The tape up is a flattering and versatile haircut for guys who want a high-contrast look that can suit any style, texture or length. If you’re looking for a fresh vibe, a timeless tape fade hairstyle can be an attractive, masculine and effortlessly stylish choice that will make a statement and exude charisma.
Whether you want a low, medium or high taper fade, this modern cut will seamlessly blend the sides and back shorter to focus attention on the longer hair on top, elevating your complete aesthetic.
Check out some of the coolest tape up haircut ideas to inspire your next visit to the barbershop.
What Is A Tape Up?
Also known as a taper fade, a tape up is a modern men’s haircut that blends the sides and back shorter to create a simple and stylish look. The tape up can be paired with any short, medium or long hairstyle to provide contrast while highlighting the volume and texture on top. For a fashion-forward look, you can combine the skin tape fade with a shape up to clean and straighten the hairline with sharp lines.
Cool Tape Up Haircut Styles
Buzz Cut with Low Skin Tape Up
A buzz cut with a low skin tape up is a low-maintenance style that can work well for any guy. This military-inspired cut involves buzzing the hair short with clippers and will keep the volume on top uniform while tapering the sides down to the skin for a smooth finish.
Textured Crew Cut with High Skin Tape Fade
The textured crew cut with a high skin tape fade is the perfect look for the stylish man who wants to stay ahead of the trends. The taper starts higher than normal to give a strong transition down to the neckline. Invest in a quality matte hair product to emphasize the choppiness of the crew cut on top.
Low Tape Up
The low tape up is an excellent option for the man who likes to keep a fuller look. This low version removes the minimum of hair at the sideburns and neckline for a clean finish to a fresh cut.
Low Skin Tape Up with Curly Hair
The low skin tape up is a stylish cut for curly hair because the sides and back are short, classy and low-maintenance. Provide a fun bounce to your natural texture by using a volume-enhancing styling product.
Short Hair with Tape Up
A stylish short hairstyle with a tape up is a timeless and low-maintenance look that will embrace your texture and show off your facial features. You can choose a low tape up for an elegant touch or be bold and daring with a mid-to-high taper. This cut will make your hair look fuller and longer, while still keeping it neat.
Long Afro Tape Fade
The long afro tape fade is a cool style for black men who want a classic look with flair. The tape up works wonders by adding a clean finish to the neckline and sideburns, emphasizing the voluminous ‘fro and faded beard.
Short Sponged Top with Mid Tape Up
The short sponged top with a mid tape up is the best way to keep your youthful looks intact. Keep things finger-length on top and get used to using a bit of gel to add that iconic texture.
Hard Ivy League Part with Low Tape Fade
The hard Ivy League part with a low tape fade is an easy cut that shows off strong features. A low tape up will maintain weight at the corners for a square look and go shorter near the sideburns. Using strong pomade adds great texture and shine to complete the look.
Mid Tape Up and Shape Up
A mid tape up and a shape up are a great pair for guys who like clean lines with their cuts. The tape up gives the back and sides a sleek finish, while the shape up does the same for the sideburns and hairline. Trust us, you’ll be looking fresh to death all day with this winning combo.
Waves with High Tape Up
A high tape up can be a great change if you’ve rocked waves for a while now and don’t know where to go. Not only will this help the cut last longer, but it’ll give enough contrast to level up your rugged good looks.
Short Tight Curls with Low Bald Tape Up
The low bald tape up goes well with short tight curls because it provides tight contrast while still maintaining a short and mature hairstyle. Embrace the curls on top with some pomade to help the texture stand out.
Thick Buzz Cut with Mid Tape Fade, Line Up and Beard
The thick buzz cut with a mid tape fade is a classic short style that involves keeping the top fuller and darker with skin-tight sides. You can complement this reliable look with a full beard and a line up for a masculine to get those extra style points.
Drop Tape Fade with Spiky Hair
The drop tape fade adds a masculine touch to your style by keeping more length in the back and giving a subtle v-shape to the fade. This would look great with spiky hair as it’ll help provide a strong structure to the height of the cut.
Skin Tape Fade with 360 Waves and Beard
The skin tape fade embodies the best of two styling options as it’ll keep the back and sides fresh and tight but won’t go high enough to be severe or militaristic. If you’re a black man whose waves need a refresh, try the 360 style for a fashionable ripple effect.
Crew Cut with High Tape Fade and Groomed Beard
The high tape fade is a bold cut that pairs well with a short hairstyle like the crew cut. Simple and manly, this cropped style will keep the volume on the shorter side while the sides are tapered to square out and structure the overall look. Try out a groomed beard to help elongate the face.
Modern Mullet with Tape Fade
The modern mullet with a tape fade proves that this country look is back and here to stay. You already know the drill, the hair is kept long over the top and into the back and you can opt for a slight taper fade to keep the sides stylish and short.
Messy Spiky Top with Mid Bald Tape Up
The mid bald tape up is a short haircut that can elevate a messy, spiky style on top. The taper helps ground the look with a skin-tight cut, while allowing the top to boast texture, creating an edgy punk finish.
High Burst Tape Fade with Mohawk
The high burst tape fade is a fun way to style a mohawk for a rebellious vibe. The tapered cut is trendy and fun, while the bleached blonde mohawk and shape up take the style to new heights. If you’ve been considering a more punk look, talk to your barber about this combination.
Messy Fringe with Mid Skin Tape Fade
Try out a mid skin tape fade with your next messy fringe. It’s a subtle change to your overall look, as it’ll leave a bit more weight on the sides, but it won’t affect the texture achieved on top. It’s a win-win.
Tape Fade with Thick Sponged Hair and Line Up
The tape fade is the perfect companion to the thick sponged style. It’s a sleek cut for the man who wants to stand apart from the crowd and the taper really helps contain all that texture and volume. The perfect line up pulls it all together for a smooth finish.
Clean Mid Taper Fade with Short Tight Curls
A clean mid taper fade is the way to go for a simple summer look. This easy style is great for the man who wants to start his day early and not have to worry about his hair. Pair this fade with short tight curls, and you can guarantee that you’re going to be sleek and stylish.
Blowout with Low Tape Fade
A blowout with a low taper fade is a volume-forward hairstyle that will keep your hair out of your face and fit on fire. It may take a bit of time to blow dry in the mornings, but the result is worth the effort when all your friends steal your look.
Mid Tape Up with Short Hair and Beard
The mid tape up suits short hair well due to its no-fuss nature and smooth finish. A well-trimmed beard is a fine pairing for this look and will bring balance to your face.
Tape Up Fade with Short Round Afro
A tape up fade works well with a short round afro because it helps accentuate the roundness of the style without cutting into it. Instead of a square structure, the fade provides curves and volume.
High Top Tape Fade
The high top tape fade is a retro haircut style for black men who want a classic look with a modern twist that will stand out. Bold and attractive, the vertical style makes a statement and you can emphasize the height with a high taper fade.
Tape Up with Blowout and Design
The tape up with a blowout is the epitome of crisp. Piecing together the components of a killer look, this cut opts for a blowout style fade that tapers down to the skin, leaving the top with a lot of volume. Finish the cut with a design near the neckline for a pop of personality.
Short Messy Top with Fringe and Low Tape Up
A low tape up with a short messy top and fringe is a balanced, versatile and classy hairstyle that can work for teen boys and young men. the best of both worlds. The textured volume on top draws focus to the bangs while the taper provides fashionable contrast. Use a matte product to highlight your natural shine and create a fuller look.
Tape Up with Waves
A tape up with waves is a cool choice for black guys who want to embrace their texture for an attractive finish. The low tape offers a classy touch while the heavy beard and crisp shape up emphasize the 360 waves all over. With clean and close sides, the extra weight in the back adds to the style.
Textured Tousled Top with Mid Tape Fade Shaved Line Design
A mid tape fade is a fun way to break up hair that is textured and tousled on top. Essentially a fashionable bedhead, this cut would add contrast throughout the back and sides while letting the top run loose. If you want to let more of your style shine through, add a shaved line design for something fun.
Skin Tape Up with Long Side Swept Hair
The skin tape up is a high-contrast cut that will complement longer side swept hair, especially in the summer when guys need a fresh feel. This versatile fade keeps the flow of the top intact by layering it with scissors and keeps the back and sides short and clean by taking it down to a zero. This is the perfect beach cut.
Long Hair with Tape Up and Beard
A long afro hairstyle with a tape up and faded beard can be a simple way to stand out in the crowd. With trimmed sideburns, this cut is masculine, low-maintenance and playful, showcasing your personality.
High Tape Up with Long Curly Hair
A high tape up with long curly hair makes for a soft and wild style. Ask your barber to start the taper up higher and to leave the hair on top out of the equation altogether. Even with a fade as subtle as this one, curls of any length will be sure to stand out.
Undercut Tape Fade with Short Textured Top
The undercut tape fade is already an interesting way to keep your back and sides fresh, and when paired with short, textured hair on top, it’s a home run. Ask for the drop fade that starts high on the sides and curves down the back, leaving extra weight near the crown for a unique twist. Point cut and tousle the top for a choppy finish.
Low Taper Fade with Brush Up
The brush up with a low taper fade is an excellent hairstyle that gives you volume, bounce, and delicate cleanliness. The hair on top is swept up and over but the sides are left slightly longer, helping to frame the face better.
Tape Up with Line Up and Thick Sponged Top
A low tape up with a thick sponged look is a trendy cut for any black man who wants to show off their personality with a daring style. The taper emphasizes texture and volume while a line up pulls it all together for a smooth finish. There isn’t a person alive who won’t find your style alluring.
