The Mid Taper Haircut: The Best of Both Worlds

If your social media feeds have looked like hayden valley blitzed road maps of random faces lately, it’s probably because of the mid taper haircut. And it’s more than just a trend; it’s a classic look that has been co-opted by everyone from celebrities to regular dudes looking to step up their grooming game. Infact, I want to take today to take a closer look at why the mid taper hairstyle could honestly be the best hairstyle for you, no matter if you want to look exceptionally fresh and clean, more edgy, or modern.

What Is a Mid Taper Haircut?

Let’s start with the basics. A mid taper haircut is a haircut that is shorter on the sides and back of your head than the very top, and runs short to long starting somewhere in the midsection of your head (hence the name “mid taper”). Instead of tapering the hair down to the scalp, the way a fade does, a taper holds a little more length, giving a gentler, more natural transition. The top is typically longer, leaving you with lots of room to experiment with textures, lengths and styles.

The Mid Taper: Why It Works for Everyone

One of the things I enjoy most about the mid taper is how versatile it is. Straight, wavy or curly, this cut works around your natural texture. It’s also extremely flattering to nearly all face shapes. If you have a round face, the taper can make it look like there are sharper angles. It provides balance and structure without overwhelming your features for square or oval faces.

I recall the difficulty of choosing a mid taper — I hesitated, unsure how well it would translate to my wavy mane. But my barber said it would work, and boy was he right! The taper made my hair still look clean and polished, but allowed me to retain some of that really natural texture that I like so much.

Mid Taper Haircut Styling Tips

Here’s where the mid taper really excels: styling opportunities. If you choose to keep things on the low-maintenance side, you can always comb the top back or to the side for a classic, clean finish. For a softer, more contemporary look, work in some matte pomade or texture spray for that “bedhead” style.

I’ve noticed that the mid taper also works extremely well with beard styles. If you have any facial hair then this taper is ideal to give you a sharp, striking definition to your jawline. It’s as if the haircut and the beard belong together.

Finding the Right Barber

One piece of advice: Not all barbers do tapers equally. If you are asking for a mid taper, just be sure to find someone who knows how to do the technique and is able to customize your taper to your hair type and shape to your face. I have experienced my fair share of less than satisfactory haircuts but when you finally find that perfect barber, it’s definitely a lifestyle change.

Who Is The Mid Taper For?

For a stylish, versatile, and low-maintenance haircut, the mid taper might be right for you. It’s a silhouette that works for nearly any situation — whether it’s the office, a Saturday morning brunch or a night on the town. Not to mention, it’s a strong way to update your wardrobe without a huge commitment.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to try the mid taper? Trust me, once you see how much it looks like a tree, you’ll wonder why you never tried it before.