24 Beautiful Tapered Cuts for Natural Hair

Blonde Fro-Hawk

Don’t want to part with your length, but still want to make a bold statement? Ask your hairdresser for a conservative fro-hawk that tapers your sides oh-so-slightly. "I love to see women wearing a fro-hawk," says Bailey. "The fro-hawk is a bold style that can be worn in many ways. Since the hair is usually faded, tapered, or close on the sides, all of the drama is usually in the top or along the middle of the head."

This smooth transition creates a shape that directs a viewer’s eye up to your longer, textured, locks and beautiful face. Opting for an icy blonde color is another way to make this hairstyle pop.

Soft Cut

A deep side part is a great way to highlight your faded sides. You can leave the rest of your hair any length you want, but to see that side part you worked so hard for, you should keep your cut at an inch or two.

Artsy Two Tone

"Tapered cuts are blank canvases that allows clients to be creative and express their style in an almost art-like way," says Dent. "They can choose a cut design that reflects their personality or mood with fresh clean lines, swirls. and even art shaved in. They also have the option of styling it with curls, twists, faux locs, and coils, too." Or, in this case, with dye. Can’t decide between two hair colors? Don’t worry, you don’t have to with this eye-catching hairstyle. From the faded dark sides and intricate shaved-in design to the defined ombré curls that are awash in fuchsia—anyone that chooses this unique style will be a walking piece of art.

More Up-Top

Low-key naturals that are at stage two in their hair journey can join the tapered cut team by keeping their hair shorter at the back of their head. This creates a choppy, medium-sized afro that still maintains definition. To really make the cut stand out, make sure to fluff up the front of your hair and pull a few strands to create cute, wispy curls.

Asymmetrical Curls

An asymmetrical cut will never go out of style, and you can make the look your own with your natural texture. Keep the sides trimmed while gradually leaving out tufts of hair, so your curls won’t get lost.

Auburn Waves

Naturalistas who want to enjoy benefits of short hair without having to chop it all off can elevate their look with a teeny weeny afro. The secret to this look? Keep hair short enough to be out of the way, but also long enough to show off your texture. A handy boar bristle brush can be used to lay down baby hairs or create soft waves, while a monthly (or weekly) auburn rinse adds a touch of color. The Mason Pearson Handy Mixture Bristle Hair Brush ($175) is the gold standard.

Bold Frohawk

If daring is your middle name, you’ll love the idea of a colorful frohawk. Ask your stylist to buzz off the sides, create a shape — like a shaved lightning bolt — and hit the bleach bottle for added oomph. Of course, you can go for any color you want, but this vibrant shade packs plenty of personality and complements neutral wardrobes. The real draw here is the shape, which is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously.

Statement Flat-Top

The 90's are back with flat-top fades—but this time, they’re out with a modern twist. No longer will you have to settle for a streamlined cylindrical cut; your natural texture can shine through. You can ask for extra personalization by requesting shaved patterns like zigzags or arrows. "A flat top is for a bold woman—one that turns heads in a room with her confidence," says Dent.  "It’s really just a personality thing, think Grace Jones."

Twist-Out Galore

Can’t live without your twist-out? Opt for small, shaved sections and add an optional side part (or two). You can treat the rest of your hair as normal and twist to your heart’s content. Larger and less uniformed twist-outs create a chic boho look when paired with this modest cut.

Curly Coiffure

If you need a tapered cut that’s easy to manage and can go from a night out at a concert to morning meetings at a corporate office, this style is a fit for you. All you really need is a slight trim to your sides and a hydrated wash-and-go routine. Keeping your temples short while the rest of your hair grows will create a chic high-top that stands out from the crowd.

Ginger Snap

Replace the spikes you see in standard mohawks for stretched out kinks and coils. Just shave down the sides and pick an optional design. If your hair needs assistance in the texture department, you can opt for a braid-out to give you that tousled look. Last but not least, tie in a ginger hue for an alternative vibe.

Pixie Edge

Pixie cuts aren't just for straight hair. In fact, you can let your curl pattern take center stage with this shorter style. To make this haircut work, keep your length trimmed by your ears and your baby hairs smoothed down.

Peekaboo Cut

Delight onlookers with a hidden undercut design. Opting for a symmetrical pattern like a lotus flower or an evil eye is a visually stunning way to spruce up your style. Simply pull your hair up to reveal your tapered tresses.

Icy Trail

If you wish to say goodbye to long hair and hello to a vibrant fashion color, this clean fade is right for you. You’ll have to request a close shave so the deep side can steal the show, then add in the icy, gunmetal blue and you’re ready to go.

Dip-Dye Fro

You’ve probably seen your fill of fro-hawks, but this dip-dyed style is anything but repetitive. Simply shave your sides and create a large "Z" pattern for a fun view. When you’re ready to go out, toss your hair upfront and pin or tie it in place to show off your lightened curly ends.

"When wearing a wash and go with the fro-hawk, activate your curls with your favorite styling product and allow the hair to dry," advises Bailey. "When the hair is completely dry, use a pick to lift the roots ensuring the curls are not disturbed. Add a little holding spray to the root area while diffusing the hair and lifting at the same time to create volume."

Conventionally Cut

Not looking to get close to your hairdresser’s clippers? No problem. This long, layered pixie hair cut may be right up your alley. It’s a conventional and timeless style that looks great with curly textures and highlights the face beautifully. Moreover, this cut is an excellent choice for naturals who have fine hair and desire more volume.

Pompadour

A modern take on the pompadour, this look is all about volume. With this style, you can either mimic a taper (by pinning hair to the side) or actually keep hair trimmed down or buzzed everywhere except for the top.

Cinnamon Coils

Go about daily life with a low-maintenance temple fade that’s adorned with defined coils. Add a dash of spice by dying your frontal, mid-scalp, and crown a warm cinnamon shade, while keeping the hair near your ears dark.

Accessorized

Opting for a tapered cut doesn’t mean you can’t dress up your hair. In fact, you can play around with hair colors and accessories more often than you’d expect. A patterned headscarf is one stylish way you can complement your tapered style.

Asymmetrical Buzzcut

Remember when Cassie sported her iconic asymmetrical buzzcut? You can mimic that punky style by shaving off one side of your hair. The look can be enhanced further by implementing box braids as a protective style.

Finger Curled Frohawk

Have you ever seen a mohawk with springy finger curls? Just snag your favorite defining gel and get to twisting. If you want the texture to really pop, go for a lighter hair color, like strawberry blonde. "How the fro-hawk is worn is totally up to the individual," says Bailey. "I wear a fro-hawk and find myself changing it up, depending upon the occasion and my mood. The fro-hawk can be worn away from the face, toward the face, or towards the left or right side. For drama, the bigger, the better."

High-Low Fade

A high-low fade lets you get the flat-top look without the height maintenance. All it takes is a little buzz to the sides of your head. The contrast between the different lengths of hair creates a dashing gender-neutral style.

Simple Silver

There’s beauty in simplicity, and this fact holds true in the natural hair world. Elaborate designs, dye jobs, and length aren’t necessary if you don’t want them to be. You can rock a chic silver fade and show off your unique features.

Grapevine Curls

Make your way through the grapevine with a midnight purple frohawk. Keep your long curls at the forefront while your tapered sides are highlighted with clean, surgical lines.