short. Under 2 inches, there is nothing to blow out.

5. Letting the taper grow too long. Once the sides lose contrast, book on time.

6. Styling the sides up too. Only the top gets lifted; sides stay down.

7. Picking a style for the wrong hair type. Match the cut to your hair.

If you like low fades too, the low taper fade guide shows how a softer fade compares. And for a classic take on the same family, see the 30 best classic taper haircuts for men.

Trim Cadence and US Cost Table

Most blowout tapers need a cut every 3 to 4 weeks. Skin and high tapers need touch-ups sooner, since short edges show growth fast.

Cut type	How often	Typical US cost
Standard blowout taper	Every 3 to 4 weeks	$25 to $50
Skin or high blowout taper	Every 2 to 3 weeks	$30 to $60
Blowout taper with beard shape	Every 3 weeks	$40 to $75
Edge-up only (between cuts)	Every 1 to 2 weeks	$10 to $20

Prices vary by city and barbershop. Ask your barber for the edge-up price when you book, so touch-ups stay cheap.

For background on how fades evolved, see the temple fade history. For the basics of cutting itself, the haircut guide is a useful reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a blowout taper haircut take to style each morning?

About ten minutes once you know the routine. Blow-dry up, add matte paste, and you are done. Short versions take under five minutes.

Is a blowout taper good for curly hair?

Yes, it is one of the best cuts for curly hair. The taper keeps the sides neat while curls blow out into soft volume. Use curl cream and a diffuser on low heat.

What is the difference between a blowout taper and a fade?

A taper graduates gradually and stays softer at the edges. A fade blends down to much shorter lengths, often to skin.

How often should I get a blowout taper trimmed?

Every 3 to 4 weeks for most versions, and every 2 to 3 weeks for skin and high tapers.

Can I get a blowout taper with fine or thinning hair?

Yes. Keep the top at 2 to 3 inches with short layers, and use volumizing powder at the roots.

What should I ask my barber for a blowout taper?

Show a photo, then use the script from your chosen style in this guide. State your top length, taper guard number, and taper height.

Conclusion

The blowout taper haircut gives you volume, shape, and polish in one cut. With 30 versions here, there is one for every hair type, face shape, and lifestyle. Pick your style, save the barber script, and book your cut.

For more ideas, browse the 30 best textured French crop haircuts for men, the fringe haircut guide, and the full collection of the best haircuts for men.

📌 Pin now, read later — save these styles for your next barbershop visit!