Style Comparisons
Curly Fade vs Curly Taper: How Much Comes Off the Sides
Short answer: A curly fade takes the sides and back down in a band, often to skin, so the curls sit on top of a short, clean base and look taller. A curly taper keeps curl on the sides and only shortens the sideburns and nape, so the whole head stays rounder and fuller. Choose the fade for height and contrast, the taper for a softer shape that grows out more slowly.
Picture the head from the front
Face the mirror and look at the outline of your hair against the wall behind you. With a curly fade the outline narrows sharply above the ears: the curls form a block or dome on top and the sides fall away to skin or a very short guard. With a curly taper the outline stays wide all the way down, because the curls on the sides are still there, just cut shorter than the top.
That front view is the best way to decide. A narrow outline makes the face look longer and the curls look bigger; a wide outline softens angular features and makes the curls feel like one continuous shape.
Side by side: what each leaves on your head
The main differences come down to how much curl survives below the top.
| Curly fade | Curly taper | |
|---|---|---|
| Hair above the ears | Faded short, often to skin | Curls kept, trimmed shorter than the top |
| Scalp visible | Across the lower band | Only at the sideburn and nape |
| Contrast with the top | High | Low to medium |
| Head looks | Taller, narrower | Rounder, fuller |
| Blend point | Must hide a step under the curls | Hidden naturally by side curls |
| Rebook | Every 2 to 3 weeks | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Grow-out | Fuzzy band after 3 weeks | Gradual, looks like a longer cut |
Why curls make the side decision harder than straight hair
Curly hair stands off the scalp, so the sides of a curly cut hold more volume than the same length of straight hair. Leave them untouched and a full curly top can turn into a triangle or a mushroom shape by week four. That is the problem both cuts solve, in different amounts.
The fade solves it completely by removing the side bulk. The catch is the blend: curls on top sit several centimetres out from the scalp, so the jump from a short fade to the curl can show as a shelf unless the fade is carried up into the curl slightly. The taper solves it partially, by thinning the sides with clippers or scissors while keeping enough curl there to meet the top without any visible join.
Matching the cut to your curl pattern
Curl tightness changes how each option behaves.
- Loose curls and waves (2C to 3A): a curly taper keeps the sides soft and avoids a big gap between wave and skin. A mid fade works if you want more edge.
- Springy curls (3B to 3C): either suits; a low or drop fade is the most common pairing because it keeps the back rounded.
- Tight coils (4A to 4C): a fade gives the sharpest outline and pairs with a lineup; a taper keeps an afro shape rounder and is a good choice while growing length.
- Sparse curls at the temples: a taper, which keeps some cover where the hair is thinner.
Which to choose
Choose a curly fade if you want your curls to look taller, you like a crisp outline, and you can come in every two to three weeks. It suits round faces, since the narrow sides lengthen the face, and it is the easier option in humid summer weather when side curls puff out.
Choose a curly taper if you want the curls to be the whole look rather than sitting on top of a fade, your face is long or angular, you are growing your hair out, or you can only get in once a month. It also sits better under a toque in winter, because there is curl on the sides to spring back.
Unsure? Start with a taper. It is simple to take the sides shorter at the next visit, but a fade takes several weeks to grow back into a taper.
How we cut both at Markcutit
We shape the curls dry for either cut, since wet curls hide their true length and shrinkage. For a fade we set the line low, often as a drop behind the ear, and blend up into the curl; for a taper we clean the sideburns and nape with clippers and shape the sides by hand. See the curly fade page and our taper fades service for more, and haircuts for curly hair for top shapes that suit each.
Curly fade vs curly taper: common questions
Is a curly taper fade the same as a curly taper?
People use it for both. Some mean a taper that goes to skin at the edges; others mean a low fade under curls. Say whether you want curl kept above the ear, which settles it.
Will a fade make my curls look thinner?
The top keeps its density, but removing the sides can make a sparse top look smaller by comparison. A taper keeps more hair around the curls for a fuller overall look.
Can I get either with a beard?
Yes. A curly fade usually blends into the beard at the sideburn; a taper connects through a fuller sideburn. Book Haircut + Beard to have both shaped together.
