How to Cut a Taper

You can spike up or slick back the top of the taper haircut.

A taper haircut is a classic short style for men. It is one of the most common hairstyles, and other cuts are generally a variation on the classic tapered haircut. The taper cut gets its name because the back and sides of the haircut are tapered. The top of the hair is then layered and blended into the sides. If your learn to give a taper cut, you can save money by avoiding the barber.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-toothed comb
• Clipper and guards
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Comb all of the hair straight down using a fine-toothed comb.

2. Attach the No. 3 guard to the clipper for a 3/8-inch cut. Use a different number guard for a longer or shorter cut. For example, a No. 2 will give a 1/4-inch cut and a No. 4 will give a 1/2-inch cut.

3. Turn on the clipper. Place the flat bottom of the clipper guard on the base of the neck at the back of the head and move upward to the top of the back of the head. Slowly pull the clipper away from the head so that by the time you reach the top, the clipper head is on its tip. This will taper the cut by making it shorter at the bottom and slightly longer at the top. Continue this motion around the back of the head until you reach each ear. Shake the clipper to remove excess hair.

4. Clip from behind the back of the ear in a diagonal motion toward the front. Starting at the front of the ear, clip diagonally toward the back. This will give you a smooth cut around the ear.

5. Blend the top with the tapered sides. Comb the hair in an upward motion with the comb perpendicular to the head. As you reach the area where the sides meet the longer hair on top, hold the comb away from the head and clip the hair that is held between the comb's teeth. This is called the "clipper across comb" technique. Continue to blend the top by slowly allowing the clipper to get closer to the head until all the hair is blended.

6. Comb the hair on the top of the head up and grasp it between two fingers. Use scissors to trim the ends of the hair. Keep all hair relatively the same length when combed up for a smooth top cut.

7. Flatten all the hair by combing it the way the man plans to wear his hair. Check for any areas where the hair is too long or there is not a clean line. Use the scissors to slowly trim down these sections. Comb the hair down again after each cut to make sure you do not cut any hair too short.

References

• How to Cut Hair; How to do a Taper Cut; Patrick; 2007
• Hair Cuts for Men; Tips for Getting a Great Cut; Dave Alexander