Taper vs Fade vs Burst Fade: What’s the Difference?

Wait, they're not the same thing?

Contrary to a lot of information you’ll see on social media, Tapers, fades, and burst fades are all different and distinct styles, and asking for a taper fade is a bit like asking for a drink to be hot and cold at the same time; you can only have one or the other. But don’t worry, understanding the differences and which best suits you is simple once you’ve got the knowledge, and that’s why we’ve laid out this quick guide. 

Tapers

Tapers are the subtlest of the three styles, taking up around an inch or two close to the temple and at the hairline on the back. This leaves a more refined look, with the main downside being its maintenance, since the ‘fading’ is minimal and limited, which means natural hair growth will remove the taper look in 1-2 weeks.

Fades

Fades are the classic and most popular of the three styles. Classic fades maintain the gradient from the sides all the way to the back, leaving a bolder look than its Taper counterpart. With a classic fade, you can have it ‘low’ or ‘high’ depending on where you want the gradient to end, though we’d always recommend consulting your barber on this, as they will be able to provide tailored advice based on your head shape and the entire style you want to achieve. To give a rule of thumb, if the top of your style is quite big and voluminous, then a lower fade will complement the style nicely; however, if you’ve got a short style on top, then a higher fade will look more natural. 

Burst Fades

Burst Fades, as the name suggests, are a variant of the classic fade, but with an even more contrasting effect; the burst fade is even more of a statement. Rather than connecting the fade on the sides to the back, the burst fade focuses just on the sides, retaining length on the back. The effect is particularly eye-catching, but is best complemented with a style that prioritises texture, as when paired with a heavily textured look, a burst fade comes into a league of its own. This is because the additional length on the back and some of the sides makes it capable of creating a messier and more textured look than a classic fade, where the entire back and sides are shaved down to skin.