Markcutit · 650 Matheson Blvd W, Mississauga, ON L5R 3T2
Mid Taper Fade and Texture: Marcel Shabo on Curly Hair
Short answer: This is a mid taper fade with texture, cut by Marcel Shabo: a full, curly top is left long and loose, the sides above the ear keep their length, and the hair tapers to skin behind the ear and at the nape. The taper sits higher than a low taper, so the back looks cleaner, while the curls stay the focus. It suits curly or wavy hair that you want to wear full.
What the photo shows from behind
The photo is taken from behind the right side, which is the best angle for judging a taper. The curls on top are dark, loose and full, with lots of movement and no single direction. They spill down toward the ear and the back.
Behind the ear, the hair is cut into a clean, angled outline and then taken shorter, fading down to skin at the nape. The taper line runs from behind the ear across the back at roughly mid height, which is higher than a classic neck taper.
Where the texture comes from
The texture is the curl itself, shaped so it does not form a heavy mass. The curls look separated and airy rather than packed down, which usually means weight has been taken out from inside the curl clumps.
Marcel leans toward texture on top, and on curly hair that means cutting curl by curl with scissors rather than running a clipper over the top. The ends stay rounded so the shape looks soft.
How a mid taper on curly hair is built
The taper is set after the top is shaped, so the transition can be placed exactly where the curls fall.
- Shape the curls dry with scissors, removing bulk from inside the clumps.
- Outline behind the ear on each side.
- Taper the nape and behind the ear to skin, rising to mid height.
- Blend the taper into the curls so the back looks full without a shelf.
- Check both sides match from behind, since curls can hide an uneven taper.
Who a mid taper with curls suits
It suits wavy to curly hair that you want long on top, and anyone who wants a tidy back without the bare sides of a fade. Because the sides keep length, it is a good middle ground for school or work.
Read our mid taper fade guide for taper heights, and the curly fade vs curly taper comparison if you are choosing between the two.
Upkeep for curls and a taper
The taper at the nape usually needs a clean-up every 3 to 4 weeks, while the curls can go 6 weeks or more if you are growing them. Many people book a taper tidy between full cuts.
At home, scrunch in a curl cream or leave-in conditioner on damp hair and let it air-dry. Avoid brushing dry curls, which turns them to frizz.
Mid taper fade and texture: common questions
What is the difference between a mid taper and a mid fade?
A mid taper only shortens the back and the area behind the ear; a mid fade takes the whole side to skin up to mid height.
Can I book Marcel for curly hair in Mississauga?
Yes. Pick Marcel on Booksy; our curly hair barber page for Mississauga explains how that visit works.
Should my curls be cut dry?
For shaping the top, cutting dry shows where each curl really sits, so we usually start that way.
