Burst Fade x Taper Haircut: How to Get the Trendy Faded Look

The burst fade with a taper haircut has surged as an increasingly popular men’s hairstyle in recent years, skillfully blending the elements of a classic fade cut with a textured top for a truly stylish and modern look. In this expansive article, we’ll examine the key features, delve into styling techniques, and offer essential tips to ensure you know exactly what to ask your barber for to achieve this coveted cut. Stay tuned as we unveil the secrets to mastering the burst fade x taper haircut’s appeal and versatility. And if you’re ready to elevate your style game, read on and get inspired to make your next barber appointment a game-changer!

What is a Burst Fade x Taper Haircut?

A burst fade x taper haircut incorporates a high bald fade on the back and sides combined with a tapered cut on the top. It creates a short sides, long top look that can be styled in different ways. Here are the key elements that make up this cut:

High Bald Fade

A High Bald Fade is characterized by hair that is faded from a #0 or close shave at the bottom and gradually gets shorter as it goes up, blending into the longer hair on top. The back and sides exhibit a high contrast with this style, creating a bold and clean look around the hairline.

In my professional experience, achieving the ideal high bald fade demands precision. Shaving the back and sides perfectly to stand in high contrast to the top can be challenging. Quite often, I’d use this fade to give a sharper, more edged look to an otherwise standard haircut, which often brought clients’ confidence levels up as they admired the clean, strong lines of their new style.

Tapered Top

With the tapered top, hair at the front hairline remains longer and gradually shortens moving toward the crown and back. This tapered approach increases the versatility for styling options, from casual to sleek.

My approach to crafting a perfect tapered top has always been about balance and flow. During my years behind the chair, I’ve learned that an outstanding tapered cut not only enhances the shape of the crown but also complements the client’s facial structure. It’s a piece of the haircut that introduces class and allows for personal expression through styling.

Textured Top

The Textured Top creates volume and movement with various texturizing techniques like point cutting. This injects layers into the hair, allowing for more pliable and creative styling.

As someone with a knack for adding texture, I’ve often used this technique to turn a lifeless top into a lively, textured style. It’s the addition of these layers that creates a visual depth and complexity to the hairstyle, which stands out especially well in combination with the crisp fade.

Hard Part

The Hard Part, often seen with burst fades, is a shaved line on the side of the head that serves to further accentuate the fade. It’s a modern twist that adds definition to the overall haircut.

Incorporating a hard part into a haircut is something of an artwork. It requires focus and a keen eye to ensure it complements the other elements of the style. In my experience, clients often appreciate the edge that a hard part adds to their look, seeing it as a precise and calculated addition that enhances the burst fade.

Close-Cropped Sides

Lastly, achieving Close-Cropped Sides involves the hair being clipped very close to the skin using clippers, giving a cleanly defined look that does wonders to emphasize the fade.

Performing close-cropping is a meticulous task that I’ve perfected over numerous haircuts. It’s a technique that defines the silhouette of the haircut and, when done correctly, impeccably showcases the gradient of the fade while highlighting the detailed work at the top of the head.

Each of these elements plays a key role in constructing the current and fashionable Burst Fade x Taper haircut. As a seasoned stylist, I take pride in blending these components into a harmonious and stylish whole, customized for every client that sits in my chair.

How to Style a Burst Fade x Taper

One of the advantages of the burst fade x taper is versatility in styling. Here are some popular options:

The Quiff

The Quiff stands out by styling the front of the hair up and back. Use wax or pomade to create height and definition. It’s a trendy choice for anyone looking to add a touch of retro flair. I’ve found that warming the product in your hands before applying can make styling smoother and more precise, helping to achieve that perfect voluminous curve that defines the Quiff.

The Comb Over

The Comb Over commands respect: front hair swept diagonally back, both classy and contemporary. This neat, textured look is a staple in my styling repertoire; clients often remark on its transformational effect, offering both a clean professional edge and a dapper date-night appeal.

The Faux Hawk

For an edgy style, the Faux Hawk is your ally, using wax or light gel to spike the hair up into a bold faux hawk shape, tapered at the sides for impact. Crafting this look on clients always brings a sense of attitude and daring to the chair – it’s a statement style that resonates with those looking to stand out.

The Brush Up

The Brush Up involves brushing the hair directly upwards for a casual yet chic style. Applying a light hold product facilitates the vertical brush up. Perfecting this look has allowed my clients to express their playful side while maintaining an air of sophistication.

The Side Part

A precision-cut Side Part transitions easily from boardroom to happy hour. Parting the hair neatly to one side achieves a clean, contemporary option and highlights a sharp part line. I revel in crafting this look, watching how a simple part can alter a client’s entire demeanor.

The Spiky Crop

The Spiky Crop is dynamic, with shorter hair on top spiked for an energetic spiky crop look. A matte styling product gives it the perfect finish. I’ve advised clients on how the directional spiking can influence the perceived shape of their face, making it a transformative and versatile style.

In styling numerous haircuts, I’ve learned that each person’s hair tells its own story. Whether shaping a Quiff or defining a Side Part, the joy comes from crafting a unique, personal narrative with each snip and style, ensuring every client leaves not just looking great, but feeling truly themselves.

Asking Your Barber for a Burst Fade x Taper

Communicating with your barber effectively is crucial when seeking a Burst Fade x Taper. Here are the points you should cover:

• Start by discussing the fade you want. Specify the high bald fade around the back and sides. The type of fade low, mid, or high will drastically affect the final look.
• Clarify how tapered you want the cut on top. The hair should remain longer at the front and become shorter as it progresses toward the back.
• Talk about the desired length and whether you’d like it textured. Methods like point cut or razor cut can create layers at the ends for a fuller look.
• Don’t forget to mention if you want an etched part or a crisp hard part, which can be a significant addition to your styling.
• Discuss styling options suitable for this haircut, like a quiff, faux hawk, or comb over. The length on top will need to allow for your choice of style.
• Provide reference photos to ensure clear communication. Visuals can often speak louder than words to convey the exact look you’re after.
• Remember, communication is key. Good rapport with your barber ensures that you’ll leave with the haircut you envisioned.

From personal experience, I stress the importance of visuals. In my career, I’ve noticed a single reference image can bridge the gap between client and barber for a seamless picture of the desired outcome. Good dialogue with your barber sets a solid foundation for walking out with a top-notch Burst Fade x Taper, a cut that’s both current and eminently stylish.

Hair Products for Styling a Burst Fade x Taper

The right hair products allow you to style your burst fade x taper with hold and flexibility. Here are some recommended options:

Pomade

Opt for pomade to achieve a polished look with either water-based formulas for a medium hold and ease of washing out, or oil-based varieties for more shine—ideal for classic sleek comb overs and quiffs. In my years of styling, I’ve leveraged pomade’s versatility to give hair a refined look that holds throughout the day, crucial for those who want their haircut to stay immaculate from morning to night.

Wax

When it comes to textured styles, hair wax provides a matte finish and strong hold, perfect for texture and spiky styles. Wax has been my go-to for clients looking for a change from the slicked-back look, offering them a faux hawk that’s bold yet touchable, without any stiffness or residue.

Clay

Clay is the secret to adding volume with a flowy texture while maintaining a natural finish. It’s particularly effective in giving height to quiffs and brush ups. My personal experience has shown that clay can transform a flat top into a textured masterpiece, allowing for re-shaping throughout the day—an essential for clients who appreciate versatility.

Paste

Hair paste offers a balanced approach with its pliable hold and subtle low shine, shaping the hair while still allowing it to move naturally. This is a product I often recommend to clients who want their hair to have shape and flowy texture without the slickness of pomade or stiffness of wax.

Gel

Gel, especially light gels, is perfect for creating sharp spiky crops or defining a faux hawk. I’ve found that using gel to provide hold without hardness is a balancing act, one that achieves a stunningly styled look without entering into the territory of crunchy styles.

Sharing personal experiences, I can attest to the transformative power of the right hair product, whether amplifying a pomp with pomade or crafting texture with wax. Each product has its place in the stylist’s toolbox, and knowing when and how to use them has been crucial in achieving my clients’ desired effects. The right application can indeed turn a good haircut into a great one.

Maintenance Tips for a Burst Fade x Taper

Maintaining the sharp look of a Burst Fade x Taper requires diligence and the right techniques:

• Keep your haircut trimmed regularly to maintain the clean edges of the fade and the shape of the tapered top.
• Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove any product buildup and follow with a condition routine that includes a daily leave-in conditioner to ensure softness and manageability.
• Stay stocked with hair styling staples like pomade, wax, or clay to refresh your styling between washes.
• A boar bristle brush or wide-tooth comb can be ideal to style while being gentle. Avoid overbrushing, especially around the fade line.
• Use hair clippers with guards to trim stray hairs at home, keeping your cut sharp between barber visits.
• Protect your hair during swimming or sports, and avoid hat damage.
• Consider more frequent touch-ups for maintaining the burst fade and taper to keep it looking clean and crisp.

Drawing from personal experience, I recommend setting a schedule for touch-ups based on how quickly your hair grows. A well-maintained haircut represents not just your style but also your dedication to personal grooming. For me, consistent upkeep combined with using high-quality products has been the cornerstone of preserving the fresh look of a burst fade x taper.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the combination of a bald fade with a tapered top unlocks a textured style that defines versatility and style. Whether you’re going for the classic cool of a fade haircut or the bold, current statement of a burst fade x taper, the real secret is in how it’s cared for and properly styled to your liking. Embrace this modern cut with its numerous options—from sleek, professional looks to edgy spikes and revel in the details that make your hair uniquely yours. Always communicate with your barber, bring reference photos, and never hesitate to change things up until you can step out and enjoy that feeling of a fresh, flawlessly executed hairstyle.