So. Lately I’ve been getting a bunch of guys walking into the shop asking for that clean, airy kind of taper. Not quite a skin fade. Not too bulky either. You know the kind. It’s what people call the blow out taper now. Some even blow out taper bring in old pics of Pauly D (yeah, that dude from Jersey Shore). Others just show random TikTok haircuts.
Anyway. Figured I’d write a little something about it. Not a tutorial or some fancy hair blog thing. Just a real chat. From a barber who’s done too many of these in one week.
So what even is a blow out taper?
Alright, picture this. You’ve got your hair sitting kinda fluffy or naturally curly up top. The sides? Tapered, but not skin-bald. It doesn’t melt into the scalp like a fade. It just… tapers. Eases out. You still see some hair there.
The neck area and sideburns are where the taper happens. Just a soft, low transition. Doesn’t climb halfway up your head like a high fade. You keep volume. You keep the edge. And you don’t need to glue your hair to your skull to make it look good.
It works great on guys with thick hair. Curly. Wavy. Even coarse straight hair. Especially if you’re in that awkward in-between length phase.
Who’s asking for this cut lately?
Honestly? All types.
Used to be mostly guys with textured or afro hair wanting it rounded out with a brush or pick. But now? Straight-haired dudes are lining up too. They come in with references like “mid taper blowout” or even “temp fade puff top.” (Yeah, the naming’s a mess.)
Teenagers especially love it. High school and early college guys—playing with length, trying to keep it edgy but still clean for work or school. Some even get designs cut into the taper area. Seen everything from lightning bolts to initials.
Also? TikTok and Instagram. Lotta influence there. Guys scroll for 10 seconds, find a 6-second clip with a flashy hair transformation, and boom—they’re at my chair asking for “exactly this, bro.”
What makes the cut hit—or flop
Here’s where it gets real.
You can’t just ask for a blow out taper and expect it to hit if your hair ain’t prepped. If it’s super flat or thinned out on the sides already, the taper won’t look full.
And please—don’t try this with overly product-loaded hair. The look needs a natural lift. Not a gelled-to-hell helmet.
Barber’s gotta know how to blend too. A good blow out taper needs subtle hands. You don’t line it up harsh unless the client wants that sharp silhouette. Otherwise it ends up looking like a rushed fade with puffy top leftovers.
Some guys also mess up their cut between visits by trimming their own neckline or sideburns unevenly. If you’re gonna do that, at least use a mirror. Or call your barber. Seriously.
Maintenance isn’t crazy. But don’t sleep on it.
One thing about this style—it needs upkeep. Not every week, but don’t stretch it past three if you want it looking sharp. The taper grows fast, and if your top’s longer, the balance gets weird after a while.
Washing? Go light. Dry shampoo or just water-only rinse days help keep volume. Use a diffuser if you’re into that curly blowout style. Don’t go at it with a regular brush unless you want the top to flatten out and look sad.
If you’re using pomade or paste, stay away from the roots too much. Use fingertips. Add it like seasoning, not sauce.
Other cuts that vibe like this
So maybe you’re not sold on the blow out taper. That’s cool. Here’s a few other cuts that live in the same neighborhood:
- Low taper with curls – close cousin to the blow out, just cleaner edges
- Temple fade afro – more defined, squared-off edges
- Drop fade with volume – tighter sides, same fluff up top
- Taper mullet (yes, it’s a thing) – back grows long, sides stay neat
- Messy fringe with taper – more European look, bit edgy
Each has a different vibe. All depends on how you wear your hair day-to-day.
Last thoughts, sorta
Honestly? I like doing this cut. It lets the hair breathe. Lets the barber play a little. Not boxed in by old-school rules. And when it’s done right, man—it pops.
But don’t go chasing the TikTok version of it without knowing what suits your face shape and hair texture. Seen too many guys leave one shop hyped, then walk into mine two days later asking if I can fix it.
Come in. Talk to your barber. Bring pics, sure—but let ‘em guide you a little. This style lives and dies by small details.
Alright, that’s all I got for now. Might grab a coffee and clean my clippers.
Let it taper off.
FAQs – Real ones I’ve heard lately
- Q: Can I get a blow out taper if I’ve got thin hair on top?
Not ideal. It’s gonna look sparse. Better to go for a tighter style or add volume with texture powder. - Q: How long should the top be for this cut to work?
Usually 3 inches or more. Anything shorter and the “blow out” effect kinda disappears. - Q: Do I need to blow dry it every day?
Nah. But if you want that lift, yeah—blow dry with a diffuser now and then helps a lot. - Q: Is this the same as a temp fade?
Not really. Temp fade usually goes higher and tighter. Blow out taper is more natural and sits lower. - Q: Can I wear a hat with this cut?
You can. But it’s gonna squash the top. If you gotta wear one, go loose. Bucket hat or snapback, not tight caps.