When it comes to choosing the best haircut for summer in Dubai, men often get confused between fades and tapers. These popular haircuts are high in demand in the warm weather, but often men struggle to differentiate between them as they almost look similar. Even though a buzz cut is the most favorite in summers, it fails to beat the vibe of a fade or a taper.  As your trusted barbershop in Dubailand, we decided to shed some light on the differences between Fades and Taper haircuts. Even though both hairstyles are short on the back and sides, the difference lies in how dramatic the transition is. Without wasting any time, let’s get into the details.

Tapers vs Fades: What are the Differences?

Before booking an appointment with the best Dubai Barber, let’s have a quick understanding on what the key differences between tapers and fades are:

Length and Blending: Fades flawlessly blends into the skin, creating a seamless gradient, while taper, leaves some hair at the shortest point. Furthermore, taper cuts are shorter compared to a typical fade.

Boldness: Both haircuts give a different appearance. Fades are known to look bolder and more modern while taper on the other hand, gives a more conservative and cleaner look. 

Maintenance: Fades are higher maintenance, as they require frequent touch ups, however, tapers are less dramatic and does not require frequent trimming.

What is a Fade Haircut?

For those who are trying fades for the first time, here is a quick introduction. A fade is a popular haircut among men, for various reasons. One of the top reasons includes its ability to complement any kind of face shape. With a fade haircut, the length decreases from the top of the head, and extends down to the sides and the back, while blending into the skin gradually. The transition is smooth and creates a gradient into the skin. Generally, fades have various styles and lengths, but the popular ones are as follows:

Low fade: The low fade haircut starts just above the ear and curves around the hairline. It stands out as one of the professional men’s haircuts in Dubai, giving you a subtle but powerful look. 

Mid fade: Starting up from the side, the mid fade is a balanced cut. Its versatility makes it a common choice, since it works well with various hairstyles.

High Fade: The high fade picks up from the high of the head and forehead. It is an ideal pick for a bold and modern look.

What is a Taper?

The difference between Taper and Fade is the way the hair blends into the skin. In a taper, the length of the hair is short and runs down to the nape and sides. It doesn’t blend as well as a fade, in fact, it leaves a bit of the hair, at the end point. The transition of fades, carries less drama, giving a classic and polished appearance. Some of the popular tapers are as follows:

 Classic Taper: Just like a basic taper, the classic one maintains a conservative look, by gradually reducing the length from the top of the head, while the sides and back are trimmed.

Low Taper: This starts from above the ear and slowly shortens towards the front. This is like a low fade and is easy to maintain. 

 High Taper: The high taper starts from the crown of the head and creates a prominent contrast between the top and sides. The style is less dramatic; however, it forms a modern look, as it creates a contrast between the longer hair on top and shorter hair on the sides.

Fade Blade vs Taper Blade 

A few years ago, clippers at barber shops were paired only with taper blades. However, with the raging popularity of skin fades, the fade blade was introduced. You must wonder, what is the difference and how it enhances the haircut? Well, for professional barbers, it is easy to create a smooth fade with a taper blade, as he trims in a C or scooping motion. However, if you are opting for a skin fade, then the fade blade is an ideal choice as it is a flat blade. The fade blade allows the blade to get closer to the head, which results in flawless fade.

 Choosing the Right Style

Choosing the right style can be a difficult task at times. We get it. Haircuts are the definition of your persona, and it is always wise to do a little bit of research before deciding. You can search for the best barbershop near me in Dubai, as many times as you like but that does not guarantee you a good haircut. But you can trust our advice, as we guide our clients with the right choice. Coming back to fades vs tapers haircut discussion, choose them based on your personal preference. If you are young at heart, and crave a bold look, then the fade is your best buddy. However, if you are someone who has a sophisticated persona, then without any doubt, the taper is the right choice. Nonetheless, remember you can always find our best barbers and men's haircut in Dubai only at BarbBros.