A taper fade is a haircut where the hair on the sides and back gradually shortens — "tapers" — down to the skin around the ears and neckline, while the top keeps its length. The blend is gradual and clean rather than dramatic, which is exactly why the taper fade has become the most requested men's haircut in Dutch barbershops: it looks sharp in the office, grows out neatly, and suits almost every face shape and hair type.
This guide covers everything the other guides leave out: the exact clipper guard numbers for each version, what to say to your barber word for word, what it costs in the Netherlands, and how to keep it looking fresh.
In a taper fade, the barber blends the sides from longer hair at the top of the side down to very short — often skin — at the bottom, but only around the edges: the sideburns, around the ears, and the neckline. The rest of the side keeps more length than in a full fade. The result is a soft, natural gradient instead of a hard contrast.
Three quick facts before you sit in the chair: the top is usually kept between 2 and 7 cm; a good barber uses at least three different clipper guards to build the blend; and the cut itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. For a full gallery of what the finished cut can look like, see the 61 mid taper fade styles, tips and photos.
The words get mixed up constantly, even by barbers. The difference is how much of the side is faded and how strong the contrast is:
| Taper fade | Regular fade | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it fades | Only around the ears, sideburns and neckline | The whole side and back, higher up |
| Contrast | Soft and gradual | Strong, clearly visible skin line |
| Length kept on sides | More length stays | Most of the side goes very short |
| Grow-out | Grows out neatly for 3–4 weeks | Looks untidy sooner, needs 2-week touch-ups |
| Best for | Office, first fade, natural look | Bold, modern, high-contrast look |
Every taper fade is one of three heights: low, mid or high. The height decides where the blend starts. Guard numbers decide how short each zone goes — a guard number is simply the clipper attachment: guard 0.5 leaves about 1.5 mm, guard 1 about 3 mm, guard 2 about 6 mm, and guard 3 about 10 mm.
| Type | Where the blend starts | Typical guards (bottom → top) | Suits best | Grow-out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low taper fade | Just above the ear | 0.5 → 1 → 2 | Conservative jobs, first-timers, round faces | Slowest — stays neat 3–4 weeks |
| Mid taper fade | At the temple, middle of the side | 0.5 → 1 → 2 → 3 | Almost everyone; the most versatile | 2–3 weeks |
| High taper fade | High on the side, near the corner of the head | 0 → 0.5 → 1 → 2 | Bold looks, square faces, thick hair | Fastest — needs a refresh in ~2 weeks |
| Skin taper fade | Any height, but faded down to bare skin at the edges | 0 (no guard) at the bottom | Clean, sharp finish | 2–3 weeks |
| Classic taper | No skin fade — scissors and longer guards only | 2 → 3 → 4 | Traditional, gentleman look | 4+ weeks |
| Drop taper fade | The blend curves down behind the ear | 0.5 → 1 → 2 | Curly hair, textured tops | 2–3 weeks |
If you remember one row, make it the mid taper fade: it starts at the temple, balances a short clean edge with enough length on the sides, and works with the widest range of hair types and workplaces. It is the safe middle ground — and the version most men in the Netherlands end up keeping for years.
Still torn between the three heights? Answer three quick questions. Do you work somewhere formal? Take the low or mid — the low is the most conservative cut in the family. Do you want the fade to be noticed? The high taper fade has the strongest contrast and turns heads; the low is designed to be admired up close, not across the street. And how often will you really visit the barber? Be honest: if it is once a month at best, choose low or mid, because a high taper fade that grows out for a month loses its whole point. For most men the answer lands on the mid taper fade — visible, clean, and forgiving — which is why barbers recommend it as the default.
One more Dutch reality: bike helmets, rain and wind. A taper fade survives all three better than longer styles because the sides are short and the shape sits close to the head. If you cycle to work in Amsterdam or Rotterdam, keep a pea-sized amount of matte product in your bag for a ten-second reset at the office — the cut itself needs nothing more.
Most bad haircuts are really bad communication. Use these sentences — they contain everything a barber needs: the height, the guards, the top, and the neckline.
Then do the one thing every good barber quietly hopes for: show a photo. Two or three reference photos beat ten minutes of explaining. Pick them from a proper style gallery before you go — the collection of mid taper fade styles at midtaprfade.com is a good place to screenshot your favourites.
| Fade height | Barber visit every | Between visits |
|---|---|---|
| Low taper fade | 3–4 weeks | Tidy the neckline with a trimmer once a week |
| Mid taper fade | 2–3 weeks | Neckline tidy-up weekly; product daily |
| High / skin taper fade | 2 weeks | Edges go soft fast — a mid-cycle clean-up helps |
Products that work with this cut: a matte clay or paste for textured tops (pea-sized amount, worked in dry), a pomade for slicked styles, and sea-salt spray for waves and curls before styling. Wash with shampoo two or three times a week, not daily — daily washing dries the hair and makes the top harder to style. Sleep is the silent enemy of a fresh fade: a quick water refresh and re-style in the morning takes two minutes and resets the shape.
Expect to pay roughly €20–€35 at a standard Dutch barbershop, €30–€45 at premium city-centre shops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Utrecht, and around €20–€25 at smaller local barbers. A taper fade is normally priced the same as a standard men's cut — if a shop charges extra, it is usually for a skin-fade finish or a beard trim combo. The 20–30 minutes in the chair every two to three weeks is the real cost: budget for about two visits a month if you choose a high or skin version.
About 20–30 minutes with a skilled barber.
How much does a taper fade cost in the Netherlands?Usually €20–€35; premium city shops charge €30–€45.
Does a taper fade suit thin hair?Yes — a low or mid taper with a longer top is one of the best options for fine hair.
Is a taper fade good for curly hair?Very. The sides stay controlled while the curls keep their character on top; ask for slightly longer guards.
How fast does a taper fade grow out?The blend softens after about two weeks; most men refresh it every 2–3 weeks.
Low or mid taper fade for a first fade?Mid is the versatile all-rounder; low is the safer, more conservative start.
Can I do a taper fade at home?The neckline and blend are hard to build on your own head. A barber visit is worth it.
What is the difference between a taper and a taper fade?A classic taper shortens gradually without going down to the skin; a taper fade blends the edges right down to skin around the ears and neckline.
Ready to choose yours? Browse the full gallery of 61 mid taper fade styles with photos and barber tips at midtaprfade.com, screenshot your two or three favourites, and take them to your barber. That is genuinely all it takes.