Markcutit · 650 Matheson Blvd W, Mississauga, ON L5R 3T2
Low Taper Fade and Lineup: A Marcel Shabo Result
Short answer: This is a low taper fade with a lineup, cut by Marcel Shabo: thick, textured hair is left full on top and on the upper sides, while the hair tapers short only at the sideburn, around the ear and at the nape. The temple is lined into a clean corner and the beard is full. It suits thick hair and anyone who wants a neat finish without exposing much skin.
What this low taper looks like in the photo
The photo is a left profile. The hair is thick and dark, and it is left full on top with a messy, pushed-up texture that has height at the crown. The upper sides are also left with length, so the head keeps a full, rounded outline.
The short part is confined to the edges. Around the ear and down the back of the neck, the hair tapers to skin, and the nape fades out at the bottom. The rest of the side stays covered, which is the core of a low taper.
The lineup and beard
At the front, the temple is lined into a clear corner that stands out against the thick hair. Around the ear, the outline is cut clean and follows the ear's curve.
The beard is full and dense, shaped along the jaw, and the sideburn tapers down to meet it. The cheek line sits naturally and the beard keeps a rounded edge at the chin rather than a squared one.
How a low taper like this is built
Marcel leans toward tapers and texture, and this result shows both. The key is keeping the short section genuinely low, so the taper works as a clean frame rather than a fade.
- Cut the top and upper sides with scissors, adding texture by point-cutting.
- Set the taper line low: just above the ear and a few centimetres up the nape.
- Taper down to skin at the bottom with short, flicking clipper passes.
- Detail the ear outline and line the temple.
- Shape the beard and taper the sideburn into it.
Who a low taper fade suits
It suits thick or coarse hair that would look bulky if the sides grew out untouched, and it suits workplaces where a high skin fade feels too bold. The low taper also grows out gracefully, because only a small area is short.
Our low taper fade guide explains taper heights, and the low taper vs low fade comparison shows where the line sits for each.
Upkeep for thick hair and a taper
The taper at the nape and ear looks untidy after about 3 weeks, so most people with this cut book every 3 to 4 weeks. The thick top usually needs thinning each visit to stop it puffing out.
At home, a matte clay or paste worked through dry hair recreates the messy, pushed-up texture. Brush the beard daily so the chin keeps its rounded shape.
Low taper fade and lineup: common questions
Is a low taper less maintenance than a fade?
Yes, usually. Only the edges are short, so growth is less obvious and the cut can go 3 to 4 weeks.
Can I book Marcel for a low taper in Mississauga?
Yes. Pick Marcel on Booksy; the low taper fade page for Mississauga explains the appointment.
Will a taper work with a thick beard?
It does. Tapering the sideburn keeps the beard and hair connected without a bare gap between them.
