What is a blowout taper?
A blowout taper is a low taper with a blown out top. For the blowout taper style, a low taper is cut on the sides and back, leaving room for long hair up top. The long hair is forced upward and outward through blow drying and hand-shaping, blowing out from the taper and giving the style its name. This is a popular, versatile haircut, as it works with multiple hair types.
How to Cut a Blowout Taper
Cut a guideline on the sides and back. This guideline should line up with the halfway point of the ear. Once you cut the guideline, shave the hair underneath to create the foundation of the taper.
Open the lever, and without a guard, cut up to the top of the ear. This will flesh out the taper and begin to create contrast with the top.
Use a closed 2-guard and to create a middle guideline. Cut above the first guideline to create the middle guideline. This will develop the foundation so it starts to blend into the bulk up top. Use the clipper-over-comb technique to help the taper further blend into the bulk. If you prefer thinning shears, hair stylist Bianca Cox says to use them “towards the end of the hair versus the center or roots of the hair.” Do this to keep short hairs from randomly sticking out.
Erase the middle guideline using an open blur guard. Slightly shorten your cutting stroke as you close the lever to aid in the process.
Cut a curved C-shape along the natural hairline on the sides. Also called a “C-Cup,” this will help define the taper and create a definitive line between the hair and the skin. Don’t forget to cut behind the ear and into the back! This will help accentuate that defined line. Make sure to shave away any stubble on the sides.
With no guard and the lever closed, flick the skin line out. Make sure to flick it out into the stubble. During this step, you can also clean up any stray hairs on the sides.
How to Ask for a Blowout Taper
Ask your barber for a low taper that blends into a blown out top. This style will work best if you already have a lot of bulk up top, as your barber will have an easier time blending as opposed to if your hair were short. Make sure to bring reference photos so your barber knows exactly what you’re looking for. If you have straight hair, ask your barber to use volumizing powder and blowdry your hair upward.
Is a taper or fade better?
If you want gradual contrast between your sides and top, a taper is the way to go. When it comes to the taper vs. fade debate, it really all boils down to preference. If you want your sides and back to sharply blend into your hair up top, a fade is the best way to go. But, if you want a gradual rise from the sides to the top and prefer a less defined blend, go with a taper.
Similar Hairstyles
Taper Fade Mullet For the same tapered look with a wilder top, go with the Taper Fade Mullet. With a Taper Fade Mullet, you have the option of growing the back as long as you want, making for a look that’s more dynamic and off-the-wall than the Blowout Taper.
Warrior Cut For a similar blowout look with a higher fade, the Warrior Cut is the way to go. The Warrior Cut keeps the hair up top and opts for a slightly unkempt look, making for a style that’s worn at the top but fresh on the sides. You can choose whatever type of fade you’d like, but a higher fade will create more contrast for a bolder look.
French Crop For a short, polished fade that doesn’t blow out, go with the French Crop. You still get the versatility of a long top, but this look is a bit more polished than the Blowout Taper. Plus, the contrast is a bit more striking than a taper.
Comments
0 comment