A blowout taper haircut combines a clean taper around the temples, sideburns, and neckline with a fuller top styled for volume, movement, or texture. Unlike a standard taper, the “blowout” describes the lifted styling on top. The exact shape can change with hair texture, top length, and taper height.

This makes the blowout taper haircut highly adaptable. Straight hair can be brushed back or lifted, while wavy and curly hair can use natural texture to create volume. Coily and Afro-textured hair can also pair a tapered perimeter with a fuller top.

At HQ Barbershop in Oak Lawn, Dallas, we look at hair texture, density, face shape, and styling routine before deciding how to shape the cut. Here are 15 variations to consider before your next barber appointment.

Key Takeaways

• A blowout taper combines tapered edges with a voluminous top.
• The blowout refers mainly to the top’s styling and shape.
• Low, mid, and higher tapers change the amount of contrast.
• Straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair can all work with the style.
• Your top length and natural texture affect the final result.
• A reference photo helps your barber understand the shape you want.
• More volume usually means more styling effort.

What Is a Blowout Taper Haircut?

A blowout taper haircut is a men’s hairstyle with tapered edges and a fuller top styled upward, outward, backward, or according to the hair’s natural texture. The taper usually focuses on the temples, sideburns, and neckline rather than removing all the side hair.

The two parts serve different purposes. The taper creates a clean perimeter, while the blowout creates the volume and movement through the top. Current barbering guides also distinguish the blowout from the taper itself, noting that the top shape comes largely from length and blow-drying technique. 

That distinction matters when talking to your barber. Saying only “blowout taper” may not communicate the exact top shape or taper height you want.

15 Blowout Taper Haircuts for Men

These styles use the same basic concept but change the taper height, top texture, fringe, direction, or hair type. Choose the version that fits how your hair naturally behaves.

1. Classic Blowout Taper

The classic version keeps a full, lifted top with a clean taper around the edges.

The top can be brushed upward and slightly backward to create height and movement. Keep the taper relatively subtle if you want a versatile everyday haircut.

2. Low Blowout Taper

A low blowout taper keeps the shortest section close to the ears and neckline.

This leaves more fullness through the sides and creates less contrast than a higher taper. It is a good starting point if you want the blowout effect without an aggressive side finish.

3. Mid Blowout Taper

A mid blowout taper moves the transition higher through the sides.

This gives you more contrast while preserving a substantial top. It can work particularly well when you want the volume to become the main visual feature.

4. High Blowout Taper

A high blowout taper places the transition higher toward the temples.

The result is stronger separation between the sides and the fuller top. Because more side hair is removed, the top becomes more prominent.

5. Blowout Taper Fade

This version combines the fuller blowout top with a more pronounced fade through the sides.

A fade creates a stronger gradient than a traditional taper. You can choose a low, mid, or high fade depending on the contrast you want.

For a closer look at the available options, see our guide to types of fade haircuts.

6. Curly Blowout Taper

A curly blowout taper keeps natural curls full on top while cleaning up the temples and neckline.

The haircut should work with the curl pattern rather than forcing every curl into one direction. Styling can focus on definition and controlled volume instead of a smooth finish.

7. Wavy Blowout Taper

Wavy hair gives the blowout natural movement.

Rather than making the top completely straight, keep enough length for the wave to form. A light styling product can help control the shape while preserving texture.

8. Blowout Taper for Straight Hair

Straight hair can create a cleaner, more controlled blowout shape.

Your barber can leave enough length through the top for upward or backward styling. A blow dryer can then create lift before you finish with a suitable styling product.

For more ideas, explore our guide to men’s haircuts with straight hair.

9. Blowout Taper With Textured Fringe

This variation combines volume through the top with a fringe that falls partially forward.

The fringe gives the haircut a different silhouette from a fully brushed-back blowout. Texture through the front can make the style look less uniform.

10. Blowout Taper With Slick Back

A slick-back version directs the longer top backward instead of primarily upward.

You can keep some volume at the roots while using a comb or fingers to control the direction. A pomade creates a smoother finish, while a matte product gives you a more natural result.

If you like the backward direction but want more information about that style, see our slick back haircut guide.

11. Blowout Taper With Middle Part

A middle-part blowout divides the top into two sections while maintaining volume and movement.

The taper keeps the perimeter clean, while the longer top creates the center-parted shape. This option works best when your hair has enough length to naturally fall away from the middle.

12. Blowout Taper With Perm

A perm can add curl or wave to hair that does not naturally have much texture.

Combined with a taper, the result creates a clear contrast between the controlled edges and fuller top. The amount of curl should match your preferred maintenance level.

This is not the same as simply having naturally curly hair. A perm changes the hair’s texture and requires its own care routine.

13. Blowout Taper With Beard

Adding a beard changes the balance between the top and lower face.

A tapered haircut can connect visually with the sideburn and beard area. Your barber can adjust the transition so the haircut and facial hair do not look like two unrelated shapes.

For a more complete grooming appointment, HQ also offers Beard Trim services in Dallas.

14. Short Blowout Taper

A short blowout taper keeps the top more compact while still creating visible lift.

This version requires less length than a dramatic long blowout. It can suit men who like volume but do not want a lengthy styling routine.

The key is maintaining enough top length to create the intended shape.

15. Long Blowout Taper

A long blowout taper keeps more length through the top for greater movement and styling flexibility.

Longer hair can be pushed backward, upward, outward, or allowed to follow its natural wave or curl. The tradeoff is simple: more length generally means more styling and maintenance.

Which Hair Type Works Best?

There is no single hair type that owns the blowout taper. Straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair can all support the style when the cut and styling method match the natural texture.

Hair type	Good approach	Main consideration
Straight	Lift or brush back	Create volume at the roots
Wavy	Enhance natural movement	Avoid flattening the wave
Curly	Preserve curl volume	Control bulk around edges
Coily	Keep natural texture	Shape the perimeter carefully
Thick	Remove excess weight	Preserve enough top length
Fine	Keep controlled volume	Avoid weighing the top down

Your barber should also consider how your hair behaves when dry. A shape that looks good while wet can change significantly after the hair dries.

Blowout Taper vs Fade

A taper usually concentrates the shortening around the temples, sideburns, and neckline, while a fade can extend the gradual transition across more of the sides. Both can create a clean finish, but the visual contrast can be different.

The terminology can overlap in barbershops. That is why a reference photo is useful.

If you want:

• Softer side contrast: consider a low taper.
• Balanced contrast: consider a mid taper.
• Stronger contrast: consider a higher taper or fade.
• Very short sides: discuss a skin or bald fade.

Our low taper fade haircut guide explains how a low taper preserves more side fullness.

How to Choose Your Blowout Taper

Choose your blowout taper based on your natural texture, desired top volume, preferred side contrast, and daily styling time. Do not choose a variation only because it looks good in a photograph.

Ask yourself:

1. How much volume do I want?
2. Do I want a smooth or textured top?
3. How short should the temples be?
4. Do I want a taper or stronger fade?
5. How much time will I spend styling it?
6. Does my hair naturally support the shape?

Face shape can also help with proportions. For example, excessive height can add more visual length, while some side fullness can create a broader appearance.

For more guidance, read haircuts for different face shapes.

How to Style a Blowout Taper

To style a blowout taper, start with damp hair, direct the top with a blow dryer, create the desired volume, and finish with a suitable styling product. Your technique should change according to your hair texture and the finish you want.

Try this basic routine:

1. Start with towel-dried hair.
2. Apply a suitable styling product.
3. Lift the roots with your fingers or a brush.
4. Blow-dry in the direction you want the hair to sit.
5. Shape the top once it is mostly dry.
6. Add a small amount of finishing product.
7. Check the sides and front for balance.

Straight hair may benefit from a round brush for extra lift. Curly hair may work better with a diffuser and curl-focused product.

The goal is not to make every hair stand perfectly upward. The top should have the volume and direction that suit your chosen variation.

How to Ask Your Barber for a Blowout Taper

Tell your barber the taper height, top length, preferred direction, texture, and level of volume you want. A reference photo is especially useful because “blowout taper” can describe several different finished shapes.

A simple request could be:

“I want a blowout taper with enough length on top for volume. Keep the taper low around the temples and neckline, and leave the top textured.”

Then clarify:

• Low, mid, or higher taper
• Top length
• Smooth or textured finish
• Forward, upward, or backward styling
• Amount of side fullness
• Whether you want a fade
• How much styling you do each morning

If you are unsure about the terminology, our guide on how to ask for a men’s haircut can help you prepare for the consultation.

How Often Should You Maintain It?

Your maintenance schedule depends on how short your taper is and how quickly your hair grows. Very short edges show regrowth sooner, while a softer taper can remain wearable as it grows.

HQ’s clipper-cut guidance recommends roughly 3–4 weeks for routine maintenance, although clients wanting a very crisp fade may return sooner.

You may need a cleanup when:

• The taper loses its definition.
• The neckline becomes overgrown.
• The top becomes difficult to shape.
• The sideburn area starts looking bulky.
• The overall silhouette changes.

Our guide to how to maintain a clipper cut covers maintenance between professional appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is a blowout taper haircut?

A blowout taper haircut combines tapered edges with a fuller top styled for volume, movement, or texture. The taper controls the temples, sideburns, and neckline, while the blowout describes the shape created through the longer top. The exact finish varies with hair texture, length, and styling technique.

Question: Is a blowout taper good for curly hair?

Yes, a blowout taper can work well with curly hair when the cut preserves the natural curl pattern. The taper cleans the perimeter while the curls remain fuller on top. Your barber should account for curl shrinkage, density, and how much volume you want.

Question: What is the difference between a blowout taper and a fade?

A blowout taper focuses on tapered edges while a fade can create a broader, more noticeable transition through the sides. The blowout itself refers to the fuller top styling. You can combine a blowout with different taper or fade approaches.

Question: How long does hair need to be for a blowout taper?

There is no universal minimum length for a blowout taper. You need enough top length to create the volume or direction you want. Shorter versions need less length, while dramatic blowouts require more hair for lift and movement.

Question: How do you style a blowout taper?

Start with damp hair, use a blow dryer to create lift and direction, then finish with a suitable styling product. Straight hair may respond well to a brush, while curly hair can benefit from a diffuser. The styling method should match your natural texture.

Get a Blowout Taper in Dallas

The best blowout taper haircut is the one that works with your natural hair rather than forcing your hair into an unrealistic shape. Your taper height, top length, texture, and styling routine all affect the finished result.

If you have straight hair, you can build a controlled lifted shape. Wavy and curly hair can use natural movement for volume. Thick hair may need weight management, while finer hair often benefits from keeping the top controlled.

At HQ Barbershop in Oak Lawn, Dallas, our barbers tailor men’s haircuts around hair type, face shape, and the finish you want. HQ’s professional Clipper Cut in Dallas service includes fade and clipper work with attention to the overall shape of the haircut.

Bring a reference photo, explain how you normally style your hair, and tell your barber how much contrast you want. That gives you a much better starting point than relying on the haircut name alone.

Ready to try a blowout taper? Book your Men’s Haircut in Dallas at HQ Barbershop and let our barbers shape the cut around your hair and preferred style.