A low taper shortens the hair gradually around the ears and at the neckline, and leaves everything above it alone. It’s clean without being severe, and it’s one of the cuts we specialize in at Broken Arrow.
Short answer
A low taper is a men’s haircut where the hair gets gradually shorter just above the ears and at the neckline, without fading down to skin. It keeps a natural, clean edge and pairs with almost any length on top. Broken Arrow Barbershop in Orem specializes in low tapers, from textured crops to flows and curly cuts.
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Low taper vs fade
A fade takes the sides down to skin, often high up the head. A low taper only shortens the edges: around the ears and the neckline. The rest of the sides keep their length, so it looks softer and grows out more gradually.
Taper or fade: what’s the difference? →02
Why we cut so many of them
A low taper works with almost every style: textured fringes, crops, curtains, flows, curly hair and longer cuts. It cleans up the shape without taking away from the hair on top, which is exactly what most of our clients want.
Clean at the edges. Natural everywhere else.
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Who a low taper suits
- Longer and medium stylesFlows, curtains and textured cuts stay tidy around the ears.
- Curly hairKeeps the sides neat while the curls stay full on top.
- Work and schoolClean enough for any job, relaxed enough for every day.
- First-time clientsA safe, flattering starting point we can build on.
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How we cut it
We place the taper to suit your head shape and growth pattern, blend it into the sides with clippers and scissors, and clean the neckline and around the ears. Then we shape the top to match.
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How often to come in
About every 3–5 weeks to keep the edges sharp. For longer styles with a taper, every 6–8 weeks.
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What to book
A Classic Haircut keeps a low taper in shape. For your first one, a style change or a longer cut on top, book the Signature Haircut so there’s time to get the shape right.
Classic vs Signature →Questions
Is a low taper the same as a low fade?
No. A low fade goes down to skin. A low taper keeps some length at the edges.
Can I get a low taper with long hair?
Yes. It’s one of the most common ways we finish longer styles.
Who should I book?
Any of our barbers. Elise’s and Connor’s pages show a lot of taper work. Meet the team →